The Overton Park Shell in Memphis TN is as legendary a music venue as you will find. It’s where Elvis Presley performed his first paid gig as a musician in 1954. Since it opened in the 1930’s the venue has hosted everyone from the Allman Brothers to Johnny Cash to Black Sabbath.
The Overton Park Shell free concert series each summer and fall is as Memphis as BBQ and the Grizzlies. Musicians from all genres performing free shows every weekend is the norm in the bluff city.
For Memphian, Will “Mustang” McGee who will perform at the Shell Saturday June 13th, the show will be a full circle moment. Like thousands, he spent many weekends at Shell taking in the wide range of music he’s proficient in today. The CBHS graduate is the bassist for Indy jam band wunderkind Daniel Donato. His schedule is constantly packed. One tour after another, performing well over 100 shows a year.
When time allows, McGee has his own band which he is bringing to the Shell. McGee released his solo album Horseplay in 2025. It was recorded locally at Boo Mitchell’s Royal Studios.
Slide&Banjo caught up with McGee to discuss returning home to play in a venue with such a special place in his heart. He also looks ahead to the upcoming live release of Donato’s Ryman debut. The 28-track Ryman to Robert’s is set for release in August.
McGee begins by discussing the importance of the Shell, personally and musically. “It’s just such a treat for me. I mean, it was actually where I first started going to concerts, growing up in Memphis. I used to go down to this exact free concert series. I remember going with my garage band friends back in the day. Looking up at that stage and specifically being like, ‘We’re going to do this.’ It’s been a long road, and we’ve done a lot of shows since those days. It’s a treat to go back and revisit that again. That place is really one of the reasons I started playing shows.”
“There are venues and experiences that you’re first aware of. That carry this extra weight to them.” McGee adds. “When it’s your turn to participate or take the wheel, on the one hand it’s another day in the office. On the other, there’s a special kind of gratitude you tap into when you get to play a venue like the Shell. It reminds you of so much you’ve seen and aspired for at one point. It’s a touchstone venue. It’s so iconic.”
While McGee is perfectly happily playing hundreds of shows by Donato’s side, the opportunity to play his own music is always a welcome break. It’s also a departure from the Cosmic Country sound you normally hear from him. “For me, it’s a continuum of the experience. You try to stay in the music. I’m really grateful to have a change of scenery and a change of cast. It brings a fresh angle to things and helps me think in a fresh way. I enjoy that.”
“This music is different from Cosmic Country.” McGee continues. “It leans on some of my more soulful Memphis inspirations. I recorded my first record Horseplay at Royal Studios. The home of Al Green. For my personal music, I’ve always tried to permeate elements of the Memphis sound. I always try to involve that Memphis aspect. Expect some rock and roll, jamming, psychedelic music with some Memphis influence in there for the hometown.”
Just as performing at the Shell has a special place in McGee’s heart, so does the world-famous Ryman auditorium. McGee was part of Donato’s Ryman debut last August. The full concert and after-concert at Robert’s Western World is set for release in late August. McGee shares his thoughts on a long bucket list night. “That perfectly ties into what we were first talking about. You have these venues and places in your mind that are those touchtone experiences. The Ryman. First of all, that was absolutely one of the craziest days of my life. It’s thrilling it’s all captured in the vinyl release. That day I played close to seven hours of music. I didn’t get home until 5 a.m. Everything that comes with that is still swirling in my head.”
“Personally, playing with Daniel, it’s cool to share an experience where you’re watching someone’s dream literally come true. A childhood dream is being realized. You’re there and it’s happening. You’re doing it together right before your eyes. That brought a special energy to the equation and made for a great show. I can’t wait for people to hear it.”
For McGee, heading home to play at the Shell affords him the privilige to pay it forward and spread some culture to his hometown. A no-brainer for the proud Memphian. “I’m always thrilled to participate in anything that gives back to the community around Memphis. Those are the shows I relied on when I was a kid. Gave me access to music. Let me have that experience which ended up being a big influence in my life. I look forward to hopefully seeing a bunch of kids out there. It’s important to everyone involved. For the community to experience art. Experience original music. Not just your average Saturday night at a local bar. It’s an important opportunity for us musicians to have a nice, built-in enthusiastic crowd ready to experience something. Playing the Shell. It’s a special situation.”