Don Williams May 27, 1939 - Sept 8, 2017
Updated Sept 9, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –The Country Music world mourns the loss of one of its’ most distinctive song stylists with the passing of Don Williams after a short illness. He was 78.
Updated Sept 9, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –The Country Music world mourns the loss of one of its’ most distinctive song stylists with the passing of Don Williams after a short illness. He was 78.
650 AM
WSM On-Air Tribute: Don's publicist Kirt Webster and artists Janie Fricke and Silvia share their memories with Devon O’Day.
A native of Floydada, Texas, Williams was born
May 27, 1939. He grew up in Portland, TX, graduating there in 1958. Music had
always been a part of his upbringing, entering – and winning - a talent contest
when he was just three years old. For his efforts, Williams received an alarm
clock. He began playing guitar during his teen-age years, learning the songs
that he heard on the radio during that period. He and his friends played in
local bands around the area, and he wed wife Joy Bucher on April 10, 1960.
To support his family – which would grow to include two sons, Gary and Timmy – Williams worked at a number of odd jobs, including oil field work, and also as a bill collector. While living in Corpus Christi in 1964, he formed the folk-styled trio The Pozo Seco Singers with Lofton Cline and Susan Taylor. They stayed together for seven years, with their biggest hit being “Time.”
After the group disbanded in 1969, Williams soon found his way to Nashville. By 1971, he had a songwriting contract with the publishing company owned by Jack Clement. The next year would see Williams ink a recording deal with Clement’s JMI Records. He made his chart debut with “The Shelter of Your Eyes” in 1973, and was soon hitting the charts time and again with a much more laid-back sound than a lot of the music coming out of Nashville at the time.
1974 would see Williams top the charts for the
first time with “I Wouldn’t Want To Live If You Didn’t Love Me.” From that point
all the way through 1991, each Williams single would hit the Top-40 on the
Billboard Country charts. His 1970s hits included such chart toppers as “Tulsa
Time,” “She Never Knew Me,” and “It Must Be Love.”
His career grew steadily through label shifts to
ABC / Dot, MCA, Capitol, and finally RCA. Williams also gained a devoted
following overseas in such unlikely spots as England, Ireland, and
New Zealand, and even South Africa and Kenya – where he reached superstar
status.
1976: "I Recall a Gypsy Woman" charted
at #13 on UK Singles Chart.
If there was one star that (the now disgraced) Cockney King of Country/ Wembley International Festival Of Country
Music promoter Mervyn Conn created
it was Don Williams. Taking the credit Conn said: “I was at a party in
Nashville and they were playing this great record,” he recalled. “Of course, no one had heard of Don so I
arranged to handle him exclusively and set up a meeting with ABC records. “At
that time people listened to me because I knew what I was talking about. I told
them they’d have a big star on their hands and they did because You’re My Best
Friend was an instant hit and Don became a huge star. Without me the record
would never have been released so I really kick-started his career.”
Mr.
Williams was named the Male Vocalist of the Year by the Country Music Association in 1978.
Though known for being very low-key and soft spoken, Williams did make two
movie appearances – 1974’s W.W. and The Dixie Dancekings, and 1980’s Smokey and
the Bandit II.
The 1980s saw no slow down in Williams’ recorded output, with the singer notching his biggest hit with 1981’s “I Believe In You,” which not only topped the Country charts, but crossed over to No. 24 on the Hot 100. By this time, he had earned the nickname “The Gentle Giant” for his trademark mellow sound, and the hits continued to pile up throughout the rest of the decade - “Stay Young,” “If Hollywood Don’t Need You,” and “One Good Well” being three of his biggest of the 1980s. His final top ten came in 1991, with “Lord Have Mercy On A Country Boy,” a song that Josh Turner – a Williams fan – would record in 2006.
The 1980s saw no slow down in Williams’ recorded output, with the singer notching his biggest hit with 1981’s “I Believe In You,” which not only topped the Country charts, but crossed over to No. 24 on the Hot 100. By this time, he had earned the nickname “The Gentle Giant” for his trademark mellow sound, and the hits continued to pile up throughout the rest of the decade - “Stay Young,” “If Hollywood Don’t Need You,” and “One Good Well” being three of his biggest of the 1980s. His final top ten came in 1991, with “Lord Have Mercy On A Country Boy,” a song that Josh Turner – a Williams fan – would record in 2006.
