Hobbs, Will : Madrona Lodge

Will Hobbs has been writing and singing original songs since the late 1960s, both as a solo artist and as one of the founding members of the popular Northwest band, Wheatfield. He has performed in most of the states of the US and in 16 countries around the world. Hobbs has appeared in venues ranging from '60s Beatnik coffee houses and outdoor love-ins to present-day taverns, colleges, county fairs, television specials, festivals and rallies. His four-decade musical career has had many highlights. As a soloist, Hobbs played at the Newport Folk Festival in 1967, harmonizing on stage with Judy Collins and rubbing elbows with many folk legends. He was a cash prize winner in the American Songwriting Festival in 1978. More recently, he has won prizes for his songs and lyrics in local songwriting contests and had his songs recorded by other artists. He plays a number of instruments, including guitar, mandolin, harmonica and hammer dulcimer, which are showcased on his new CD. Although he took most of the '80s and '90s off from live performance to raise his family, his songwriting never stopped, and his current songs reflect the sum of his experiences. Wheatfield was one of the most popular bands in the Pacific Northwest during the '70s and early '80s, consistently drawing large crowds over an area ranging from Anchorage, Alaska to Ashland, Oregon, and from Vancouver, British Columbia to Missoula, Montana. It was famous for it's harmonies and it's instrumental and vocal variety, and was said to be the top unsigned band in the Northwest. With Wheatfield, Will performed with many well-known recording artists including Bo Diddley, David LaFlamme, Doc Watson, Norton Buffalo (who produced their first album), Maria Muldaur, Seals and Crofts, John Fahey, Quarterflash, Asleep at the Wheel, Vassar Clements, Michael Dinner, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, David Bromberg and others. Hobbs' first solo release, Madrona Lodge, contains 14 original songs and features a number of fine musicians. The collection centers on Americana/folk, with elements of Cajun, Dixieland, reggae, country and rock thrown in.