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!
You've got some great music and a great page here! Thanks for your friendship, and welcome aboard the Redline ship. Looking forward to sharing the journey ahead with you. Take Care, and thanks again. Peace,
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
Thanks for the Add, Brooks. Looking forward to the next time you return to the Blue Walnut. Great gig. And good to see those fingers doing their magic so close up!
Thanks for the add! Your gig at the Carrington was fantastic - everybody else who I spoke to agreed! I can't wait to get the cds... :-) Hope to see you again, Kai
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, We're really looking forward to your Urban Campfires show in San Antonio. Please tell all your S. TX friends and fans that we'd love for them to join us on Feb. 7. The more the merrier. Email for info either through myspace or urbancampfires@swbell.net. See ya soon! Janet, Jayne & Steve
I came here as a fan of your Little Lion CD, but I'm liking everything I'm hearing. Especially the resonator stuff. If you have a chance to drop by, I have a couple of songs on my site for Christmas. Hope yours is Merry indeed.
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