AUSTIN, Texas — Singer-songwriter and musician William Beckmann is proud of his Texas roots.
“I tell people I’m from Texas every chance I get, you know, I wear it, I wear it on my sleeve,” Beckmann said.
The Del Rio kid, as he likes to call himself, grew up in the border town, spending 18 years of his life immersed in the rich diversity the region has to offer.
“Listening to all kinds of different music, growing up on the border from country music to mariachi music and northern Mexican music. It was all kind of a blend there in Del Rio,” said Beckmann. “So it was cool. I was exposed to a lot of different genres of music and that kind of inevitably spilled into what I do.”
And when he left Del Rio for Nashville, he made sure to bring some of that Mexican culture with him.
“That’s definitely something that I that I kind of keep close to my heart because when I first started playing guitar and playing in front of people, that was just something that I that I did and I never want to lose that because that’s it kind of it feels comfortable for me and it’s very nostalgic,” said the 30-year-old Beckmann.
It’s not hard to see where that nostalgia comes from. Beckmann sometimes shares the stage with his abuelito, who introduced him to mariachi and Mexican music.
“He grew up singing, just like he tells me, at the cantinas and the bars and stuff, just like everybody did. There’s been times I was playing empty bars and stuff and he would he would still sing a song or two with me,” Beckmann said.
Beckmann has come a long way since singing in those empty bars.
He’s performed at iconic venues like the Grand Ole Opry and most recently performed at a South by Southwest Conference and Festival showcase.
Up next, one of his biggest dreams comes true.
“I can assure you I’m probably the biggest George Strait fan you’ll ever meet in your whole life,” he said.
Beckmann shared a video on Dec. 26 last year with the comment that he was manifesting a chance to open for the king of country music, George Strait. That dream will become a reality on April 9 and April 11 at the Moody Center in Austin, where Beckmann will be the opening act for Strait.
“To be opening up for him is an absolute dream come true. And to be doing it in my home state in Texas, here in the city of Austin, is amazing. So I can’t put into words how grateful I am for the opportunity,” said Beckmann. “It’s definitely one of those things that you have to pinch yourself, but yeah, we’re really happy about it.”
Beckmann continues to celebrate his Texas roots and connections that brought him where he is today.
“I think maybe at the time I didn’t realize how cool of a gift that is, you know, to be able to have people that take you under their wing or, you know, that you can lean on a little bit. But that’s definitely a Texas thing that I’m very proud of. And I try to represent the state of Texas and the Texas music community the same way,” he said.