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Singer/songwriter and traditional musician Allison Williams plays old-time clawhammer banjo in a modern context.

A native of the Arkansas Ozarks, Allison got her start as a punk rock musician before rediscovering her musical roots. Several years in the mountains of North Carolina educated her in Southern banjo styles, especially the fast, distinctive styles of Hobart Smith and Wade Ward.

In 2005 she formed the Forge Mountain Diggers, a hard-driving oldtime band, with Freight Hoppers fiddler David Bass. The Diggers toured internationally for three years, sharing stages with the Grascals, Uncle Earl, Rhonda Vincent, Donna the Buffalo, and many other giants of the new traditional music scene.

Allison Williams' solo CD " Give Me the Roses" came out in autumn of 2008, featuring driving arrangements of traditional old-time songs, as well as eclectic originals, woven together by a talented backing band of rising stars: alumni of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Old Crow Medicine Show, and the Wiyos, among others.

Now based in Nashville, TN, Allison, when not on the road, does live and studio sound, works with Southern folklore, and plays with the Jake Leg Stompers jug band.

Allison will be touring early in 2009 with champion West Virginia fiddler Chance McCoy, appearing in the UK and the Eastern United States.

"Strong original material and brilliant interpretations of classic old time." - Bluegrass Unlimited (Mar 1, 2009)

"Accomplished and exuberant." - The Observer (U.K.) (Jan 25, 2009)

"Allison Williams is striking on claw hammer banjo - a force of nature." - www.americana-UK.com (Jan, 2009)

for bookings, email info@allisonwilliamsmusic.com

buy "Give Me the Roses":

buy the Forge Mountain Diggers CD:

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