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Donald Ray Williams (May 27, 1939

(1993). 9780851127262, Guinness Publishing.
– September 8, 2017) was an American singer, songwriter, and 2010 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He began his solo career in 1971, singing popular ballads and amassing 17 number- one country hits. His straightforward yet smooth voice, soft tones, and imposing build earned him the nickname "The Gentle Giant". In 1975, Williams starred in a movie with and called W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings.

Williams has had a strong influence over a variety of performers of different genres. His songs have been recorded by singers such as , , Ray Scott, , , , , , , , , , Lambchop, , , , , , and Tortoise with . Manage Domain Name 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. Don Williams: Into Africa and Africa In 2010, the Country Music Association inducted Don Williams into the Country Music Hall of Fame. 4 inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame


Early years
Williams was born the youngest of three sons, on May 27, 1939, in Floydada, Texas, United States. His parents were Loveta Mae (née Lambert; 1914 – 2007) and James Andrew "Jim" Williams (1898 – 1982).Texas Birth Index 1903-1997 He grew up in Portland, Texas, and graduated from Gregory-Portland High School in 1958. After Williams' parents divorced, Loveta Williams remarried, first to Chester Lang and then to Robert Bevers.Texas, Marriage Index, 1824-2014

On July 20, 1963, Williams' eldest brother Kenneth died from when he accidentally touched a live wire. He was 29 years old.Texas Death Certificates, 1903-1982

Prior to forming the group Pozo-Seco Singers, Williams served with the United States Army Security Agency for two years. After an honorable discharge, he worked various odd jobs to support his family and himself.

With the Pozo-Seco Singers, Williams, alongside and Lofton Cline, recorded several records for . He remained with the group until 1969; it disbanded the following year.


Solo career
After the Pozo-Seco Singers disbanded, Williams briefly worked outside the music industry. Soon, however, Williams resumed his career in music. In December 1971, Williams signed on as a songwriter for with Jack Music Inc. In 1972, Williams inked a contract with as a solo country artist. His 1974 song "We Should Be Together" reached number five, and he signed with . "Facts about Don Williams" .Don Williams.com. Retrieved September 20, 2017 At the height of the country and western boom in the UK in 1976, he had top-40 pop chart hits with "You're My Best Friend" and "I Recall a Gypsy Woman". "UK Charts history: Don Williams". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 8, 2017

His first single with ABC/Dot, "I Wouldn't Want to Live If You Didn't Love Me," became a number-one hit, and was the first of a string of top-10 hits he had between 1974 and 1991. Only four of his 46 singles did not make it to the top 10 during that time. "Country music’s ‘Gentle Giant’ Don Williams dies at 78". Theirishtimes.com. Retrieved September 20, 2017

"I Believe in You", written by Roger Cook and , was Williams' 11th number one on the country chart.Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 386. It was his only top-40 chart entry in the U.S., where it peaked at number 24. It was also a hit in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 680

Williams had some minor roles in Burt Reynolds movies. In 1975, he appeared as a member of the Dixie Dancekings band in the movie W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings, alongside Reynolds. Williams also appeared as himself in the Universal Pictures movie Smokey and the Bandit II, in which he also played a number of songs. Music Hall Of Fame Great Don Williams Passes. MusicCrow.com. Retrieved September 20, 2017

Early in 2006, Williams announced his "Farewell Tour of the World" and played numerous dates both in the U.S. and abroad, wrapping the tour up with a sold-out Final Farewell Concert in Memphis, Tennessee, at the Cannon Center for Performing Arts on November 21, 2006. In 2010, Williams came out of retirement and was once again touring.

In March 2012, Williams announced the release of a new record, And So It Goes (UK release April 30, 2012; U.S./Worldwide release June 19, 2012), his first new record since 2004. The record was his first with the independent American label Sugar Hill Records. The record includes guest appearances by , , and . To accompany the release, he embarked on a UK tour. A much-loved country artist among British fans, he had his final UK tour in 2014. Don Williams: Country music's Gentle Giant". The Telegraph. Retrieved 8 September 2017

In March 2016, Williams announced he was retiring from touring and cancelled all his scheduled shows. "It's 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," he said in a statement.


Personal life and death
Williams married Joy Janene Bucher in April 1960. They had two children.

On September 8, 2017, Williams died in Mobile, Alabama, of emphysema. Don Williams, Country's 'Gentle Giant,' Dead at 78. Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 8, 2017


Awards and nominations

Academy of Country Music Awards
|- |rowspan=2| 1979 |Don Williams |Top Male Vocalist of the Year | |- |"" |Single Record of the Year | |- |1980 |rowspan=2| Don Williams |rowspan=2| Top Male Vocalist of the Year | |- |rowspan=4| 1981 | |- | I Believe in You |Album of the Year | |- |rowspan=2| "I Believe in You" |Single Record of the Year | |- |Song of the Year | |- |1982 |Don Williams and |Top Vocal Duo of the Year | |- |1983 | Listen to the Radio |Album of the Year | |- |2007 |Don Williams |Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award | |}


Country Music Association Awards
|- |1976 |rowspan=3| Don Williams |rowspan=3| Male Vocalist of the Year | |- |1977 | |- |rowspan=2| 1978 | |- | Country Boy |Album of the Year | |- |1979 |rowspan=2| Don Williams |rowspan=2| Male Vocalist of the Year | |- |rowspan=2| 1980 | |- |"Good Ole Boys Like Me" |rowspan=2| Single of the Year | |- |rowspan=3| 1981 |"I Believe in You" | |- |Don Williams |Male Vocalist of the Year | |- | I Believe in You |Album of the Year | |- |1982 |rowspan=3| Don Williams and |rowspan=3| Vocal Duo of the Year | |- |1983 | |- |1984 | |}


Discography

Albums
  • 1973: Don Williams Volume One
  • 1974: Don Williams Volume Two
  • 1974: Don Williams Vol. III
  • 1975: You're My Best Friend
  • 1976: Harmony
  • 1977: Visions
  • 1977: Country Boy
  • 1978: Expressions
  • 1979: Portrait
  • 1980: I Believe in You
  • 1981: Especially for You
  • 1982: Listen to the Radio
  • 1983: Yellow Moon
  • 1984:
  • 1986: New Moves
  • 1987: Traces
  • 1987: One Good Well
  • 1990: True Love
  • 1992: Currents
  • 1995: Borrowed Tales
  • 1996: Flatlands
  • 1998: I Turn the Page
  • 2004: My Heart to You
  • 2012: And So It Goes
  • 2014: Reflections


Songs written

External links

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