I’ve had the amazingly good fortune of knowing this man since around 2002, when I met him while touring with Iowa legends Ten Grand (the stories are all true- he was indeed their roadie)… and we in murder by death had just begun to tour, those guys let us tag along on their tour they’d booked, and Will would get up on stage between our sets and, without any microphones, would play two songs or so, and every person who saw it fell dead silent, jaws typically hanging open, in awe of the force of nature he already was at 23 years old or so… he’s the real deal, no other way around it, and one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met to boot…
My first exposure to WEW was the second act supporting Murder By Death in maybe '09 or '10. Something like that. The opener was J. Roddy Walston &the Business. So, yeah... Both of the other acts were "Big Sound" acts. The openers are done, breaking down their gear and getting off the stage and up walks this scruffy guy who puts up a chair, a few guitar stands and a little wooden box. I've never heard of him at that point and honestly thought he was a roadie or stage hand or something helping get things set up for the next act. And then, with practically nothing on stage, no introduction, he just sits down and starts playing this just stripped down, lean, gravelly blues. Just dead, dumbstruck silence from the crowd. He had the whole audience in the palm of his hand for the entire set. It was beautiful.
Dude, so I'm a huge metalhead who is a country boy at heart. As you know with metal, there's many different subgenres. Country music is the same way. Hellbilly, gothic country/bluegrass are some of my favorite genres of country music. So soulful
I lived in Lee County Iowa from 1998 to 2022. I met and have a signed single from Will. I actually seen him play garages and bonfires for several years right their in the heart of Montrose, Iowa. PBR was the mans beer, he is a patriot and a gentleman. My favorte song is Redbuds by William Elliot Whitmore.
I want him to sign my guitar I’ve never played banjo but I’m a big fan of Hank Williams and I play a bunch of his songs and I love this guys music too btw
Jesus, I read all these people who drank with this man and I wish I have the opportunity to buy him whatever drinks he wants. All night!! But I live in Rhode Island. Man... man oh man, I keep looking to see him touring here! Love his music!!!
William Elliot Whitmore - Diggin' My Grave I'm diggin' my grave I'm diggin' my grave My road to hell is surely paved With all the love that I never gave I'm diggin' my grave Oh lord I'm diggin' my grave And the hole is made With a pick and a spade And all the debts never repaid Oh how I wish that I could have stayed But the hole is made Oh lord the hole is made And the hole is shallow where I must lay The hole is shallow But that's okay Cause I'll have peace on my final day Down in this shallow hole where I must lay Well this July ground is mighty hard This July ground is mighty hard My back is broken My hands are scared This July ground is mighty hard Well lord I wish that I hadn't sinned Oh oh I wish I hadn't sinned That I could be with you again Oh oh I wish Oh I wish I hadn't sinned And the hole is shallow where I must lay And the hole is shallow but that's okay Cause I'll have peace on my final day Down in this shallow hole where I must lay This Iowa dirt is mighty cold This Iowa dirt is mighty cold And god will never rest my soul Down in this Iowa dirt so cold I'm diggin' my grave Well, I'm diggin' my grave My road to hell is surely paved With all the love that I never gave I'm diggin' my grave Oh lord I'm diggin' my grave
I think the world might crumble under the greatness of a song preformed by William Elliot Whitmore and Tom Waits. Honestly, even if the world didn't survive, I believe it would be worth it. I do believe so.
I sit in front of a fire on the first few cool nights of the fall... with a dram or two...or three....ok 4...no more than 5...of Four Roses, listening to this.. I find it therapeutic and prophetic at the same. I drove many a trek from Omaha to KC and back on I 29 and it goes a ways through Western Iowa...I wish I would have had this to listen to then. Of course it was 1977 so I had no shortage of anything to listen to.
Along with Country Blues, this is one of the first songs I've heard from him and I love it. Both his voice and the form of the song remind me a little bit of Hellbound Glory's cover of Hank Jr's "Whiskey Bent and Hellbound," which I love.
I wish to be cremated from the neck down, and have my head placed on a stick. When people want to say something about me at the funeral they have to hold my head stick. I'm a bad person...
+Monky The first time I ever met him my jaw dropped when he got on stage and Midnight came belting out. Never, ever imagined that voice belonging to him.
A mutual friend introduced us back when I played music, we have similar voices and I got to sing this with him at a Roots festival years ago. Unbelievably good person, and unmatchable talent.
You sound like me now. I already been looking at banjo's I've known how to play guitar for years. I would like to find electric banjo I can plug into my amp and get some mild distortion. lol
You should also experiment with the Sitar and the Mandolin. Don't think anyone's played country on them yet, you could be the first. Maybe alongside a Dulcimer or a harp...
get one of them contact mics, the small disc shaped ones and just put one on the body of your banjo! i have that setup at hope, sounds insane with distortion.
