Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Val Verde County Commissioners Court on Tuesday honored rising country music star and Del Rio native William Beckmann.
The court passed an order proclaiming March 3, 2023, as “William Beckmann Day” in the county, commemorating the young musician and composer’s recent debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn.
Beckmann was joined at Tuesday’s commissioners court meeting by his mother and father, Tammy and Edwin Hyslop, and by his grandparents, Pina and Santiago Hyslop.
County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. asked Tom Garcia, his administrative assistant, to read the order to be passed by the court.
The order was read as follows:
“Whereas, William Beckmann Hyslop, known as William Beckmann professionally, son of Edwin and Tammy Hyslop, was raised in Del Rio, Val Verde County, Texas; and whereas, William Beckmann is a country music artist and composer who encompasses the spirit and values of our community with his music and performances, his work ethic, his love for bringing joy to his audiences and his humility as an artist; and whereas, William Beckmann’s musical influences include vintage country and mariachi music and his inspiration is living in a small town on the Texas/Mexico border and his Mexican heritage; and
“Whereas, William Beckmann’s interest in music began with piano lessons at the age of eight followed by his self-taught skill of playing guitar around the age of 10, using a guitar purchased by his grandfather at Walmart, a guitar he still owns today; and whereas, William Beckmann, at the age of 14, performed locally with Tacho Coronado in the cover band Last River, which afforded him the opportunity to learn the skill of performing to live audiences; and
“Whereas, William Beckmann enjoyed the privilege of meeting country music star and fellow Del Rio native Radney Foster in 2012, his junior year in high school, which led to Radney’s mentorship in songwriting and singing; and whereas, William Beckmann began his solo career in Del Rio as Beck Hyslop, playing small venues and private parties; and whereas, in the fall of 2013, William Beckmann moved to Austin, Texas, to attend St. Edward’s University and continued his musical journey by performing wherever and whenever possible; and
“Whereas, William Beckmann, in the fall of 2015, transferred to Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., to pursue a degree in music business, graduating in 2017; and whereas, William Beckmann expanded his singing engagements by performing in Tennessee, Colorado and his home state of Texas while enrolled in Belmont University; and whereas, William Beckmann in 2018 released his first album, ‘Outskirts of Town,’ and in 2019, competed at the Texas Regional Radio Awards and was named fan favorite in the ‘Future Faces’ category where he met his future mentor Randy Rogers and is now nominated in the category of ‘New Male Vocalist of the Year’; and
“Whereas, William Beckmann released his second album ‘Faded Memories’ in 2022 that included the popular songs ‘In The Dark,’ ‘Bourbon Whiskey’ and ‘Danced All Night Long’; and whereas; William Beckmann organized his Las Posadas Tour: Hope For Uvalde in December 2022 whose new proceeds of ticket sales and 100 percent VIP package sales were donated to Camila and Matthew McConaughey’s Just Keep Livin’ Foundation, Uvalde Relief Fund, to provide the affected families with grief counseling and to help meet the immediate and long-term needs of the Uvalde community after the tragic shooting at the Robb Elementary School; and
“Whereas, William Beckmann has expanded his list of firsts to include headlining three sold out performances at Gruene Hall in the fall of 2022, a sold out show at the Corona Club in Ciudad Acuña, Coah., Mexico, the site and inspiration for the song ‘Danced All Night Long,’ opening two times for Parker McCollum in 2022 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas; performing at various rodeos and stock shows, including headlining at the San Antonio Rodeo and Stock Show, performing at the Ryman Theater in Nashville, Tenn., on March 2, 2023 on Texas Independence Day; and
“Whereas, William Beckmann debuted at the Grand Ole Opry on March 3, 2023, where he earned a standing ovation after performing his original hit song ‘Bourbon Whiskey’ and the mariachi classic “Volver, Volver,’ and whereas, William Beckmann will add another first when he headlines at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 8, 2023, and
“Whereas, William Beckmann’s unique singing style and ability to perform in both English and Spanish have earned him widespread praise in the country music world and his charismatic onstage presence has earned him a growing fan base,
“Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Val Verde County Commissioners Court that March 3, 2023 is designated ‘William Beckmann Day’ in Val Verde County, Texas, to commemorate his debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn.,” the resolution read.
After being presented with the resolution, Beckmann told the court and audience, “I want to thank all of you. I want to thank the judge and the commissioners. It’s an honor to be here, and I’ve always felt loved and supported by the community here. I will do everything I can to lead by example, so thank you all again so much.”
The writer can be reached at delriomagnolaifan@gmail.com .
