"Deep Thoughts" from Buster
You may now remove your seat belts and exit. The bus has come to a full stop.
July 4th aboard the Madam Carroll will mark the last public appearance of Big Willy and the Naked Bus Drivers. We’ll play a couple of other special engagements after that, but then Woody heads back to Bloomington, Slice heads for the city by the bay, Brian plugs in for his next gig, Buster has some new studio work, and Big Willy retreats back into private life. Unlike the typical local band, we’re calling it quits while our fans still love us and the band still loves each other.
Many rehearsals, many gigs, many songs, many miles, and many dancing people. That’s what we’ll probably remember of the blur of the last several years.
It’s noteworthy that we won the “Best Local Band” award from the Journal and Courier the last 3 years in a row with not much support from anybody outside of our dedicated fan base. Lafayette has its 3 or 4 bands that are covered with the drool of the critics and get all the fashionable invitations and news coverage by knowing the right 3 or 4 people. And then there’s Big Willy getting unconditional love from the people who came to our shows no matter where they were, sang along, had a beer, had a laugh, surfed and danced, and went home covered with sweat. That was always our thing and we knocked it out of the park. Stupid fun is always trendy. We never faked that.
That’s plenty for now, student bus drivers. Just a note of thanks for spending your hard-earned money for gas, cover charge, and a couple pitchers. We only wanted you to have as much fun as we did those 3 sets each night and you came through for us. Drive safely.
Love, Buster
Blogging from his laptop in the bathroom, by Buster
A fantastic FINAL weekend at the Hideaway! If you were there, you saw one of most energetic and happy weekends with the current lineup. Thanks to Curly and the wait staff for all the support and help. Also thanks to the many Hideaway regulars who never missed a Big Willy weekend. Don't be strangers! GET ON THE BUS!
Love, Buster
Big Willy & the Naked Bus Drivers to retire!
Yes, it's true. We've been together in one form or another for several years, and it's time to hang it up. No real exciting reason, no internal fighting, no rampant drug or alcohol abuse, no problems with finances (ha! what finances?) it's just that we're ready for our final curtain. We thank you for your support...it's because of you that we've been able to keep it rolling as long as we have. We still have a few more public shows, so head to our calendar to see when and where we're playing!
Thanks again for everything! ~~BW&TNB
Just A Little East in Tipton, by Big Willy
Holy rock-n-roll Batman!! We just got back from playing a GREAT bar in Tipton, In called JUST A LITTLE EAST! This place knows how to rock. Great crowd, great bartenders, great management. Did I say great crowd? A special thanks goes out to all fabulous ladies that I sang to. The dancers were hot, the beer was cold, and the band was cookin'. It was by far my favorite show of the year, so a big BIG WILLY thanks to all of you who were there. I hope that we can come back and see you all again real soon.
Lators Gators, Big Willy
Why Big Willy Isn't Playing in Your Town by Buster
On occasion in the long history of the band, we'll get invited to play a new club or bar. We'll bring in all of our fans, curious people, talent scouts, palimony attorneys, and annoyed neighbors, pack the place, and then not even get a "thank you" box of chocolates in the mail or advanced bookings for the coming months from the management.
This could very well be all your fault!
If you had a good time (or got lucky) at one of our shows, mention something to the wait staff, the smarmy owner lurking by the door, or write something on the ladie's room wall about Big Willy.
If it's a mystery to you why we're not invited back to your favorite party place, then imagine how (more) stupid WE feel!
Also, instead of hiring the guy in the office who used to run the karoake machine at the local dive to provide tunes and bad jokes for your holiday party, graduation blowout, or anniversary drunk fest,
HIRE BIG WILLY !
All of our contact info is on this lovely new website. Hurry and get booked with our current 2007 rates!!!
Love,
Buster
COOKIES
You know what I can't stand? Oatmeal-raisin cookies. Not because they taste bad, because they're pretty good, but because they look just like chocolate chip cookies. I think I'm picking a chocolate chip cookie, and it turns out to be oatmeal raisin. Kind of a letdown.
See ya! Brian
JOIN US AT THE FOX...OR ELSEWHERE!!
Hey folks! Hope everyone is doing well. We're really excited about our show this Saturday 10/6 at the Fox...we've got a bunch of new tunes we're going to play for you, so you need to be there to let us know what you think. We always seem to draw enthusiastic crowds at the Fox, so make sure you're a part of it.
Also, in case you haven't heard, we're going to be playing New Year's Eve at the Fox Pub & Grill, so make plans to be with us...it's sure to be a blast!
See ya! Brian
BIG (Willy) WEEKEND AT HIDEAWAY!!
Written by Buster
I'm never disappointed at the response we get from the happy folks at the Hideaway. Though we've only played there a few times, the crowds have made us feel like regulars and vow to keep coming back. If everyone keeps singing and dancing along with us, we'll keep rocking with Curly, Blondie, the wonderful staff, and the beautiful patrons. TELL YOUR FRIENDS, TOO!!
Love,
Buster
Thanks to the Hideaway!
