Will Tucker
Photo by Dave Bunk
I saw Will Tucker play at B.B. King Club on Beale St in Memphis in January and I was hooked, blown away with what he was performing. So I had to interview him. So read on and discover why I think he rocks.
http://www.willtuckermusic.com
1. What inspired you to play music and getting into blues?
My uncle was a musician growing up in the 1970’s here in Memphis. He played with many notable local bands and really was the first one to expose me to the idea of playing an instrument. When I was twelve years old, he tragically and unexpectedly passed away. That incident set a fire in me to learn how to play an instrument. I ended up inheriting one of his guitars, a 2004 sunburst Gibson Les Paul Standard. I knew that If I was going to have the privilege of owning such a nice guitar I better learn to play it. I started out learning to play basic chords and quickly got hooked on it. I began practicing up to six hours a day.
Growing up, my father always had me listening to great music. While most kids were listening to NSYNC (can’t say that I didn’t at all though) my dad had me listening to The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin, The Marshall Tucker Band, the list goes on and on. Naturally, that music earned a place in my heart, and made me develop a love for rock and blues at an early age. So when I began playing guitar, it was only natural that I wanted to play rock and blues.
2. Are you happy how it all been recieved?
There have been preconceived shortcomings regarding a young white kid playing the blues. I wouldn’t be telling you the truth if I said it has all been easy. But as they say, you cannot please everyone. The good news is; the people that I have pleased I seem to have pleased well. I have been beyond blessed to have such an amazing fan base and so much support. It is really what has kept me going all this time. Every growing artist will have their ups and downs, and my fans have stuck with me through all of them.
3. What is it like to play B.B. King club?
It is funny, I get asked that question, and I continuously have to ask myself that. I’ve played there over 800 times as 2015. It has been yet another blessing to get to play at such a notable club. It has been a wonderful place to grow as an artist and has also been a great outlet to get my music around the world. People often ask me when I am going to do a tour, and I tell them “why should I tour when the tour comes to me?” It really is true, I have a CD on every continent thanks to the diversity of the tourists and locals that come into BB King’s to listen to music.
4. What is your new release about?
My latest release, “Worth the Gamble” has been a long time coming to say the least. I technically started the project in 2010 and here we are with its release in 2015. I’ve been working hard to mesh a sound that combines influences from blues, rock, and even modern pop. I’m pretty happy with the way it came out. There is still so much more ground to be covered in this musical endeavor, but “Worth the Gamble” is a solid start.
5. What do you get from playing live?
Playing live has been essentially the root of my career. I always say that there is no better practice than to play live. I think for every three hours spent playing in a room, it equates to what you can learn in one hour of playing live. That being said, in my seven years of playing live, it has taught me how to become a better performer, a better guitar player, and an all around better musician. Aside from the growth aspect, there is no feeling in the world like playing to a big crowd that is as into your music as you are. It is not something that a performer will necessarily experience every time he or she takes the stage, but on the occasion that it does happen, it is natural ecstasy.
6. Do you have any rituals before playing a show?
Honestly I do not have any pre-show rituals. Playing live has almost become part of my daily routine so getting up on stage is sort of like walking upstairs in your home!
7. How does a song come to you?
The majority of songs that I have written have come to me from out of the blue. Usually I will be out and about and hear someone say something and I’ll think “man that is a song right there!” In fact, “Draw the Line” came to me just like that. I was talking to a friend of mine about whether or not I should ask my now fiancee to go on a date with me. This of course was before we were technically dating. I remember him telling me, “man if you like that girl, you’ve got to draw the line while you can.” So I went home that afternoon and wrote the song (and asked her out).
8. Any times when you just cant write?
More often than you would imagine. Songwriting is something that does not come naturally to me. I usually have to have some powerful inspiration and determination to write a song. Otherwise songwriting really turns into a chore sometimes. But I also know that songwriting is like a muscle that has to be exercised, and the more you do it, the easier it becomes.
9. What is your favorite song to play live?
My favorite song to play live is actually a song I very rarely play. It happens to also be my favorite song of all time. It is “Whipping Post” by The Allman Brothers Band. I do not play it very often so that it keeps it rarity and charm.
10. What does the rest of 2015 have in store for you?
That is a good question! Time will tell. I will be performing in the Beale Street Music Festival in May, and will likely be getting married later this fall. Otherwise I’ll be finishing up my college education and continuing to play weekly at BB King’s Blues Club and other venues around Memphis.
