MP3 Will McFarlane - Axe to the Root

Roots, blues and gospel styles

11 MP3 Songs
BLUES: Rhythm & Blues, GOSPEL: Contemporary Gospel



Details:
Will McFarlane is a gifted singer/songwriter and musician whose natural talents are complemented by his years of experience and love for his craft. Now a resident of Durham, NC, Will had been part of the Muscle Shoals music scene for the past 20+ years. However, his music and message reach far beyond the Shoals and have taken him across the U.S. and into other countries.

Willâs career as a well-known recording artist began in the early seventies when he joined Bonnie Raittâs band as a guitarist and background vocalist. For six years he toured and recorded with the band on such projects as Bonnieâs Home Plate and Sweet Forgiveness LPâs. Sweet Forgiveness included a cover of the 60âs Del Shannon tune Runaway, and became Bonnieâs highest charting single to that date. Playing guitar with Bonnieâs band meant a heavy touring and performing schedule, and included such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall. Time not spent on the road was often spent in recording sessions on other projects, such as the Urban Cowboy Soundtrack, and John Boylanâs production of Cotton-eyed Joe (the flip side of Mickey Gilleyâs hit single Stand By Me).

In 1979, five days of concerts recorded at Madison Square Gardens became a certified-gold, multiple-disk set called No Nukes. While recording this work, Will joined a host of other musicians onstage, including Jackson Browne, Jesse Colin Young, John Hall, Pheobe Snow, and Bonnie Raitt. That same year, Will toured as guitarist for the Pointer Sisters and played many other dates in the L.A. area.

In 1980, the pressures of a busy touring schedule and the fast pace of life LA-style prompted Will to make some major changes. The impact his lifestyle could have on his young family was of great concern to him, so he left California and moved to Muscle Shoals, AL. It didnât take long for Willâs talents to find useful outlets, and he began working for Muscle Shoals producers Jimmy Johnson and Barry Beckett. Among the albums he helped record were projects for Levon Helm and Billy âCrashâ Craddock. Commercial jingles included a McDonaldâs radio ad with Will on vocals that was picked up by the franchiseâs national advertising.

During this time, Willâs spiritual journey led him to write and record 5 contemporary Christian albums: Right From The Start, A Colony of Heaven, Only the Heart, and Hear the Voice and Axe To The Root. Willâs travels and testimony have allowed him to travel the U.S., Canada, and exotic locations like Hawaii, Jamaica and the Bahamas. Travels in Europe have included stays in France, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, England, Scotland and Sweden. Other Christian artists use Willâs talents frequently and he has recorded with Rick Cua, Lenny Le Blanc, Michelle Pillar, Cindy Richardson, Lloyd Thogmartin, Robin Pope, Second Chapter of Acts and Maranatha Praise 9.

Over the years, Willâs versatility has enabled him to work on such diverse projects as the first two Forrester Sisters albums (which, between them, produced four No. 1 hits) and Little Miltonâs Strugglinâ Lady. Malaco Recordsâ involvement in Muscles Shoals music paved the way for Will to contribute to the works of such legendary jazz/blues greats as Bobby âBlueâ Bland, Dorothy Moore, Denise LaSalle, Shirley Brown, and Latimore as well as Little Milton. When Jerry Wexler came back to town to produce Etta Jamesâ The Right Time, Will had the great fortune to work alongside the master producer. In addition, he cut two tracks of live duets with Steve Winwood and Etta James as well as a single with Toby Keith.. Heâs played in live shows with Chris Kristofferson, Lee Roy Parnell and Waylan Jennings.

Will McFarlane is at home with practically any musical style, whether heâs playing country with the Tammy Wynette or jamming with Buddy guy. His insight and understanding of the music he plays allows him to relate to audiences of all ages and interests. Sice moving to North Carolina , heâs gotten involved in the local scene as well as traveling and opening for other artists such as Delbert McClinton. Heâll be back in the studio soon cutting many of the songs that have layed dormant for the last few years. He summed it up by saying, âIâm just cleaning out the basement of these old songs, and looking forward to getting outside and playing again.â