William Eugene Beckett, Jr. (born February 11, 1985 - Libertyville, Illinois) is the lead singer of the band The Academy Is... (TAI), who are currently signed to Atlantic Records/Fueled by Ramen/Decaydance Records. While still in high school in 2002, Beckett and guitarist Mike Carden came together from rival bands in Chicago to form The Academy Is.... In addition to founding the band, Beckett and Carden are credited as the primary songwriters