Statesboro, Georgia has long been seen as a town with musical roots. Over the years, locals and Georgia Southern graduates have launched successful musical careers spanning diverse genres and reaching audiences far beyond city limits.
Avery Willis exemplifies this tradition—rising from performing at local venues to touring alongside country music's biggest stars, demonstrating how Statesboro continues to nurture and develop exceptional musical talent.
Self-Taught and Determined
Willis’s interest began at age 10 when he received an acoustic guitar for Christmas, inspired by Alan Jackson. However, it wasn't until he was 14 that he found his real passion with the bass guitar when his church needed a bass player.
Willis recalls his initial assumptions. "I thought it was so much easier than guitar, that there wasn't a whole lot of responsibility on the bass player," he shared. "That's completely wrong. Between the drummer and the bass player, they are the backbone. I found out early on that a bass player does make or break a band to an extent."
This realization led to afternoons of dedicated practice. "I locked myself in my room for hours at a time. I figured out quickly that I enjoyed playing bass over the guitar. To me, bass was more of a feeling that you had to sit in and spend more time with."
Cutting His Teeth in Statesboro
Willis credits his roots in Statesboro. "This town built me as a musician," he states proudly. "I was born and raised 30 minutes up the road and moved over here at 18, once I graduated high school. My music career was built right here."
He fondly remembers the venues that shaped his early years: "Between the Plaza of what is no more, Retrievers and Dingus, and then, Gnats Landing, those places raised a lot of us [musicians] around my age. We came up through Gnats; it helped a lot of us start our careers and is where we all met each other."
Willis first started in the band Dead Man's Hand, which helped him "cut his teeth" in Statesboro and surrounding areas. Later, he and his brother started Blue Voodoo, a blues trio that allowed them to play what they enjoyed rather than just the typical crowd-pleasers.
"We decided we didn't wanna play what everybody else wanted. We wanted to play what we enjoyed," Willis explains. "It was very hard. We played a lot of shows for free just to be able to play and try to get our name out there."
Willis estimates that Blue Voodoo ran for five or six years, providing valuable experience while he developed his musical identity. His name as a bassist grew when he joined Ember City, a band from Savannah that gave him his first real studio experience, and later led to collaborations with artists like Dylan Marlowe, Brian Fuller, and Daniel Navarro, marking Willis's return to his country music roots.
Full Circle Moments
Perhaps one of the more exciting parts of Willis's story is his "full circle moment" with Luke Bryan's Farm Tour. He recalls standing in a field in Claxton in 2008 or 2009 watching Luke Bryan's first Farm Tour, thinking, "Man, one day."
Years later, his opportunity came unexpectedly. After leaving a welding job, he received a call asking if he wanted to go on Luke Bryan's Farm Tour with the Peach Pickers in 2021.
"I was like, uh, is this a joke?" Willis remembers. "He goes, 'no, this is 100% for real.'"
The connection came through Dallas Davidson, part of the Peach Pickers and founder at Play It Again Music. After seeing Willis perform, Davidson made an offer: "Dallas was like, 'I'm taking your band for two weeks.' We didn't say anything except to very close loved ones; and then the next thing we know, we're all on social media on a tour bus and posting like, 'Hey, look, this is it; we made it.'"
That opportunity led to a dream realized: "So many years later, there I was standing on stage at a Farm Tour that was 20,000 people plus each night. And you're standing there going, holy crap. How did I get here? That was my biggest full circle moment in the music industry." Willis has played alongside the Peach Pickers every year since.
Balancing Career and Family
Behind the success and tour buses lies a more challenging reality for Willis – balancing his music career with family life. As a husband to Autumn and father to Dani-Grace and Maverick, he's navigated pursuing musical dreams while maintaining a strong family foundation.
"It's hard," Willis admits candidly. "Most of the guys that do it don't have a family when they start out. But if it was not for Autumn, I wouldn't have been able to do half of what I've done."
For years, Willis maintained a demanding schedule – working a day job Monday through Thursday, then playing shows Thursday through Sunday before starting fresh each week. His music career wasn't just about passion; it helped contribute to his family's stability.
"Playing music helped pay the bills. It was extra income to put in the bank account to keep the lights on, keep a roof over our heads, and put food on the table," he explains.
As his career expanded from local gigs to regional and national tours, Avery and Autumn worked together to find solutions that work best for their family.
"These days, from 5 o'clock when we get home to around 8:30 or 9 when everybody's in bed, I don't worry about the music side. I set it down, and I just focus on being home," Willis explains, noting his dedicated family time has become sacred. Willis still makes time to practice too. "Once everyone is asleep, that's when I head to my studio and work on music through the night."
Technology has been a blessing for maintaining family connections while on tour. "Thank God for FaceTime," he says. "Dani-Grace is older now, so she can text and talk to me," which helps bridge the distance when he's away.
Willis recognizes the uniqueness of his successful work-family balance in the industry. He credits his wife's unwavering support and their mutual commitment to communication. Their partnership allows Willis to thrive both as a musician and as a family man.
Advice for Aspiring Musicians
After years of performing in both small bars and large arenas alike, Willis is in a period of reflection. "I’ve seen it, I’ve done it," he says. "But now, my family is more important than being on the road. I still play, but I choose gigs that are truly worth my time."
Willis has shifted his focus toward mentoring emerging artists. "I've got some projects in the works for the local music scene, and I hope they come to fruition soon. I want to support these young artists the way I wish someone had helped me when I was starting out."
For young musicians starting out, Willis offers straightforward advice based on his experiences:
"Treat this like a job. This isn't a party. Hard work, dedication, and go off of your word and go off of your handshake," he advises. "If somebody gives you a set list and goes, 'hey, here's the set list, this is the songs that we're doing,' don't show up not knowing how to do your job."
He emphasizes the importance of being fully prepared and willing to help beyond your specific role: "Show up, be prepared to work, do not sit back with your hands in your pocket when you see the rest of your guys trying to do something because your work ethic will speak volumes."
"The music industry should never be every man for himself. It should always be a team effort. We'd be a lot better off if we all helped each other. And from there, once we have the mentality of helping each other, we all kind of start succeeding together."
He also encourages musicians of all experience levels to remain teachable throughout their careers. "No matter how long you've been playing or how good you think you are, always be open to learning," he insists. "The minute you think you know everything is the minute you stop growing as a musician. I'm still learning new techniques and approaches after all these years. The best musicians I've worked with are the ones who are constantly looking to improve, who listen more than they talk, and who can take constructive criticism without their ego getting in the way."
What's Next for Willis
Willis just finished two shows in Chattanooga with Cole Goodwin, opening for Zach Top, as well as a show at the famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, followed by appearances in Jacksonville and Atlanta this week.
As he continues to perform selectively and mentor the next generation, Willis remains clear about his priorities. "I've proven everything I need to prove to myself. Now, I just enjoy making music on my terms, and making the most of the time I have with the people who matter most."