Wally Lawder
Wally Lawder is originally from Kansas, but grew up in Connecticut and lived several years in the Princeton, NJ area before moving to Silver City, NM five years ago. Musically, he likes to think of myself as a contemporary troubador. "It's hard for me to categorize my music--I've had so many far ranging influences. My roots are as much in rock/pop as folk, and I've got a big appreciation for jazz and world music."
A musician for many years, he didn't start writing his own material until the mid 1990's, when he found himself energized by the singer-songwriter boom of that time. "I really took a liking to performers like John Gorka, Ellis Paul, Patty Larkin, Susan Werner, Bruce Cockburn. I could relate so much to their songwriting and was inspired to write my own." Some of his earliest musical memories come from his exposure to the music that was played in his home as he was growing up: rockabilly, classical, jazz, early folk ("It was a curious but fascinating mix, and I think it helped shape my eclectic style.") His real musical awakening came with the Beatles, and that inspired him to buy his first guitar. Other early musical influences included Mississipi John Hurt, Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, Jackson Browne and Paul Winter. "Add some of the great classical composers--really: Beethoven, Bach, Debussy. Throw in some Gershwin. Hell, some broadway show tunes as well!"
His songs mostly come from direct life experiences and observations. He's a natural storyteller who draws audiences into his stories. He likes to use humor yet touch serious topics, too (not too many other people have love & alzheimer's songs). While he sings about a wide spectrum of experience, overall his message is upbeat and life affirming. Live, he often plays solo, or with his backing band, the Flying Coyotes.