Singer remains true to country roots

By JENNIFER HARPER
summit daily news
July 14, 2005

SILVERTHORNE - Walker Williams may not like where country music is going, but that doesn't stop him from playing it every chance he gets.

"I'm not real crazy about all the country musicians that sound like rock or pop acts," he said. "I like to think I'm remaining more true to country music."

Williams will be bringing his band and his true brand of country music to the Silverthorne Pavilion at 8 p.m. today.

His father, an avid country music fan and musician, introduced Walker to country music, teaching him how to play the guitar and sing at the age of 6.

"I was raised on it. Country music was all around the house all the time," he said.

But when he reached his teen years, he turned away from his classic country roots, listening to musicians like the Eagles and John Denver. Then in the mid-80s, Williams heard country star Randy Travis.

"I credit Randy with turning me back on to country music," Williams said.

Williams left his full-time acting career doing film, television and musicals in Los Angeles in 1991, when he began a country music career as a solo artist. He eventually found a band that was losing its lead singer, which led to the formation of the Walker Williams Band.

He's released two albums, the second of which is composed of original songs. Williams wrote two of the songs on his first album and left the writing up to Nashville songwriters on his sophomore effort.

"As soon as I got married, the writing went out the window," Williams said. "I told my wife, 'You made me so happy I can't write.'"

Williams' days of heartache may be over, but he said he's ready to collaborate with other songwriters. Walker and his band's shows cater to the dance crowds, performing selections from Williams' CDs, covers of popular country songs, country rock and the occasional surprise tune from a variety of music styles.

Tickets for the show are on sale at the Silverthorne Recreation Center for $12 in advance and $15 at the pavilion today.

The Silverthorne Pavilion will open its doors at 7:30 p.m. tonight. The show starts at 8 p.m. For more information on the Walker Williams Country Dance, contact Becky Hodgell at (970) 262-7396.

 

Country boy comes to Colorado
summit daily news

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Allison McIntosh
October 14, 2004

SILVERTHORNE - Walker Williams is a country singer, but he's not your average country boy.

Born in Japan, Williams grew up as a self-described "Air Force brat," moving around the country to places like Arizona, Florida and New York until his family moved to Littleton for his high school years. He then spent eight years as an actor in Los Angeles before returning to Colorado to marry the love of his life, Tre, whom he met at his 10-year high school reunion.

Williams' father - a big country music fan and musician - introduced him to country music. He taught Williams how to play the guitar and sing at the age of 6.

"That was his music, and that's how I learned to sing, especially harmony," Williams said.

Williams was a full-time actor until 1991, when he began a country music career as a solo artist.

"It was a lot of work all on my own, so I pursued looking for a band," he said.

He was fortunate enough to find a band that was losing its lead singer, resulting in the addition of Rex Herring on keyboards and bassist Warren Plante. Through them, he met drummer Dickey Strickland, which led to the final addition, lead guitarist Dave Allen. With these musicians, Williams was able to form the Walker Williams Band.

Having already released one album, "Just Like That," Williams is looking forward to the release of a second album within the next month. The upcoming album was recorded in Nashville, Tenn., with resident musicians, and will include all original material except for Williams' rendition of the Burnin' Daylight song, "I Wouldn't Know." The band has been previewing some of the album's other songs in concert, including the humorous "Tequila Sheila" and ballad "Oh No," written by Eddie Killington.

Williams has such a following, his fans have been nicknamed Walker Stalkers. A few of them will probably come out of hiding tonight when the Walker Williams Band makes its debut appearance at 8 p.m. at the Silverthorne Pavilion.

"We are interested in Walker Williams because we are trying to reach out to residents in Summit County who like country music," said Maggie Butler, the pavilion's events and marketing office. "We also have a large following of people at the pavilion who love to dance, and Walker Williams has a huge dance following."

Williams' songs move to the two-step, three-step, cha-cha, waltz and swing, so avid dancers will have ample opportunity to get on the dance floor.

Williams is returning to Colorado following appearances this summer in Albuquerque, N.M., Cheyenne, Wyo., Flagstaff, Ariz., Denver and Mesquite, NV. He also played before President George Bush Tuesday at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, where he met the president and sat behind him as Bush gave his speech.

"I've been a lot of different places, and I really honestly wouldn't live anywhere but here," he said, "I'm not a native, but I'm as close as you can get."

Having been in Colorado for more than 18 years now, perhaps Williams is a country boy, after all.