Album Notes

As a teenaged Wil Maring sat for long summer hours at her family’s roadside vegetable stand, picking out selfmade tunes on her Sears guitar to pass the time, she never dreamed of the path she would one day follow. Wil has become a highly respected songwriter, a winner of the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest, and has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry with her original music, in addition to touring extensively in Europe and Japan . The well-crafted songs, her solid rhythm and fingerstyle guitar work, and her clear, airy, expressive vocals give her music a unique, appealing sound. Added to the contributions of the accomplished musicians with whom she tours, you get a beautiful original acoustic music which straddles the fence between bluegrass, folk, and acoustic country, sometimes containing subtle hints of celtic, oldtime, and even pop music. Her songs paint pictures of the rural southern Illinois landscapes where she grew up, and delve deep into universal human emotions, evoking a nostaglic, introspective melancholy that delivers the listener to a comfortable, hopeful place. Wil’s music is a heartfelt music, not easy to categorize. The songs stand strong by themselves, whether performed as a duo or with Shady Mix, her band. Wil's live performances of original music are spiced with songs from the bluegrass, western, folk and country genres, to form a wide repertoire of acoustic music sure to please almost any audience. Her live show seems to appeal to all age groups, from the toddlers dancing in front of the stage to the seniors requesting the songs their parents used to sing. Increasingly, requests are coming from the originals on the seven Wil Maring /Shady Mix releases to date.
As Dave Higgs, respected host of Nashville Public Radio’s nationally syndicated bluegrass program describes the performance:

"Wil Maring is one of those truly gifted musicians who writes as well as she sings. Her powerful songs have the ability to whisk the listener away to other lands, places and times. They're thought-provoking, compelling and always propelled by the perfect melody. And her gorgeous voice is capable of conveying a myriad of emotions. She can be sweet, playful, soulful and downright bluesy--sometimes all in the same song! Absolutely, hands-down some of the most mesmerizing, exciting, interesting and enjoyable acoustic music I have ever heard. Wil's songs are just in a league of their own, and the picking.... the interplay between (the musicians) is simply astonishing. Not clones -- but an inspired group with a different message. I love it!
With "The Calling" she has established herself as one of the genre's premier songwriters. Her songs are always thoughtful, tastefully arranged, arrestingly executed, melodically interesting and pack a 20-megaton emotional wallop. And, as though that wasn't enough to send everyone into perpetual euphoria, she has developed an original sound as well--propelled by her beautiful, one-of-a-kind voice that is lilting and gorgeous yet tempered with a tough-edginess that makes for a simply exquisite combination. I especially enjoyed the ominous "Black Snake of the Sky," the inspiring "Keeper of the Farm," the hauntingly poetic "Going Down," the introspectful "Window Seat" and the killer cover of "Back in the Highlife Again."


The bluegrass backdrop surprisingly
suits her fragile, delicate voice......
her openness and ability to be in touch
with her feelings are not only uplifting,
but give her finely-crafted songs integrity."
Dirty Linen

"There is a clarity and cleanness
which penetrates, demands
attention and ultimately, lifts
the spirit."
Country Music People,
United Kingdom

"I think Wil is one of the most talented singer/songwriters around… love her music." - Carl Jackson, Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter/producer

"Wil is a talented, sensitive singer and writer, one of those rare individuals who lives her music and makes just the right choices when crafting it. She deserves a bigger audience. " - Tim Stafford, Grammy winner and founder of award-winning band Blue Highway, former member of Alison Krauss and Union Station


Musicians on "The Calling" include
Stuart Duncan: fiddle,
Rob Ickes: resonator guitar,
Dennis Crouch: standup bass,
Robert Bowlin: lead acoustic guitar and fiddle,
Mark Stoffel: mandolin, dobro mandolin, percussion, harmony vocals,
Jeff Taylor: accordion,
Doug Knecht: banjo,
Adam Ploegman: cello,
Uli Jenne: drums
Geoff Maring:standup bass,
Mila Maring: harmony vocals,
Wil Maring:lead vocals, fingerpicked and rhythm guitar