# yo let's jam and talk pinball **Source:** Walt Wood Pinball **Type:** video **Published:** 2026-01-19 **Duration:** 30m 29s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXoMrWkDtKA --- ## Analysis Walt Wood shares a casual, personal update mixing guitar jamming in the key of D with reflections on his pinball career. He discusses finishing 4th at a recent state tournament, his shift toward focusing on music composition, personal growth in emotional regulation, and his excitement about entering the cannabis industry. He expresses contentment seeing younger players succeed and notes the lack of new pinball releases limiting content creation. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Walt finished 4th at the state finals tournament — _Directly stated: 'I played my last tournament yesterday. It was the state finals.' Later confirmed: 'I finished uh what did I finish? Fourth.'_ - [HIGH] Ryan Wanganger is one of the best players in the state and country — _Direct statement: 'I got beat by Ryan Wanganger. One of the best in the state. One of the best in the country, man.'_ - [HIGH] Ryan Wanganger won the state tournament and will compete at North American Championship in Chicago on March 5, 2026 — _Stated: 'Ryan Ryan ended up winning the tournament, the state tournament' and 'The 202526 North American Pinball Championship will be held Thursday, March 5th at 2026 at OD Pinball West Chicago.'_ - [HIGH] Walt won the state tournament previously in 2014 — _Direct statement: 'I won the state tournament, you know' and 'I did it in 2014 and uh I think Elwin was the guy who took me out'_ - [HIGH] Lack of new pinball games is limiting content creation opportunities — _Quote: 'The problem is they're not like giving us new games, you know? So, it's like I got nothing to really, you know, talk about.'_ - [HIGH] Walt has obtained a badge to work in the cannabis industry — _Direct statement: 'I just got my my uh badge, man, to work in the the cannabis industry. So, that's going to be cool, man.'_ - [HIGH] Walt is shifting focus from pinball content to music composition and personal growth — _Quote: 'I'm just trying to like I'm trying to be my best person I could be for for God, man. I think I think God put me here to [engage] with music. So that's what I've been doing.'_ - [HIGH] Oliver, a young player from Lions, is improving and beat Walt at the tournament — _Direct statement: 'Oliver, another kid up at Lions, man, he's good. He's getting good, too, man. So, he took me out.'_ ### Notable Quotes > "I've already like I won the state tournament, you know, like and I'm not saying that like I won it. Look at me. Like I'm just saying like I have my time, you know? like I had my moment and um I don't know. I'd rather like these these other kids like want it more than me" > — **Walt Wood**, mid-video > _Reveals philosophical shift toward valuing younger players' success over personal achievement; indicates maturation in competitive mindset_ > "I just don't want to I'm just kind of hesitant to put original [content] up. But that last part is something I'm working out." > — **Walt Wood**, late-video > _Indicates creative vulnerability and ongoing work on original music composition_ > "The problem is they're not like giving us new games, you know? So, it's like I got nothing to really, you know, talk about." > — **Walt Wood**, mid-to-late video > _Reflects broader industry complaint about lack of new game releases affecting content creators_ > "I'm just trying to like I'm trying to be my best person I could be for for God, man. I think I think God put me here to [engage] with music. So that's what I've been doing." > — **Walt Wood**, mid-video > _Personal philosophy statement explaining shift away from pinball-focused content_ > "I just want to make some money. Like I wish I could sell Whopper points. I would sell Whoppers." > — **Walt Wood**, mid-video > _Humorous aside about financial motivation and tournament fatigue; establishes comedic tone around competitive success_ > "I don't give I don't care. I'm not going to edit. You know me by now. I'm not editing and stitching [content] together." > — **Walt Wood**, late-video > _Establishes casual production philosophy and authenticity brand_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Walt Wood | person | Content creator, pinball competitor, musician; finished 4th at recent state finals tournament; shifting focus to music composition | | Ryan Wanganger | person | Competitive pinball player; won recent state finals tournament; described as one of best players in state and country; qualifies for North American Championship 2026 | | Oliver | person | Young pinball player from Lions arcade; improving competitively; defeated Walt at state tournament | | Elwin | person | Pinball player who defeated Walt at 2014 state tournament held at Lions | | Donovan Step | person | Provided transportation to Walt for 2014 state tournament; finished second in same tournament | | Raymond Davidson | person | Competitive pinball player; well-known name in pinball community that Walt has heard of and met | | Keith Owen | person | Competitive pinball player; well-known name in pinball community | | Asher | person | Competitive pinball player; known to Walt since childhood | | Zach | person | Competitive pinball player; known to Walt since childhood | | Lions | location | Pinball arcade location hosting tournaments; home arcade of Oliver and location of 2014 state tournament | | OD Pinball West | location | Chicago-based venue hosting 2025-2026 North American Pinball Championship on March 5, 2026 | | The Witcher 3 | product | Video game referenced for musical inspiration; battle music influences Walt's song composition ideas | | Outer Worlds 2 | product | Video game mentioned in comparison discussion; used as example of character design Walt criticizes | ### Topics - **Primary:** Music composition and guitar jamming, Competitive pinball tournaments and results, Shift in content focus from pinball to music - **Secondary:** Personal growth and emotional regulation, Cannabis industry career transition, Lack of new pinball game releases, Community dynamics and mentorship from stronger players - **Mentioned:** Video game inspiration for music creation ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.72) — Generally upbeat and reflective tone; Walt expresses contentment with personal growth direction, appreciation for fellow players, and creative fulfillment in music. Some underlying frustration about lack of new pinball content, but framed constructively as reason for content pivot. Humorous asides maintain lighthearted atmosphere despite serious personal discussion. ### Signals - **[event_signal]** State-level pinball tournaments maintaining competitive ecosystem with emerging young talent (Oliver) challenging established players (confidence: high) — Walt describes recent state finals where Oliver and other young players are advancing competitively - **[community_signal]** Strong competitive pinball tournament infrastructure evident at state/regional level; national championship structure in place with confirmed 2026 date and venue (confidence: high) — State finals tournament with multiple competitive players; North American Championship scheduled for March 5, 2026 at OD Pinball West Chicago - **[product_concern]** Content creators citing lack of new game releases as limiting pinball content creation opportunities (confidence: high) — Direct quote: 'The problem is they're not like giving us new games, you know? So, it's like I got nothing to really, you know, talk about.' - **[personnel_signal]** Competitive player transition away from tournament focus toward other pursuits (music, cannabis industry), indicating potential shift in competitive player availability/focus (confidence: high) — Walt explicitly states shifting focus to music and cannabis work; retains interest in pinball but deprioritizing competitive participation --- ## Transcript Today we are in the key of D. [music] So, normally key in the key of E. Now we're in [music] Heat up here. [music] [music] I hope you all been well. God bless. God bless everybody. Cheers. Hope all is everybody's doing good. I'm just going to do a little jamming in D. I have a few rough ideas I've been thinking about. I'm just going to be just jamming just a little bit. You might notice this key [music] from such songs as uh now you're going to have to forgive me because I don't remember all the words of these songs. I just understand the chord progressions and keys that they're in the same key, but I don't remember all the words to all these songs. So [music] you got like [music] you can go [singing] forgotten hearts yesterday. [singing and music] In my eyes I seen the past. Well, I don't know. I [singing] don't know. I don't [music] know why. I [music and singing] believe I believe in the truth [music and singing] from inside. Go [singing] away. Go away [music] from me. Leave [singing] me alone. [music] This night [music] how [singing] much will money buy as [music and singing] we take our time. [music] Two on black [singing and music] tears on a river push on a shove cuz it don't mean much on jack [music] match on a fire [singing] on it's a dead man's touch. Whisper on a [singing and music] string doesn't change a thing won't bring you back. Yeah. [music and singing] You won't back. [singing] [music] Yeah. Yeah. calling through my bones. [music] [singing] Yeah. I'm all alone. [music] I told you I don't remember the words. I say, "Yeah, yeah, baby. I