About Bill

Raised along the rivers and railroad lines of America’s Rust Belt, Bill Arnold crafts songs rooted deep in the heart of working-class storytelling. Blending the raw edges of rock, the soul of country, and the timeless pull of bluegrass, Arnold’s music captures both the grit and grace of life in motion.

His sound flows like the rivers he grew up beside—steady, changing, sometimes wild—carrying with it echoes of lost towns, faded dreams, resilience, and redemption. A seasoned live performer, Arnold’s sets feel like a conversation between old friends: heartfelt, unvarnished, and unforgettable.

Whether commanding a festival stage or holding a small listening room in rapt silence, Bill Arnold’s music reminds listeners that there’s still beauty—and still songs—to be found in the rust, the rivers, and the quiet spaces in between.

Bill currently fronts the band One Ton Trolley, which features his songwriting. One Ton Trolley released a 5-song EP, No Simple Highways, in March 2022 and a full-length 12-song LP, Sunday Morning Cigarettes, in February 2023.

Bill is also known as a Dobro and lap steel guitar player and can be found on stages and recordings in that capacity with area and regional artists such as Chasin’ Steel, Adam Carpenter & the Upper Hand, Bill Bynum & Co., the Steve Taylor Three, Buffalo Knickels, Levi Bootcut & the Straight Legs, and the Robert Louis Band.

When not pursuing music, Arnold remains busy with his family, and occasionally drifting flies over trout on his beloved Manistee River near Grayling, MI.