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Acoustic Roots Musician Brooks Williams Returns
By Janice Hanson
Posted: 2019-12-06T04:41:00Z
Brooks Williams is really the proverbial triple threat: a fiery guitarist, a smooth-as-silk vocalist, and a stunning songwriter. He has been ranked in the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists and was nominated best male vocalist by the UK folk roots website Spiral Earth in 2014. 

Originally from Statesboro, Georgia, Brooks spent many years in New England before moving to England where he now resides. I first saw him in Vermont more than 25 years ago – and still have an autographed CD in my collection from 1994.

I’ve been keeping tabs on his career ever since and I’m really looking forward to having him here in Rochester for a Golden Link concert on Friday, December 6 at 7:30 pm.

Brooks’ music is hard to categorize. His massive repertoire spans Americana and blues – like “Trouble in Mind” and “Deep River Blues” – as well as compelling covers from the likes of Dave Alvin, Buddy Miller, and Mose Allison. His own songs are thoroughly alive with clearly drawn characters like Frank Delandry and Evil Knievel.

As his press bio says, imagine Doc Watson, Willie Nelson, Lonnie Johnson, and Blind Boy Fuller sitting in a bar having a jam, and you’re almost there.

His 2018 album Lucky Star includes originals that have quickly become fan favorites – like “Gambling Man,” and “Jump that Train” – and inspired covers like “Rock Me” (Sister Rosetta Tharpe) and “Going to New Orleans” (Walter Hyatt). We’re in for a real treat Friday night!

Looking ahead, plans are in the works for the January Jamboree with The Cadleys and The Brothers Blue on Saturday, January 25, 2020. It will be like a mini-festival to warm up a cold night – starting with a harmony singing workshop in the afternoon with The Brothers Blue, then a sing-around/jam session and a pre-concert supper. Plan to come early to join in the fun!

Keep on singing!

– Janice Hanson

Janice Hanson is Concert Chair of the Golden Link Folk Singing Society, which was founded in 1971 to present, promote, and preserve folk music in the Rochester area.