Album Notes

South Carolinian Jack Williams, guitarist/singer/songwriter/storyteller, is outstanding among a handful of artists who - in skill, depth and integrity – stand head and shoulders above the many performers flooding today’s folk circuit. Among acoustic guitarists he is near-legendary. Having avoided the compro-mises of the commercial music industry during his 45+-year professional career, he prefers touring “under the radar”, playing concerts, large and small, week in, week out, from the sheer love of music and performing.
Jack is now a sought-after artist on contemporary acoustic - or "folk" - music stages. From his acclaimed appearances at the Newport, Boston, Philadelphia, Kerrville, New Bedford Summerfest and other folk festivals, his musicianship, songs, stories and commanding presence established him as an uncommonly inspiring and influential performer.
Jack's career has been nothing if not eclectic. He played trumpet in a jazz quartet in a beatnik coffeehouse in Seattle in 1959 - reading poetry to the audience during breaks. He learned banjo and mandolin to spice up folk groups in the 60's in Georgia. He played pedal-steel guitar in a country-rock band, and classical guitar/lute in a Renaissance ensemble. His skill with instrumental composition won him a national arts grant in 1967. This led to his later arrangements for other artists’ recordings (ie: Jonnell Mosser, The Malvinas, Mickey Newbury, others).

"The music on this DVD is drawn from original material, performed 'live' over the past twelve years - from small venues along my circuit to the mainstages of the Philadelphia and Kerrville Folk Festivals. Also included are two songs from a 1994 performance with my late partner, Texas songwriting legend Mickey Newbury. And finally, after many requests from fans, I have recorded the 'That's All Medley' that I end some of my concerts with - a wacky collage of songs and styles that span my music career." JW