William Beckmann
William Beckmann | |
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| Birth name | William Beckmann Hyslop |
| Born | 22 June 1995 Del Rio, Texas |
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| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels | Warner Music Nashville |
| Website | www |
William Beckmann (born 22 June 1995) is an American country music singer-songwriter and musician from Del Rio, Texas. Having gained popularity touring in the regional Texas music scene and self-releasing four extended plays, Beckmann signed with Warner Music Nashville and subsequently released his major label debut, Whiskey Lies & Alibis, on June 20, 2025. His music is a fusion of neotraditional country, with influences of red dirt, tejano, New Mexico music, and traditional pop, with critics noting his signature crooner-style baritone voice. Beckmann has toured with Parker McCollum, Randy Rogers Band, Charley Crockett, Radney Foster, Flatland Cavalry, Midland, and Hank Williams Jr.
Early life
[edit]Beckmann was born in Del Rio, Texas, a town on the border between Texas and Mexico and spent time on both sides of the border while growing up on his parent's cattle ranch. His grandparents are from Chihuahua, Mexico, and he is bilingual, speaking and singing in both English and Spanish. He described himself as being raised on classic country music as well as the mariachi and Norteño sounds of northern Mexico. Beckmann learned to play piano, guitar, and harmonica as a child and performed in a classic rock cover band as a teenager.[1]
Influences
[edit]As a result of his Mexican-American heritage, Beckmann has stated that he always aims to include at least two Spanish language songs in his setlist, explaining that “people that have never heard [Spanish songs] before think it’s really cool and unique, and the people that are Hispanic feel like their culture and their people are getting represented. Showing that side of the Texas culture and the Mexican American heritage that there’s so much out in Texas is really important.” He describes some of his primary musical influences as George Strait, George Jones, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Randy Rogers, and Vicente Fernández.[2][3]
Career
[edit]Beckmann relocated to Nashville, Tennessee and released his debut extended play, Outskirts of Town, on November 21, 2018, which led to him signing a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music the following year in December 2019.[4]
On April 29, 2022, Beckmann self-released Faded Memories, his second EP which featured a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire". It was preceded by the lead single "Follow", and includes the singles "In the Dark", and "Bourbon Whiskey" which would go on to become one of his signature songs.[5]
Beckmann made his Grand Ole Opry debut on March 3, 2023, performing his own song "Bourbon Whiskey" and a cover of "Volver, Volver" by Vicente Fernández, the latter of which went viral and earned over 3.5 million views on the Opry's YouTube channel.[6][7] He followed this with his third EP, Here's To You. Here's To Me., a self-described heartbreak and breakup album. Of the project's content, Beckmann stated "I've always been a big fan of sad boy songs. I don't think I intentionally made it that way. But the songs that I was the most excited about happened to happen to be in that vein… I wouldn't consider myself in that spot right now in my life, it's just the songs kind of came together and in that way. But, you know, heartbreak, it's always going to be a relevant thing."[1]
Following the success of his other projects and a growing fanbase on social media and through his live shows, Beckmann was signed to Warner Music Nashville on August 27, 2024. Of the decision to sign with the label, Beckman noted “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity to be a part of the Warner family. From the very beginning they’ve had such a holistic understanding of both my journey to this point and vision for the future, I can’t wait to begin releasing music together”. In a statement, Warner Music A&R representative Stephanie Phillips said “William has a swagger that is both retro and youthful. Combine that with his rich, timeless vocal and the result is a modern-vintage sound that is quite unique not just to the country format, but to all genres of music. Whether he is serenading in English or in Spanish, you immediately recognize that William Beckmann is in the one of one category of artists.”[8]
On April 25, 2025, Beckmann announced his major label debut album, Whiskey Lies & Alibis which is set for release on June 20. Produced by Jon Randall, the project is described as a layered country album that captures the sting of lost love and the clarity that follows. In a statement to accompany the announcement, Beckmann said “For me, an album is meant to be a photo album. It’s meant to capture a moment in time, and it’s supposed to last forever. That’s what I think we were able to do with this record. I’m confident that if I ever get to be an old man, I’ll look back on this and be like, ‘Yeah, we did it right.’” He co-wrote eight of the twelve tracks. The album was preceded by the singles "Not That Strong", "Borderline Crazy", "Starting Over Again", "Honky Tonk Blue", and "Game I Like to Play".[9]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Whiskey Lies & Alibis |
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Extended plays
[edit]| Title | Album details |
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| Outskirts of Town |
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| Faded Memories |
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| Here's To You. Here's To Me. |
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| Live from Cheatham Street |
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Singles
[edit]| Date | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | "Someday" | Non-album single |
| 2021 | "Bourbon Whiskey" | Faded Memories |
| "In the Dark" | ||
| "I'm on Fire" | ||
| 2022 | "Follow" | |
| "Danced All Night Long" | ||
| 2023 | "Blue Christmas" | Non-album single |
| 2024 | "Not That Strong" | Whiskey Lies & Alibis |
| "Borderline Crazy" | ||
| "White Christmas" / "Ven a Mi Casa Esta Navidad" | Non-album singles | |
| 2025 | "Starting Over Again" | Whiskey Lies & Alibis |
| "Honky Tonk Blue" | ||
| "Game I Like to Play" |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Lawrence, Meredith (2024-08-09). "How William Beckmann Is Bringing A New Flair To Texas Country". Grammy.com.
- ^ Kristen Cabrera & Gabrielle Muñoz (2023-08-04). "Del Rio native William Beckmann is heating up Nashville and beyond with his latest album". Texas Standard.
- ^ Little, Kaiya (2024-05-08). "Del Rio's William Beckmann Proves That Even Twentysomethings Can Be Cowboy Crooners". Texas Monthly.
- ^ Nicholson, Jessica (2019-12-10). "Warner Chappell Music Nashville Signs William Beckmann". MusicRow.
- ^ "William Beckmann Announces New EP 'Faded Memories' Releasing April 29". Country Note. 2022-01-26.
- ^ "Aritsts - William Beckmann". Grand Ole Opry. March 3, 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "William Beckmann (Warner Music Nashville)". Hits Daily Double. 2024-11-25.
- ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (2024-08-27). "William Beckmann Signs With Warner Music Nashville". MusicRow.
- ^ Sink, Lauryn (2025-04-25). "William Beckmann Readies Major Label Debut Album". MusicRow.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- William Beckmann discography at Discogs
- 2000 births
- Living people
- American country singer-songwriters
- American male singer-songwriters
- American baritones
- Singers from Texas
- People from Del Rio, Texas
- 21st-century American male singers
- American musicians of Mexican descent
- Warner Records artists
- 21st-century American singer-songwriters
- 21st-century American guitarists
- Crooners