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but I also love to stop and smell the roses. That’s where much of my musical inspiration occurs – in those quiet and meditative moments.
KP: Do you have any favorite news stories that you’ve covered? Then we’ll get back to music - I promise!
Bill: My favorite documentary was “Troubled Rivers” which chronicled a host of pollution problems in NC. The program was the catalyst for corrective change in the NC state legislature on many fronts. “Troubled Rivers” was part of my ongoing environmental series ”Save Our Sounds” which won a George Foster Peabody Award, considered the Pulitzer Prize for broadcasters. One of the more interesting stories I covered was the Navy dumping plastic waste off the NC coast. Our cameras caught the illegal activity and I was summoned to testify before Congress on two different occasions.
KP: Wow! So you’ve really been able to go after the “big guys” and make a huge difference! How did you get started in music?
Bill: When I was 11, a little old lady tapped me on the shoulder during church and remarked: “Young man you have a nice singing voice. You should join the choir.” That was the first thing that got me going and then I learned to play various brass instruments in elementary and middle school bands along with the guitar.
KP: When did you write your first song?
Bill: 7th grade in the stairwell of my family’s home. The natural reverb of the setting was perfect for a lonely ballad.
KP: Which instruments do you play?
Bill: Cornet, baritone, even tuba early on and then guitar, Celtic whistle, bass and piano.
KP: You could be a one-man band! Do you still play any of the brass instruments?
Bill: I think I carried the tuba more than played it. That was the main requirement. I am sure I could get back into shape but it would take awhile.
KP: Do you record in a home studio?
Bill: Yes, I converted our attic into a studio. I do most of my recording there but I do the mixing at another studio.
KP: How did you become interested in Celtic music?
Bill: I visited Scotland while doing a television news series on North Carolina’s rich Scots-Irish heritage. I fell madly in love with the music and especially the sound of the Celtic whistle. In fact, I wrote a song about the experience. It’s called “Celtic Soul.” I recorded the song on Bragh Adair’s second album, “The Hunt.” The lyrics begin this way: “Steaming north on a stallion of iron up the Highland highway of steel, over bogs and bridges and heathery ridges and mountains so green they seem surreal. How strange to be in a foreign land and feel more at home than I’ve ever been. Where the lightning flashes and the thunder rolls, I have come to claim my Celtic Soul.” The second verse goes like this: “Oh, how wild and rugged this land. How sacred this place where I stand. It’s a feeling that burns in a heart that yearns to touch the very place of my people’s birth. Spirits of my ancient kin rise up to greet me on the wind.”
KP: Beautiful! Is Celtic music closely related to the folk music of Appalachia? A lot of your music just glows with “Americana,” so I’m wondering about the relationship of the two styles of music.
Bill: Yes, there is a definite connection. A lot of bluegrass music was born out of Celtic music though I wouldn’t consider my music bluegrass. It is more of a Celtic-folk fusion style.
KP: Who do you consider to be your biggest musical influences?
Bill: Micheal O’Domhnaill had more influence on me than anyone else. He founded the legendary Irish group called The Bothy Band. He also played guitar and whistle for a wonderful group called Nightnoise. Micheal died two summers ago and I dedicated my “I Am a River” album to him. When I first heard Micheal and Nightnoise play, I was totally overwhelmed with emotion. Eventually I realized I had found my so-called “inner gold” in their music and that I needed to push forward with my own compositions.
KP: What inspires you to write music?
Bill: Songwriting is a spiritual experience. I love the joy of birthing a new melody.
KP: What has been your most exciting musical experience to date?
Bill: Performing with the North Carolina Symphony and my band, Lorica, before 10,000 people in a televised concert near Raleigh two years ago.
KP: How did you and John Tesh end up as roommates after college?
Bill: John and I worked at the same radio station for about a year in Raleigh. I taught John how to run the radio console. We remain close friends today.
KP: Have you ever played music together?
Bill: I have played onstage with John several times and we always have a blast. He is a tremendous guy and a dear friend.
KP: Who are some of your favorite musical performers?
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