Wil Maring
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Wil Maring

Cobden, Illinois, United States | INDIE

Cobden, Illinois, United States | INDIE
Band Folk Americana

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Press


"keeper of the farm review"

"Wil Maring is a dynamic songwriter, guitarist and singer. She has created a homespun quality and sound while performing deep rooted bluegrass music mixed in with the sound of folk. There is clarity and brilliance in her masterpieces. She has a passion in her voice while performing songs dear to her heart such as "Keeper of the Farm". The song is poetic in nature with a down-home feeling. The lyrics contain visions of the past that will take you down an old path leading to a family farm that is filled with history. It is a heartfelt song in its overall interpretation of its presence, and in a land of memory dear to her heart called family. Overall she brings forth great music that will last a lifetime."
Peggy Leyva-Conley, former Editor/Columnist, Delta Snake Blues Magazine San Jose, California

- Delta Snake Blues Magazine


"The Calling, Dave Higgs WPLN"

"With "The Calling" she has established herself as one of the genre's premier songwriters. Her songs are always thoughtful, tastefully arranged, arrestingly executed, melodically interesting and pack a 20-megaton emotional wallop. And, as though that wasn't enough to send everyone into perpetual euphoria, she has developed an original sound as well--propelled by her beautiful, one-of-a-kind voice that is lilting and gorgeous yet tempered with a tough-edginess that makes for a simply exquisite combination. I especially enjoyed the ominous "Black Snake of the Sky," the inspiring "Keeper of the Farm," the hauntingly poetic "Going Down," the introspectful "Window Seat" and the killer cover of "Back in the Highlife Again."
Dave Higgs, syndicated Bluegrass Breakdown, WPLN Nashville, TN

- Dave Higgs WPLN Nashville


"The Calling, Bruce Bergathon, WGLT"

"Wil Maring, one of the most underrated writers in bluegrass, returns with a new collection of songs about familiar topics like home, family, the road, and relationships. Her approach is refreshingly intimate and subtle, rendering the songs simultaneously contemporary and timeless, in a way that rewards repeated listening. The singing matches the grace of the songwriting, and her top notch regular band, with great guests like Rob Ickes and Stuart Duncan, couches everything in shimmering, spacious sound. Plus there’s a great cover of a Stevie Winwood song – how’s that for contemporary bluegrass?"
Bruce Bergathon “Acousticity” WGLT, Bloomington, IL
- Bruce Bergathon WGLT Acousticity


Discography

Wil Maring: The Calling (Roan Pony Records)
Wil Maring/Robert Bowlin: self titled duo (Roan Pony Records)
Wil Maring: The Turning of a Century (Roan Pony Records)
Wil Maring: An Ocean from Home (Bear Family Records)
Shady Mix: Shady Mix Live (Roan Pony Records)
Shady Mix: Bottomlands (Bear Family Records)
Shady Mix: Songs of the Ranch and the Range (Snakehead Records)
Shady Mix: Made in the Shade (Roan Pony Records)
Summervilla-Work To Do: various artists compilation (Summervilla Records)
A Musical Celebration of Reverend Billy Graham; various artists compilation, (CMH Records)
A Tribute to a Mother's Love; various artists compilation,(CMH Records)
Cowgirls Tribute to George Strait compilation (CMH Records)

Photos

Bio

As Wil Maring sat for long summer hours as a teenager at her family's roadside vegetable stand, picking out self-made tunes on her Sears guitar to pass the time, she never dreamed of the path she would one day follow. Wil has become a highly acclaimed songwriter, as a previous winner of the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest and a 2007 Kerrville New Folk finalist. She has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry with her original music, in addition to touring extensively in Europe and Japan. She spent almost 2 years playing in Japan with Japanese bluegrass bands, and honed her songwriting skills playing professionally for 10 years in Europe with her group Shady Mix who at the peak performed up to 140 shows a year.

Wil Maring and virtuose guitarist and fiddler Robert Bowlin have been recently combining talents to create beautiful original acoustic music. Robert Bowlin is a well respected Nashville session musician and artist in his own right, with his critically acclaimed cd release, Six String Soliloquy. Robert, a two-time National Fingerpicking and Flatpicking Guitar contest winner, has been a band member with legendary artists like Bill Monroe, Maura O Connell, Kathy Mattea, the Osborne Brothers, Tom T. Hall, Ray Price, Faron Young, and many more. Wil and Robert's collaboration results in a sound which straddles the fence between bluegrass, folk and country music, containing subtle hints of celtic, oldtime, and even pop and jazz music. The well-crafted songs, Wil's solid rhythm and fingerstyle guitar work, the clear, airy, expressive vocals add a unique, appealing sound to the music. Her songs paint pictures of the rural southern Illinois landscapes where she grew up, and delve deep into universal human emotions, evoking a nostaglic, introspective melancholy that delivers the listener to a comfortable, hopeful place. Wil’s music is a heartfelt music, not easy to categorize. The songs stand strongly by themselves, whether performed as a duo or with her entire band. Wil’s unique airy vocal style and heartfelt lyrics have raised the eyebrows of the acoustic music world in recent years with the release of her three solo cds, and four band cds, plus a new duo cd with Robert Bowlin.

As Dave Higgs, respected host of Nashville Public Radio's nationally syndicated bluegrass program describes the performance: "Wil Maring is one of those truly gifted musicians who writes as well as she sings. Her powerful songs have the ability to whisk the listener away to other lands, places and times. They're thought-provoking, compelling and always propelled by the perfect melody. And her gorgeous voice is capable of conveying a myriad of emotions. She can be sweet, playful, soulful and downright bluesy--sometimes all in the same song! Absolutely, hands-down some of the most mesmerizing, exciting, interesting and enjoyable acoustic music I have ever heard. Wil's songs are just in a league of their own, and the picking.... the interplay between (the musicians) is simply astonishing. Not clones -- but an inspired group with a different message. I love it!"
For more information on Wil Maring, visit http://www.wilmaring.com

WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT HER NEW CD "THE CALLING"

"When you are finished reading this review, please, please go to her website and have a listen to her voice. I can’t even begin to describe what it is about it that attracts me so. Is it the easy back-porch alto, the slight twang, the way it just sounds real? Maring’s lovely vocals are surrounded by her Shady Mix bandmates as well as acoustic luminaries such as Stuart Duncan and Rob Ickes. The soft bluegrass arrangements are perfect for the contemporary rural themes of the songs. ......Whether you focus on the heartfelt poetry of the lyrics or the gently intricate playing, Maring and company welcome you to a very genuine place in the country. Essential!"
—Michael Devlin, Music Matters Reviews

I believe that I’ve found an American treasure; she’s that good, both as a writer and as a performer. Through repeated listenings, I haven’t found a single track that I wouldn’t play on the air....Wil Maring could be classified as bluegrass or folk but that wouldn’t give you a true picture of her breadth as a writer and performer. Well done Wil Maring, I am officially a fan.
--Steve Clarke of Acoustic Planet, CHES-Ontario, www.erinradio.ca

"This is the best stuff I've heard at TAXI since I can't remember when. The songs are beautifully written and memorable, the lyrical imagery is vivid and intense, the level of musicianship is stunning. Oh, and did I forget to mention the singing?! Well, the singing is pretty damn great too. I believe every word. I am forever under the singer's spell. Music of this caliber deserves to be celebrated. Superb. Can't wait to hear more."
- TAXI rep., the biggest independent A and R company

"Don’t get much better than this.... Nothing else to add except to urge you buy this excellent album."
M