don't [singing] remember the words. [music] I just [music and singing] know, baby, where [singing] we're going next. [music] Come on. I remember this part. Let's go. Come on. Everyone [singing] back. [music] Tears on a river. Put on a sh don't mean much. Coron jack [singing and music] match on a fire won't matter as a dead. Whisper on a dream [singing and music] doesn't change a thing. Won't bring you back. [music] Yeah, we won't back. [music] [singing] So many songs [music] in this key. I didn't know until like a year. How long have I've been messing with this key for about 6 months a year. [music] What's another one that I really like? n I I [music and singing] won't let it go. Won't you touch me? Touch me. I won't let it [singing] go. Now I stand and I fear [singing and music] for more. go. Yes, I finally found a [singing] reason. I don't need an excuse. I got [music and singing] this time on my hands. You are the one to abuse. Yes, I finally found [music and singing] a reason. I don't need an excuse. I [music and singing] got ones who abuse. You are the [music] ones who [singing] abuse. You are the ones who abuse. yeah. Yeah. [music] So many songs in that key. I was thinking and again I don't like I said you're like probably like this guy doesn't even know the words of these songs. I didn't expect to play any of those songs. I just like [laughter] I didn't I didn't go out to set out to learn any of these songs. They just kind of like you start playing in the key and then they start coming, you know? It's weird. But cheers gang. I hope you guys are well. Everybody checking me out, right? What's [music] this sound like? [music] [singing] Okay. Didn't sound like anything. Um, yeah. Cheers. Hope everybody's well. I just felt like jamming. So, I just wanted to see like show you some examples of songs in there. [music] How far [singing] away [music] Until [music and singing] my [music] until [singing] my love comes again. [music] I feel destiny is calling. [singing and music] the waiting [singing] and falling and the sun [music] [singing] [music] like that could be something. I don't know. Like I might I'll probably do I guarantee that I'll watch this later at some point in time and I'll probably make that into some something that sound like I could find I could see a vocal melody in there. I'm kind of just messing around like if if something happens here like that was cool. I kind of like that. [music] [singing] Through my wings [singing] and [music] get my love through the [singing] wind [music] Yeah, I think I think there might be something in there. Okay, now for something completely different. Let me grab a let me grab a different tone. [music] I have this I have this riff and I kind of have a vocal melody I've been messing with it. I I'm going to play it here just because I got it from the Witcher. Like if you guys ever played The Witcher 3, whenever you attack a battle, like whenever you start a battle, The Witcher 3 is like an amazing game, dude. And if you play video games nowadays, like The Witcher 3 is cool cuz you can go around and just kill everybody, you know? Like nowadays it seems like they don't want us our male characters to sleep with all the women, you know? And like trust me, like I'm not trying to go out of in my life and sleep with all the women, dude. But when I'm playing a video game, I want to go sleep with all the women. Sometimes, not all the time. But like I So example, like I played Outer Worlds 2 and like every chick in the whole game was just like totally unfuckable, dude. Like ugly. Unfuck. What? Like you walk up to them, they're like, "What? What do you want?" Like they're just totally like, "Oh god. And you just like h and then you could tell because like you get these baseball cards in the game and they're like have different pictures and I think those are developers the game developers and they're all fat dudes and you're like yeah no wonder why you're not going to put these chicks in there. Look at you fat dudes, you know. [laughter] But I don't know where where I went off on a tangent. Oh yeah, The Witcher 3. So anyway, the Witcher the Witcher 3. Yeah, you like it. Come on. [laughter] I should wear shorts for this. I don't care. The Witcher 3 has a good uh um like when you start a battle, she's like [singing and music] Like when you start a battle, it's amazing music, dude. you know. And so I I have this riff. It's like [music] when you feel it in the morning, baby, when [music] you feel it in the evening, Lord, you feel it in the Lord. [music] oh [singing] n [music] And then you can take it to guitar. Let's go. Come on. [music] Where's the backup singers? We need them. I can't get that. My can't My voice is too deep. I can't get that