Meet Reagan Williams | Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Reagan Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Reagan, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Practicing and playing hundreds of shows to get my name out there, and marketing to audiences who wouldn’t normally be aware of my band by playing on a mobile stage for the past three years.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I had a life-threatening illness when I was growing up. A big shout out to Make-A-Wish San Diego for granting me a wish when I was younger! Those people are incredible! Because of that illness, I was primarily homeschooled and started playing guitar when I was 14. I didn’t care for it much until I met Justice Guevara two years later who was only my age and played really well. I was totally inspired! I told myself that I wanted to be as good as Justice within one year. I practiced a lot more and began playing live performances when I was 16. It wasn’t easy, but it was fun. I enjoyed the challenge and loved the music. I really got into playing the music I grew up listening to, including The Paladins, Freddie King, and Nick Curran. My favorite guitar is a 1955 Guild, so much so that I wrote a song about that guitar. I don’t have a huge pedal board. I prefer the sound of the guitar and the amp. I would describe my genre as West Coast Boogie-Woogie Rock&Roll and Blues. As far as overcoming challenges, there’s only one way and that’s through practice. Practice playing, and practice getting up in front of people and letting it all out on stage. People are generally out to be entertained, so my goal is to keep them in the moment and forget about anything else that might be bothering them. Anything is possible, and all we have is this moment, so make it whatever you want it to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Favorite restaurant: Good On Ya in Encinitas San Diego Botanical Gardens in Encinitas
Carlsbad Beach for some surfing
Belly Up in Solana Beach

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My dad, Kevin Williams, has always been my biggest fan. He is a musician himself, and has encouraged me, taught me many things, and he is the one behind building a mobile stage during the pandemic so we could bring music to the streets when people needed it most. Thomas Yearsley, my bass player is also my producer. He is like an uncle to me, and his love and support have been invaluable. I had the privilege of primarily studying guitar under the great Laura Chavez. Tommy Harkenrider was one of my very first guitar teachers, as well as Scottie Blinn who went above and beyond when I was still recovering from a life-threatening illness. Scottie drove all the way from Lakeside, just to give me a lesson, and wouldn’t take any money for it. I have had so much support from some of San Diego’s finest musicians. Charles Burton joins us on stage whenever he’s not on tour. His guitar-playing skills are incredible, and really complement the shows we perform together. Laura Jane Willcock makes sure I’m always stocked on merch. Ric Root, a fill-in drummer has also been a good friend and graphic designer for my merch. Actually, I could go on and on. The music community in San Diego is like one big family.

Website: www.ReaganGuitarWilliams.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reaganwilliamsofficial/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReaganGuitarWilliams

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTgC4V0rkPtjc03dOmnVz5Q

Image Credits
Roger Brenzel, Mike Reardon, Zac Keeler