Will Worden did his best to follow the well worn path. After high school in Texas, Worden enrolled in the College of Business at Baylor University in Waco. He committed himself to the sales program until he realized he was simply not cut out for office life. Worden abandoned business school and packed up some belongings seeking out a new adventure in Southern California.

Will was drawn to California by the skate and surf culture he had been excited about as a kid back in Texas. The laid back culture, coupled with the local musical history of Capitol Records, the Wrecking Crew, and Laurel Canyon all collided to feel like a beacon for Worden.

In 2022, on the eve of a family vacation to Alaska, Worden’s girlfriend informed him that she was leaving him and would not be going on the trip. Alone, and heartbroken, after years playing guitar and sheepishly attempting to write his own songs, Will wrote the bare bones for what would become his first twelve finished tunes. Upon returning home from the trip, Will set to work with a friend and co-producer Chris’ Dixie’ Darley, as well the musical whirlwind that is Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. to craft a gorgeous album filled with winsome heartbreak, and towering paeans to loss. The resulting album The Only One And All The Others, plays like a 21st century redux of an era filled with the sounds of Glen Campbell, Lee Hazelwood, and Kris Kristofferson. Rolling Stone even proclaimed, “his voice intersects Elvis Presley and Gordon Lightfoot”.

Will and I talk about how the record came to be and all that he has accomplished in the wake of completing it. His plans for 2026 include the release of another, already completed album of songs, as well touring with his terrific live band. We explore the conditions that make for a great recording, and even talk some inside baseball on making records that feel like the room in which they were recorded.

In discussing his rather foolhardy move to California, Will referenced a favorite poem of his which reads in part, “Nature loves courage”. Worden’s courage not only led him to the sunny confines of California but helped him to overcome his Alaskan heartbreak, and to allow him the chance to find a series of collaborators and supporters that have led to his terrific debut album, and so much more.

Let’s get into it.

Cheers,

Matty C

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End Credits

Thanks so much to Will for joining me. You can grab a vinyl copy of his debut LP at https://www.vrecordsusa.com/will-worden

The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C. 

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