by Jane Roser
I first saw Holly Williams at Union Transfer opening for Jason Isbell and was immediately struck by her honest songwriting and passionate delivery. The audience was enraptured and hung on every word, especially during “Waiting On June”, a lovely tribute to her maternal grandparents. Williams, the granddaughter of Hank Williams, Sr. and daughter of Hank Williams, Jr., has carved her own personal niche as a singer-songwriter, never straying from her core values and belief that the story comes first and foremost.
“I was always into songwriting and never really thought I’d be singing in front of people,” explains Williams. “When I began writing songs, I was 8 or 9 years old, then at 18 I started writing with an instrument. I wanted other people to cut these songs, but the material got more and more personal, so I felt like I was the only one who could end up singing them. It [a career in music] was never pushed on me or really talked about; my dad kept his music separate, but it was really about following my love for writing songs and lyrics and stories.”
Williams’ third album, The Highway, was recorded in nine months and released on her own label, Georgiana Records, to critical acclaim. The album’s themes of love, loss, conflict, family and desire resonate with anyone who listens to it, no matter their background or history. It is real and profound and sure packs a wallop.
“Waiting On June” is the most popular song on here, fans are always requesting or talking about it. Williams’ tells me it’s the most special track on the record and every word is true, “honestly it just kind of dropped in my lap. I’ve never been the type to sit down and think about what I’m going to write, they just either come or they don’t. I was washing dishes and just started singing it out of nowhere. I wrote it in 15 or 20 minutes, so it kind of poured out and was just one of those magical moments and now I get to sing about Granny every night.”
The Highway was produced in Nashville by Charlie Peacock (Amy Grant, The Civil Wars). Williams recalls that they started working together in June 2012 and she felt that he would make her music more about the songs and not as much frou-frou. “I was still writing during the process, but I knew I wanted to make a much more raw and acoustic record. All of the special guest performers happened really by chance. I think the first one was probably Gwyneth [Paltrow]. She’s a good friend and she loved “Waiting On June” so I put her on third part harmony. I just love her voice. Then Charlie brought in one of my songwriting heroes, Jackson Browne, and Jakob [Dylan] and Dierks [Bentley] were just the kind of voices we needed. It all happened so randomly, but ended up being really fun and I’m very proud of it.”
Williams is currently on tour, which includes dates where Williams will be supporting the legendary John Prine and one of mine and Williams’ favorite artists of all time, Jason Isbell. When I ask what she has learned from the iconic singer-songwriters, such as Prine and Kris Kristofferson, whom she has toured with (and who signed her fabulous guitar), Williams tells me that she would watch them every night sing these simple story songs, but it was how they would sing them and connect with the audience in a way that didn’t focus on the musicianship.
“With me, I’m not really a country singer. I’m not played on country radio, maybe on folk/Americana radio a little bit, but it’s definitely a slow groove for an artist in my position. It’s amazing to see that they stuck with it and just tried to write the best songs they could and not chase hits and the radio, but they just chased their songs.”
Aside from writing songs and touring, Williams is involved in several wonderful charities including World Vision which helps children in need. Williams spent some time in the Dominican Republic this past January to see their work first-hand.
“I went down and met the family of the little boy I’ve been supporting and they had a picture of me printed out and were just so thankful and gracious. World Vision helps to make sure the child has basic needs like medicine and school books.” You can find out more about them here http://www.worldvision.org
Next up for Williams is a U.K. tour, plus her two stores in Nashville (H. Audrey and White’s Mercantile) keep her fairly busy. “I’m going to try to hunker down and get in some writing,” says Williams. “I’d love to put out an album perhaps in late Spring of next year and then get back on the road. I’ve got a ton of half songs on my iPhone- over 100 verses and choruses that I have to finish.”
I asked singer-songwriter Daniel Miller what he enjoyed most about Williams’ music and he said, “it’s impossible not to be a fan of Holly Williams once you hear her music. For me, it was the day I purchased Here With Me a few years back and I’ve been hooked ever since. The newest record has definitely solidified her place as a leader among our generation of songwriters. She’s also the kind of artist that you dream of someday opening for and touring with, the way she interacts with a crowd, it’s just so thoughtful and genuine. I find myself taking mental notes whenever she comes around.”
You can catch Holly at World Cafe Live this Friday or on the highway between here and Montana until the end of July. You’ll be happy you did.
