Don Williams
American country music singer-songwriter (1939–2017)
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Donald Ray Williams (May 27, 1939[1] – September 8, 2017)[2] was an American country music singer, songwriter, and 2010 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He began his solo career in 1971, singing popular ballads and amassing 17 number-one country hits. His straightforward yet smooth bass-baritone voice, soft tones, and imposing build earned him the nickname "The Gentle Giant". In 1975, Williams starred in a movie with Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed called W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings.[3]
May 27, 1939
Don Williams | |
|---|---|
Williams performing in 2006 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Donald Ray Williams May 27, 1939 Floydada, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | September 8, 2017 (aged 78) Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, actor |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 1964–2006 2010–2016 |
| Labels | Columbia, JMI Records, Dot, ABC, MCA, Capitol, RCA, American Harvest, Giant, Koch, Vanguard, Sugar Hill Records |
| Formerly of | Pozo-Seco Singers |
| Website | www |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Unit | United States Army Security Agency |
Williams has had a strong influence over a variety of performers of different genres. His songs have been recorded by singers such as Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, Ray Scott, Juice Newton, Leon Russell, Lefty Frizzell, Josh Turner, Sonny James, Alison Krauss, Billy Dean, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Lambchop, Alan Jackson, Tomeu Penya, Telly Savalas, Waylon Jennings, Pete Townshend, and Tortoise with Bonnie "Prince" Billy.[4] His music is also popular internationally, including in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Ukraine, India, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.[5] In 2010, the Country Music Association inducted Don Williams into the Country Music Hall of Fame.[6]
Early years
Williams was born the youngest of three sons, on May 27, 1939, in Floydada, Texas, United States.[1] His parents were Loveta Mae (née Lambert; 1914–2007) and James Andrew "Jim" Williams (1898–1982).[7] He grew up in Portland, Texas, and graduated from Gregory-Portland High School in 1958. After Williams' parents divorced, Loveta Williams remarried, first to Chester Lang and then to Robert Bevers.[8]
On July 20, 1963, Williams' eldest brother Kenneth died from electrocution when he accidentally touched a live wire. He was 29 years old.[9]
Prior to forming the folk-pop group Pozo-Seco Singers, Williams served with the United States Army Security Agency for two years. After an honorable discharge, he worked various odd jobs to support his family and himself.[10][11]
With the Pozo-Seco Singers, Williams, alongside Susan Taylor and Lofton Cline, recorded several records for Columbia Records.[12] He remained with the group until 1969; it disbanded the following year.
Solo career
After the Pozo-Seco Singers disbanded, Williams briefly worked outside the music industry.[12] Soon, however, Williams resumed his career in music. In December 1971, Williams signed on as a songwriter for Jack Clement with Jack Music Inc. In 1972, Williams inked a contract with JMI Records as a solo country artist. His 1974 song "We Should Be Together" reached number five, and he signed with ABC/Dot Records.[13] In 1975, with the release of his 4th album, he saw 2 Country #1's. The title track "You're My Best Friend" on June 21, and "(Turn Out the Light And) Love Me Tonight" on November 1. At the height of the country and western boom in the UK in 1976, he had top-40 pop chart hits with "You're My Best Friend" and "I Recall a Gypsy Woman".[14]
His first single with ABC/Dot, "I Wouldn't Want to Live If You Didn't Love Me", became a number-one hit, and was the first of a string of top-10 hits he had between 1974 and 1991. Only four of his 46 singles did not make it to the top 10 during that time.[15]
"I Believe in You", written by Roger Cook and Sam Hogin, was Williams' 11th number one on the country chart.[16] It was his only top-40 chart entry in the U.S., where it peaked at number 24. It was also a hit in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.[17]
Williams had some minor roles in Burt Reynolds movies. In 1975, he appeared as a member of the Dixie Dancekings band in the movie W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings, alongside Reynolds.[1] Williams also appeared as himself in the Universal Pictures movie Smokey and the Bandit II, in which he also played a number of songs.[18]
Early in 2006, Williams announced his "Farewell Tour of the World" and played numerous dates both in the U.S. and abroad, wrapping the tour up with a sold-out Final Farewell Concert in Memphis, Tennessee, at the Cannon Center for Performing Arts on November 21, 2006. In 2010, Williams came out of retirement and was once again touring.[19]
In March 2012, Williams announced the release of a new record, And So It Goes (UK release April 30, 2012; U.S./Worldwide release June 19, 2012), his first new record since 2004. The record was his first with the independent American label Sugar Hill Records.[20] The record includes guest appearances by Alison Krauss, Keith Urban, and Vince Gill. To accompany the release, he embarked on a UK tour. A much-loved country artist among British fans, he had his final UK tour in 2014.[21]
In March 2016, Williams announced he was retiring from touring and cancelled all his scheduled shows. "It's time to hang my hat up and enjoy some quiet time at home. I'm so thankful for my fans, my friends, and my family for their everlasting love and support," he said in a statement.[22]
Personal life and death
Williams married Joy Janene Bucher in April 1960. They had two children.
On September 8, 2017, Williams died in Mobile, Alabama, of emphysema.[2][23][24]
Awards and nominations
Academy of Country Music Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Don Williams | Top Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated |
| "Tulsa Time" | Single Record of the Year | Won | |
| 1980 | Don Williams | Top Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated |
| 1981 | Nominated | ||
| I Believe in You | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| "I Believe in You" | Single Record of the Year | Nominated | |
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 1982 | Don Williams and Emmylou Harris | Top Vocal Duo of the Year | Nominated |
| 1983 | Listen to the Radio | Album of the Year | Nominated |
| 2007 | Don Williams | Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award | Awarded |
Country Music Association Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Don Williams | Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated |
| 1977 | Nominated | ||
| 1978 | Won | ||
| Country Boy | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1979 | Don Williams | Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated |
| 1980 | Nominated | ||
| "Good Ole Boys Like Me" | Single of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1981 | "I Believe in You" | Nominated | |
| Don Williams | Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | |
| I Believe in You | Album of the Year | Won | |
| 1982 | Don Williams and Emmylou Harris | Vocal Duo of the Year | Nominated |
| 1983 | Nominated | ||
| 1984 | Nominated |
Discography
Albums
- 1973: Don Williams Volume One
- 1974: Don Williams Volume Two
- 1974: Don Williams Vol. III
- 1975: You're My Best Friend
- 1976: Harmony
- 1977: Visions
- 1977: Country Boy
- 1978: Expressions
- 1979: Portrait
- 1980: I Believe in You
- 1981: Especially for You
- 1982: Listen to the Radio
- 1983: Yellow Moon
- 1984: Cafe Carolina
- 1986: New Moves
- 1987: Traces
- 1987: One Good Well
- 1990: True Love
- 1992: Currents
- 1995: Borrowed Tales
- 1996: Flatlands
- 1998: I Turn the Page
- 2004: My Heart to You
- 2012: And So It Goes
- 2014: Reflections