US Top Country
Albums TOP 5 Studio albums
Don Williams Volume One (June 1973) #5
Don
Williams Vol. III (Sept 25, 1974) #3
Harmony (April 5,
1976; ABC/Dot Records) #1
Visions (Jan 17, 1977 ABC/Dot Records) #4
Expressions (Aug 23,
1978; ABC/Dot Records) #2
I Believe
in You (Aug 4, 1980; MCA Records) #2
Especially
for You (June 26, 1981; MCA Records) #5
Listen to
the Radio (March 26, 1982; MCA) #6
Though the changing of the guard at radio slowed
down Williams’ chart success, he continued to perform for sold-out crowds in
America and abroad, playing a final tour in 2006.
However, retirement was not
in the cards for the singer, who returned to the road in 2010 – the same year that
he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Williams’ return to the
spotlight also included a pair of albums on Sugar Hill, 2012’s AND SO IT GOES, and 2014’s REFLECTIONS (#1 Official UK Country Album; chart dated March 22, 2014 | 12 Tracks/ Time: 37:14 CD - UK iTunes | Alan Cackett Review 4 STARS), which
included contributions from Alison
Krauss, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban. It was a sign of his
enduring appeal that both albums hit the Top-20 on the Billboard Country Albums
charts – his biggest rank there in three decades.
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| CLICK to Enlarge |
Don Williams first new album in 8 years AND SO IT GOES made its debut at #99 on the Top 200 and bowed at No.20 on the country chart (dated July 7, 2012). Released by Sugar Hill Records on June 19th it sold 4,751 copies without any radio support. On Don’s return album, he was joined by some very special friends including superstars such as Alison Krauss, Keith Urban, Vince Gill and Chris Stapleton. Also joining Williams was his long-time producer Garth Fundis, who stated, "We weren't looking to reinvent Don, just to make a good new Don Williams record."
Although Williams had charted with hits packages
as recently as March, the 2010 Country
Music Hall of Fame inductee hadn't appeared on the list with a set of new
songs since I TURN THE PAGE in late
1998. AND SO IT GOES was Williams'
first since his 2004 album MY HEART TO
YOU and marked his highest rank since CAFÉ
CAROLINA reached No. 13 in 1984.
AND SO IT GOES was Williams' 27th entry on Top
Country Albums, dating to his first, the No. 5-peaking VOLUME ONE, in 1973.
He led the list for two weeks with HARMONY in 1973. Of Williams' 56 titles on
Hot Country Songs between 1972 and 1992, a whopping 45 reached the top 10,
including 17 #1’s.
In 2016, Williams decided that the time was right for his final performance, calling it a career after one of the most successful careers in the history of the Country Music business. "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," the 76-year-old Williams said in a statement at the time. Last year also saw the final release of Williams’ career, a live CD and DVD recorded in Ireland.
In 2017, the singer was the subject of a tribute
album, Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don
Williams, that included performances of his hits by artists such as Lady
Antebellum and Garth Brooks. It made a debut at No.15 on Country Album Sales selling 1,825 copies.
Arrangements for Mr. Williams funeral are pending.
In the UK internet country station UKCountryRadio.com in their 2013 Greatest Country Hits of all time (voted by listeners | See BLOG) listed Williams at #10 "You're My Best Friend" Don Williams (1975): Written by Wayland Holyfield it was released in April 1975 as the first single and title track from the album YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND. The song became Williams' second No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in June 21, 1975. It has since become one of Williams' signature songs.
In honour of his legendary
career, Williams' longtime producer and friend Garth Fundis produced the
tribute album.
The 11-song tribute features an
impressive lineup of musical innovators including Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks,
Brandy Clark, Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires, Keb’ Mo’, Alison Krauss, Lady
Antebellum, John Prine featuring Roger Cook, Pistol Annies, Chris Stapleton
featuring Morgane Stapleton and Trisha Yearwood.
To celebrate the release and
Williams’ extraordinary career, the Grand
Ole Opry honoured the music of the legend on Tuesday night’s Opry (May 30,
2017). The evening featured performances by Opry member Krauss, Prine, Isbell
and Shires, all of whom appear on the album, as well as Darius Rucker and Bill
Anderson.
Arrangements for Mr. Williams funeral are pending.
