Tag: performer

Will B Whitesell, Actor, Singer, Musician, Rising Star!

WillBLogo2015

“With hard work and believing you can live your dream.”    Will B Whitesell 

THE ARTIST

Will B Whitesell
Will B Whitesell

Twelve year old William Brandon Whitesell or better known as “Will B” was born August 18, 2002 in Las Vegas, NV.   He goes by Will B, his middle name; because he says the “B” is for BELIEVE! 

Will is one of 5 children in the family but the only one who is into the music world. “He has been since he was 2”, says his Mother Tammy. “We noticed Will would sing songs all day long and change the words to what it sounded like. Everywhere we would go Will would attract attention.” 

When Will was 12 months old he was entered into a baby pageant and won almost every category. His family didn’t take it too seriously, because to them he was special no matter what, but it seemed others could see it from the moment they met him. Will just seems to have a special charm that brings out the best in others, generating smiles and laughter, making this one of his greatest attributes. 

Will B Whitesell swing 2015
Will B Whitesell

His parents shared, that when Will was 8 they enrolled him in a few acting lessons because he was so funny and loved to entertain. The instructors asked if Will could sing and they said a little, like any other 8 year old. So he sang for them and they thought it was cute. A little over a year later they asked him to sing in front of a showcase. Will said ok and told them he wanted to sing Adelle. They said no, that he couldn’t do that, but he insisted. Little did they know he had been listening to Adelle all day every day and had been studying her. “Will came out and sang and everyone was blown away, especially us”, said his Mom. “We didn’t know he had taught himself to sing! It was amazing.”

Will despises Bullying! Because of that, he started anti-bullying events in schools and local radio stations. “Will wants a world of peace and love”, says is Mom. “He is known to be a hugging machine, hugging everyone he meets! He is a very lovable young man.” 

THE ACTOR

At 10 years old Will was called on to audition for a Musical. His parents were a bit reluctant because Will hadn’t had much experience in musical stage performance, but decided to go anyway. To their delight the audition was a complete success with them loving Will! While they still had auditions to do in LA and NY they told Will’s parents that they would let them know. A short time later they officially awarded Will a placement in the cast for an 11 month tour of the United States. Knowing what a great adventure it would be they accepted the appointment and with great anticipation got ready for the tour. 

“It was a big decision for us”, said his parents, “Will loved school and was an A – B honor roll student all through school, and this would mean being away from school and his friends and family. But in spite of that, Will wanted to do it. A private teacher was assigned to travel with them helping Will to keep his grades up. Will worked 6 days a week usually traveling on the 7th day, and did school 4 days a week for 11 months. “He loved it and never complained”, said Mom. 

Will B Whitesell water 2015

When Will completed the tour he did 2 movies, both bully movies, one where he played the part of a bully and the other where he gets bullied. I’m told they should be out late 2015. 

Will has done two commercials and a web series. He takes his craft very seriously taking acting classes and vocal lessons. In addition he is also now enrolled in dance lessons. He is currently home schooled through Connections Academy and doing extremely well. He’s been very busy touring with JoJo Siwa from dance moms and with Kidz Bop. 

THE SINGER

Will is currently recording his own EP which will have 5 new songs, 4 covers, and 1 original that he helped write, “I Will B Yours”.

Iwillb musicvideoWATCH WILL’S NEW MUSIC VIDEO

Will sings all day long, it’s in his heart. He’s learning Guitar and Ukulele and also enjoys playing the keyboard and piano. If that’s not enough, he wants to add drums to his many musical talents. 

When it comes to acting, Will is amazing! He writes his own scripts often in class. His class mates are so impressed they ask him to write some for them too. Like all preteens Will can’t wait till August when he turns 13!  A legit Teenager! 

Will is great when it comes to social skills. The younger ones look up to him and the older ones enjoy hanging out with him. Will has a very positive outlook on life and brings that same energy everywhere he goes, providing encouragement and showing love and support to everyone. Will simply loves everyone and somehow always finds the good in everything and everyone. His Mom told him that he was a combination of Bob Hope, Jim Carrey, and Sam Smith! (The heart and brain of Bob Hope, the comedy of Jim Carrey and the voice of Sam Smith!) 

THE PERSON

Will B Whitesell 2015
Will B Whitesell

Will spends most of the day on something related to his dream. He writes short screenplays and creates short films cutting and editing them on his Apple Computer at home. Will loves Apple products.

While most kids are playing video games, not Will, he is in his room creating something to do with either music or movies!  

On a personal side, Will is a vegetarian. He loves animals and hates the thought of what happens to them. He is very conscientious about what he eats. A very healthy, smart kid who is into Chia, Flax, Almond milk, all kinds of healthy choices and in addition loves to cook his own creations.

Will’s hobbies usually have something to do with his Dream. He makes music, creates movies, attends shows or movies and is constantly learning from others. Outside of his career pursuits Will enjoys swimming, hiking, and spending time with his best friend and Buddy his dog! He is happy just hanging out with all his friends. 

His mentors in life are Billy Hufsey, his acting coach and Steven Ventic his music producer. 

He loves them both and is blessed to have them in his life. 

Will works very hard on fulfilling his dream to become a professional singer and actor and along the way wants to inspire other kids to follow their dreams.

After Fox 5 News saw Will perform live at the Silverton Casino, they featured him on their program saying, “Watch this kid! He’s going to be a singing sensation.”

 

For More About Will B Visit:

Sam Hurwitz East Coast Musical Wiz Kid

 “In my world, everything’s a song”          Sam Hurwitz

Sam Hurwitz Profile Photo
Sam Hurwitz

Sam Hurwitz is an 11 year old singer–songwriter who plays guitar and piano, and has been singing, strumming and writing songs since the age of two.  

