Combining traditional country roots with contemporary influences and sincere storytelling, Texan singer/songwriter William Beckmann is establishing a sound that is both timeless and authentic to his heritage.
Stream: “Lonely Over You” – William Beckmann
William Beckmann's voice is akin to a 30-year-old whiskey: Smooth, rich, and naturally polished, with a depth that lingers long after. Growing up in Del Rio, Texas—a border town where country music intersects with rock, blues, and Mexican influences—Beckmann was immersed in a diverse array of sounds that continue to shape his musical style today. He sings in Spanish with as much ease as he does in English, constructing a career that merges tradition with innovation, crafting a sound that resists categorization while remaining deeply connected to his identity.
Marking significant milestones in his career, including a debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry—an achievement he still finds hard to believe—Beckmann is now preparing for his next major release. A few days before embarking on a tour that will last until the end of September, he spoke with Atwood Magazine from his Texas home about his major label debut, Whiskey Lies & Alibis. This album is a fusion of classic country ballads and modern, folk-inspired elements that showcase Beckmann’s versatility and commitment to creating music with lasting impact. As always, it’s grounded in honesty, impactful storytelling, and a genuine voice that resonates without the need for pretense.
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:: stream/purchase Whiskey Lies & Alibis here ::
:: connect with William Beckmann here ::
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William Beckmann © Connor Robertson
A CONVERSATION WITH WILLIAM BECKMANN
Atwood Magazine: You've described an album as similar to a photo album—a snapshot of a specific time. What moment does Whiskey Lies & Alibis encapsulate for you?
William Beckmann: In many respects, it is a breakup album, but it also serves as a photo album in that each song represents a different moment or month from that year. That was intentional—I aimed for every track to stand alone while also contributing to the overall narrative. You know how flipping through an old photo album transports you to various cities or memories, yet they all belong to the same chapter of your life? That's the feeling I wanted to evoke. Some tracks are more traditional, while others explore new stylistic avenues. I dislike albums where all twelve songs sound identical; I wanted the listener to experience a journey.
I love that metaphor. It reminds me of another artist who mentioned that each song is like a timestamp of a specific moment in their life, and some of them are so deeply personal that performing them can be challenging. Do you have any songs like that?
William Beckmann: Absolutely. There are certainly songs that feel incredibly personal, and performing them can be difficult. However, I've discovered that once I'm on stage, I can detach from the initial emotions and focus solely on delivering the song. After performing a piece enough times, it ingrains itself in your subconscious—you don’t consciously think about the next line, you simply know it, like how anyone can sing “Sweet Home Alabama.” You become more invested in the performance rather than reliving the emotions. Yet, if I'm alone and one of my songs plays unexpectedly, that's when it hits harder—as a listener rather than a performer, bringing back memories of exactly where I was when I wrote it.
Along similar lines: You mentioned “Not That Strong” as one of your most vulnerable songs. What was your mindset while writing it? And how do you perform it night after night?
William Beckmann: Yes, “Not That Strong” is one of the most honest and vulnerable tracks on the album—along with “Starting Over Again,” which has more of a folk feel. I aimed for an early Bob Dylan vibe on that one.
“Not That Strong” holds great meaning for me. I co-wrote it with Brice Long, wanting to tell a story in which the narrator admits, “People say I’m funny, people say I’m patient… but the one thing I’m not? I lack the strength to move on from you.” I enjoy a chorus that flips like that—setting the listener up in one direction only to deliver genuine emotion at the end. Writing it was challenging yet satisfying, as I felt I expressed exactly what I intended. And yes—maybe I’m crazy; who knows? But one thing I’m sure of is that I wasn't strong enough to handle it. That's what emerged in the song.
You collaborated on eight of the twelve tracks on this new album with some prominent names in Nashville. Do you have any stories from those sessions you'd like to share?
William Beckmann: It was truly amazing. Every co-writer I worked with is immensely talented and accomplished. Brice Long contributed to several tracks, including “Not That Strong” and “Honky Tonk Blue”—the
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Merging traditional country foundations with contemporary elements and genuine storytelling, Texan singer/songwriter William Beckmann is developing a sound that is enduring, sincere, and reflective of his origins.