 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
The Jeanette Williams Band (formerly "Jeanette Williams and Clearwater)" is proud to be the newest member of the Bell Buckle Records family. Performing a mixture of original, traditional, contemporary and gospel bluegrass, with an occasional classic country tune thrown in, they offer a variety of music sure to please any audience. Based in Danville VA, they have toured in the United States, Canada and Europe. Leading the way for the group is the talented vocalist Jeanette Williams, who began her singing career with a local country band performing at amateur recreations of the Grand Ole Opry. After joining the bluegrass band Clearwater in 1989, she quickly became one of the industry's most popular vocalists. She has been the recipient of a number of awards including being named the Virginia Folk Music Association's State Champion Female Vocalist. She was nominated for SPBGMA Female Vocalist in 2000 and 2001. A notable highlight for her was being invited to perform with The Dan Tyminski Band on the 2000 IBMA Awards Show. Jeanette is featured on all Clearwater recordings, along with 2 solo projects; Dreams Come True (1994), and Cherry Blossoms In The Springtime, (1999) which spent 9 months on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Bluegrass Survey Chart. The single "Break My Heart" reached the number 3 slot and "In His Arms" stayed at number one on the Bluegrass Now Gospel Truths Chart for 2 months. Jeanette has been featured twice in Bluegrass Now Magazine. First in the Gospel Profile column (Jan 2000), then as a cover feature in the August 2000 issue. Too Blue, JWBs 2002 release on Bell Buckle Records, showcases not only Jeanettes unique vocal stylings, but also her debut as a songwriter with her original "Things I Wish Id Said", and bassist on Marsha Bowmans original instrumental "Squirrel Tail". Since the release of that project, Jeanette has taken on the role of bassist for the band. Johnny Williams formed the band in 1989. He and Jeanette were married in 1991. Johnny manages the band in addition to playing guitar and singing lead and harmony parts. He also writes most of the bands original material, and was the 1998 and 1999 bluegrass division winner of the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest. His 1998 award winning song "Highway Eleven" is featured on the 1996 release Johnny & Jeanette Williams and Friends. The winning song for 1999 "What Will Become of Me" is featured on Jeanette's Cherry Blossoms in the Springtime release. Other artists including Rambler's Choice, New Classic Grass, and Larry Stephenson have also recorded his songs. Marsha Bowman, from Ararat VA, joined the JWB in June 2001. Formerly playing bass, she now fills the banjo slot, and contributes lead and harmony vocals. A multi talented musician, she also plays mandolin, clawhammer banjo, guitar and bass at various times during the band's performances. She grew up playing old time music with her parents' band, The Slate Mountain Ramblers. An award winning clawhammer banjoist and dancer, Marsha has a solo release on Flyin' Cloud Records entitled First Impression. The project, which is half bluegrass and half old time, showcases her talent on many different instruments as well as vocals. Stephen Fraleigh, from Raleigh, NC has rejoined the JWB after a 2-year absence. He plays fiddle, mandolin and guitar, and sings lead and harmony parts. The Akron Ohio native began his musical career early in life with a performance on The Grand Ole Opry at age 11. A former Virginia State Champion Fiddler, Stephen is an accomplished musician in many different styles of music allowing him to play flawless backup on one song, then move effortlessly into a blazing instrumental solo on the next. Stephen is featured on Jeanette Williams & Clearwater - Blue Ridge Mountain Sun, and Johnny & Jeanette Williams and Friends. For booking information, contact Stephen Mougin of Buckle Down Bookings at (931) 389-9694 or bellbuckle@cafes.net. Check out the artist's website: http://www.bellbucklerecords.com Track List: 1. Too Blue 2. I Ought To Know You 3. What You Gonna Do 4. Stormy Waters 5. Just One Year Ago 6. Don't Tell Me Stories 7. Things I Wish I'd Said 8. Squirrel Tail 9. Feeling Mighty Fine 10. Carolina Time 11. I Want To Go Where No One Knows Me 12. Mountain Way Of Life 13. The Blind Beggar 14. Love Grown Cold Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
|