Sam Hurwitz 3 years old
Three Year Old Sam Hurwitz

 

When Sam was a baby, he seemed to always gravitate towards the toy musical instruments that were in his playroom.  Sam started strumming the guitar and singing and while it would seem that he was singing random words, his parents began to notice that he would strum and sing the same words in the same tune. Thus his first songs (albeit one line songs), “Give me a Garbon” and “Bop a Doo”, were born! 

His mother shared that there was always music playing in their home so it’s clear that Sam was influenced by the type of music that their family listened to.  As early as 2 1/2 years old, Sam could be found strumming and singing along with his favorite band “Wilco”.  In addition to listening to Wilco, Sam’s early music exposure included the alt country bands “Son Volt” and “Uncle Tupelo”, as well as the “Avett Brothers”. 

Watch Sam at 2 years old

At age 6, Sam began taking guitar lessons with Marc Jacoby, a preschool music teacher and member of the bands “Grateful Bro” and “Rockmitzvah”.  Sam’s earliest songs were written before he could actually play guitar and Sam would sing the tune and Marc would take that tune and lay the chords out for Sam.   Sam’s first “real” song, “We’re Gonna Get Wet”, was written that year.  His current version of  “We’re Gonna Get Wet” is currently listed at number 2 and his song “Maybe Rome” (which you can see below) is listed at number 8 on the independent UK music chart, FabChart. 

 Sam Hurwitz Were Gonna Get Wet VideoWatch Sam sing his original live!

Unfortunately, Marc had a death in the family and could not continue teaching Sam.  He recommended Cliff Mays, a local guitar teacher and bandmate of Marc’s to take over while Marc was taking some time off. 

Sam continued learning guitar with Cliff and writing new songs.  Cliff has been a tremendous influence on Sam musically – whether it’s learning guitar, being exposed to new music and the history behind the bands, jamming, writing songs and learning a bit about recording software and the loop pedal.   When Sam was 8, he had his first public performance when Cliff invited Sam to participate in a songwriters circle that Cliff hosted monthly. 

Sam and Harrison Hurwitz
Sam with brother Harrison Hurwitz

In the summer of 2012, Sam and his older brother Harrison, who plays the drums and banjo, were a huge hit when they performed their original song Red Sky at a camp talent show.   That fall, they formed their band Amplifier on Fire and attended various open mics.  Sam continued to also perform as a solo act and at 9 years old was the youngest finalist at a talent search for young musicians.   That same year, after an open mic performance at 12 Grapes, a restaurant in Peekskill, NY, Sam was invited back to perform in a singer-songwriter showcase to celebrate the venue’s 5th anniversary. 

Sam Hurwitz working at home
Sam Hurwitz working at home

When Sam was 10, he began studying piano at the Lagond Music School which was founded by Rosanne Lana and Charlie Lagond, who has performed around the world with artists like Chuck Mangione, The Jackson Five, the Temptations, and Kid Creole & the Coconuts.

Sam Hurwitz Piano Player
Sam Hurwitz Piano Player

Sam’s parents explained that they were drawn to Lagond because of its unique approach of teaching contemporary music with the same rigor typically applied to classical training.   Sam hit it off immediately with his piano teacher Rusty Cloud, who has toured with, among others, the E Street Band and the Blues Brothers Band.   Quickly after seeing Lagond’s approach, Sam was enrolled there to study guitar with Nicky Barbato, and has recently begun voice training with Claire Cloud.  In addition to musical instruction, Sam participates in Lagond’s Band Prep Jam, a program for younger students to learn to work together as a group.  Lagond has been wonderful for Sam, not only improving his technique but exposing him to new genres of music and learning to play with others as part of an ensemble.  

Sam is described as being quiet, shy and reserved and not one to seek out or even like the limelight.  However, his mother shared that Sam seems to be more comfortable on stage recently than he has ever been. He is also described as being mature beyond his years, incredibly thoughtful, empathetic, modest and kind.  

In fact one of his teachers said that he is “the kindest student I have ever had” and he has been called an “old soul” by many people.  

Even Sam’s musical taste is mature – he is not interested in the current pop and rap songs most of his peers listen to and instead prefers Wilco, the Avett Brothers, Uncle Tupelo, Modest Mouse and old classics such as The Beatles, The Eagles, Billy Joel and Pink Floyd.

Maybe RomeSam performs original song “Maybe Rome”

Sam has a catalog of 10 original songs, 8 on guitar and 2 on piano.  At Sam’s first live performance he was asked how he writes his songs.  He answered “they just pop into my head”, and that continues to be the case today.  He will sit at the piano or pick up his guitar and just start playing and singing.  Many times nothing will come from it, but sometimes a song is created. 

Sam has been compared to Bob Dylan, Richie Havens and Steven Stills.  In addition to working on his music, Sam loves to spend time with his friends, play with Legos and the computer game Minecraft.  Sam also loves to read and write.  Sam attends a weekly creative writing class and wrote a screenplay at age 7 and has written several fantasy and science fiction short stories/novellas.   

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While this may be Sam’s introductory article here at Rivenmaster’s Place I’m sure it will not be the last we have heard from this young musical prodigy!  The key to success is writing, producing and performing your own originals songs.  That key element alone makes this young artist ahead of the game.  Be sure you subscribe to his YouTube Channel and follow him on Facebook.  You’re going to want to get in on the ground floor of this young man’s legacy because he is without a doubt headed for stardom.

 

To learn more about Sam Hurwitz visit:Â