Will Bill played a guitar for a major country singer at one time. In order to have the opportunity to play for kind of entertainer. You have to have talent, a gift that god gave him. These musicians, try out with about a thousand others, in hopes they will get the job. They are picked out of that number, then have to try out with a hundred. Till it gets to the number they want to hire.
He saw the big times and all the lights. Played on stages that most of us dream about. Had meals to satisfy a King. Had clothing provided for him, along with his instrument. Traveled many places and saw many faces. Not only did they play for their employer, sometimes they would play for other entertainers, that might be appearing that night.
Many years ago, being a member of a well known entertainer, was not an easy life. A lot of long hours, days, and rides. The musicians would get on stage, play their instruments. They didn't dare miss a note, or they would be fired that night. Didn't matter if they been playing for 14 nights without a break. It was no excuse. This is why and how so many entertainers get on drugs and the drinking. Uppers to keep going and downers trying to sleep. He played for one of the greats, we'll call him Rick , in Country Music.
One night he got on stage drunk, Rick looked over at Will Bill, said; "Get off of my stage." Will Bill proceeded to do so. Then Rick said where are you going with that guitar. Will Bill put his guitar in Rick's hands and left. Will Bill's career was ended.
The musicians would get off stage, they would immediately, head for the bus, put their guitars in the racks. Did this mean they would rest? No, sometimes they would have tapes of a new song, they would have to work on. They would head towards the back of the bus that was made into a music room, that had a short set up of drums and their acoustic guitars, then work on the songs. After the practice they would pull their beds down from the wall and go to sleep. Wasn't always easy to go to sleep in a moving vehicle, but they adapted. Their life was on the bus. Sometimes they would get motel room, and this would be luxury for them. Shower, a bed, TV, and no motion while sleeping and clean clothes. The entertainers, did try to get the musicians a nice Suite most of the time. Might be time to go to the local bar and have a good time. As many of you know, sometimes they would end up in Tootsies after a show after the Opry. They did a lot partying too. Of course we all know what this could entail. One thing would lead to another, so on and so on. To keep going or get some rest, they would start doing uppers and downers. Oh yea, they would drink too, and I don't mean water.
No they didn't get to be home with their families. Which is why there are so many divorces in this particular industry. They might get to spend a total of one month out of a year with their families. Watching their children grow up was missed. Sometimes even funerals of love ones was missed.
Some think being an entertainer, is a glamorous rich life. Ha! I had a young girl say to me once. "Wow, you must have a glamorous life". I looked at her, and laugh. Glamorous? Hours of rehearsal, learning new songs, getting material together, getting bookings, putting up with petty jealousy, etc. Rich? For a few it is. I just don't know what being rich is. And its not all party.
Will Bill did live the rich life though. But he got addicted to the drinking. He didn't know where and when to stop. He let the bottle control him, instead of him controlling it. Yea, he saw it all, been there with the big dogs. One night he went on stage, and couldn't play the music. The bottle was in control of his life. He was fired right on stage that night, asked to get off the stage and leave the guitar behind. The bottle controlled in for the next 45 years.
Just recently he had a heart attack. His kidneys had stop working. But for whatever the reason, he was pulled through. Maybe God felt it wasn't time for him to go yet. He has liver damage. His left arm has some damage due to his condition. Right now he can't play the guitar. We asked him if he had given up the drinking, he said no. Due to his the pain in his left arm. He did look sober, and cleaner.
We said hi to him, asked him how he was doing. Told him bye. I watched him as he waked away, I felt sorry for him. The bottle gave him a lonely life. He had aged 10 - 15 years. I am not sure if he has anybody in his life. Last I knew he had a friend that sort watched out for him. He does live next door to a gentleman he had been in boot camp with, so that is a plus. It was sad, he loved the bottle more than his life and the love of the music. As he walked away, I think my heart had a tear for him.
So many times we sweep people away, under a rug and hope they will go away. The not so lucky are people too, and have feelings. I am not saying what they did was right. We do need to pray for these people.
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ADDED NOTE
News about Will Bill. We have seen Will Bill the past month a couple times. I am happy to say. He has cleaned up. Shaved, fixed his hair. He looks great, and he looks 10 years younger. We are happy for him. We have also ask him to join us. But due to his heart attack it took a lot out of his right arm. He is slowly getting it back. Once again, we are Happy for him.
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