Spanning
nearly 50 years, the music of Don Williams continues to connect adoring
fans around the world, reminding them of simpler times and traditional
country music. Now in 2019, Don celebrates two remarkable milestones;
first being the 45th anniversary of Don’s first #1 hit “I Wouldn’t Want
To Live If You Didn’t Love Me” and secondly being the first country
artist to tour post-death as his touring band will be performing live
with Don’s vocal and presence appearing via special technology.
“It has taken us over a year to get this show together,” says Don’s
longtime manager Robert Pratt. “Fans will experience something that is
truly remarkable as they will see performance footage of Don that has
rarely been seen and all of Don’s vocals were taken from live recordings
as they were performed around the world. In addition, I am honored that
Keith Urban is serving as the shows curator.”
In total, Don Williams’ illustrious career generated a total of 17 #1
Hits and 38 Top 5 Hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Charts. 2019 also
marks the 40th anniversary of his #1 hits “It Must Be Love” and “Love Me
All Over Again.” He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in
2010, and was best known for his straightforward, yet smooth
bass-baritone voice and soft tones which earned him the nickname The
Gentle Giant of Country Music.
Don Williams: Music & Memories of The Gentle Giant takes
its residency at Nashville’s famed Schermerhorn Symphony Center for
three nights starting October 31 and will reflect on the Country Music
Hall of Fame members music, accompanied by the Nashville Symphony.
Williams – (1939-2017) – was one of the earliest Country artists to take
their music globally. In addition to his North American success, The
Gentle Giant toured extensively throughout Europe and Africa and his
legendary songs reached all corners of the globe and continue to capture
the hearts of fans worldwide. His catalog is among the most streamed
music from his era.
Tickets for these shows are on sale via Ticketmaster and are also
currently available with Nashville Symphony season ticket packages at NashvilleSymphony.org, 615-687-6400 or the Schermerhorn Symphony Center box office.
About Don Williams:
Williams first came to prominence in the 1960s as a member of the folk
group The Pozo-Seco Singers. The trio recorded several hit records, with
the biggest being “Time.” By 1971, Williams had gone solo, and had
signed a publishing deal with Jack Clement. The Hall of Fame producer
was so taken with Don’s style that he offered him a recording contract
with his JMI Records in 1972. Early hits included “Atta Way To Go” and
“Come Early Morning,” as well as “We Should Be Together,” which became
his first Billboard top ten hit from 1974. He then moved to ABC / Dot
(Later MCA), where the hits increased. Tracks such as “Rake and Ramblin’
Man,” “Tulsa Time,” and “Nobody But You” helped to make him one of the
most-played artists on Country Radio in the 1970s and 1980s. He took
home the Male Vocalist of the Year trophy from the Country Music
Association in 1978, and notched his biggest hit in 1981 with “I Believe
In You,” which also crossed over to the top-30 on the Hot 100.
Subsequent moves to Capitol Nashville and RCA kept Williams o n the
charts into the 1990s, as he continued to play for huge crowds on the
road. His success in the United States is well-documented, but the music
of Don Williams has made him an international star – with followings in
such places as Africa, England and New Zealand. He has placed 52
singles in the top-40 on the Country charts in the United States, with
17 going all the way to the top spot. Williams was a member of The
Country Music Hall of Fame and The Grand Ole Opry. Williams appeared in
the films W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings and Smokey & The Bandit II with Burt Reynolds.