Don Williams
Biography
With his laid-back, straightforward vocals and large, imposing build, Don Williams came to be known as "the Gentle Giant." That nickname was bestowed on him in the early '70s, when he began a string of countrypolitan hits that ran into the early '90s. Williams was never known as an innovator, but his ballads were immensely popular; in the course of his career, he had a total of 17 number one hits.
Williams began playing guitar when he was child, learning the instrument from his mother. As a teenager, he played in a variety of country, rockabilly, folk, and rock & roll bands. After completing high school, he formed his first band with a friend named Lofton Kline. Williams and Kline recruited another singer, Susan Taylor, and formed the Pozo-Seco Singers, a folk-pop group, in 1964. The following year, the band signed a contract with Columbia Records. In 1966, the Pozo-Seco Singers had a pop hit with "Time," which climbed into the Top 50. For the next two years, they had a series of minor hits, highlighted by two Top 40 hits in late 1966, "I Can Make It with You" and "Look What You've Done." The group stayed until 1971.
After the Pozo-Seco Singers disbanded, Williams decided to pursue a career as a songwriter in Nashville, since he wasn't convinced that he was suited for a solo career. He signed with Jack Clement's Jack Music, Inc., initially just as a songwriter. By the end of 1972, he had signed with JMI as a solo artist, releasing "Don't You Believe" as his debut. The song went nowhere, but "The Shelter of Your Eyes" climbed to number 14 at the beginning of 1973. For the next year, Williams scored a string of minor hits before he had his 1974 breakthrough, "We Should Be Together," which reached number five. The single led to a contract with ABC/Dot. "I Wouldn't Want to Live If You Didn't Love Me," his first single for ABC/Dot, reached number one in the summer 1974. The single launched a string of Top Ten hits that ran more or less uninterrupted until 1991; between 1974 and 1991, only four of his 46 charting singles didn't make the Top Ten. Instead of reaching the top of the charts with his original material, most of his big hits were covers of other songwriters, including John Prine, Bob McDill, Dave Loggins, and Wayland Holyfield.
During the '70s, Don Williams became the most successful country artist in the world. His country-pop not only crossed over into the American pop mainstream, it also gained him a large following in England and Europe. In addition to his Top Ten hits, Williams won several country music awards, highlighted by the Country Music Association naming him Male Vocalist of the Year in 1978, the same year his number one single "Tulsa Time" was named Single of the Year. In the late '70s, he began acting, appearing primarily in the films of his friend Burt Reynolds, including W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings and Smokey and the Bandit II.
In the early '80s, Williams slowed down the pace of his career slightly, as he was suffering from back problems. Nevertheless, the hits continued to come and many of his singles reached number one. In 1986, he left MCA Records -- which had acquired the ABC label while he was recording for it -- and signed with Capitol. The change in labels didn't affect his career at all, as he continued to hit the Top Ten with regularity. In 1987, he underwent back surgery, which cured his problems. Williams signed with RCA Records in 1989. Initially, he continued to have hits, but his streak came to an end in early 1992, following his last Top Ten single, "Lord Have Mercy on a Country Boy." Although he continued to perform in the mid-'90s, he had effectively retired to his Nashville farm, returning to recording in 1998 with I Turn the Page. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
My all time favorite. I have seen hime several times and he is always great.
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Without a doubt the BEST voice in country music.God rest The Gentle Giant.
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Just sit down and listen to him then you'll know why he's considered great.
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Strange but true: Don Williams was hit in Ghana (West Africa). I think it was the stories his songs told.
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Why isn't his song "Oakie from Musgogee",me n t i o n e d ? You hear this song played more than alot of his other hits. We were US Air Force, stationed in Italy when he was just becoming popular, and his hits were played in the clubs constantly. Love his voice and lirics. Thanks Don for making us feel at home overseas!
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I just heard "Some broken hearts never mend." My dad's band did a cover of that in a different style. I always liked that song.
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DON WILLIAMS HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF MY BEST EVER SINGERS,HIS SMALL BAND IS ALWAYS VERY GOOD,THE GUY PLAYING BASE AND THE ONE ON THE PIANO ARE TOPS..
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I started listening to Don way back in Africa and i've fallen in love with him since then. I sing Don Williams songs when i go to karaoke. When i get married, i'll be dancing to a Don Williams song! and the best part is...i'm black! people do get pleasantly surprised. Thanks Don. glad i saw you in concert.
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I HAVE ALWAYS LOVE DON WILLIAMS CLASSIC SONGS. I THINK HE IS A
FANTASTIC SINGER. GOOOOOOOO DON. THANX FOR ALL THE GOOD MEMORIES. |
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I saw Don at a concert at the fair grounds in Jackson, Wyoming in August of 1978. He was just awesome. I fell in love with his voice and his down to earth compassion for a woman and life in general. What a great man.
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I SAW DON AT A CONCERT MANY MOONS AGO AND FELL IN LOVE WITH HIS VOICE. HE IS GREAT..
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my wife and I first danced to I believe in you. Thanks Don, its a memory I will have my entire lifetime. She says his voice has a haunting quality you can't forget and wouldn't want to.
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I saw him in person once, and it was the most enjoyable 2 hours I ever had.I have listen to his music for years. I wish he would not retire completely.
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I had the honor to see Don twice in the mid 1990's and both shows were WOW. He is so laid back and mellow that the crowd gets in the same mood and you can hear every word he says from the stage. He is a true "Gentle Giant" in the country music field, I miss the chance to see him live. Enjoy your retirement Don.
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Got to see Don Williams in concert many years ago and he was Great,he has a wonderful voice,Sings each song with alot of heart,liked the base player,he kept the people laughing the way he swings around during some songs,the theater was packed with people,he put on a great show,big man,set on a high stool during the performance. . T h a n k s Pandora
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I had the priviledge of attending a Don Williams concert a few years ago in Iowa. Here's one performer who didn't take any breaks off his wooden stool during the entire performance.
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Don Williams IS the DEFINITIVE songster! No one even comes close to this man's voice and deliverance.
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I love listening to Don's mellow voice. I think that "Amanda" is one of my favorites. I rarely hear his songs on the radio, so I appreciate Pandora featuring his music.
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This man is the reason I fell in love with country music! As a child I heard Tulsa Time and couldnt get it out of my head. For weeks I went around the house singing that song. It drove my mom nuts.. Well worth it, Mr. Williams, we miss you.
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i think this amazing voice needs to come back! his voice is the only voice next to george strait who makes me feel like im floating on a cloud in heaven! its soooo peaceful!
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Saw him live in Germany, wasn't expecting much but he's even more spellbinding in person.
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wonderful voice. It's a shame we don't hear much of him. He needs no gimmicks nor back up singers, a true voice , just like the greatest artist in country along with Merle.
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Known to few, todays old Don's Birthday.. "Happy Birthday Don, and best of wishes to you and your famaly"
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Don Williams recently retired from touring, I do not know if he will continue to make any more albums
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