You can tell by the short sleeves. Summer in the California Sierra Nevadas. Nice!
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Author: Wil
Wil is a professional singer and musician based in Los Angeles. Originally from the State of Colorado he now performs across the country. Both solo and with bands.
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Another Song From OTR Studios
Getting ready for another busy week today. Tonight I’m at the Winemakers Pour House Winebar in Livermore California. Then tomorrow night I’m on keyboards and rhythm guitar with the Miles Schon Band at Sammy’s in Roseville California. From there I head on up to the Ritz Carlton in Lake Tahoe and Saturday I’m back down in the south bay to play bass with Joanne Leblanc and the Fugitive Blues Band. I’m already tired just writing about it. 🙂 Lots of driving but I’m really stoked to be working a lot and its a ton of fun making music in these great venues with these excellent musicians!
Just thought I’d post another recording from OTR Studios. Again, these songs were recorded live as I was playing guitar and singing at the same time. This one is me singing a 1980s cover that I used to sing in bands back then. I started performing the song solo in the 90s. I found out it was a much bigger hit in Ireland and the UK than it was here and I played this song quite a bit when we lived in Ireland. It’s from a Scottish band called “Danny Wilson” and the song is called “Mary’s Prayer”.
All the best, Wil
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Summer Gigs in Lake Tahoe
Well my summer schedule has kicked in with a vengeance. I’m driving around the bay area to work  with the Miles Schon Band and have started my regular performances at the Ritz Carlton in Lake Tahoe. I just finished playing the 4th of July there and It’s hard to decide if Lake Tahoe is prettier in the summer or the winter but its impossible for me not to love both seasons and the Ritz in North Star ski resort is sure fun to play. Anyway here’s a little photo of our dinner the other night on the west shore and please check my calendar for where you can see me play this summer. Stay cool!
Wil
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Gettin Busy!
Wow what a week end! Gigs Friday and Saturday night and Farmers Market performances Saturday and Sunday. Summer is really ramping up. Thankfully I can sleep Mondays and Tuesdays  It’s so nice to be channeling all this music again. I so missed it during our life in Ireland.
So I haven’t been on my blog for a while and I’m sure you all missed me. Both of you!
I’ve gotten really busy in a very short time as the summer rolls into the San Francisco bay area. The farmers markets bookers keep calling me and wanting me to fill in. The Ritz Carlton in Lake Tahoe has booked me every Friday night for the summer starting the 4th of July. Here goes another 10,000 miles on my car!
And one of the most personally exciting things thats happened recently is that Miles Schon (Son of “Journey” ‘s Neal Schon) has asked me to play a few performances around the bay are with his band this summer. Whats more exciting and challenging is that he wants me to play supporting keyboard parts and rhythm guitar parts. Unbelievable! Miles is an amazing musician and its all I can do to practice enough to make sure I’m contributing to his awesome performances. I have to admit I’m more than a little star struck. He’s a class act and I’m more than honored to be creating music with him. Who knows where it will lead after this summer but hey, what a ride for now.
OK, I’ll try not to be gone so long. All the best to you guys out there. Both of you!
Wil
Well this day was fun. I recorded a few songs live with Cookie Morenco at OTR Studios. I had never gone into a studio and not recorded multi tracking. This required really being “on” and not making any mistakes. I felt good about my performances. Here is a version of “Quando, Quando, Quando” that we recorded that day.
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Video from Santa Clara Urban Village Market
What a day I had this day. The weather was PERFECT California weather and I had shade to play music all morning. Tips and CD sales were good and I love working with people who are also selling homegrown products. (I consider my CD a “homegrown” product 🙂 )
My good friend Joanne LeBlanc caught some video on her iPhone and I posted it below:
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Live Music at Urban Village Markets
I’ve just played 2 village markets! Last Sunday in Cambell and yesterday in Santa Clara. I start at 9am (unheard of in my previous life) and play outside as the people wander the market. It’s really a nice diversion from working the bars and restaurants. Tips an cd sales make it a worth while gig on all fronts 🙂
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Nice day on the Terrace at the Ritz Carlton
l’m looking forward to working at the Ritz more this summer. I had really nice weather last Sunday as I finished my winter schedule there. Here is a clip of “Turn the Page” by Bob Seger. I was playing it as a request but I had turned the camera on during the break. I’m noticing my very cool mic and questionable “pointy” boots. 🙂
Wil
P.S. – Please subscribe HERE to this blog if your interested in where I’m playing and what I’m doing around the SF bay area. Thanks.
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Skiing again before the Gig
Another beautiful week end up here in Lake Tahoe playing at the Ritz. Yesterday I got out and skied again at Squaw Valley with my friends up here. Today I’m playing for the lunch crowd outside on the Terrace at the Ritz where they serve lunch. I’m still trying to wake up enough to sing at noon. My voice doesn’t work naturally before 5pm so strong coffee (not recommended by vocal coaches) and vocal warm ups are in order!
The video below is me “taking a few turns” at Squaw Valley yesterday.