Born in Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, New York on September 16, 1953 and the second of six children born to Thomas and Ann Indian. Graduate of Schalmont High School, Rotterdam, New York.
My first instrument was a 5 string banjo and shortly after I picked up my mother’s guitar which quickly became my first choice. I played in high school with friends from Rotterdam Junction in Uncle Barn’s Evaporated Band and when I moved to Rochester, I played with Buddy Hart and the Full House. I moved to Texas in 1976 and played with Ten Cent Coke as the house band at Pat’s Place in Surfside, Texas. I worked in the Gulf Coast area near Houston with Charles Farmer and the Lost Highway Band and Traveling Light. In 1980, I moved to Austin and began working with Jess DeMaine and Roadrunner at the Broken Spoke and S.P.J.S.T. Halls. I formed the Rhythm Rats in 1984 with Rusty Trapps and Loose Reed. The Rats quickly became very popular and played at Austin nightspots like The Hole in the Wall, Austin Outhouse, and the Flying Circus. The Rhythm Rats played over 200 dates a year for several years with changing personnel and many released recordings. Among the musicians I worked with back then were Daniel Johnston, James Cotton, Chris Youlden (Savoy Brown), Blaze Foley, Gary Primich, and Bo Diddley. In 1987 I joined Brompton’s Cocktail with Andrew Teekell and Wiley Cousins and performed in Texas and Louisiana. I was introduced to Clifford " Honky Tonk "Scott by Ernie Durawa and worked with him in the Central Texas area, releasing two albums on the New Rose label. I worked as a DJ at KAZI radio in Austin from 1988 to 1995 hosting “The Will Indian Show†featuring blues and local music with many musical guests appearing. The Rhythm Rats did four tours of Finland in 1992 and 1994 where their rock ‘n roll was warmly received. In 1996 the Nortons were formed by Speedy Sparks, John X Reed, Rusty Trapps, and me. The Nortons had a residency at The Hole in the Wall on Thursdays for seven years. For the last three years I have been band leader for James Hand and we released the highly acclaimed album “The Truth Will Set You Free†on Rounder Records. With James Hand, I have toured extensively in the United States and Europe from the Strawberry Festival in California to festivals in France.