Bio
Willard Overstreet is a singer, songwriter, recording artist and award winning Motion Picture Sound Editor living in Los Angeles. Born in Toledo Ohio, he lived there until moving to Kentucky to begin college studies. Eventually, he received a degree in History from the University of Cincinnati then moved to Boston where he studied music at Berklee College of Music.
Education
Willard’s early art studies began during high school his Sophomore and Junior years at Interlochen Arts Academy where he studied theater and music for 2 Summers. After High School, he attended Centre College in Danville KY where he was a History Major. After 2 years there, he transferred to The University of Cincinnati where he completed his bachelor’s degree in History. After that, he moved to Boston where he studied at Berklee College of Music while privately studying voice.
Music Career
1983-1985 One Nation This was Willard’s 1st band in Boston which played local and regional venues and produced a limited amount of recorded material.
1986-1989 Overstreet
This band was formed with the keyboard player from One Nation shortly after they broke up. They played local and regional venues opening for National headliners as well as headlining their own shows. In 1988 they went into the recording studio (Squid Hell) in Jamaica Plain MA where they recorded 15 songs. These songs were never mastered or saw the light of day but were discovered much later while rummaging through old materials. The old 2” tapes were baked and then recorded into a digital format. Of the 15 songs 8 were multi tracked leaving them open to remixing and 7 were recorded directly to 1/4” tape. This material has now been mastered and is available.
1990-1995 The Highborn Kinsmen
This was Willard’s 1st band after relocating to Los Angeles. Mostly acoustic the band consisted of Willard guitar/vocals, a bassist, a 2nd guitar, percussion and keyboards. They played locally at venues in LA (The Troubadour, The Roxy, Largo Pub, Molly Malones) and more recording one 9 song demo live direct to tape.
1996-2004 Willard Overstreet Band
After the break up of THK Willard formed a new band consisting of guitar/vocals, bass and drums. With new material and some songs left over from Boston, the band went back to some of the usual haunts to perform and polish the songs for a studio album. In 1997 the band recorded “Paralyzed” at Grandma’s Warehouse with Willard and Andrew Bush sharing production credits. The record saw play at the college level and some mainstream radio.
2005-2009 Willard Overstreet
Shortly after the release of “Paralyzed” the current band dissolved and was then reformed with new players. In 2009 they completed their 2nd album entitled “Something To Hold On To”. The record was recorded at Grandma’s Warehouse and again Willard and Andrew Bush shared production credits.
2014-present Willard Overstreet and The Highborn Kinsmen
Willard Overstreet and THK released their first studio album (Willard's 4th) in October of 2021. Leading up to the recording they had played many shows in LA sharing stages with “Missing Persons”, The Baby’s, Young Dubliners and other acts.
Willard is currently working on material for another album as a solo artist.
Career in film
In 1996 Willard began his career as a Motion Picture Sound Editor. In 1998 he joined IATSE local 700 and has worked on well over 100 films, been nominated for 1 primetime Emmy and 16 Golden Reel awards. In 2025 he won a Golden Reel for his work on Dune part 2 which also won a BAFTA and an Oscar for best sound in a feature film.