Steven Ray Will

McGonigel’s Mucky Duck presents Steven Ray Will.

Growing up just outside of Houston, Texas, Steven Ray Will had early aspirations of playing for The Houston Oilers.

Soon after hearing his first Rolling Stones record he exchanged his dream for that of being a rockstar. At age 11, Steven got his first bass guitar and played along with all of his favorite records. Soon he got up the nerve to have a “jam” in a friend’s garage and that’s all it took.

Steven began working regularly as a musician in Houston’s exploding Blues scene. He honed his skills with Sheila Marshall and spent 10 years alongside of local legend, Hadden Sayers. The time spent with Hadden taught him the ins and outs of the music business. He toured the US as well as Europe and Japan.

During a tour stop at an Austin club, Steven was drawn in by the talent and the abundance of live music. Three months later he relocated to Austin, he played with any and everyone he could just to play music. A few years later Steven switched his focus to guitar and began writing material inspired by legends Gram Parsons, Tom Waits, The Rolling Stones, The Replacements as well as contemporaries like Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams, Daniel Lanois, Son Volt and more.

One Sunday night, he took his writings for a test drive at The World Famous Saxon Pub. Soon after that night he was offered a weekly slot. Not wanting to be a solo artist, he started inviting other musicians to come down and play.

After many shows with different musicians and friends, The Leavers began to take shape with seasoned sidemen who had previously played alongside the likes of Americana pioneers Dumptruck, The BoDeans, Alejandro Escovedo, Jon Dee Graham, Robert Earl Keen, Kelly Willis, Billy Joe Shaver, Sons Of Fathers and many more.