Come along on a journey through the soundtrack of my life! This page is like my scrapbook, filled with all the twists, turns, and songs that have made my musical adventure so unforgettable. I'm excited to share these stories with you and hope you'll enjoy every story and song, just as much as I have. So, grab a seat, get cozy, and let's dive into the melodies together!

Dan Fogelberg said it right. "Follow the dreamers, the fools and the sage, back to the days of the innocent age". I remember those innocent days when I first picked up an instrument. I was just a youngster, exploring all kinds of music. But you know what really captivated me? Singer-songwriters like Paul Simon, Peter, Paul and Mary, Gordon Lightfoot, Dan Fogelberg, and Loggins and Messina. There's just something about those storytellers that resonates with me.

Let me take you back to where it all started – under that big ol' willow tree. You've heard me talk about it before, but there's more to the story. See, when I was a kid, I had this heart condition that kept me stuck at home for what felt like forever. Couldn't do much physically, so I found my escape under that tree with my guitar. Spending hours there wasn't just about strumming strings; it was like therapy for me – both physically and mentally. It's funny how something as simple as a tree and a guitar can shape who you are. Now, whenever I see a willow tree, I can't help but smile – it's like catching up with an old friend.

Willow Creek

"Willow Creek" holds a special place in my heart—it was the first song of mine that ever made it onto the radio waves, as well as my first "Song of the Year" award. Let me tell you, hearing it play for the first time was like stepping into a dream. Surreal doesn't even begin to cover it. This little tune, so simple yet so meaningful, kickstarted

"Willow Creek" holds a special place in my heart—it was the first song of mine that ever made it onto the radio waves, as well as my first "Song of the Year" award. Let me tell you, hearing it play for the first time was like stepping into a dream. Surreal doesn't even begin to cover it. This little tune, so simple yet so meaningful, kickstarted the journey I'm still on today. It's crazy to think how one song can open so many doors. It even snagged a few songwriting awards and earned some love from reviewers and critics alike. But you know what the best part was? It showed me that there's an audience out there for the kind of music I make. That realization lit a fire in me, made me want to keep creating and sharing more of what I love. So here I am, still riding that wave of inspiration, all thanks to a little song called "Willow Creek."

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Willow Creek 3:40

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One of the earliest and most memorable performances in my career traces back to my junior high days, believe it or not. It all happened during a talent show, an event that taught me a valuable lesson about navigating authority. I auditioned with Dan Fogelberg's "Looking for a Lady," a song I felt connected to and wanted to sing to a "special" girl in the audience. The judges loved it, however, they deemed it inappropriate, too suggestive, particularly the line "I’m looking for a lady to fill my empty bed." I developed a severe distaste for the word "inappropriate" that day. Undeterred, I quickly pivoted and chose to perform John Denver's "My Sweet Lady." It resonated with the audience, becoming one of my most requested songs particularly when I perform in the Kansas City area.

My Sweet Lady

Bill Abernathy

I promised someday I would record this song for the folks in the audience that day, as well as the "special" lady I sang it to. Promised kept. I recorded this solo in the studio, just a 12 string and a mic point blank to my soul to try and emulate feel of the original performance.

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My Sweet Lady 5:05

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My dad had this saying that always stuck with me: "If you want something bad enough, and are willing to put in the blood, the sweat, the tears, and the toil, you can always FIND A WAY." Those words became my anthem, my fuel for chasing my music dreams. So, when "FIND A WAY" hit the airwaves, I was blown away by the response. It was like a whirlwind of love and support. The album got tons of radio play, racked up hundreds of thousands of streams, and even landed me my first #1 ranked national single, "Goodbye Will Never Come Again." I couldn't help but smile thinking about what my dad used to say. He was onto something, that's for sure. Put in the work, stay true to your passion, and watch the magic happen. My dad? Yeah, he was a pretty smart man.

Goodbye Will Never Come Again

Bill Abernathy

"Goodbye Will Never Come Again" is my first #1 single, topping the Roots Music Traditional Folk Song Chart in September of 2017. "Goodbye Will Never Come Again" is a reflection on the fallout of my selfish decisions, showing how what seemed like simple choices ended up causing lasting pain and lasting damage to those around me. In the lyrics, I

"Goodbye Will Never Come Again" is my first #1 single, topping the Roots Music Traditional Folk Song Chart in September of 2017. "Goodbye Will Never Come Again" is a reflection on the fallout of my selfish decisions, showing how what seemed like simple choices ended up causing lasting pain and lasting damage to those around me. In the lyrics, I express a profound regret, desperately wishing for the chance to apologize and set things right. It's an admission of my past mistakes and a heartfelt plea for forgiveness, acknowledging the consequences of my actions and yearning to mend the wounds I've caused. "I wish I could tell you how sorry I am for that vain little boy and his self-serving plans. I pray that you can see someway to forgive me."

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Find A Way

Bill Abernathy

"Find a Way" reached #2 on the Roots Music Pop Rock Chart in September of 2017, and #7 in the Traditional Folk Song Chart in March of 2017. "Find a Way" is my reminiscing about the day my father passed away. When I got the call his death was eminent, I was at work. I finished up about 10 minutes worth of work and left for the hospital. I missed

"Find a Way" reached #2 on the Roots Music Pop Rock Chart in September of 2017, and #7 in the Traditional Folk Song Chart in March of 2017. "Find a Way" is my reminiscing about the day my father passed away. When I got the call his death was eminent, I was at work. I finished up about 10 minutes worth of work and left for the hospital. I missed those last moments with my father by 5 minutes. The story of the song is about that particular day, but the message of the song is much more important. It's all about being able to find a balance in your life. I lost that balance and prioritize my time improperly that day, missing my last chance to say I love you one more time, and a final goodbye. I looked for a way to Find a Way to do that for many years. At the end of the song, you hear a fully acoustic version of my Dad's favorite song. He always enjoyed hearing me play "The Wildwood Flower", so I added a short version of it to the outtake of the song. It's my way to Find a Way to say I love you one last time to my dad.

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Crossing Willow Creek is really a musical transition, crossing over the pure acoustic sounds of my my youth and into a more produced sound. This idea came about in practice sessions for live shows promoting the Find A Way tour. As much as Find A Way got me on the musical map, Crossing Willow Creek went to another level with multiple international hit songs.