John Willis isn't someone that you can put easily in a box so that you can check that box off and say who he is. That would be ok I suppose but it wouldn't be as interesting as it turns out that he is. Nothing wrong with fitting easily in a box but would you expect that from a singer/songwriter? Each time I was around, bumped into, or met with him I would learn just a bit more that would interest me.
My first exposure to his music was Halloween night 2013 at South On Main where he was playing for their Halloween party. I remember saying to my friend that was with me how great the music was and what a perfect feel that night had. Over months I would run into Willis several times there and was always taken by his music and sense of style. He agreed to be the subject of a blog piece but seemed unsure of why he would make an appropriate subject for a style blog. That's always the best scenario...when people are just themselves and don't see what all the hoopla is.
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| Having a personal show during our shoot in the lobby of The Lobby Bar. |
We met over coffee to talk about style and how life effects style and vice versa. Willis was raised in Brinkley, Arkansas until he was 7 before moving to Little Rock. Creative from the beginning, he would put on shows at home and would spend alone time pursuing visual arts even more so than music. Around 9th grade his eyes were opened by what he was seeing on MTV and the styles of the artists he would see on. He started buying his own clothes around that time as well and just as music and musicians influence clothing designers they also had an impact on his style. As he got a bit older he began to pay more attention to the fit of his clothes.
Music continued to be a major part of his life in college, so much that he developed some damage to his hand. It was at this point that physical conditioning became an important part of his life through yoga and conditioning. Today Willis enjoys teaching yoga in addition to writing and playing music, finding that it helps him to be honest and present. So yoga has not only rehabilitated his hand but made it even stronger, as well as strengthening him inside as well. His style on stage is fun and whimsical, stylized, and more refined but never costumey. He often takes style cues from Fellini Films, Italian style, Marcello Mastroianni, and American designer Zak Posen.
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| Willis is seen here outside of Trapnall Hall with a classic grey jacket and pink print shirt. Classic and tailored, with a twist, but not fussy. |
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| More of a performance look with chinos, jacket, and shirt but no tie. |
Off stage John Willis loves to wander and explore, with one of his favorite Little Rock locations being Knoop Park and its wonderful view of the city. When asked about his 5 favorite wardrobe pieces it was easily a chunky cardigan, black Frye boots, a tailored dress shirt from Brooks Brothers, scarves, and dark denim. Other favorites are the music of Joni Mitchell and a great Cobb salad but with a vinaigrette dressing rather than blue cheese. Classic yet just slightly different. I asked him what his favorite life moment was and music and classical style were of course a part of it. While on a college trip to Prague during Holy Week he fell in love with the city. One evening he was fortunate enough to enjoy a concert in a Gothic cathedral, barely lit by candles and the music gracefully reverberating throughout the space.
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| Early morning sun peaks through the clouds over Little Rock, AR as seen from Knoop Park. |
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| More of a rolled sleeve guy, Willis enjoys Knoop Park and counts it as one of his favorite places. |
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| On his right forearm is a tattoo with the words "Grace & Grit" which I think is a perfect way to describe him. |
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| Casual style, never costumey |
John Willis is an award-winning singer/songwriter but if he wasn't he would be a teacher, with writing and spiritual connections still ever present. Fortunately he is able to do all of those, sharing his passion for music and teaching yoga. Willis' latest release, "King Of TheCocktail Party" is available on CD for those that cannot catch him playing locally at South On Main and The Lobby Bar in Little Rock. I encourage you to do both if you're fortunate enough to live locally.
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All of these images are courtesy of Brian Kelley/Imagine Photography/Brian's Style Guide and are protected by copyright law. None of these images may be used, edited, reproduced, transferred, published or distributed in any form or by any means whatsoever without prior written permission
