Born in Hamilton Ontario, I started playing guitar and singing in a traveling variety show during the mid-60’s. I have always introduced myself on stage as Will Lardie, but what people seem to hear is “Willard”, and they often refer to me by that name. Just easier to remember, so I leave the option open.
I never really favored the music of the 60’s and I found myself drawn to the styles of artists like Hank Williams, “Lefty” Frizzel and Sonny James. Over the years, along with live performance, I’ve been involved with television and radio, I’ve done some song-writing and some recording, and I’ve had some good experiences as well as some bad, in all areas of my life.
In my life, I may have had periods of being broke and homeless, and feelings of hopelessness, as most musicians have, but there have been other times in life, (usually involving a “day job”), that I’ve been productive enough to live in comfort and well being. In these past few years, life has balanced itself with a loving family, close friends and comfort of living.
The songs I sing now are mostly abstract reflections, cover songs of the life I’ve experienced or witnessed. I’ve written a fair number of songs myself, but most are songs written during the “drugstore cowboy” days. Honky tonk dance tunes, mostly. I think they are good songs, but not really what I like to sing about these days. Some of my songs, though, do fit in with my current style and I still like to slip them in occasionally, during live performances, or just sitting on the porch with my guitar.
Over all, I have to say that life has been fair to me. It’s given me nothing I haven’t earned, good or bad, and it has allowed me the advantage of living in a great land where all things are possible, including the opportunity, on occasion, to play a few tunes for a gracious audience.
-Willard