Will Dunlap

TEXAS SONGWRITER/ FREELANCE BARITONE GUITARIST!
Check out this Review in AUSTIN DAZE! Will Dunlap “Texarado Dream” Independently produced, 2004 Score = 7Will Dunlap is a local songwriter, guitarist, singer, drummer, keyboardist and producer- (whew…) who has assembled some of Atown’s lesser-known pearls to create a CD that will take you on a journey through several musical styles. R&B, Country, Blues, Gospel, Tejano, and plain old rock & roll are all represented here. This project reminds me a lot of the Pat Boyack CD that I reviewed earlier- not quite as star studded perhaps, but not short on talent and longer on diversity of sound. Like Pat’s CD, this one is filled with knockout vocal performances by a handful of guest singers, with the ringleader guitarist respectfully staying in the background.The opening track showcases the powerful vocals of local gospel singer Tim Curry (no, not THAT Tim Curry) in a song called "Keep Your Dreams." If Tim’s voice won’t get you in church on Sunday morning- there’s just no savin’ you is there? Tim is backed up by the sweet voice of Shannon Scully sounding like a full ensemble herself. The songwriting is there, the musicianship is there too.Will takes the mike on the second track entitled "Colorado Eyes." Now I know this is a town full of guitarist songwriters who also think they can sing- but you’ll be refreshed to find that Will does have a pretty good voice. (Just because he’s invited a bunch of singers along doesn’t mean the dude can’t sing.)Then we go south of the border. Being a Tejana myself- I’m always pleased to hear the dulcet tones created when Espanol is combined with accordions. Scarlett Olson takes us there with the beautiful "Noche De Lluvia." Scarlett handles this song as if she wrote the lyrics herself. Oh wait- she did. Growing up in San Antonio with a Mexican mom pays off, don’t it girl?I don’t have room to take you through every song, but trust me there aren’t many slouches. Haydn Vitera takes us back to Tejano with "Otra Vez," a well done Spanglish number that lets you know why he’s toured with Asleep at the Wheel, Ricky Travino, Vince Gill and Dolly Parton.Alright- there’s a few moments when I could tell that this CD was recorded with a budget, and perhaps it’s not always best to let a guitarist or anyone who’s actually on the recording be the knob twiddler during mixdown. Those moments are rare, and the talent, performances and songwriting will take center stage above any flaws you’ll find here. So if you want to support some well-deserved local talent- buy this CD. If you do, you’ll be happy and they will be too. This CD gets a score of 7.Maria Mesa, Atown Records
Rewiew from www.austinmetro.com/localflavor “Righteous Fool” The debut cd by Eclectic Texas rocker Will Dunlap. Guitars are so important to this artist that the only thing on the inside the jewel box is a photo of his three favorites. And Will can do just about anything with a guitar. He gets southern, Funky Bluesy and front porch pickin’ and strummin’ and big roots rockin’ .Fourteen originals, only two of which are co-writes: the groovy rasta cut [with Trina Calender and the rockin’ title track written by band mate Carl Childs.
"Wild"Will Dunlap has played with Ray Benson and Timothy Curry at the Saxon Pub in Austin Texas! He has done recording sessions with Eric Johnson,Mitch Watkins,Dave Sebree and Herman Rarebell from the Scorpions! He's written songs for Haydn Vitera,Timothy Curry,Vala Cupp and many more!With five independent releases and hundreds of songs in his catalog,he's more than a performing songwriter and an innovative baritone guitarist,he is an independent producer that works with great Texas artists!
The songs on this page are all songs written by Dunlap and performed by Artists such as HAYDN VITERA [Otra Vez],TIMOTHY CURRY and SHANNON SCULLY [Keep your Dreams],VALA CUPP [Two Steps Forward, SCARLOTT OLSEN[Maybe Tomorrow] ect...Righteous Fool Music a.s.c.a.p. is a music publishing co. located in Austin Texas. Write: P.O. Box 40447 Austin Tx.78704
OTRA VEZ:as recorded by HAYDN VITERA on his debut cd! VITERA is an Artist who has has paid his dues backing up some of the best, including:Rick Travino,ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL and others.Otra Vez is getting a strong response from Vitera fans and has been aired several times on KGSRFM in Austin Tx. Available at www.HaydnVitera.com
R&B/Jazz/Gospel hero Timothy Curry has also recorded several of Dunlap's songs and is one the featured artists on Will's 2004 compilation cd:Texarado Dream.Timothy tours with RAY BENSON and Asleep at the Wheel in the show 'A Ride with Bob'. It's a theater presentation based on the life of Bob Wills.Check out:www.TimothyCurry.com
BIO:Will's grandmother was a soprano on Broadway who worked with and knew personally the great Irving Berlin! From an early age Will learned a lot about performance from sitting at the piano and watching her sing and play classics from the 30's 40's and 50's. Will grew up also listening to his dad singing and playing folk guitars at local parties ect....In the 1970's Will was a drummer who helped build the Denver based 'Lightning' into a successful rock and roll show band.During those days 'Wild' Will was known simply as Bill Dunlap.They used to have regular jam sessions with the likes of the now internationally famous sax player Nelson Rangell.He later studied drums at Berkley College of Music in Boston and Bass & music theory at North Texas State in Denton Tx.In 1980 Will moved to Austin and got his first shot when singer Vicky Southern took his songs into the studio to record with some of Austin's best.During this period he co-wrote lots of songs with friend Mark Dorsey and first met his long term band mates:Carl Childs,Sam McBurnett and J.D. Higginbotham.Will,Carl and the boys had two Austin Bands that played all the old haunts. In the 90's he freelanced as the drummer with the J.W. Davis Jazz group that featured the late great Pat Patterson on trumpet!Latin Percussionist Jorge DeArmas joined the band in 1995 and Viola player Rob Radmer added his talents in 2001.The rest is History!
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From"Old Steamboat,Joe's Generic and Chicago House" in the eighties to "Liberty Lunch,Flamingo Cantina and "The Austin Music Hall" in the 90's Will and his various bands have done their time in the ranks.Now days Will plays every Tuesday at Waterloo Ice House 38th and Medical pkwy 7-9pm.He also has joined up with the all star 'Rockin'Gospel Project' group who have been featured in a documentary about the life of Maria! They play live every 2nd Sunday of the month at Maria's Taco-Xpress in Austin.12:00 - 2:00pm.
Highlights:The Christmas Eve show 2005 at The Saxon Pub with Timothy Curry and Ray Benson was a magical night! With Ray and Tim singing masterfully,Will playing rhythm on Acoustic Baritone guitar and Ray really cutting loose with fluid Jazzy leads it was a night to remember!