Brooks Williams: Acoustic Guitar, Resonator Guitar and Vocals. THE TIME I SPEND WITH YOU band: Dave Mattacks-drums, Richard Gates-electric bass, Gail Wade-backing vocals, Karen Tweed-accordion, John Daniel-acoustic bass, Dave Dick-mandolin, banjo, Chris Turner-harmonica, Mike Piehl-drums.
Influences
Joseph Spence, John Fahey, Snooks Eaglin, Michael Bloomfield, and Lonnie Johnson
Sounds Like
Want to really get the sound? Take a masterclass with Brooks. From Woodhall Instructional DVDs.
With bluesy fingerpicking, soaring bottleneck slide, and swinging flatpicking, Brooks Williams' music is rooted in the blues and is as fresh and original as any music you are likely to hear. His unique combination of traditional and original music inspired Dirty Linen magazine to call Brooks Williams one of "America's musical treasures."
A Statesboro, Georgia native – the town made famous by Blind Willie McTell in his song Statesboro Blues – Brooks began playing guitar at age 10 after being shown the opening riff to Purple Haze by a summer music camp counselor. In the years following Brooks taught himself to play by listening to recordings by the likes of Eric Clapton, Maria Muldaur, Bonnie Raitt, Jorma Kaukonen, Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal. But it wasn't until he moved to Boston, Massachusetts in his late teens that Williams put it all together. In Boston, Williams first heard roots and blues music on the radio and started to go to shows in the city’s many acoustic music clubs. more. . .
How soulful a solo guitarist can be when he has talent, taste and astonishing technique. –Blues Review
Deft, tasteful guitar chops –Rolling Stone
Stylistically rich, harmonically sophisticated, and breathtakingly beautiful fingerstyle artistry. –Guitar Player
I just realised that you are giggging in North Ferribly tonight which is just down the road from us. I only discovered that today and unfortunately we can't make it :( . Anyway, have a good one and we hope it goes well! Maybe we can catch you at Ryedale live in a couple of weeks!
Brooks, great show at the Trinity House in April 2009. Thanks again for chatting after the show and offering more recording advice. Hope you enjoyed the Three Men Make a Tiger EP. ~MV
Hi Brooks Thanks for a great evening at the Blue Walnut Cafe last night, it was a pleasure to sing with you. Good luck with the rest of the tour. Hope our paths cross again soon. x
Good morning Brooks, Fantastic show last night! Thank you so much. Remember: if you get out to KFF this year or any year - our camp is your camp. Camp Sweetness and Light would welcome you home with open arms (but you'd have to BYO moonshine. I think Steve can hook you up.) Big hugs, Janet
Hi, Brooks! LOVE the new profile pic...very cool...very YOU! (well, no kidding,huh?) Wish I could be tuning in to your show in Ashville, NC Sunday - LOVE it there, plus it's my b-day on the 15th (yikes! they keep coming faster and faster, lol), so would be a great way to celebrate. Not sure I'll be able to make your show in Keene, NH on the 23rd, but trying hard to pull it together. If not, will see you asap next year. Travel safely, God bless and much love to you, my friend... Desiree
It was an honor and pleasure to take classes from you at Swannanoa this year. The video we did came out absolutely fabulous! Thanks for the rare and wonderful gift! Stay in touch when you can, hope to see you swinging down FL way; mi casa, su casa!
I have a lot of really nice pix of you from New Bedford Summerfest 2008 up on my web site now. Check them out at DennSantoroPhoto. com. Go to the galleries and then to the Summerfest 2008 gallery.
These are the official Summerfest photos commissioned by the organizers. I think you'll really like the ones from your Whaling museum solo as well as the workshop out on the Acushnet Ave stage Denn
Thanks for a memorable night at TwickFolk, Brooks. The atmosphere was the best we've had for quite some time...all the best in Turkey and hope to see you again sometime soon!
