John Willis (musician)

{{Infobox musical artist

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| name = John Willis

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| birth_name = John David Willis

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| birth_place = St. Martinville, Louisiana

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| genre = Country, pop, and Christian music

| occupation = Session Musician

| instrument = Guitar, banjo{{cite web |url=http://blog.deeringbanjos.com/q-6-string-banjoist-john-d-willis|title=Q & A With 6 String Banjoist John D. Willis|work=Deering Banjo|access-date=October 9, 2017|author=Jamie Deering|date=September 20, 2016}}

| years_active = 1981–present

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| website = {{URL|willisoundz.com}}

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John David Willis is an American guitarist and songwriter. He is best known for his work as a session musician, producer, and songwriter.

Biography

John Willis was raised in St. Martinville, Louisiana. At age 15, he learned to play banjo and then guitar. At age 22, Willis moved to Los Angeles, where he studied guitar at the Guitar Institute of Technology. Upon graduation, Willis moved to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where he began playing guitar in sessions for Shenandoah, Brian McKnight, The Impressions, and others.{{cite web|url=http://www.fame2.com/recording-studios/|title=Notable FAME Musicians|work=FAME Recording Studios|access-date=October 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319195935/http://www.fame2.com/recording-studios/|archive-date=March 19, 2017|url-status=dead}}

Upon the suggestion of David Briggs, Willis moved to Nashville. Since then, Willis has played on many hit records for Shania Twain,{{cite web |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/recording-shania-twain-up|title=Recording Shania Twain's Up!|work=Sound on Sound|access-date=October 9, 2017|author=Dan Daley|date=August 1, 2004}} Taylor Swift,{{cite book |last=Perone|first=James E.|date=July 31, 2017|title=The Words and Music of Taylor Swift|publisher=Abc-Clio |isbn=9781440852954 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xAwqDwAAQBAJ|access-date=October 9, 2017}} Willie Nelson,{{cite web |url=http://www.vintageguitar.com/26432/willie-nelson-2/|title=Willie Nelson: For The Good Times: A Tribute To Ray Price|work=Vintage Guitar|access-date=October 9, 2017|author=Rich Kienzle|date=February 1, 2017}} and many others.

Willis’ songs have been featured on television networks and video games. He also produces custom albums, songwriter demos, jingles, and voiceovers in his studio, Mount Willis Productions.{{cite web |url=http://carltatzdesign.com/custom-built-studios/studio_willisoundz2.html|title=Studio Design: Willisoundz II|work=Carl Tatz Design|access-date=October 20, 2017}}

In 2002, Willis won the Guitarist of The Year award from the Academy of Country Music.{{cite book |last=Franks|first=Don|date=October 28, 2004|title=Entertainment Awards: A Music, Cinema, Theatre and Broadcasting Guide, 1928 through 2003, 3d ed.|publisher=McFarland |isbn=9780786417988 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TCUTBQAAQBAJ|access-date=October 9, 2017}}