Already on the road and booming in and out of each city night
after night exerting musical energy for all his fans is none other
than the one man band Keller Williams. Not only does he write and
sing his own lyrics, he plays the bass, acoustic and electric
guitar and the piano. With all these incredible talents, Williams
creates an atmosphere as unique as his music.
Watching Williams play is an amazing experience. He gives so
much to the crowd every performance. His combination of music and
technology amplifies his songs and adds diversity to each show.
For people out there who are not familiar with the jam scene, he
could be compared to Beck because Beck also draws attention to the
crowd with his lyrics, instruments and himself.
“There’s a lot going on mentally. When I’m on stage I am there
to have a good time just like my fans,” Williams said.
Williams does stuff backward from most artists. He first
performs his songs in front of live audiences and then goes into
the studio to recreate his songs. This is cool because Keller fans
can first hear his talents before they are recorded onto a studio
CD album.
Williams started out his Dance Tour 2003, Feb. 20, in Nashville,
Tenn., and performed in front of a sold-out audience. His next two
shows are also sold out. Williams will stay on the road for an
astounding 48 shows looping around the country fin-
ishing up on July 13, in Duanesburg, N. Y.
His new CD,Dance, is on the edge acoustic funk and New Age all
in one. Songs from his last album, Laugh, have all been recreated
with computer technology adding a bit of exhilaration to each tune
in every song.
“When listening to this CD, the music seems to jump out at me;
it is an intriguing CD, and I would recommend any music lover to
experience it,” senior Gwin Sharpe said.
Music lover first and musician second is Williams philosophy on
himself. His grandfather played the clarinet during The Big Band
Era so music has been close to his heart since his early
childhood.
One day on the campus of Virginia Wesley College, near Virginia
Beach, Williams decided his talent was truly music, and he hit the
road to go on tour performing coast to coast in his pickup truck
with his husky, Sheeba.
The touring began 11 years ago and his first album, Freek, was
released in ’94. From there Williams played with Bob Weir and Phil
Lesh of the Grateful Dead, The String Cheese Incident, Galactic,
Bela Fleck,
Joe Craven and Victor Wootman just to name a few.
Inspiration and insight of his music came from the unbelievable
solo guitarist Michael Hedges.
“Hedges opened my eyes of how one man can fill the air with
musical talent. He inspired me to follow my heart as a musician,”
Williams said.
“Playing with Bob Weir has to be the highlight of my career when
I played with him at Red Rocks amphitheater in Morrison, Co., on
The ‘So Many Roads’ Tour,” Williams said. “Red Rocks is a surreal
place and unbelievable.”
Saturday night tune to 91.1 WMSV to hear him speak live on the
show where his music is always celebrated on the show “Joyful
Sounds.”
Even though he is busy with his musical career, he likes to free
his mind by bowling, playing with his dogs and writing more of his
funky heartfelt music.
Tickets can still be purchased for his Hal and Mal’s appearance
in Jackson on Thursday, at
“http://www.kellerwilliams.net/”>www.kellerwilliams.net. Hal
and Mal’s is located at 200 S. Commerce Street in downtown Jackson.
For more information, call 601-948-0888.