Been lucky enough to see Bill a few times and when I saw him last he passed two fucking huge bottles of Jack around. Top man. Sings from the soul and belly.
this man is awesome. Met him at Neceda and he was down to earth and humble. A lot of hurt in his voice and soul in his music that the shit on radio has none of. Keep the music comin man
I heard this guy on Pandora radio for the first time. I like it, so I looked up his stuff on youtube. I did not at ALL expect him to look like he does. I pictured more of a Charlie Daniels looking guy. It doesn't matter at all, though...the music is spectacular, no matter what he looks like.
@@mrlord2276 More so that my partner would have a similar sense of humour and would see the funny side of it instead of making an issue of it like you are trying to do!
where did finding someone just on youtube out of pure love from music go? i found this man by looking for new music on youtube just cus i needed some new great music, that needs to come back
This guy sounds like the love child of the ghost of a West Virginia coal miner who got buried in a cave-in and a moonshine bootlegger who drank too much of his own product. Just an awesome and unique style.
What a great voice, sounds like he eats glass and rocks and drinks ashtrays, I love it.
could not of said it better. 👌
Real talk my friend
Don McCoy thanks for that
just my speed..awesome
He's not Tom Waits lol
I’ve had the amazingly good fortune of knowing this man since around 2002, when I met him while touring with Iowa legends Ten Grand (the stories are all true- he was indeed their roadie)… and we in murder by death had just begun to tour, those guys let us tag along on their tour they’d booked, and Will would get up on stage between our sets and, without any microphones, would play two songs or so, and every person who saw it fell dead silent, jaws typically hanging open, in awe of the force of nature he already was at 23 years old or so… he’s the real deal, no other way around it, and one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met to boot…
My first exposure to WEW was the second act supporting Murder By Death in maybe '09 or '10. Something like that. The opener was J. Roddy Walston &the Business. So, yeah... Both of the other acts were "Big Sound" acts. The openers are done, breaking down their gear and getting off the stage and up walks this scruffy guy who puts up a chair, a few guitar stands and a little wooden box. I've never heard of him at that point and honestly thought he was a roadie or stage hand or something helping get things set up for the next act. And then, with practically nothing on stage, no introduction, he just sits down and starts playing this just stripped down, lean, gravelly blues. Just dead, dumbstruck silence from the crowd. He had the whole audience in the palm of his hand for the entire set. It was beautiful.
Dude, so I'm a huge metalhead who is a country boy at heart. As you know with metal, there's many different subgenres. Country music is the same way. Hellbilly, gothic country/bluegrass are some of my favorite genres of country music. So soulful
Bluegrass is proto- thrash
If it sounds rite, then is
I lived in Lee County Iowa from 1998 to 2022. I met and have a signed single from Will. I actually seen him play garages and bonfires for several years right their in the heart of Montrose, Iowa. PBR was the mans beer, he is a patriot and a gentleman. My favorte song is Redbuds by William Elliot Whitmore.
He signed my Banjo!! :-)
I love this mans music and I find it inspiring but no man or woman will ever put their name on my banjo.
That's absurd sir.
Ezekiel Sawthawheel i totally respect your opinion but i disagree lol
I wouldn't mind him signing my banjo :) :) :) ( I don't have one btw :)
Sounds sexual
I want him to sign my guitar I’ve never played banjo but I’m a big fan of Hank Williams and I play a bunch of his songs and I love this guys music too btw
Red Dead Redemption introduced me to this man...
I have no regrets.
No shit? I played the game through.....When was this played?
koffinkat666 The song featured in Red Dead Redemption was "Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie".
koffinkat666 It's played while you're looking at John's grave at the end of the game.
lcjr I typed in gothic bluegrass and this showed up lol.
i just searched "dark country" and found this
Jesus, I read all these people who drank with this man and I wish I have the opportunity to buy him whatever drinks he wants. All night!! But I live in Rhode Island. Man... man oh man, I keep looking to see him touring here! Love his music!!!
William Elliot Whitmore - Diggin' My Grave
I'm diggin' my grave
I'm diggin' my grave
My road to hell is surely paved
With all the love that I never gave
I'm diggin' my grave
Oh lord I'm diggin' my grave
And the hole is made
With a pick and a spade
And all the debts never repaid
Oh how I wish that I could have stayed
But the hole is made
Oh lord the hole is made
And the hole is shallow where I must lay
The hole is shallow
But that's okay
Cause I'll have peace on my final day
Down in this shallow hole where I must lay
Well this July ground is mighty hard
This July ground is mighty hard
My back is broken
My hands are scared
This July ground is mighty hard
Well lord I wish that I hadn't sinned
Oh oh I wish I hadn't sinned
That I could be with you again
Oh oh I wish Oh I wish I hadn't sinned
And the hole is shallow where I must lay
And the hole is shallow but that's okay
Cause I'll have peace on my final day
Down in this shallow hole where I must lay
This Iowa dirt is mighty cold
This Iowa dirt is mighty cold
And god will never rest my soul
Down in this Iowa dirt so cold
I'm diggin' my grave
Well, I'm diggin' my grave
My road to hell is surely paved
With all the love that I never gave
I'm diggin' my grave
Oh lord I'm diggin' my grave
David Abuashvili thanks
btw this is the song that made me learn guitar in these three years
But what are the chords!?! I can't find it online anywhere and I can't find a live video...
