I don't know lots about Will but did find this
William Ackerman was born in
West Germany but was adopted by a couple who lived in
Palo Alto,
California. A self-professed poet and musician who briefly studied guitar with
Robbie Basho, Ackerman grew up in the
San Francisco Bay Area. He attended the
Northfield Mount Hermon School and
Stanford University. Before finishing his studies at Stanford, Ackerman dropped out to become a
carpenter.
I know also that will wanted to fuse the landscape of a place called Windham Hill with his music so being a carpenter he cut a tree from the area fashioned a guitar from it and decided that this was the perfect way to fuse both the nature of his favourite spot and his music.
He moved into a building on Windham hill and made it into a home and recording studio and launched the respected Windam Hill record label from there.............This allowed him to peruse his dream with other like minded musicians ( Check out the Windham Hill year complilations and you will see what I mean !) and he made his fortune from this venture...............
Jan Akkerman was born in the 'Jordaan' area of
Amsterdam, the son of a scrap
iron trader. At age five he took
guitar lessons and his first single was released when he was fourteen years old. He was a member of Johnny and his Cellar Rockers, The Hunters and
Brainbox, and joined the Thijs van Leer Trio in late 1969. They continued under the name
Focus and scored a few worldwide hits in the seventies. In 1973 Akkerman was chosen 'Best Guitarist in The World' by the readers of the
UK magazine,
Melody Maker. His standing was such that he teamed up with manufacturer
Framus to produce one of the first 'signature' guitar models.
I guess they are not elated but I can't be sure
