Bill's Bio
After
writing his first songs in high school on his cheesy blue electric
guitar from Sears, Bill Gawley began performing for the public in
1978. During the 1980s, he
spent nine years as half of the folk/rock duo Crimson Sky, and
performed as a soloist at many clubs and coffeehouses in Massachusetts
and Rhode Island. Gradually making his way up the coast of New England,
he spent 32 years in Brooksville, Maine where he became a fixture
in the coastal Maine music community. Bill moved back to southern RI in
early 2025 and is looking forward to sharing his songs with new
listeners!
Audiences have enjoyed his shows at restaurants, coffeehouses, and numerous benefit concerts, community events, summer fairs, and music festivals from Maine to Idaho.
Audiences have enjoyed his shows at restaurants, coffeehouses, and numerous benefit concerts, community events, summer fairs, and music festivals from Maine to Idaho.
Bill's Music
A
singer/songwriter in the classic sense, Bill weaves tales of dancers,
days gone by, murder mysteries, lost loves, snowy highways, and the
wonders of the world around us; sung from perspectives ranging from
political to poignant, sensitive to sidesplitting. His performances are
always an adventure, with both the songs and the stories of their
inspiration coaxing the listeners into thinking and understanding a
little more about themselves and their experiences and place on this
planet we all share.
Bill Gawley blends elements of folk, rock, blues, country, and Americana as he accompanies his strong, distinctive vocals with guitar and harmonica. Combining fingerstyle and flatpicking guitar techniques and the occasional open tuning, Gawley has created a clean, efficient instrumental style that has drawn from influences as diverse as Jim Croce, James Taylor, Shawn Colvin, Cat Stevens, and Stephen Stills.
Bill Gawley blends elements of folk, rock, blues, country, and Americana as he accompanies his strong, distinctive vocals with guitar and harmonica. Combining fingerstyle and flatpicking guitar techniques and the occasional open tuning, Gawley has created a clean, efficient instrumental style that has drawn from influences as diverse as Jim Croce, James Taylor, Shawn Colvin, Cat Stevens, and Stephen Stills.