Through the Years

the roadmap of my musical journey.

From the moment I quietly wrote my first songs under a backyard willow tree to releasing Crossing Willow Creek, crafting Who Are You Who Am I, and earning Grammy recognition for MORE—this is the straight story of where it all started, and how it came to be.

Each album, milestone, and award you see here traces the life behind the music. Sit back, scroll through, and watch how the soundtrack evolved.

The Innocent Age

Where It All Began

Dan Fogelberg said it best:

“Follow the dreamers, the fools, and the sage… back to the days of the innocent age.”

I remember those days. When music was discovery, not industry. When I picked up my first instrument not to perform—but to understand something bigger than myself.

I was just a kid, chasing sounds and searching for meaning. I listened to everything I could get my hands on. But what truly captivated me were the storytellers—the ones who wrapped truth in melody and made it feel personal.

Paul Simon. Peter, Paul and Mary. Gordon Lightfoot. Loggins and Messina. And of course, Dan Fogelberg.

Their songs didn’t just entertain me—they shaped me. They taught me that a simple lyric, sung honestly, could change the way someone sees the world.

That’s the tradition I try to carry forward. Story first. Always.

Willow Creek

The place that started it all

Some places don’t just leave memories—they leave marks.

Willow Creek wasn’t just a spot on the map. It was my beginning. It’s where I first held a guitar, where I stumbled through chords, and where I started shaping the stories that would one day become songs.

I spent countless hours under that old willow tree with a beat-up guitar and no expectations—just a kid chasing sound and searching for something real.

Willow Creek is my tribute to that place… and to that kid. The one who sat in the shade with callused fingers, a notebook full of half-formed lyrics, and a head full of dreams.

We don’t always leave the places we outgrow.
Sometimes, we carry them in every song we write.

Willow Creek

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"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 Read more

"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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The Talent Show That Taught Me Everything

It was “inappropriate.”

One of the earliest—and most unforgettable—moments in my music journey goes all the way back to junior high. It was a talent show, and I was ready to leave it all on the stage.

I auditioned with Dan Fogelberg’s “Looking for a Lady”—a song that hit me in the heart and, yeah, maybe had something to do with a certain “special someone” in the audience. The judges loved the performance… until they got to the line: “I’m looking for a lady to fill my empty bed.”

Suddenly, it wasn’t about the music anymore.
It was “inappropriate.”
That was the first time I learned how fast someone can try to silence a story that feels too honest. And that was the day I developed a lifelong allergy to that word.

But I wasn’t done.

I pivoted and performed “My Sweet Lady” by John Denver. The audience connected. It stuck. To this day, it’s still one of the most requested songs when I play around Kansas City.

That show didn’t just teach me how to perform—it taught me how to adapt, push back, and stay true to the heart of a song… even when the gatekeepers flinch.

My Sweet Lady

Bill Abernathy

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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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Find A Way – The Words That Lit the Fire

My dad used to say something that’s never left me:

“If you want something bad enough—and you’re willing to give it your blood, sweat, tears, and toil—you’ll always find a way.”

Those weren’t just words. They became my anthem. My compass. My fuel.

So when Find A Way hit the airwaves and caught fire, I couldn’t help but think of him. The album took off—radio spins across the country, hundreds of thousands of streams, and my first-ever #1 national single with “Goodbye Will Never Come Again.”

It was overwhelming. Humbling. A reminder that hard work, heart, and belief still matter.

Turns out, my dad was right. You pour everything you’ve got into the music… and if you stay true to the passion, the magic will meet you halfway.
Smart man, my dad. Damn smart.

Goodbye Will Never Come Again

Bill Abernathy

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"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, Read more

"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

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"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 Read more

"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 – A Turning Point

Crossing Willow Creek marked more than a new album—it marked a transformation.

It was the bridge between the raw, acoustic honesty of my early days and a fuller, more produced sound that reflected how far I’d come—and how much further I wanted to go.

The idea sparked during rehearsals for the Find A Way tour. That album put me on the musical map, but Crossing Willow Creek took the journey to a whole new level—with multiple international charting songs and a sound that finally caught up with the stories I was telling.

This wasn’t just a musical evolution. It was a creative leap. And I’ve been walking farther ever since.