Musical career[edit]

Willmon was born in Amarillo, Texas^[1] and was raised on a ranch near Afton, Texas. After 2 years at South Plains College as an Animal Science major, he left to pursue music, playing with several Texas- based bands, including playing bass for bluegrass legend Karl Shiflett. In 1999 he signed a staff writing deal with SeaGayle Music. One of his first cuts as a songwriter was "It Doesn't Mean I Don't Love You", which he co-wrote with Bobby Pinson and Jeremy Spillman. It was recorded by the duo McHayes (which comprised 1990s country singer Wade Hayes and fiddler Mark McClurg), and reached 41 on the country charts in 2003.


Willmon signed with Columbia Records in 2004. His self-titled debut album was released that year, and it produced four singles. The first of these was "Beer Man", which peaked at 30 on the country charts. Following it were "Dixie Rose Deluxe's Honky-Tonk, Feed Store, Gun Shop, Used Car, Beer, Bait, BBQ, Barber Shop, Laundromat" at 36, "Home Sweet Holiday Inn" at 49, and finally "The Good Life" at 38.^[2] A second album, A Little More Livin', followed in 2006. Although its lead-off single "On Again Tonight" became his highest chart entry at 27, the follow-up "So Am I" peaked at 59, and Willmon exited Columbia's roster.^[2]


Willmon signed with Compadre Records in 2007. His third album, Broken In, was released on February 26, 2008.^[3] The album produced three singles in "There Is a God", the title track, and "Cold Beer and a Fishing Pole", though none of these entered the charts. In early 2008, he also made his acting debut in the film Palo Pinto Gold, a cowboy film also starring Roy Clark and Mel Tillis.^[3] Willmon also co-wrote Montgomery Gentry's 2009 single "Back When I Knew It All" and Steel Magnolia's 2010 single "Keep On Lovin' You".