[Intro - Spoken]
Bakersfield, an oil town that really had it's boon during the heart of the Depression. And Bakersfield was also destined to become somewhat of a center for country music, and even as back as the '50s it began to gain national recognition for the popularity of songs like "Dear John Letter", Ferlin Husky's "Gone" and a string novelty hits from Leonard Sipes, or better known as Tommy Collins

Country music is a profession in Bakersfield and like all other professions whether it be that of a doctor or a scientist or a steady ditch digger, everyone seems to have a particular someone who offered that helping hand at the right time and country music is no exception

But in Bakersfield that same helping hand kept reaching out time after time to different people such as Jeanne Sheppard, Ferlin Husky, Tommy Collins, Buck Owens, Billy Myers, Herb Henson Merle Haggard, and also Red Simpson, who saw reason to compose this song called "Bill Woods From Bakersfield."

Bill, here's to you

[Verse]
Let me tell you all a story about a guitar-picking man
To me he is the greatest picker in the land
He's taught me how to play a G
And he taught me how to sing in key
Bill Woods from Bakersfield, the Bakersfield guitar man

Well, Bill gave old Buck the first job he ever had
Bill must have been a good teacher
'Cause old Buck didn't do too bad
He sets up there chewing his old cigar
Playing "Wildwood Flower" on his guitar
Bill Woods from Bakersfield, the Bakersfield guitar man

Well, Bill never hit it big, but he didn't miss it far
And in my book, he'll always be considered a star
I followed him and he taught me guitar picking and harmony
Bill Woods from Bakersfield, the Bakersfield guitar man
When the roll is called up yonder and we've all met our quest
I bet he'll be chosen to pick there with the best
Up there with his gold guitar
Where things are right, old Bill will be a star
Bill Woods from Bakersfield, the Bakersfield guitar man

Well, everybody loves old Bill because he's quite a man
And if anybody should need some help
Well, he'll sure lend you a hand
There's one more thing I'd like to say before my story's through
Bill Woods from Bakersfield, we're all proud of you