some of the music story so far.....


Will West grew up in Nash County, North Carolina. About an hour east of Raleigh, in the heart of tobacco country, they lived off an old 2 lane route called Bend of the River Road. The son of a fiddle player, his family always had instruments around the house. He began playing the acoustic guitar when he was 11 years old.

His parents bought him an electric guitar for his 13th birthday and the days of Rock & Blues began. Inspired by early Black Sabbath, Metallica & Stevie Ray Vaughn albums, he spent his early years working out loud guitar riffs in the basement of his country home.

After a few attempts at garage bands throughout Junior High, Will eventually settled back into the Acoustic Guitar when he was 17. He and vocalist, Fred Killingsworth, would sneak into bars underage to perform at open stages at nearby college towns.

Will began songwriting and singing during his college years at UNC-Chapel Hill. He first braved the stage as a singer during the Springtime of 2000 at the Skylight Exchange Open-Mic. At a full panic, he raced through 3 original tunes to a handful of listeners and fell in love with the idea of performance and stage.

Will West joined the North Carolina Songwriter's Association in 2001 and began performing at various Open-Mics and showcases in the Chapel Hill/Raleigh areas. Common haunts were the Six String Cafe in Cary and The Cave in Chapel Hill.

He visited his brother in Portland, Oregon in the summertime of 2001. Exploring the local venues, music scene and even busking on NW 23rd Ave. He found a comfortable vibe in this Pacific Northwest city.....

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Moving to Portland.......

West returned to Chapel Hill to complete his Chemistry degree at UNC and in June of 2002 he loaded his guitar, his dog and a handful of original tunes into his car for a cross country trek to Portland, Oregon.

He jumped right into the Portland Open-Mic scene, often found playing a few songs at The Green Room, The Twilight Cafe, Burlingame Pizza and Produce Row Cafe Open Stages during 2002 & 2003. Working all sorts of random jobs to make ends meet ~ busing tables, moving furniture and house painting to name just a few.
Frustrated at times..... Will stayed dedicated to his music, singing and performance.

In the Springtime of 2003 he picked up his first formal shows, a weekly event in the Historic Pearl district Portland. As a solo acoustic performer with guitar, vocals and harmonica he continued to cut his teeth in the local scene and work on his songwriting.

Will first stepped into the studio in April of 2003. He had met an intern at the local non-profit organization called Ethos Studio in Portland, Oregon. Over several days in April and August of 2003 he recorded variations of his original tunes in a very intimate studio setting.

Will West later released a collection of 11 of these songs on an album called Reconstruction in Jan 2004. The song "Razor's Edge" caught the attention of Jade Walker, editor of Siren Song Magazine, an online publication out of Seattle, WA.
"Razor's Edge" was nominated for 2004 Song of the Year by Siren Song Magazine.

In the wintertime of 2004, West began a weekly acoustic series at a downtown lounge called Allesandro's. The series, called "Winter Therapy", was featured as a HeadOut Pick by the Willamette Week and Editor's Choice by the Oregonian during it's 3 month run.

In the Springtime of 2005, Will fixed up an old Toyota van and loaded his dog for a month long trip through California. He took a slow route down Highway 1 through northern California, exploring the coastline & writing new songs. He explored Open-Mics and Songwriter's Showcases in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

On the slow ride back north to Portland, Will stopped to rest with some friends in San Francisco and his van was stolen..... fortunately he was left with his dog, his guitar and some great new friends that put him up for a week of San Francisco sunshine. Street Performing around Haight-Ashbury to jamming with drummers in Golden Gate Park. The lost van turned into a fantastic adventure through the city.

Will returned to Portland with a smile on his face and some new tunes under his belt....

With renewed inspiration, Will West stopped by Mississippi Studios to record a handful of new tunes. He released this collection locally as a 5 song EP called the Live Acoustic Sampler in September 2005.

