Will Payne Harrison is an artist I first discovered on Twitter through his friendship with Matt Moran. I quickly fell in love with his style and have been a fan ever since. Will’s spotlight is number three of a four-day run of artist spotlights. All four artists in this run are friends, and the last one will drop on Thanksgiving Day. So, it’s a Friendsgiving week of posts! Let’s get into it! Who is Will Payne Harrison?
Where is Will from, and where does he currently live? He said, “I was raised in Tioga, Louisiana, I lived in Lafayette for 15+ years and I now reside in Nashville, TN for over a decade.” When did Will first start playing music, and what drew him to it? He told me, “I first played bass in high school so I could join bands since everyone was a guitar player. What drew me to it was it was a way to get out of my small town and see new places. It was an escape. I talk about this a bit in my song “Empty Pockets.”
How would Will describe his sound to someone who’s never heard him before? He said, “Throwback Country with a modern twist. Born in the Bayou. Swampy Tonk.” Swampy Tonk is what I use to describe his music. Who inspired Will to start making music? He told me, “My Grandpa Will Payne Jr. He clapped for me every time I played piano as a kid.” What about some artists who have influenced Will? He said, “Tom Petty and Counting Crows were probably the first two that really influenced me. For Country, it was Johnny Cash. I heard “Long Black Veil,” and I was hooked. Currently, my influences would be Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Guy Clark, John Prine…”
What’s been Will’s favorite show or venue to play so far? He said, “That’s tough to say. On this tour, I’d say Blue Moon Saloon because I got to see all my friends and shoot a music video, plus Matt Moran and the Palominos got to experience South Louisiana with me.” What’s his dream venue to play at, though? He told me, “Any venue with people who show up to see me is a dream.”
Have there been any major turning points in Will’s career so far? He said, “It’s hard to say when you’re in the middle of it, but I think larger things are coming in 2026. And that’s all due to the Sad Cowboy Summer tour with Matt Moran. So maybe, that’s my turning point.” What’s something about Will that people might not expect? He said, “I have national publication credits for photography.” That’s badass!
What does Will hope people feel when they hear his music? He gave a great answer, saying, “Motivation to buy the album.” What does success look like for Will in music? He said, “It’s always a moving target. If you asked me that 5 years ago, I’d say exactly where I am now. So, I guess I am successful by my own standard. But now, I’d say financial independence from a primary job is the new goal.”
How does Will balance music with the his of your life? He gave a relatable (to me) answer, saying, “You just don’t sleep.” What’s one piece of advice Will would give to someone just starting out in music? He said, “Make sure your family is rich or enjoy being broke for the rest of your life.” What about upcoming releases or projects? Will released an album a few months ago called Still Feelin’ the Payne, and it’s excellent!
Thank you for reading this week’s artist spotlight! I hope you enjoyed getting to know who Will Payne Harrison is behind his music. Below are all his links. Go check him out, and go catch him at a show. As always, be good to yourself, stay western, and stay tuned!
willpayneharrison.bandcamp.com
instagram.com/willpayneharrison
pre-save/follow at willpayneharrison.hearnow.com
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