In June of 2019, I drove from Asheville to Nashville to visit my friend and mentor, Lloyd Wells. He’d agreed to spend some time with me recalling his life and sharing as many experiences and southern anecdotes of a life well-lived as I could fit in a short day and a large hard drive.

I showed up at his daughter Lauren’s house, former home of his best friend, Tom McBryde, with a Subaru Outback full of podcast equipment that I had just purchased with little experience as an interviewer, archivist, and tech whiz. After some hugs, hors d'oeuvres that Lauren generously prepared, and some sweet iced tea, we launched into a venture that would take me three years to edit due to technical difficulties, a global pandemic, and many more months of bugging the hell out of him for even more stories, photos, recordings, quips, quotes, and memorabilia.

I am beside myself and proud of the work Lloyd and I completed with these interviews, this website, and getting his guitar music online for friends, fans, guitarists, music friends, and curious audiences to share and enjoy.

What is evident in listening to him in these interviews - and to anyone who has spent time with Lloyd knows – is how he describes his observations of life, the human condition, and the universe in such colorful detail and with higher-thinking, and expression. But make no mistake, Lloyd Wells is a plain spoken, down-to-earth humble Mississippi man who cares not for grandstanding or accolades of accomplishments, he simply desires to paint and share pictures of his observations with those interested.

Moreover, what I have always admired most about Lloyd Wells is his heart and ability to walk among princes and paupers, see both the same, and engage with them in a way that leaves them respecting his contribution and wanting more. He listens, he is empathic, he feels deeply and makes you feel like you matter.

Paw, I thank you for your generosity and gifts which I find magical, yet grounding. And, I thank Louise, Lauren, Tre, and Ella for sharing you with me, et al.

Your friend,

Brian

Postscript: “…more biscuits!”

#1 “Lloyd & Opryland” This interview begins with an introduction of Brian setting up some context for all 7 interviews on this page with some background including some of Lloyd Wells' history, career milestones and accomplishments followed by commentary by Mr. Wells with a taste of Opryland U.S.A., his solo guitar music, and as featured in the interview, a solo appearance on The Nashville Network’s "Porter Wagoner at Opryland.”

Click “play” to listen

#2 in a series of 7 interviews - “Lloyd & Ernie.” Brian & Lloyd discuss his time as orchestrator, conductor for the great Tennessee Ernie Ford.

As mentioned in the interview - Tennessee Ernie Ford & Kay Starr - "I'll Never Be Free." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3UB7...

#3 “Lloyd & NYC.” This interview includes history of Mr. Wells journey to NYC, stories of his time on Broadway, television, and the recording studio, and some tales of the artists with whom he performed and worked.

#4 in a series of 7 interviews. Lloyd Wells discusses and pays tribute to his mentor, great friend, and fellow-Laurel Mississippian, Mundell Lowe. “Mundy” was a prominent internationally renowned jazz guitarist, arranger, and producer who played with Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, and so much more. For more info - start here - a tribute to Mundell "Mundy" by Lloyd Wells in Jazz Times.

#5 in a series of 7 interviews, “Lloyd & Guitar” focuses on Lloyd's experience with the guitar. He still practices twice a day. Primarily, he has played a 7-string electric guitar for most of his career and practices daily to understand and explore its infinite possibilities as a "near perfect" instrument.

“Porter Wagoner at Opryland” - Brian Hilligoss duet with Porter Wagoner, L.W. conductor

All of Lloyd Wells’ guitar CDs are available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, YouTube, & Pandora or you can listen, right here.