He picked up a weekly happy hour gig at The Green Room in the Fall of 2005. At that time he met local fiddler, Bob Soper, while he was performing on NW 23rd Avenue on a sunny afternoon. Bob Soper and Will West would hold down Friday evenings at the Green Room for the next year and half.

Early in 2006, Will met local engineer/producer Rob Stroup at 8 Ball Studio. Over the next 6 months they put together a collection of Studio Recordings.
Featuring Bob Soper on fiddle/djembe', Noah Peterson on soprano sax, Rob Stroup on bass/percussion and Jessica Kreider on vocals. Will released 10 songs as an album called SHINE in January of 2007.

Touring Performers William Fitzsimmons & Jay Nash joined Will West and The Band for the release celebration of SHINE to a packed house at Imbibe in April 2007.

Track 2 "Better Day" was featured as a KINK fm 101.9 spotlight several times in the summer of 2007.
In the Fall of 2007, Will first toured the east coast ~ from New York to Atlanta and all over North & South Carolina. Including a live television performance in Charleston, SC.

In September of 2007, Will released a 5 song EP called Live Acoustic Sampler vol 2. Featuring Live Studio Recordings of Will West with Drew Norman on banjo and Noah Peterson on sax.
Combining old-time and jazz influences with Will West's unique songwriting, this EP shows early samples of the developing signature sound.

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The Friendly Strangers......

In the Summertime of 2008, Will West and guest bandmates began playing every Thursday for "eagle time" at the White Eagle Saloon. They began to refine a unique sound, blending acoustic improvisation with Jazz and Folk roots. They became regular staples at other area McMenamins venues..

During these weekly Thursday jams, the band became known as The Friendly Strangers. Often times it would be the first time some of the bandmates were meeting each other.

In early 2009, Will West and guest members of The Friendly Strangers jumped into the studio to capture a few live songs.
They released a 10 song collection called "To Inspire" by Will West live & lo-fi
Featuring 8 live songs with Drew Norman on banjo & lap slide, Bob Soper on fiddle & Noah Peterson on soprano sax.
2 songs were recorded at Will's new home studio called Sessions on 12th.
A limited press of 300 copies were made of this album and sold in handpainted cases.

In August of 2009, Will West & The Friendly Strangers were asked to perform on the mainstage during the final night of the Bite of Portland. They played a short set to a fantastic downtown crowd as the sun went down on the Portland waterfront.

They were averaging 100 shows per year from 2008-2010, including a 2500 mile 10-day tour through Montana & Idaho in August of 2009.

Will West was nominated for "Best Male Artist" by the 2010 Portland Music Awards.
"Sunny Daze" (SHINE album) was picked for Locals Only Volume 3 by KINK fm101.9 and released in August of 2010.

He returned to the studio during the springtime of 2010. With members of the Friendly Strangers they put together a collection of 12 songs called "Take this Moment".
An exciting new album, touching on old-time roots, bluegrass and dreamy folk.

Featuring an array of fantastic Portland musicians....
Skip vonKuske on mandolin & cello, Drew Norman on banjo, Bob Soper on fiddle,
Sean Hudson on Upright bass, Tanner Cundy on guitar & keys, Chris Lay on percussion,
Chance Hayden on guitar, Sam Howard on upright bass, Rob Stroup on percussion & strings. Including special guests Justin Bennett, Mary Beers & Justin Blankenship on vocals....
WW & The Friendly Strangers are really excited about this new CD.

On December 10, 2010 ~ they celebrated the release of the new album at The Secret Society Ballroom with special guest Groovy Wallpaper.

2011.... looks to be an exciting year for Will West & The Friendly Strangers.....
They're already Back in the studio....
Planning to release a series of EP's in late 2011


Hey! ..... thanks for checking out the new music Bio!
Here's a FREE song for you.
To Inspire by Will West
(To Download ~ right click to Save As)

........ more to come !
Thanks for stopping by!




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