The Insolent Willies Upstate New York roots-rock and Americana band.

Based in United States

Johnstown, Fulton County, New York, United States
Main band photo

LOCATION
Johnstown, Fulton County, New York, United States

TRAVEL
up to 12500 miles

PRICE
from $300 (USD)

Watch / Listen

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Price Guide

Description Price
Acoustic duo (guitar, upright bass)$300 (USD)
Acoustic trio (guitar, upright bass, accordion)$400 (USD)
Full four-piece band (guitars, upright bass, accordion, fiddle, banjo and more)$500 (USD)
Full band with special guests (5+ musicians)$600 (USD)
Prices cover travel up to 125 miles from Johnstown, NY, sound system and setup, with a performance time from one to three hours. Additional travel distance and performance times negotiable. Payment to be made immediately upon completion of designated performance time.

About / Biography

"An electrifying experience ... they challenge conventions with their roots-rock tunes."

- WMHT-TV

The Insolent Willies are an upstate New York roots-rock band known for their hip-shaking mix of quirky, clever original music and unpredictable covers. The band was formed in 2017 by singer-songwriters Bill Ackerbauer (acoustic guitar, harmonica, fiddle, vocals) and Frank DeVer Pullen (bass, mandolin, banjo, vocals), and now includes Paul Gavry (accordion, fiddle, vocals) and Evan Gavry (guitars, percussion, vocals), with occasional appearances by friends such as Mike Gowans, Jenny Harder, Dusty Elmer, David Wong and others.

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Location

Based in United States

Johnstown, Fulton County, New York, United States
Travels worldwide
pink circle = free travel (up to 125 miles)

Set lists are unique for each performance and vary widely from show to show and month to month. Here is a short sampling of covers we have done recently in addition to our original songs:

Honky Tonk Women - Rolling Stones

Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash

Pump it Up - Elvis Costello

Yer So Bad - Tom Petty

Into the Mystic - Van Morrison

Like a Hurricane - Neil Young

Shake Your Hips - Slim Harpo

Franky’s Gun - The Felice Brothers

Indianapolis - The Bottle Rockets

Proud Mary - CCR

Slip Slidin’ Away - Paul Simon

Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes

Life During Wartime - Talking Heads

Hey Good Lookin’ - Hank Williams

Harlem River Blues - Justin Townes Earle

Hotel Yorba - The White Stripes

Corona - The Minutemen

Bring it in Home - Sam Cooke

Technical Info

What are your basic technical requirements?

We require a flat, level performance space at least 8’ by 16’ for the four-piece band. Smaller ensembles can fit into slightly smaller stage spaces. We require access power outlets within 20 feet of the stage, and if the event is to take place outdoors, we require cover from sun/rain.


What information do you require about a venue?

We need to know the address, any pertinent info about load-in/setup and access to the stage, and a rough estimate of the size of the space and expected audience (so we can ensure we have the necessary sound equipment).


Do you provide sound and lighting equipment?

We provide sound for small and medium-sized venues (audiences up to 200). Larger venues typically provide house sound systems for us to plug into. We provide basic lighting but may require additional lighting if the venue is especially dark or large.


Can you provide a Spotify/DJ service before and between your sets?

Yes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gig you've ever done and the best venue you've ever worked at?

Our biggest gig to date was this spring at the Tulip Festival, an event attended by thousands in Albany, NY (the state capital).

Our favorite venue is The Cock N’ Bull, a renowned restaurant and music venue in rural Saratoga County, NY.


What's your favourite type of event?

We love playing festivals and private parties but also enjoy playing at unique bars and restaurants. We are flexible about our equipment setup so we can play large stages or intimate acoustic spaces.


What's your previous experience and how did you start gigging?

All the band members are seasoned veterans with 15+years of gigging experience . The Insolent Willies formed in 2017 and have been growing their fan base and touring radius since.


Which artists have you been most influenced by, who is your favourite artist and what is the greatest song of all time?

We draw inspiration from many genres and love the music of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, The Pogues, Sam Cooke, The Rolling Stones, Wilco, and contemporary songwriters such as Todd Snider, Josh Ritter, Dan Bern and Steve Earle, among many others. We also spice up our sets with music that has Cajun/Zydeco and even Celtic and Reggae influences.


What are your goals for the near future?

The Insolent Willies intend to continue writing and recording new music and performing throughout our local region. We hope to expand our touring radius and play more shows throughout the Northeast and possibly tour other states in countries as opportunities present themselves.

Performance Info

What are your typical setup and performance times?

We typically play shows from one hour to three hours in length but can do shorter or longer performances. We once played a private party gig that went on for seven hours (but that was an extraordinary situation)!


Are you happy to perform outside?

Yes, as long as the temperature is above 50 degrees F and we have suitable cover from the elements.


Do the clients have a say in what you play or is it a set repertoire list only?

Clients are welcome to suggest or request a couple of specific selections, but unless the booking is made months in advance and the client is willing to pay a premium), we generally don’t prepare more than one or two specific cover songs for any one gig. Our set lists generally include original material from our three albums and a healthy dose of fun and unexpected cover songs which we have reimagined in our own style.


How do previous clients most commonly describe your performances?

Exuberantly positive reviews are the norm!

We have been described as having a “great American sound” and working hard to ensure the crowd has a fun and memorable experience.

Recent Clients

The Insolent Willies has performed for these clients:

City of Albany

Amsterdam Waterfront Foundation

Village of Speculator

Murray’s Fools Distilling Co.

Schoharie Crossing New York State Historic Site

The Caroga Arts Collective

Venues

The Insolent Willies has performed at these venues:

Albany Tulip Festival

Saratoga Springs First Night Celebration

Amsterdam Riverfront Concert Series

The Cock N Bull

Wolf Hollow Brewing Co.

Music on the Point Concert Series

The Revival

Harmony of Art Festival

Southern Adirondack Wine & Food Festival

Cooperstown Beverage Exchange

Caroga Lake Music Festival

Contact

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