As a nine-year-old aspiring musician in Austin, Will Sexton grew up admiring local legends W.C. Clark, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmie Vaughan of The Fabulous Thunderbirds. His admiration and hard work paid off when he eventually scored record deals with MCA Records, A&M Records, Zoo Entertainment and Lost Highway Records. Along the way, he also found time to join David Baerwald’s New Folk Underground. In 2001, he released Scenes From Nowhere, which earned a four-star review and was honored in the Top 5 Releases of 2001 by the Austin American-Statesman. Will performs regularly around Austin with his two-decade catalog of songs in tow. When he’s not on stage, he’s usually collaborating with other musicians. To date, he’s worked with Waylon Jennings, Stephen Stills, Ronnie Wood, Roky Erickson and punk legend Johnny Thunders. Currently, Will’s hard at work on a new record and is performing live with Texas on Tour through July 5.
Most remote gig in Texas you have ever played?
It was somewhere between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, on a ranch during a hunting excursion. We refer to those Texas house parties as “tool shed gigs.”
What’s your definition of Texas music?
Someone like Doug Sahm, that mixes Mexican, African-American blues, and classic country music. I also love the true traditional versions of the aforementioned styles.
Best place to see Texas music?
The wonderful thing about live Texas music is you can hear country at the Broken Spoke, blues at Antone’s,
rock or progressive country on Deep Ellum,
cowboy music at the Stockyards in
Forth Worth, and Tejano in sweet
San Antonio - real music at real venues.
Favorite Texas album?
Constant favorite would have to be Roy Orbison’s All Time Greatest Hits. The pride of Wink, TX!
Place you’d take someone who’s never been to Texas?
The Hill Country in and around Wimberley,
where I lived for several childhood years, Blanco River and Blue Hole on Cypress Creek.
Where in Texas feels most unlike Texas?
I love Galveston. It feels very different from other beach towns. I love the old feel of that place.
Best four-day Texas vacation?
Definitely Big Bend area, where you can really get away.