Don Williams

For other people named Don Williams, see Don Williams (disambiguation).

Don Williams
Williams performing in 2006
Williams performing in 2006
Background information
Birth nameDonald Ray Williams
Born(1939-05-27)May 27, 1939
Floydada, Texas, U.S.
DiedSeptember 8, 2017(2017-09-08) (aged 78)
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, actor
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active1964–2006
2010–2016
LabelsColumbia, JMI Records, Dot, ABC, MCA, Capitol, RCA, American Harvest, Giant, Koch, Vanguard, Sugar Hill Records
Formerly ofPozo-Seco Singers
Websitewww.don-williams.com
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Army
UnitUnited States Army Security Agency

Donald Ray Williams (May 27, 1939[1] – September 8, 2017)[2] was an American country music singer, songwriter, and 2010 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He began his solo career in 1971, singing popular ballads and amassing seventeen number one country hits. His straightforward yet smooth bass-baritone voice, soft tones, and imposing build earned him the nickname "The Gentle Giant". In 1975, Williams starred in a movie with Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed called W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings.[3]

Williams has had a strong influence over a variety of performers of different genres. His songs have been recorded by singers such as Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, Ray Scott, Juice Newton, Leon Russell, Lefty Frizzell, Josh Turner, Sonny James, Alison Krauss, Billy Dean, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Lambchop, Alan Jackson, Tomeu Penya, Telly Savalas, Waylon Jennings, Pete Townshend, and Tortoise with Bonnie "Prince" Billy.[4] His music is also popular internationally, including in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Ukraine, India, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe.[5] In 2010, the Country Music Association inducted Don Williams into the Country Music Hall of Fame.[6]

  1. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Country Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 448/9. ISBN 0-85112-726-6.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Obit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Full List of Inductees » Country Music Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on March 31, 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-09.
  4. ^ Manage Domain Name Archived January 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Don Williams: Into Africa Archived October 3, 2006, at the Wayback Machine and Africa
  6. ^ 4 inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame Archived February 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine