Bill Abernathy has one eye on the past and both feet facing forward. The Kansas City, Missouri singer/songwriter has some miles under his belt since his early days as a young and aspiring songwriter. After stepping away from music for a few years to build a life for himself and his family, he has once again picked up his guitar to recount his journey and share those lessons learned.
The artist’s album “Crossing Willow Creek” is a collection of stories. These are the names and faces Bill has met along the road. With so many tales to tell, it is no surprise that the storyteller eventually found his way back to music. Over the course of eleven songs he sings of loves both lost and found, of regret and salvation.
“Can’t Go Back” is the lead off track on the record, and its new single. At first glance the song seems like a simple bit of nostalgia. However, Abernathy is clearly a realist. He doesn’t view history with rose colored glasses. There are fond stories from the past, but Bill knows that the real world is not as forgiving as memory. Or as he says, “You gotta face the music, you can’t go back.”
Musically speaking, the tune weaves together layers of acoustic and electric guitars to create a great country-tinged classic rock sound. There is a really nice ascending low-string riff that introduces each verse. It feels like the Allman Brothers, as do the many tasteful and twangy harmonized Telecaster leads that pepper the tune. The entire “Crossing Willow Creek” album features similar quality Swamp Rock picking, with occasional flashes of Folk, Country, and Jazz.
Listen to “Can’t Go Back,” and all of “Crossing Willow Creek.” Follow the links below to get to know Bill Abernathy.
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Here is what Bill Abernathy says
Everyone loves a good story about second-chances, and that’s exactly what Bill Abernathy’s story is all about. The Kansas City, Missouri resident began writing songs in his early teens. He played all through his school years, but then he stopped…Life took over.
Bill went about getting married, building a business career, and raising his children.
After his kids graduated from school and started their careers, Bill picked up the guitar again and began trying to rekindle his love of music.
“Inspiration for my music comes from a variety of the many parts of my life,” Bill says. “Events and experiences of mine, my family, my friends, and sometimes even people I have never met all, contribute to the creativity of my music. I find it interesting and rewarding to let my imagination wander through the memory and spirit of life events and see where it takes me.”
Bill is a pure “lyrics-first” writer…a bit of a storyteller. “I feel the story and lyrics talk to me and tell me what the rest of the song is supposed to sound like,” he says. His last album, 2017’s “Find A Way” reached #5 on the Roots Music Report Traditional Folk Album chart, and the single, “Goodbye Will Never Come Again” reached #1 on the singles chart.
Bill’s latest collection of songs, “Crossing Willow Creek” is available now, with first single, “Cry Wolf” hitting radio airwaves around the globe. The single reached the iTunes Top 100 Rock Songs chart, while hitting the Top 5 on New Music Weekly’s country chart. Bill is also a December 2018 Billboard Magazine Emerging Artist.
“Sometimes life is good to you and gives you a second chance. In my youth I walked away from music for a myriad of personal reasons. Now, I’ve now been given a second chance to pursue this thing we love called music, and I am really enjoying the ride!”
