Posted on 09/08/2017 4:05:08 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Don Williams, who began a long career in country music as a Nashville songwriter in the early 1970s and who entered the Country Hall of Fame in 2010, died today following a short illness at his home in Alabama, a publicist confirmed to NPR. He was 78.
Williams topped country charts with regularity through the '70s, in songs characterized by an easygoing, Sunday-afternoon air and delivered with a smooth voice that walked the seam of a porch-front baritone and stage-ready tenor. The sentiment that drove much of Williams' country was a rakish positivity, best remembered in his biggest song, 1981's "I Believe In You":
"Well, I don't believe that heaven waits / For only those who congregate / I'd like to think of God as love / He's down below / He's up above / He's watchin' people everywhere / He knows who does and doesn't care / And I'm an ordinary man / Sometimes I wonder who I am / But I believe in love."
Born in Texas in 1939, Williams began playing guitar as a teenager, and played in various groups around Portland, just across the bay from Corpus Christi. After a move to Nashville around 1969, Williams began penning songs for another country legend, "Cowboy" Jack Clement, and his newly formed JMI Records in 1971. Three years later, Williams was a recording artist in his own right, topping the country chart with "I Wouldn't Want to Live If You Didn't Love Me," properly kicking off his career and becoming a regular fixture on those charts from then on. (By 1980, his footprint had grown such that he played himself, and performed his own songs, in the Burt Reynolds vehicle Smokey and the Bandit II.)
In a time of volume and digital precision, his smooth, salt-of-the-earth recordings are a respite. In early 2016, Williams announced it was "time to hang my hat up and enjoy some quiet time at home. I'm so thankful for my fans, my friends and my family for their everlasting love and support." Not more than a year later Williams' legacy spurred a tribute album, The Gentle Giant, featuring covers of his songs by Garth Brooks, Keb' Mo', Chris Stapleton and Trisha Yearwood, among others.
Williams is survived by his wife Joy, songs Gary and Timmy, three grandsons and one granddaughter.
Probably one of the most underrated, underappreciated country singer/songwriters to ever come along. All the great ones are fading away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAAeF9R8JuQ
“Wouldn’t Be a Man” was quite heated. Ne Zot, I think I was still a teenager then.
That one is my favorite! RIP, Don Williams!
Loved that song by Don Williams.
RIP, Don.
It doesn’t look like his talent never really faded as he aged. Here, in 2013, he sings about Burt Reynolds
https://youtu.be/gW3ca7krkz8?t=1m3s
Thanks for the post. I remember that song. RIP Don Williams.
Sounds like a sweet old country gospel type song.
Still sifting through the wrath of Harvey. Puts a lot into perspective.
That was more my father-in-law than my father (and my father-in-law wasn't looking to hear from me). My father was never a phone person: his hearing started going in his 40s, and he wouldn't learn to email, so it was U.S. Mail.
Prayers up for you and your family. This too shall pass...
Probably one of the most underrated, underappreciated country singer/songwriters to ever come along. All the great ones are fading away.
That is fact
We saw him in Las Vegas years ago at the Boulder Station Casino.
He was wonderful and he had a great backup Band.
It may have been his final Tour as I recall.
RIP Mr. Williams.
Thanks and thankfully agree!!
A really good song hits a lot of people where they live.
WTF do you have against Willie? Asshole.
I listen to a classic country station on Comcast...Don Williams was always on there. Seemed to be such a sweet, gentle giant. Godspeed.
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