high. [screaming] Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] I've been, man, I've been working hard with that one for a while. Just like I need some backup singers for the high parts, though. But I'll get to that. I'll get I'll get to that at a later date. Well, That's all I got. Where's the camera? There it is. Hello. I hope you all been well, man. You know, I just played my last tournament yesterday. It was the state finals. It was fun. Oh, wait. I guess I could just do this. Hello. I'll move the camera back here. Hold on. Let me do this. Yeah, I'll just talk the rest of the time. I'm sure you guys missed me talking about pinball, so I'm sorry I don't talk about pinball. Well, the problem. Where's the camera? There it is. The problem is they're not like giving us new games, you know? So, it's like I got nothing to really, you know, talk about. And besides which, man, besides which, I'm just kind of like, I don't know. I've been making some personal changes in my life, man. just being in more in control of my emotions and everything dude. Honestly, being like getting my frustrations out with music instead of just I don't know. Just making pinball videos on how everybody's messed up, you know? Like I don't know. Like like I'm I watch a lot of my old videos. Well, I you know I I could watch a lot of my old videos. Like I'm not saying I just got done. Like I don't really watch it, but like like I just come sometimes I could come off kind of negative, bro. And like I'm not trying to put that energy out in the world anymore. I'm just trying to like I'm trying to be my best person I could be for for God, man. I think I think God put me here to mess with music. So that's what I've been doing. That's what I'm messing with. Not to talk trash about pinball, even though, you know, I mean, it's fun. I miss it. Trust me. I miss like I was playing, dude. I was getting all fired up yesterday at the games. It was great, bro. Talking all this trash I miss it, dude. I love it. But I just do that to make myself laugh, you know? [laughter] But it was cool, man. I finished uh what did I finish? Fourth. Yeah. I got beat by Ryan Wanganger. One of the best in the state. One of the best in the country, man. I've learned a lot from that dude. Um just just a good dude, man. Just patient guy. You ever meet like people in life that are just like he's one of these people like never gets upset, never gets triggered, never gets like like I'm on I'm on my path to try and be like that, to try and be like a person like that. like I'm on my way to try and be like, you know, like less emotional and more like in control of everything, you know? But it's a it's a struggle every day. But this dude, I learned a lot from this dude. So, he took me out. And then Oliver, another kid up at Lions, man, he's good. He's getting good, too, man. So, he took me out. I said the Ryan Wanganger gave me the haymaker and Oliver I looked I picked my head off the ground and said am I okay? Oliver said no. I was cool with that man cuz I like seeing them succeed. I like seeing the kids go forward. Like I'd rather them go forward than like I've already like I won the state tournament, you know, like and I'm not saying that like I won it. Look at me. Like I'm just saying like I have my time, you know? like I had my moment and um I don't know. I'd rather like these these other kids like want it more than me, you know? Like they deserve it, man. They want it more. Like I'm not I just want to make some money. Like I wish I could sell Whopper points. I would sell Whoppers. If you could do that, I would do it. [snorts] I would go in some back alley with a trench coat. Yo, you need uh 30. How much you need? Yo, how much you need? You need What do you need? I got it. What you need? You need a 15. You need a 15 by the 30th. I got you. You need a You need a You need a 15 pack by the 30th. I got you. I pull out my trench coat. We'll get you covered. You know, you know, unfortunately, I don't think there's any kind of Whopper black market that exists I'm aware of. [snorts] But it's cool, man. I just got my my uh badge, man, to work in the the cannabis industry. So, that's going to be cool, man. I'm getting excited about that. I'm be That's why I'm a little sluggish today. I'm on like 500 milligrams of edibles. I usually don't talk make a video where I'm talking after I've taken so many edibles cuz I usually drag. So, bear with me. I just felt like jamming, but I was like, I only jam a little bit. Let me talk. Uh, let's talk. I'll talk for a little bit. I don't care. I hope you guys are well. Um, yeah, man. I haven't really seen too much like pinball news or anything, man. But, but Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. I have a tendency to drift. Um, so yeah, Ryan Ryan ended up winning the tournament, the state tournament, which is great. So, I think he'll end up going to uh wherever the nationals is. Let me look that up. I could look that up real quick. [snorts] So, whoever won the state tournament yesterday gets to go play in the nationals. Um, which is Oh, man. It's just grueling, man. It's grueling, man. I've done it. I did it in 2014 and uh I think Elwin was the guy who took me out because it was actually here. It was It was in Lions, ironically enough. It was at the classic pinball up there in Lions. The only reason I could go is cuz Donovan gave me Donovan Step gave me a ride. