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Bill Williams landed in the Washington, DC area, sliding
straight onto stage right, some two decades ago, Since then, Bill has stirred
the souls of DC-metro roots-rock aficionados with his versatile instrumental
work and lock-tight vocal harmonies in several Wammie-winning, bar-packing
ensembles. His forthcoming release, "Handful," is Bill's first solo effort,
showcasing not only his considerable talents, but those of several of his
longtime co-conspirators from Last Train Home, Kevin Johnson and the Linemen,
and the Grandsons.
Arriving in the DC area in the mid-80's, Bill split his time (and, at times,
personality) between his own pop-rock band the InVoices, and the award-winning
a cappella group The Tone Rangers. These early exploits brought him into
contact with a circle of like-minded friends that include Kevin Johnson, Eric
Brace, Scott McKnight and other DC-area notables.
Bill was one of the charter members of Kevin Johnson and the Linemen in the
early-90s. His guitar work, harmonies and songwriting were featured prominently
on Johnson's "Memphis for Breakfast," "Rest of Your Life," "Purple Album," and
"Parole Music" releases; "Rest of Your Life" scored a 1995 Best Recording
Wammie. During his tenure with the Linemen, Bill worked closely with Eric Brace
as he developed and refined an assembly of tunes and talents that ultimately
became Last Train Home ? another winner of several Wammies. Bill's decade-long
association with LTH inspired some of the finest noises of his career. His
songwriting, instrumental and vocal talents can be heard throughout LTH
releases "Last Train Home," "True North," "Holiday Limited," "Travelogue,"
"Tributaries," "Time and Water," and "Bound Away."
Bill's recorded work has also included cameo appearances with DC's Grandsons on
"Party with the Rich," and with other top performers on "Americana Motel" a
collection of top Americana Artists, doing new versions of each other's songs.
His melancholy rendition of Neil Young?s ?Flying on the Ground is Wrong? is
featured on "Five Way Street: A Tribute to Buffalo Springfield" a must-hear for
devoted Springfield buffs.
In recent years, Bill has been spotted lending an occasional guitar-slinging
hand to One Horse Town. Bill is currently a lead guitarist and backing vocalist
in the stable of Little Pink, fronted by the extraordinarily talented
singer-songwriter Mary Battiata.
Bill's forthcoming solo release, "Handful," is a collection of work drawing on
his broad range and diverse background including original rock, pop, and
bluegrass compositions. Scott McKnight, along with Naughty Pine's bassist, Tony
Flagg, and drummer, Steve Woerhle, provide the bulk of the musical support to
this CD. Also featured is the stellar playing of the Grandsons' Chris Watling
(saxophone, accordion) and Last Train Home's Dave Van Allen (pedal steel),
among others.
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