Not everyone can say they spent their life doing something they love, but Willis Spears played bluegrass music with some of the industry’s best for 13 years, and loved every minute of it.
Willis started playing with Curly Seckler and the Nashville Grass in 1981. Nashville Grass was a well-known bluegrass band started by Lester Flatt and taken over by Curly Seckler after Lester’s untimely death in 1979.
After the loss of the iconic front man, the Nashville Grass was in need of a new lead singer, and Willis rushed to Nashville to play a few songs for the band.
“I played one song for them, and it clicked,” says the 79-year-old, who also played guitar for the band. “We started singing everywhere.”
He quickly became the front man of the world-famous bluegrass band. During his time touring, performing, and recording albums, Willis had the honor to share the stage with industry greats like Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Marty Stuart, and many others.
“It wasn’t always easy, but I am excited he had the opportunity to make this dream come true,” says Jane, Willis’s sweetheart, and wife of 56 years.
The couple sacrificed time together so Willis could follow his dream. He spent days on the road traveling between events, and during his busiest times, might not have a break for eight to 10 weeks.
“Music has always been part of our family,” says Willis. “My mother taught me how to play the guitar, and today I enjoy sitting around playing with kids and grandkids.”
Willis has passed down his love of playing music to his son, Greg, and grandsons Paul, Destin, Josh, and Caleb, who formed a Christian band called CrossTie in 2009. The band went on to win Independent Christian Band of the Year 2014.
CrossTie doesn’t tour anymore, but Willis’ grandchildren are still involved in the music industry and some are still professional musicians. Paul, for example, currently works with Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman.
While Willis and his family share a love for bluegrass music, they also spend quality time farming together. Willis grew up on a farm raising cotton, corn, cattle, and timber.
After being deployed in the Army in 1963 and stationed in Colorado for six years Willis moved back to Summertown where he resides today.
Today, Willis is mainly involved in Greg’s 350-acre farm where the father and son partners raise “fancy” bred Angus heifers, commercial cows, and hay.
“It’s something that’s bred into us,” says Greg. “Dad has always taught us to do everything the best way possible. That’s the mindset we take when breeding our heifers.”
Greg’s business policy is “Don’t sell a heifer you wouldn’t want to keep and raise yourself,” and that approach usually results in repeat business, he stresses.
Just like playing music, working on the farm is a family affair. Greg and wife Tina still get help from their children, who still come back to the farm to help work calves and fix fence when needed.
The Spears depend on the Lawrence Farmers Co-op for their everyday farm supplies and feed. And Caleb, Greg’s youngest son, also relies on Co-op for beekpeeping equipment and supplies.
Willis and Jane have two children, Greg (Tina) Spears and Melissa (Phillip) Staff, 5 grandchildren, Paul (Katie) Spears, Ashley (Dean) Wright, Destin (Jess) Staff, Josh Spears, and Caleb Spears, and two great-grandchildren, Flora Mae Spears and Lucy Wright.
“I am thankful my family enjoys farm life and making music,” says Willis. “Most of all, I’m thankful music and farming has led them to be faithful believers. Hearing my great granddaughter, Flora, sing “Jesus Loves Me” reminds me of the great bond bluegrass music and rural lifestyle can have on a family.”