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have made it. And I finished first and he finished second. So, I I really owe him a big thank you, man. I mean, I've tried to thank him over the years. You know, you know how it is. But like if it wasn't for that dude, man, I wouldn't have been able to get up there for the state tournament, which is pretty dope. Um, I'm already distracted. What was I looking up? Oh, yeah. I was looking up where Dude, I'm telling you, I am exhausted. I should not be making videos right now. I am exhausted. I figure Why? I don't care, dude. I don't give a damn. I'm I don't give I don't care. I'm not going to edit. You know me by now. I'm not editing and stitching stuff together. I don't give a darn. I just want to say hello to all you fine folks. I don't want you to think I died. I just randomly just didn't make a video forever. I'm just concentrating on music these days, man. But a lot of like like the stuff I was playing the last segment is like the closest I'll probably get to playing I have a trust me I have probably close to a hundred original songs that I've been working on over like the last I mean I've been writing music since I was my first song I ever wrote was about 911. It was horrible. [laughter] [clears throat] It was terrible. I don't even want to play it. I was thinking I was looking at my guitar. I'm like, "Maybe I'll play it." No, don't even want to play it. Um, yeah, it was about So, September 11th, I was 14. I I was 14. So, I've been writing music for a while, but like I I don't know, man. I just don't want to I'm just kind of hesitant to put original stuff up. But that last part is something I'm working out. So, I was like, "Ah, forget it." And I think it's I I got it from the Witcher. So I was like, "Yo, I want to mess with this. I want to put this in something." That's where my mind is, you know? Like that last video I made with all those effects. Dude, I'm I already went back and found like three things that I can make out of different segments of like, you guys think I'm nuts. Like why is he making videos with this experimental? Bro, I've already gone back and dissected like, okay, at 43 minutes there's this thing. Yeah, bro. I've already I'm a nut, dude. Like, I'm crazy. I'm on another level, dude. Like, when I die, they need to dissect my brain and be like, peel the layers. Oh, this is why he did those things. Um, what was I looking up? Oh, yeah. Where the North American I'm looking to see where the North American uh tournament is. Let me see. Um, okay. Wait, this is Okay, here we go. Maybe this is it. North American Championship. Here we go. Um, okay. The 2025-26 North American Pinball Championship will be held Thursday, March 5th at 2026 at OD Pinball West Chicago. There you go. So hopefully Ryan will go out there and defend our honor in Chicago. Yeah. Cheers, brother. You got it, man. I could just say for me personally, dude, I've been traveling and doing tournaments for like the past few years now. I love it, man. It was It was awesome. I had a great time. My goal was to like try to go up. I want to see how I could do like against some of the best in the world, you know, like some of the people I've heard of. Like I heard of Raymond Davidson. Like I' I've heard and seen that name like years before I ever played him, you know. Keith Elwin, same thing. Asher, well, Asher's different. I I've met I've known Asher since he was a kid. Same with Zach. But like, you know, a lot of these names. So, I'm like when I get to meet him, it's like, whoa. you know, so I just want to see like, yo, can it's cool to meet you, but can I can I how can I stack up? You know, that's what I want to know. I was like, yo, how can I stack up? So, I don't know. I was just like, I wanted to do it. I did it. And here I am. And I just want to say I love you all. God bless. I'll be back when I can from time to time. We got We need some new pinball though, you know. And uh you guys take it easy. All right. Much love. I'll be back at you soon. _(Acquisition: youtube_auto_sub, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: d422d825-1492-4bb6-84f4-f8668e097fb0*