Willbilly is a sobriquet that was given to me around 1970-’71. I was a sophomore in high school and started playing music for folks other than my imaginary friends. John F. was a friend who was still in school, but had been learning carpentry from his father, Whitey, who was a carpenter and house builder from West Virginia. John was one of my few friends who shared a love for folk, country and blues music like I did, especially country music. He gave me the nickname, Willbilly, because of my deep affection for those musics. I liked it and close friends started calling me either Willbilly or Willbill, especially when they wanted to hear a song.