Wil Van Winkle and the Sixpins

Wil Van Winkle, both with the Sixpins and solo, plays a mix of country & rock; covers and originals in a high energy and crowd engaging stage show (where appropriate), he leaves audiences wanting more.

The realm of Americana music is a large and messy place. Nestled comfortably deep within the schizophrenia sits Wil Van Winkle & the Sixpins. The band's style ranges from Rock to Country with noticeable Blues influences and can clearly be heard on the band's 2020 debut EP, 'The Perpetual Club of Sages, Philosophers, and Other Idle Personages', and the 2021 follow-up "The Diedrich Knickerbocker Diaries, volume 1" both of which take their names from the story “Rip Van Winkle” by Washington Irving.

Wil Van Winkle & the Sixpins consists of international recording artist Wil Van Winkle on Vocals, Guitar, & Mandolin, bassist Allen Atkinson, and drummer Rich Bowler. Having played anywhere from campgrounds to coffee houses, college campus to clothing optional resorts; Alt Country/Americana/Rock Artist Wil Van Winkle has played them all. No stranger to the road Wil has entertained audiences through three continents, 6 countries, and cities all over the USA, “Wil Van Winkle has served up some lively music infused with interesting polyrhythms and his strong and unique voice.” (- Rocky Stone from Music News May 2007)

Members of Wil Van Winkle & the Sixpins have played for a wide variety of audiences including a Democratic Convention and a Republican Fund Raiser/Police Chief's Party both in Texas, Cancer Benefits, and various coffee shops, hotels, clubs, house concerts, and wineries. Wil was even scheduled to be the first American musician to play Afghanistan in 2002 until renewed fighting and bombing broke out on the bridge between Kandahar and Tashkent. Recently, Wil Van Winkle & the Sixpins have been breaking into larger markets and are beginning to focus efforts on festivals such as Henry County, TN’s Pioneer Day and John Schneider’s (of Dukes of Hazzard and Smallville fame) Bo’s Extravaganza.

Wil has had sponsorships from Heineken, KAO Kampgrounds, Prilosec OTC and an endorsement deal from Knucklehead Guitar Strings.

We have enough gear to run most clubs and some smaller festivals as well as a basic lighting setup.
Behringer X air X18 mixer
2 Mackie Thump 1000 watt 15 inch mains
1 Mackie Thump 1200 watt 18 inch sub
2 Kustom 12" stage monitors
2 shure SM58
2 Samson Q4
etc.
For larger venues and nighttime out door gigs additional lighting may be required.