Bluegrass Today Profiles
Paul Williams with his family, Erdia Humphrey, and son, Richie Humphrey (November )
Many of us grew up singing the songs and listening to the music of the legendary, Paul Williams. Earlier this month while in Gatlinburg, TN for Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival, I had the privilege to sit down with the master and his family and learned little known details about his life and career.
Upon meeting his only child, Richie, he explained. &#;I am a Humphrey.&#;
Seeing I was a bit puzzled, Paul explained. &#;That&#;s my real last name. When I was 14 and Jimmy Williams was 16, we started singing together. Brother acts were really big at the time, so we became unofficial &#;brothers,&#; and called ourselves the Williams Brothers. The name just stuck.&#;
The pair played on the radio in Wytheville, VA.
&#;We auditioned and were hired to play with the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. I played guitar and am on all their RCA Victor Records,&#; the now year-old said.
After serving in the United States Air Force for 8 years (four active, four reserved), Williams began playing mandolin with Jimmy Martin. He went home with Martin in December It was there he m
Composed
The Copyright Office database credits Paul Williams with published compositions, co-compositions, or arrangements, including:
- “Ain’t God Good”
- “Deep River”
- “Mr. Engineer”
- “My Walking Shoes”
- “Old Fashioned Christmas”
- “One Kiss Away from Loneliness”
- “Prayer Bells of Heaven”
- “Pretending I Don’t Care”
- “Stormy Waters”
- “Theme Time”
Early Influences
- George Humphrey (father)
- Two brothers (both played guitar)
- Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys
- Sauceman Brothers and the Green Valley Boys
From the Archives
“[Recording with the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers,] I was about sixteen or something. I was devastated when we went into the studio and saw all these microphones and the set up and everything. I was quite nervous and I remember the A & R director for RCA Victor was a very large man, Steve Sholes. He would sit up in a control room with a full view of the studio and he would peer out at you. He talked pretty abrupt and loud and he’d turn that mike on and holler ‘Hold that! That ain’t gonna work.’ After we calmed down and sung one of the songs, we were quite tired of it! We kind of got to where we raced through it pretty quick. We did our ses
Paul Williams: A Luminary Legacy in Bluegrass and Gospel
Saturday, November 16,
"Big" Paul Williams, known by his birth name Paul Humphrey, is a beacon in the bluegrass and gospel music community [3]. With a career that has spanned decades, he has touched the hearts of many with his unique voice and incredible musical talent.
Bluegrass Today recently had the privilege of sitting with this early bluegrass legend, discussing his enriching journey in the music industry [1]. Williams has left an indelible mark from his inception in the music world to his fruitful career.
Alongside his accomplishments, the Victory Trio stands out. This group, led by Williams, is known for spreading good news through their soulful music. The band has traveled nationwide, performing in churches, festivals, and benefits, infusing spaces with joy and inspiration [2].
Though Williams has retired from touring with the Victory Trio, their legacy remains intact. While the specifics of a reunion are not mentioned in the provided search results, the mere mention of such an event would undoubtedly bring excitement to bluegrass and gospel enthusiasts around the globe.
In conclusion, Paul Williams a
Paul Williams &#; The Victory Trio
When you see or hear the name Paul Williams, the next thought will be of a quality person with a great voice and a smooth mandolin lick, using his talents to lift up the name of Jesus. Bluegrass fans love to hear great gospel tunes but if you want to feel bluegrass gospel, then Paul Williams and the Victory Trio are the real deal.
Paul&#;s love for music and the Lord began at the age of nine when his father bought him an “A” model Gibson mandolin to play in prayer meetings and church services. The love and dedication continue today with Paul and his great band traveling all over the country spreading the good news at churches, festivals and benefits.
Paul’s legendary career began with The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers in the &#;50s; he then went on to become one of Jimmy Martin&#;s Sunny Mountain Boys in the late &#;50s and early &#;60s. Paul did an extensive amount of song writing and recording during these years. Some of the songs he wrote during his time with Jimmy–“Don’t Cry To Me,” “Prayer Bells In Heaven,” and “I Like To Hear Them Preach It” to name a few–are considered bluegrass classics.
In August of , Paul’s life was changed foreve
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