Washboard Willy's guest appearances

Washboard Willy

The Tailgate Entertainer | Performers | Performance Business | Creatives | Artists | Talent Buyers

Curmudgeon Cafe Podcast

Alissa Daire Nelson

Matt Baker

Robert Smith

Terry Fator

Heather Hansen

Elisa Hays

Alex Zerbe

Greg Frisbee

Thomas Rock Lindsay

Dennis Lee

Tom Sailor

Todd Victor

Michelangelo Nock

Kristen Johnson

Kevin Ridgeway

OwlTail

Today’s guest is Washboard Willy, also known as Larry Hiskett.He is the person who changed the direction of my life and taught mesome valuable lessons. Back in the mid-90’s, when I was learning tobe a performer and run my business, I would run into him everywhereI went. He was a “Musical Mountain Man” and a wonderfulentertainer. Join us! Washboard Willy shares the following about his amazinglife and work:  Larry began working as a drummer in bars and clubs all overKansas at age 15. In 1985, he worked as a landscape architect and a park plannerin Colorado. He played in a band that specialized in German polkamusic! He had a motorcycle crash that paralyzed his girlfriend andsent him into therapy. He gave a 90-day notice and quit his job, and then discoveredthe washboard. He became obsessed with the instrument and modified it with allkinds of percussion instruments. Larry developed the Whiskett Rhythm Board, created his ownmusical tracks, and formed a band. Soon, he was invited to visit Japan in a Sister Cityprogram. A couple of years later, he was invited to go back to Japan fora 6-month visit and did a one-man show at a restaurant. The biggest challenge was figuring out how to connect with thechildren when he couldn’t speak their language. Find out how a few rhythm toys helped him bridge the gap andconnect with children and their parents. When he returned to the US, he knew he wanted to give up hiswork in bars and clubs to become a children’s entertainer. He performed in preschools, schools, and ski schools aroundColorado while still working as a landscape architect to supplementhis income. Washboard Willy has been a musician for 50 years! He feelsblessed and full of gratitude at what he gets to do. 80-90% of his revenue comes from the fair industry, even thoughyounger entertainers have a negative view of the industry. Willy’s wife of 13 years has performed with him in the past,but now serves as his manager. He has teamed up with Lloyd Mabry to create “Lloyd and Willy,”which plays all kinds of music and musical comedy. Willy’s advice: “Stick to it. Don’t ever give up.Always look for opportunities.” Willy shares the story of moving his wagon around the OregonState Fair and how he adapted and evolved his creative, fun,atmosphere at the fairgrounds. “Whatever you do, make it YOU. Don’t copy someoneelse.” Find Willy at www.washboardwilly.com or onFacebook at Willy’s Washboard Jamboree and at Lloyd and Willy.

Today’s guest is Washboard Willy, also known as Larry Hiskett. He is the person who changed the direction of my life and taught me some valuable lessons. Back in the mid-90’s, when I was learning to be a performer and run my business, I would run into him everywhere I went. He was a “Musical Mountain Man” and a wonderful entertainer. Join us! Washboard Willy shares the following about his amazing life and work: <ul> <li>Larry began working as a drummer in bars and clubs all over Kansas at age 15.</li> <li>In 1985, he worked as a landscape architect and a park planner in Colorado.</li> <li>He played in a band that specialized in German polka music!</li> <li>He had a motorcycle crash that paralyzed his girlfriend and sent him into therapy.</li> <li>He gave a 90-day notice and quit his job, and then discovered the washboard.</li> <li>He became obsessed with the instrument and modified it with all kinds of percussion instruments.</li> <li>Larry developed the Whiskett Rhythm Board, created his own musical tracks, and formed a band.</li> <li>Soon, he was invited to visit Japan in a Sister City program.</li> <li>A couple of years later, he was invited to go back to Japan for a 6-month visit and did a one-man show at a restaurant.</li> <li>The biggest challenge was figuring out how to connect with the children when he couldn’t speak their language.</li> <li>Find out how a few rhythm toys helped him bridge the gap and connect with children and their parents.</li> <li>When he returned to the US, he knew he wanted to give up his work in bars and clubs to become a children’s entertainer.</li> <li>He performed in preschools, schools, and ski schools around Colorado while still working as a landscape architect to supplement his income.</li> <li>Washboard Willy has been a musician for 50 years! He feels blessed and full of gratitude at what he gets to do.</li> <li>80-90% of his revenue comes from the fair industry, even though younger entertainers have a negative view of the industry.</li> <li>Willy’s wife of 13 years has performed with him in the past, but now serves as his manager.</li> <li>He has teamed up with Lloyd Mabry to create “Lloyd and Willy,” which plays all kinds of music and musical comedy.</li> <li>Willy’s advice: “Stick to it. Don’t ever give up. Always look for opportunities.”</li> <li>Willy shares the story of moving his wagon around the Oregon State Fair and how he adapted and evolved his creative, fun, atmosphere at the fairgrounds.</li> <li>“Whatever you do, make it YOU. Don’t copy someone else.”</li> <li>Find Willy at <a href="http://www.washboardwilly.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.washboardwilly.com</a> or on Facebook at Willy’s Washboard Jamboree and at Lloyd and Willy.</li></ul>

04: Washboard Willy, the Musical Mountain Man

Larry Hiskett a former landscape architect with a deep passion for music and rhythm turns his dream into a reality.  During a fateful trip to Japan Larry discovered that entertaining children with his unique interactive performance style just might be his calling.  Now he is traveling from state to state as Washboard Willy performing at fairs and other events.www.WashboardWilly.comfacebook.com/washboardwillyfanRecommended PodcastThe Historian's Movie Reviewhistoriansmoviereview.libsyn.comDownload This EpisodeSupport the podcast:Like us on Facebook.com/CurmudgeonCafeFollow us on Twitter.com/CurmudgeonCafeSubscribe on iTunes or StitcherPledge your support for the Curmudgeon Cafe Podcast: www.Patreon.com/CurmudgeonCafeSign up for a free Audible trial: www.AudibleTrial.com/Curmudgeon

Larry Hiskett a former landscape architect with a deep passion for music and rhythm turns his dream into a reality.  During a fateful trip to Japan Larry discovered that entertaining children with his unique interactive performance style just might be his calling.  Now he is traveling from state to state as Washboard Willy performing at fairs and other events. <a href="http://www.washboardwilly.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.WashboardWilly.com</a> <a href="http://facebook.com/washboardwillyfan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/washboardwillyfan</a> Recommended Podcast The Historian's Movie Review <a href="http://historiansmoviereview.libsyn.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">historiansmoviereview.libsyn.com</a> <a href="http://golfturat.com/podcasts/ccp104WashboardWilly.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download This Episode</a> Support the podcast: Like us on <a href="http://facebook.com/CurmudgeonCafe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook.com/CurmudgeonCafe</a> Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/CurmudgeonCafe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter.com/CurmudgeonCafe</a> Subscribe on <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/curmudgeon-cafe-podcast/id967058706" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=61134&amp;refid=stpr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> Pledge your support for the Curmudgeon Cafe Podcast: <a href="http://www.patreon.com/CurmudgeonCafe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.Patreon.com/CurmudgeonCafe</a> Sign up for a free Audible trial: <a href="http://www.audibletrial.com/Curmudgeon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.AudibleTrial.com/Curmudgeon</a>

Episode 4: Washboard Willy