Written by Brian
Thanks again to the fans who showed up for our "super-sized" weekend at Curly 'n' Blondie's Hideaway in Lafayette! Everyone had a great time, and we definitely appreciate you coming out. Thanks also to the Crew at the Hideaway for making it an enjoyable experience for BW & TNB. See you in a couple of months!
Bocker Rocker
Written by Buster
We weren't sure if there were going to be enough folks to come out and see us during the LOOOONG Thanksgiving weekend, but not to worry! Saturday the 25th at the Knickerbocker was another great evening for us. Lots of birthdays being celebrated, new songs to try out, and the unseasonable weather made things easier on the behind-the-scenes set-up and tear-down for the band. We'll probably make the Knickerbocker one of our first stops in 2007, so don't miss out! If you need us to rock your New Year's Eve party, there's still time to contact Big Willy management and set things up. Otherwise, we'll be spending New Year's together in our cabin in Big Bear. Just the band and our massage tables. Happy Holidays, everyone!
HIDEAWAY WEEKEND!
Written by Buster
I was blown away by the response of the crowd AND management of Curly and Blondie's Hideaway in Teal Plaza in Lafayette. Over the weekend, it was lots of dancing, drinks, and wonderful costumes. Oh, yeah, and the music was rocked Big Willy-style for 2 big nights !! We'll be back there in December. If you've seen any of our shows and would like to make requests and comments (remember the negative comments don't make it through our special "Ego Filter" we have on the web site), please do it now! Otherwise, we don't know how to better serve our faithful student bus drivers!!!!
Love to All,
Buster
Absolutely FINAL World Series update
Written by Buster
After the Yankees, Twins, Padres, Dodgers, Astros, and Oakland, the team that deserved to win the World Series won the World Series. Good for them.
Condescending
Buster
Final World Series update!
Written by Brian
Cardinals win! Cardinals win! That is all.
Brian
World Series Update
Written by Brian
Go Cardinals! It is interesting to note that on evenings when Big Willy has gotten together, the St. Louis (baseball) Cardinals have won the World Series games played, and they have lost on nights when Big Willy members were doing their own little thing. Case in point: Saturday night - Big Willy show/Cardinals victory. Sunday night - Big Willy members nowhere near each other/Tigers victory. Tuesday night - Big Willy rehearsal (yes, believe it or not we rehearse)/Cardinals victory. If this clear and obvious pattern holds, I anticipate the Cardinals to lose Wednesday, lose Thursday, win Saturday, and lose Sunday, thus losing the World Series 4 games to 3. Big Willy himself, being a huge Cubs fan, is probably sickened every time he comes home from rockin', but he can take solace in the fact that BW&TNB won't be together enough to result in a Cardinals World Series victory. Yes indeed: the Cubs have the Billy Goat curse, and the Tigers have the Big Willy curse. Alert the media! Brian (White Sox and Cardinals fan...yes, I couldn't be more opposite from Big Willy)."
Big Weekend for Big Willy
Written by Brian
A small but mighty crowd witnessed a powerful Big Willy performance Saturday at the Moose Lodge. Missed the show? You're not alone, but that's OK; you'll get your chances to see Big Willy this weekend at a brand-new venue. Come see us at the Hideaway in Lafayette Friday and Saturday night! Bring your friends! Bring your children...at least those of legal drinking age! See you there!
Go Cardinals!
Brian
Wingate a Real Winner!
Written by Buster
A great reception at the High Street Bar and Grill last night. I think the entire town of Wingate was there. More new songs to try out, a handful of the faithful, and happy dancers all night long with cheers and a lovely encore! We'll be back there soon. If you saw the show, pass along your excitement about us to the nearest bartender/owner. We appreciate it! And now it's back to the Moose on the 21st!!
Love,
Buster
A thought in September
Written by Captain
September has been a rather slow month by design as we recuperate from the rigors of performing during the spring and summer as Lafayette's Favorite Local Band. Though we enjoy being Rock n' Roll gods (note small "g") in our relatively small world, the weekends of playing at local bars and venues can get a bit tedious. It takes a few weeks of time off to realize that we really, really miss the applause of appreciative fans. The past three weeks has only seen the band perform at one benefit in Indianapolis (the surprisingly-enjoyable Inclusionfest, where we recorded our newest soon-to-be-released live album). Now, I find that I am really looking forward to our gig this Saturday in Wingate. Though many fans might not be able to make the trip, I am looking forward to the chance to get the (likely relatively-small) crowd dancing and singing again. After all, we are not "professional" musicians: we are simply guys who enjoy the indescribable high of getting folks to dance and sing to our music. In a sense, our part-time job might be better than that of professional musicians because we never get jaded about helping folks having a good time. Regardless if you can make it this saturday or not, remember that we are just another collective of musicians without the fans; you are entire reason we spend our friday and saturday evenings trying to rock the world. We never forget that, without the fans, we are just a bunch of middle-aged guys who enjoy playing music.
Please, join us whenever you can.