@@nicksatori-selk6755 if you want a guitar ones I could provide.
@@davidabuashvili3158 That would be great! Thank you
I think the world might crumble under the greatness of a song preformed by William Elliot Whitmore and Tom Waits. Honestly, even if the world didn't survive, I believe it would be worth it. I do believe so.
OMG-Youcouldnt be more right! I was thinking the same thing as i listened to the song about 50 times before reading your comment- lol...
I sit in front of a fire on the first few cool nights of the fall... with a dram or two...or three....ok 4...no more than 5...of Four Roses, listening to this.. I find it therapeutic and prophetic at the same. I drove many a trek from Omaha to KC and back on I 29 and it goes a ways through Western Iowa...I wish I would have had this to listen to then. Of course it was 1977 so I had no shortage of anything to listen to.
Your comments are pleasantly great.
lovely song!
it will be perfect as wedding march :-P
nice one
Thanx Riccardo, it will be our wedding song on the 16th of June 2016 while we are signing the contract...
Hahahahahaha deep shit right there bro ahahahhaha!
Lol !
hhhhhh... u made me laugh!
This guy was off my radar until recently. Man, he is so raw and primal. Hope he comes to Memphis sometime soon. Would love to see him live.
Awesome....Banjo is haunting with the Voice............thanks for The upload!
I could listen to him sing all day every day!
Along with Country Blues, this is one of the first songs I've heard from him and I love it. Both his voice and the form of the song remind me a little bit of Hellbound Glory's cover of Hank Jr's "Whiskey Bent and Hellbound," which I love.
I'm eternally grateful to the one who buries me under a mighty oak tree. None of that chemical and box crap for me thank you very much!
8k.o
I wish to be cremated from the neck down, and have my head placed on a stick. When people want to say something about me at the funeral they have to hold my head stick. I'm a bad person...
went to see Chris Cornell in 2011 in Austin and he was the opener. Everyone was amazed by this one man band.
Johnny C hell yeah!
William, thank you for your great music!
I feel the same pain that you're singing about.
It helps a lot listening to you!!
Thanks!
Awesome deep soul music with your favorite liquor and cigar or pipe!
NO WAY IN HELL THAT'S WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE. I ALWAYS PICTURED SOME OLD MAN WITH WRINKLES FOR DAYS SINGING THIS THROUGH HIS FORTY-YEAR-LONG BEARD.
+Monky The first time I ever met him my jaw dropped when he got on stage and Midnight came belting out. Never, ever imagined that voice belonging to him.
+Monky I couldn't agree with you more, hahaha! Nice pic by the way.
hahah same
I know his voice doesn't match his appearance at all.
try john fullbright. satan and st paul song...same thing..voice does not match person..lol
A mutual friend introduced us back when I played music, we have similar voices and I got to sing this with him at a Roots festival years ago. Unbelievably good person, and unmatchable talent.
Tis song was my introduction to this man's music, I've been hooked ever since. Thank you so much for sharing it! LOVE his SONGS !
I'm getting a banjo so I can learn how to play this kind of music. the banjo is just so badass imo😂
You sound like me now. I already been looking at banjo's I've known how to play guitar for years. I would like to find electric banjo I can plug into my amp and get some mild distortion. lol
Heisenbooger your user name just made my day haha
The banjo,like the fiddle...has it's roots in African music. :)
You should also experiment with the Sitar and the Mandolin. Don't think anyone's played country on them yet, you could be the first. Maybe alongside a Dulcimer or a harp...
get one of them contact mics, the small disc shaped ones and just put one on the body of your banjo! i have that setup at hope, sounds insane with distortion.
He is the only artist I will see every time he comes to town
That Voice!! oh my Jesus!!
just agree
What an incredible voice.
What the fuck?! I thought this guy was an old and worn man, but he looks to be in his late 20s - early 30s. That guys got a voice!
