Country
Exclusive Interview: William Beckmann on Whiskey Lies & Alibis
Texas country music artist William Beckmann has officially released his much-anticipated new album, Whiskey Lies & Alibis a heartfelt 12-song collection that blends classic country storytelling with modern edge and a touch of South Texas soul.
We caught up with William in Lampasas, Texas, just hours before he took the stage at the town’s beloved annual Spring Ho Festival. Relaxed and full of excitement, Beckmann opened up about the inspiration behind his new record, the creative process of co-writing with some of Nashville’s top songwriters, and how his upbringing in Del Rio, Texas a culturally rich border town continues to shape his unique sound.
Beckmann has built his reputation around a velvet-smooth baritone that channels the emotional power of legends like George Strait and Roy Orbison, while still offering a warm, fresh tone all his own. Whether he’s delivering a tearjerker or a two-stepper, his phrasing is expressive, cinematic, and full of soul.
With Whiskey Lies & Alibis, Beckmann offers a powerful blend of traditional country roots and contemporary textures. It’s an album that honors the past while sounding completely of the moment a must listen for fans of real, heartfelt country music.
Musically, the record spans the emotional spectrum. You’ll find slow-burning ballads that hit you right in the chest, toe-tapping shuffles that belong in a Texas dancehall, and vivid, movie-like storytelling. “It’s a really honest record,” Beckmann says. “Some of these songs were hard to write, but I wanted to be real with people. That’s what country music is all about.”
The title track, “Whiskey Lies and Alibis,” co-written with acclaimed Nashville songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon, puts a fresh spin on a classic country theme. “Jessie said cheating songs are kind of a lost art in country music,” Beckmann explains. “So we wrote it from the guy’s perspective the one waiting for a woman who’s not supposed to be with him. It felt so honest and different that it just made sense as the album title.”
Whiskey Lies & Alibis includes 12 tracks, 8 of which Beckmann co-wrote with top-tier writers like Dillon and Jesse Frasure. “Working with Jesse Frasure was an amazing experience,” Beckmann says. “He builds these instrumental tracks he calls them vibes and I’d write melodies and lyrics on top. It was a totally new approach for me and it really pushed me creatively.”
That process led to songs like “Lonely Over You,” which Beckmann says is his favorite on the album. “The line ‘I’m wearing misery with style’ just really stuck with me,” he says. “It’s poetic. It’s heartbreak, but it still carries a little pride. That feels really true to me as a songwriter and a person.”
Another highlight is “Neon Sounds,” written by country music legend Dean Dillon, the pen behind classics like “Tennessee Whiskey” and “The Chair.” “It’s like a movie in song form,” Beckmann shares. “It takes you into a bar and lets you meet everyone there from first-time drinkers to broken-hearted regulars. It’s different from anything I’ve ever recorded.”
Beckmann’s ability to blend genres shines especially in tracks that reflect his Mexican-American heritage. Growing up on a mix of George Strait, mariachi, norteño, and honky tonk, Beckmann brings a rich cultural layer to his music. You hear it in the border-blending “Borderline Crazy” and in his stunning cover of “Por Mujeres Como Tú,” a 1998 hit by Mexican icon Pepe Aguilar. “That one’s for my grandfather,” Beckmann says. “It was my karaoke song growing up. When Pepe Aguilar gave me a thumbs-up, and the original songwriter messaged me it was surreal. That kind of validation means everything.”
Live favorites are already emerging from the new album, including the boot-stomping “Honky Tonk Blue,” written by Chris Stapleton and Brice Long. “At first, we were told we couldn’t cut the song,” Beckmann says. “Then a few months later, they gave us the green light. We gave it that Texas honky tonk flair, and now it’s one of the most fun songs in the live show.”
Now that Whiskey Lies & Alibis is out everywhere, Beckmann says he feels a deep sense of relief—and excitement for what’s next. “Albums take a long time from writing to recording to planning the release,” he shares. “But now that it’s out in the world, I already feel inspired to start working on the next one. I’m always writing, always looking for that next story to tell.”
Whether it’s a soulful ballad, a cinematic heartbreak anthem, or a tequila-soaked two-stepper, Whiskey Lies & Alibis proves that William Beckmann isn’t just preserving the heart of country music—he’s giving it a new voice. One that’s smooth, honest, bilingual, and bold.
Whiskey Lies & Alibis is streaming now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and all digital platforms. If you love country music that makes you cry, sway, or remember something you thought you forgot, this album is for you.
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