Will Overman

Where do you live?
I live in Fluvanna near the Albemarle County line.
How long have you lived in Fluvanna? What brought you here?
I actually moved to Fluvanna not too long ago. I was looking for beautiful country outside of Charlottesville and I found that here.
Tell us about your work.
I’m the lead singer and rhythm guitar player for my band, the Will Overman Band. We are an Americana-folk band and we play all over the place, especially Charlottesville and areas around here. We have played, and hope to play again soon, at the Dogwood in Palmyra – that place rocks. We consist of four members: me, Daniel McCarthy, Chris Helms, and Brittney Wagner. Daniel, our guitarist and banjo player, grew up in Fluvanna.
Tell us about your family.
I’m biased, like everyone, but I come from an extremely loving and encouraging family. I have one sister named Molly and my parents, Bill and Denise. I also have a pretty dang cool dog named Huck, he’s a “bagel” (basset/beagle mix).
Tell us about a hobby you have.
As I mentioned, I’m in the Will Overman Band. We are an up-and-coming group and we’re definitely hungry. I write the music and I have to say I pull from a lot of different influences. I grew up listening to the Avett Brothers, so I definitely hear a bit of them in my songs, but I’m also very inspired by bands such as Kings of Leon, Josh Ritter, John Prine, and others.
Describe one of the highlights of your life.
Being able to make music and getting paid to do so – that’s very special to me. Not so much the being paid, but the fact that I can create this music that means so much to me, and share that with people for a living – well, that’s just awesome.
We recently opened for Fridays After Five at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Charlottesville and man, what a thrill! Being up on that stage was fantastic. I’d have to say that was a pretty big highlight.
Another gigantic life highlight for me was completing the Appalachian Trail out of high school. I graduated in 2012 and immediately set out to complete the A.T., a 2,000+ mile hike from Maine to Georgia, and I did it! It was by far one of the most beautiful, humbling, and pure experiences I’ve ever had, and probably will ever have.
Describe one of the biggest surprises of your life, and describe a tragedy/struggle of your life.
Last year my extremely healthy, active, full-of-life girlfriend was diagnosed with cancer. For me, and anyone, that was a huge blow. Everyone thinks “Why me?” or “It’ll never be me,” but in this case it wasn’t me, it was my girl, who I never in a million years would have thought something like that could touch her, and that sucked the worst of all.
However, I’m very fortunate to be able to say she is doing so, so well now. She kicked cancer’s butt and is back to soaking up life like she always has.
Describe a dream you have for your future.
I hope to take the Will Overman Band to great heights. I want to share my music with as many people as possible and connect to people on the large scale. Music is meant to be shared, and that’s what I plan on doing, in a big way.
Describe a fear you have for your future.
A fear I have for the future is that I’ll lose sight of what’s important and makes me happy, and I’ll get caught up in the whirlwind that is “life.”
Here’s your chance to sound off. If you could give one public service announcement or word of advice to the public at large, what would it be?
Stop, breathe, look around, and if you find you aren’t happy, then do what does make you happy. I think that is much easier said than done, but I also think life is 10 percent what happens to you, and 90 percent how you react, so if you’re on board with that, then really – your happiness is all up to you.