Been lucky enough to see Bill a few times and when I saw him last he passed two fucking huge bottles of Jack around. Top man. Sings from the soul and belly.
this man is awesome. Met him at Neceda and he was down to earth and humble. A lot of hurt in his voice and soul in his music that the shit on radio has none of. Keep the music comin man
Hot damn what an amazing vioce
Soulful, the pain is real and bleeds into the lyrics and sound in the most bittersweet of swirlings, then you chatch what he's singing...
you just gotta love the banjo .
me too dude/dudette :D he has a truly amazing voice, can't stop listening to his songs...
A m a z i n g !!! This is beyond raw emotion and talent - Perfection!! I have goosebumps!! The Best.
One of my favorite's of his. His A Great Guy! IA Pride
Great voice, great song. This young man needs more playing time.
Incredible!
That's the wonderful thing about RUclips, you can find music that on your own you might never have run across.
STIs bloke has an awesome voice
Love it
Unfortunately, I can relate to this song. Great singing and picking.
I find this, fortunately, beautiful. I don't wanna go to my grave hating.
He say this July ground is mighty hard.. then came back and said this Iowa dirt is mighty cold. Man this song hits me deep.
This is great! It's got a " soggy bottom boys" vibe to it.
His voice made my jaw drop and quiver all over. Amazing!!!
fuckin love this song. When dude was writing this you KNOW the thought had crossed his mind to write: 'I'm diggin my grave and I'm gonna complain' lol
I love everything about this. Cheers to this man.
great love this song good voice too.
II I love this Music and the Voice !
One of the best live performers I've seen
Discovered This Guy About 2 yrs Ago Absolutely Amazing
This song will be played at my funeral, for sure...
Makes me proud to be from and in Iowa.
Great...i love all the dark folk, dark country and in general all dark music!
Awesome singer/songwriter.
Thank you brother for keeping my love alive!
My favorite WEW song. Powerful.
Que lindo es! me encanta su voz !
This song keeps dragging me back.
His voice sounds so much older.
I want to go down in a blaze of glory to this song
I heard this guy on Pandora radio for the first time. I like it, so I looked up his stuff on youtube. I did not at ALL expect him to look like he does. I pictured more of a Charlie Daniels looking guy. It doesn't matter at all, though...the music is spectacular, no matter what he looks like.
Been listening on repeat a lot lately only changed one lyric from the love I never gave to the love you never gave
This is the song I will play when I am on my last ammo clip when the zombies come for me!
magazine*
KeelanMorgan or the ignorant masses. Which ever comes first.
Looks like it's about time to fulfill your plan, bud.
@@mrlord2276 Hahaha
I couldn't dislike this if I tried. It's just too good.
I want this played when i pass.
love and adore this tune and song
I want this song played at my wedding!
Cause you want your significant other to be angry with your choice of music for the special day?
@@mrlord2276 More so that my partner would have a similar sense of humour and would see the funny side of it instead of making an issue of it like you are trying to do!
Tearing it up; makes me not be afraid of dyin'.
his voice is delicious to my ears...
What a masterpiece, greetings from Brazil
This is awesome.
Montrose, eh? Cool area. Traveled a few times to see him play "Rollin' on the River" in Keokuk. Found some great geodes there, too.
Back from 2012. Still the same respect
My old pal Will, great stuff buddy!
I have become connected to this song.
J adore superbe voix encore coco
Thank you Sir!
I love youtube and the music it brings to the table.
Ca file direct dans mon coeur
Amen to this song
again this song has dragged me back.
awesome voice ;)
This needs to be on sons of anarchy brother! This song would perfectly fit the season finale!
Eric X It's funny you say that because another one of his songs, "Old Devils" is played Season 5 episode 3
Gay fuckin show and gay comment. No disrespect
saw him open for the pogues..awesome!!
I love this!
This is great. Got a bit of Tom Waits like a B-Side off Mule Variations that I hadn't heard.
perfect song
Same here.. What a masterpiece!
This guy is amazing! Love this song, jam it on the daily with my alice in chains :)
This song is how i feel....oh lord! I wish i hadn't sinned.....
gothabilly
where did finding someone just on youtube out of pure love from music go? i found this man by looking for new music on youtube just cus i needed some new great music, that needs to come back
Well it did for you and me didn't it?
If Tom Hardy picked up a Banjo.....bravo, this is gold....thanku
It gets into your soul
Whoopeee, just found my funeral song, goin out with a smile.
omg love that voice now.
This guy sounds like the love child of the ghost of a West Virginia coal miner who got buried in a cave-in and a moonshine bootlegger who drank too much of his own product. Just an awesome and unique style.
I tend to talk o this guy when he comes into my place of work and we talk and stuff he is a pretty awesome dude!!!!!!
Sounds like Ralph Stanley! Good for him! Love that old timing sound!
Nice. ...Believable!
old devils now diggin my grave. im hooked.
*what about "pine box"?*
Heart Music !
great man the voice chris sweden