Brooks
Williams hails from Statesboro, Georgia, the town made famous by
country-blues legend Blind Willie McTell. Ranked in the Top 100 Acoustic
Guitarists, he’s a mean finger-picker and a stunning slide guitarist. Plus, “he
has a beautiful voice,” says AmericanaUK, “that you just melt into.” Not one
easy to pigeon-hole, Brooks' music is the love-child of country-blues and
Americana. fRoots says, "Soulful Americana, full-on
blues and tasty rootsy grooves. He really rocks!”
He got his start in the clubs and bars in Boston USA (the same music
scene that years earlier sparked the careers of Bonnie Raitt and Chris Smither)
and from there he has toured in ever-widening circles for nearly three decades.
In 2013 Williams was nominated best male vocalist by the UK’s foremost
roots-music mavens, Spiral Earth. AmericanaUK says, “he has a beautiful voice
that you just melt into.” He’s also ranked in the Top 100 Acoustic
Guitarists. Over the years he has picked alongside Taj Mahal, John Hammond, Paul
Jones, Little Feat, Maria Muldaur, Shawn Colvin and Leo Kottke, to name but a
few.
His massive repertoire reads like a roots music Hall Of Fame. Classic
blues ranging from Bessie Smith to Memphis Slim, to compelling covers from the
likes of Dave Alvin, Buddy Miller and Mose Allison. “On top of all this,” writes
American Roots UK, “is his songwriting which stands comparison with virtually
any of his peers.” Rooted in tradition his songs are timeless. Utterly
contemporary they are wryly observed and relevant.
With twenty-two albums to his name, including “Brooks’ Blues” (2017),
“My Turn Now” (2016) and “Shreveport Sessions” (2014), and a vigorous touring
schedule, Williams is one of acoustic roots music’s guiding lights. From
festival stages to listening rooms, from Newport to Philly, Boston to Glasgow,
Cambridge to Belfast, London to Detroit, Brooks Williams is, says the San
Antonio Light, “a fret monster who has to be seen to be believed!”
"At the
top of his game, setting new standards and a fresh direction for the
blues." - Blues
In Britain
"Soulful
Americana, full-on blues, and tasty rootsy grooves."- fRoots