In the UK internet country station UKCountryRadio.com in their 2013 Greatest Country Hits of all time (voted by listeners | See BLOG) listed Williams at #10 "You're My Best Friend" Don Williams (1975): Written by Wayland Holyfield it was released in April 1975 as the first single and title track from the album YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND. The song became Williams' second No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in June 21, 1975. It has since become one of Williams' signature songs.
TRIBUTES:
Alan Cackett - Don Williams: First Published in Country Music People, September 1979 (Poco-Secos Gave Don First
Success) | EBAY
TRIBUTES:
Alan Cackett - Don Williams: First Published in Country Music People,
September 1979 (Poco-Secos Gave Don First Success)
Amanda Shires Isbell: See you on the
other side, Don Williams. You will be greatly missed.
Big Machine: Our family is mourning the loss of two great
musicians. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of Troy Gentry and
Don Williams.
Big & Rich: 2 legends lost at once. Troy Gentry and Don
Williams will be missed so much. Praying for their families and may they rest
in peace.
Blake Shelton: Also just hearing about the passing of Don
Williams.. terrible day.
Bryan White tweeted Heartbroken 2 hear
of the loss of 1 of my heroes #DonWilliams My music wouldn't be the same w/out
him. Prayers 2 his family #RIPGentleGiant
Charlie Daniels: You left us a lot great
musical memories
Charlie Worsham: What do you do with good ole
boys like me? damn, RIP Don Williams. #thegentlegiant
Charles Esten: Agreed. He had an utterly singular voice and
style. RIP Don Williams. #GentleGiant
Chris Young: And Don
Williams has passed... what a legend... this is truly a sad day for country
music #RIP
CMT: Don Williams has passed away at 78. Our thoughts
& prayers are with his family. More on his life & career.
Clay Walker: We also lost legend Don Williams today...play
"Country Boy" and have cold beverage of choice and raise a glass w me
to Don and Troy..Amen
Easton Corbin: Just heard the news about Don Williams and Troy
Gentry. Country music lost a hero and a friend today. My heart goes out to all.
Gretchen Peters: Don Williams straddled the
line btwn folk and country music; made that place seem like a warm &
welcoming one to singer-songwriters like me…..Absolutely. I still hold it up as
the bar. A four minute memoir. #DonWilliams #GoodOleBoysLikeMe
Gretchen Peters on Facebook: We have lost one of the greats; an absolutely, fundamentally original
singer who had the good sense to record Bob McDill's "Good Ole Boys Like
Me", the smartest country song ever written. He comfortably straddled the
line between folk and country, making it seem like a hospitable place for
singer-songwriters like me. RIP Don Williams.
Jake Owen: Sad day for country music. Troy Gentry and Don
Williams have passed and that makes my heart hurt. Don was my hero and Troy was
my friend
Jason Isbell: What a sad day for country music. Don Williams
was a legend, and for good reason. So many beautiful songs.
Jerrod Niemann: No! Not Don Williams & Troy Gentry. My
thoughts & prayers go out to their families. Thank u for the amazing music
& for inspiring us all.
Josh Turner: I'm speechless. Pray with me for the family of
Don Williams & especially the family of Troy Gentry. It's a heavy day for
country music
Justin Moore: Sad day in country music. Don Williams and
Troy gentry will be missed. In shock. Thoughts and prayers to the family of a
hero and a buddy.
Kenny Rogers: Sending my sincere and heartfelt prayers to
the families & friends of Don Williams and Troy Gentry
Lee Brice: The world changed today. Country music lost
both a Friend and a Hero. Troy Gentry and Don Williams, you both will be dearly
missed..
Matraca Berg: Good Ol Boys Like Me, my favorite country song
of all time
Margo Price: Rest In Peace to the Gentle Giant, Don
Williams. Man knew how to burn that slow groove. May have to work up 'Tulsa
Time' this weekend.
Randy Houser: Sad day in country music. RIP Don Williams and Troy Gentry. Prayers for
your families.
Rodney Atkins: One of the greatest to ever sing a country
song. I can't write a song without thinking about Don Williams songs.
#RIPDonWilliams
Rosanne Cash: Farewell, the great Don Williams. 'Those
Williams boys, they still mean a lot to me/ Hank & Tennessee.' & Don,
too.
