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Don Williams Biography
Review The Artist (18)
Source: http://www.don-williams.com/bio.html
There are few American classics these days, but Don Williams is certainly one of them. With a warm hickory baritone that balances strength with a gentle concern, he draws his listener into the intimate world of an old friend, someone who cares deeply about you and the quality of your life ... and who will always offer a hand when you need it.
“I don't think there's anything we have to do daily in our walk that's more important than how we deal with each other,” Williams confesses. “To me, it's everything. So when you're looking for songs, if they can express that, then you've found something special.”
Without a doubt Williams, whose hits with the likes of Good Ole Boys Like Me, I Believe In You, Love Is On A Roll, Amanda and Tulsa Time, have always had a knack for finding songs that speak directly to people's hearts.
“When you first start making records, all the songs are challenging and there's so much to talk about,” Williams begins, explaining the challenges of maintaining one's artistic commitment a quarter of a century into a solo career. “But after you've done it for a while, it's hard to revisit the same places and still be believable.”
“The longer you do it, the harder it becomes to do things that aren't just an echo of something you've already done. Of course, when you do lock into it, the fact that you've lived all those years and seen so much allows you to bring a lot of things to the song you couldn't have when you were starting out.”
For Don Williams, trying to address the simple pleasures and the things that should last has always been his stock in-trade. And he's also always been something of an iconoclast in a town known for its assembly line approach to making music.
Williams recalls, “Back when I was on JMI Records several industry people really liked what I was doing but they also said it would never work ... it's too laid back.”
What those people forgot is that country music is built on real emotions, real songs, real moments in people's lives. Don Williams is a subtle master of all of those things, deftly inhaling tenderness and concern into some of the best lyrics and melodies ever created.
And his commitment to the songs never flags. “What it is, is simple: I want the best songs possible. I don't look at songs as just singles or who the publisher is - I look at what it's trying to say, how it feels. Then when they're picked out, I want to treat them all the same. I want to make them as special as I can.”
“Ideally, whether I'm in the studio or on stage, I'm totally into the story, or if there's no story, that emotion, that feel of what I'm doing at that moment is the only thing I want to experience.”
“After a day in the studio or a show, the energy I've used just wears me out and if you're not 100% there, that's even worse. There's nothing more trying than not being completely there!”
For the man who got his professional start with the Pozo Seco Singers, who hit with Time in the mid-60s, there's no greater sin than not being completely committed to the songs he's entrusted with. As he says with an earnestness that stops you in your tracks, “There's just the emotion. There's the right emotion - and then it's over.”
Simple. Direct. To the point. Exactly the things that have made Don Williams' music so compelling - and that's helped him build an international audience in places one can't imagine country music ever being more than a curiosity. Yet for Don Williams, he's popular in far-flung places like Zimbabwe, Australia, England, Monaco, Finland and Brazil as he is in his native America.
“I couldn't have picked anything for the South African culture or the English culture,” Williams explains. “We're all made of the same stuff - and when we're dealing with one another, we're all on the same plane. I've been fortunate that when I've picked material, there's always been a universality to what I want to sing and what other people feel.”
“It's pretentious to think that you can speak for anyone else, but I work very hard to align myself with the average person who's never been in a studio or sat down with a number of writers to hear their songs. Those are the people I make music for, not Nashville so much, and I think it's served me well.”
Enlisting the help of his accomplished road band, Williams creates the kind of music that speaks to everyone. There's a broken-in familiarity among his players that can't be created merely by charts and musicians - and those lived-in grooves fit Williams like the custom-Stetson hat he's know for.
“Everybody knows from me on the road that when they're doing their job well, I hear nothing,” Williams says, explaining the subtle musical web his band spins. “It's the emotion of what we're doing is all that I hear. Nothing sticks out. Nothing jars me.”
“That lets me get to the inside of the song. When that is working right, there's nothing but that (song's) feeling, and I can focus completely on that. If you can create that, then you've done a good job.”
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Would you please submit the latest Don Williams biography to me? Thank You.
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Review about Don Williams
you the best my man | Reviewer: Seanego koena | 9/21/09
the first time i hear music from don williams, i thought he extracted straight from my life experience. his music speaks exactley what one could feel and sometimes unable to express them in words. but listening to songs senorina and linsten to the radio, Don will hit you on the spot. south africa loves you. i will be the first to buy a tickert if Don is to perform in th country.
Don Williams my friend | Reviewer: Edward Farr | 8/27/09
Not only listening to his songs but the words that follow was one of the mean things that encourage me so much. i remember back in the 80's living with my parents in YEKEPA, LAMCO... We use to have time at the community center to listen to Don. I never stop listening to his till now and most of all, he had encourage me to love him more by following the step of Christ. one of the songs i love is "i am just a county boy", "Hold Me So Close, that i feel your hearth beep" I hope God will use him reach every hearts, minds and souls with Christ love
my bet friend | Reviewer: hope | 8/5/09
one day i was very sad because of my best friend pat, i now get angry an wake away from her, but by God doing thing when i went inside i now puk up my best music which is don williams tittle you're my best friend, immidiately after thi son i wasn't fill sad any longer, so i now went back to my friend and tool her that i'm sorry do it was not my folt. so i realy love country music. thanks
Inquiry | Reviewer: Marot Camor | 6/6/09
Hi Don, your songs are really great. My old pap would listen to your songs and won't get tire, it impress me so much.
By the way, I'm told you are now a pastor in Liberia, please confirm... Or are you retire now?
DON WILLY | Reviewer: Martha | 5/9/09
Don, you are not only a singer but also the spice for once life in your voice. We can't say you are only singing rather touching inside. I don't have words to explain all what i feel only saying you are the best of bests. I'm from Ethiopia and if you come to our country and visit it, for sure you will be delighted. keep in touch
ms | Reviewer: ishaya n | 4/13/09
i ve been in love with don williams songs since when i was a little girl and i use to boast to my friend that he is the best singer in d whole world and de will call me old school.my desire is to see this legend just once and ask him just one question.don you re d best
Greatest Songs | Reviewer: Saw | 2/21/09
I was introduced with Don's songs since I was at the age of 16 by my uncle - the time I started to listen the western country musics. I like Don's songs as I am also a country boy of an Asian country. His songs are just as my best friends since they make me happy and easy when I have difficult times.
The Gentle Giant | Reviewer: Admirer | 2/1/09
I enjoyed your music from the first time I heard it. I have missed
it for a number of years, and happen to think of you so I bought
two CDs and as I can will get more. Country Weekly is going
to get a "how come" letter from me.
Continued success for you as you want it. Your talent is evident.
God bless you. Simply that. | Reviewer: Nibomari | 11/21/08
I have grown and lived in francophone countries in Africa, Burundi and Rwanda. English is new for me and yes I realise, I have never heard a music with power of life. You helped me to understand the value of emotion and simplicity. You are an exception of a voice that I can listen from early morning until sunset even if I disagree with my girl.
Title of the songs are nice an update | Reviewer: oluwambe o. | 3/29/08
Musically is my mentor.for the inspirational songs,too nice ,so update ,and lovely.it touches every aspects of life.i wish to meet him & be invited for my wedding if possible.you are great.may God continue by with at your old age.from africa Nig.Lagos.
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Review the Artist Don Williams
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