The Next Step for Will Banister: Finding the Song that Takes Him to the Top

Will Banister isn’t just another name in country music; he’s the real deal, born and bred in the rich traditions of the genre. Raised in Portales, New Mexico, just a stone’s throw from the Texas line, Will grew up with legends like Merle Haggard, George Strait, and Hank Williams filling the cab of his dad’s pickup. You can hear that influence in his songs, with fiddle and steel cutting through in ways that remind you of the days when country radio dominated with heart, grit, and soul. It’s a sound that feels like home—but still carries a freshness that has the potential to break through in today’s music scene.

Will’s music has taken him across the world, with tours throughout the U.K. and Europe, and in 2020, his album *Everything Burns* earned rave reviews, even landing as *Country Music People* magazine’s album of the month. His song "Find a New Home," which appeared in Clint Eastwood’s *Cry Macho*, proved he can hang with Hollywood and the best in the business. But here’s the big question: why isn’t Will Banister already a household name?

That’s the million-dollar question.

Don’t get me wrong, Banister’s success is nothing to downplay. He’s racked up over 100k followers on TikTok, and his fanbase on Instagram and Facebook is growing fast. But with his raw talent, traditional country roots, and that unmistakable voice, he *should* be on the national stage alongside acts like Colter Wall or Zach Top. And to be honest, I believe it comes down to one thing: the song choices. The potential is there, but there’s a missing piece in the original tracks. Something that gives you a gut-punch, a “damn, this is *the* song” moment.

If you’ve ever watched Will perform an acoustic cover of a classic country song, you know what I’m talking about. His voice commands attention, capturing the soul of every lyric, every note. He has a natural sincerity that’s impossible to fake. But when it comes to his originals, I can’t help but feel that they’re not hitting as hard as they could. They’re good—don’t get me wrong—but they don’t quite carry the punch that he’s more than capable of delivering.

The solution might be simple: lean in hard to the resurgence of '90s country. That’s the wave folks like Zach Top are riding straight to success, and it’s a space that Will fits into like a glove. He doesn’t need to change who he is or what he stands for—he just needs the right song to remind listeners why they fell in love with country music in the first place. Maybe it’s time for Will to consider a cover of a classic, something that taps into the deep wells of country tradition that shaped him. Or maybe it’s time for a fresh collaboration with a different producer, a new studio—someone who can help him capture the grit and authenticity of his influences, while blending it with the energy and sound today’s country fans are hungry for.

Let’s be clear, Will Banister *is* a star. The voice, the talent, the genuine love for country music—it’s all there. What he needs now is that perfect combination: the right song, the right moment, the right push to elevate him to the level he’s destined for.

The time is now for Will to reimagine his approach. It’s time to find that one song—the song that puts him where he belongs, on the biggest stages and in the hearts of country music fans across the world. He’s too damn good to be standing on the sidelines.

So, what’s it going to take? Maybe a bold move. Maybe a step outside his comfort zone. But I’ll say this: whatever it is, it’s going to be worth it, because when the world finally hears what Will Banister is capable of, there’s no turning back. The world needs to hear him. Now.