Sammy Kershaw: Also sorry to hear about the passing of country
Legend Don Williams. God bless him.
Sheryl Crow: I miss Don Williams already
Travis Tritt: So sad to hear that "Gentle Giant"
Don Williams has died! What an incredible legacy of great music he leaves
behind. May he RIP.
The Oak Ridge Boys: ... we just lost Don
Williams ... Rest Easy Don... you were the best!!!
Ricky Skaggs: I was saddened to hear of Don Williams passing
today.His simple music, gentle voice & beautiful songs will live on
forever. RIP Gentle Giant
Saving Country Music: Extremely saddened and
fighting through pain to report that Don Williams has passed away. So long
Gentle Giant.
Scott Borchetta: One of the greatest Country
singers ever...
WSM: The Country Music world mourns the loss of one
of its’ most distinctive song stylists w/ the passing of Don Williams after a
short illness.
BlueGenes All the greats are dieing!! I loved this man’s
music and always will ❤️ RIP Don Williams! My Grandad made you the soundtrack to my childhood!
Webster PR’s Kirt Webster: “If you ever saw a Don Williams show, you
knew that all he needed was a cup of coffee and an ashtray and he was all set.
As Don didn’t like to do many interviews, I was shocked when his manager Robert Pratt called to tell me that Don
had agreed to a media day at our office. Well, with only one condition: he
needed a cup of coffee and an ashtray. The office might have been cloudy with
the stench of smoke, but Don made every person that came into that office feel
so very special.”
Former Sugar Hill Records exec Cliff O’Sullivan: “Don didn’t like talking about himself even a little bit. Everybody in
the music business that I came in contact with just loved him, from producers
to songwriters to Keith Urban to Alison Krauss, who were on his And So It Goes
album. After the Reflections album, we did an Intimate Evening With Eddie
Stubbs on WSM-AM. Eddie is an incredible host and has an encyclopedic knowledge
of everybody on his show, especially Don. As hard as it is to get Don to talk about
himself, Eddie did a beautiful job. And that was a lot of fun.”
Manager Robert
Pratt: Don had said it was his dream
to play Africa, so I set about arranging it. From the minute he arrived in
Harare, Zimbabwe to the minute he left, he was absolutely in awe. He was given
the Freedom Of The City of Harare. There were thousands of people trying to see
him outside the council office – so many that the city council members brought
their table and chairs outside. They placed them at the top of the steps leading
up to the offices, to accommodate the many thousands in the square, hanging off
trees and out of all the office buildings. When Don was asked to say a few
words, he was so emotional about what he was experiencing, he could hardly
speak. It was a beautiful memory that lived with him right up until he passed.”
Bassist and AFM/Nashville’s Dave Pomeroy: “When I started
playing with Don, I’d had in the back of my mind the idea of an electric
stand-up bass that a hero of mine, Eberhard Weber, played. I couldn’t afford
it, so I went to Don and asked him if he’d loan me the money for half of the
cost. He didn’t bat an eye. I paid him back, but he did that without
hesitation.
“He got our road band a deal with MCA. We made a record which went
nowhere, but we got to make a record – and Don and Garth Fundis produced it. At
that time in particular, no artist would do that for their band. Over the years
I heard a lot of horror stories about the way certain artists treated their
bands. I believe the respect Don treated us with totally pushed me towards this
role I’m in now of wanting to make sure musicians are treated fairly. Everybody
deserves to be treated like Don treated us.”
Country star Don Williams dead at 78 https://t.co/TFWUMB4L0o pic.twitter.com/dY7eYzGxjg— billboard (@billboard) 8 September 2017
Don Williams, it was an honor to witness your greatness on our stage. Your music will continue to inspire all of us. Rest easy Gentle Giant. pic.twitter.com/tSBRS13T1p— Grand Ole Opry (@opry) 8 September 2017
Country Music has lost the great Don Williams. His family is in our thoughts. pic.twitter.com/I38IGVplCe— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) 8 September 2017
Country star Don Williams dead at 78 https://t.co/TFWUMB4L0o pic.twitter.com/dY7eYzGxjg— billboard (@billboard) 8 September 2017
Just received news from Nashville that Don Williams has passed on.Such a joy to interview over the years ,Sad day for Country Music— Brian Clough (@AmericanConnec1) 8 September 2017
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