SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW WITH DONNIE WILLIAMSON OF THE WILLIAMSONS

SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS

AN INTERVIEW WITH DONNIE WILLIAMSON OF THE WILLIAMSONS

Donnie Williamson has been a member of the Williamsons for their entire 40+ year career. He serves as the group's baritone vocalist, emcee, and manager. He comes from a musical family and has a rich history in Southern Gospel Music. I recently discovered the Williamsons not too long ago and became an instant fan of their incredible harmonies and energetic passion for the the Lord. The group is on the roster of Butler Music Group headed up by Les Butler, a prominent Southern Gospel radio promoter. I am a big fan and supporter of this label and its groups including the Williamsons. I contacted Mr. Williamson on Facebook and he gladly accepted my interview request.

So without further ado, here it is! Enjoy!

J. Gilmore: Hello Mr. Williamson! So, how did you get your start in Southern Gospel music?

D. Williamson: My mom and dad sang together as long as I can remember. It was just natural that my sister Tennie and I joined in when we were big enough. We made our first record in 1971 when my sister was about 12 and I was 14. J. Gilmore: Awesome! Who are your musical influences?

D. Williamson: When I was about 12 some friends took me to my first "big time" concert in Tulsa. On the program that night was The Happy Goodman Family, Rosie Rozell and the Searchers, The Dixie Echoes, and The Four Galileans. The Galileans tight, smooth harmony caught my attention. I caught the bug that night and still have it today! Another big influence (along with several quality local groups like the DeArmond Family, The Ambassadors, etc.) was when we were able to do a program with Bob Wills and The Inspirationals. Mr. Wills has been my hero ever since.

J. Gilmore: Great! What a list! Who is your favorite singer in Gospel or secular music?

D. Williamson: I am a big fan of Larnelle Harris but it is hard to select a favorite singer for me because I like so many different styles of music. I would have to say at the very top of my list though is my wife, Lisa Williamson.

J. Gilmore: Larnelle is an incredible vocalist as is your wife!! Who are your favorite groups? Past or present.

D. Williamson: Selecting a favorite group is also difficult because of personal changes. Of course I'm a big fan of just about any version of The Cathedral Quartet. I mentioned Bob Wills earlier and his group from the 70's with Curtis Elkins and Dale Shipley was top notch. Mixed groups like The Downings and The Speers come to mind as well. And I could never thank The Crabb Family enough for taking Gospel music back into places where it had often been forgotten. They are an amazingly talented family. J. Gilmore: Great groups!! Love the Cathedrals!! Speaking of great groups, describe the early days of the Williamsons.

D. Williamson: In the early days of The Williamsons every little church had a monthly singing and we would be there. The house would just about always be full. In those days there was a large group of people who loved and supported Gospel music, regardless of who was singing. That has changed today and people are more inclined to support their favorite groups. If they don't know the artist, fans today are more likely to stay home. In addition to Gospel singings my father, Woody Williamson, developed a ten night "Singing Revival" series. We would hold revivals and as he said, "We would have a lot of singing and a little preaching". They were somewhat successful back in the day. We had a great time doing it all!

J. Gilmore: What a rich history! I think you’re right about fans nowadays. What has been the best part of traveling with the group?

D. Williamson: If you ask just about any Gospel music artist why they do what they do their answer would be "to see the lost come to Christ". Most of us are evangelists at heart so I would have to say the best art of traveling with the group are the times we see the altars full and lost people are getting to know the Lord. Not long ago we actually sang for a youth rally (believe it or not) and at least ten teenagers were saved that night. That's the best part of traveling with the group.

J. Gilmore: That’s fantastic!! I love hearing stories like this! What is your favorite song to sing?

D. Williamson: I love all the material on our new CD Tell Somebody. We put an old Hemphill song on this project titled "That's When I Laid it All Down". I don't sing a lot of solos but I really enjoy singing that song. I also love singing our latest radio release "Shout". I think that song is going to do very well on radio. Some of my favorite time though is when I go to the piano and we sing some old classic hymns like "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand". Sometimes we will even take a few requests. These old songs became "classic" for a good reason and I love singing them. J. Gilmore: What a great song! What is your favorite Scripture verse?

D. Williamson: I remember when I was a teenager and was going through regular "teenager stuff" my mother, who everyone knew as Pinky, shared with me Philippians 4:8 and it taught me to focus and think on Godly things. Of course verses about being saved are paramount but this verse has helped me greatly in my day to day life since becoming a Christian.

J. Gilmore: Great words! What is something that people might not know about you?

D. Williamson: People might not be aware that I have been an embalmer and funeral director for over thirty years! I've often said that was how I supported my Gospel singing habit. J. Gilmore: Wow! That’s interesting! What is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your years of singing Gospel music?

D. Williamson: I have so many. I can remember when we got back our first album back and I would sit and listen to it over and over again. We had arrived! In 2010 at The National Quartet Convention a fellow came up to me out of the blue and said they wanted us to sing on the main stage of the convention the next night. I'll never forget how excited my wife Lisa and our bass singer Darin Hebert were. Finally, just a short time ago we were the featured artists on Paul Heil and The Gospel Greats. I'm older than my wife so I grew up listening to The Gospel Singing Jubilee on Sunday mornings. Lisa and her family listened to Paul Heil. I'll never forget the look on Lisa's face when we got the word that we were to be featured on his show. I believe there were a few tears of joy shed that day. Those things make great memories.

J. Gilmore: Awesome! Any advice for aspiring Gospel artists?

D. Williamson: I always tell young artists seeking advice to learn their craft well. One thing that I feel has hurt Gospel music (generally speaking) is an over abundance of poor quality singing. If you are going to go outside your local church and present the Gospel to the public do your best to do it well. I realize God is happy with a joyful noise but people are a little more difficult to please. Even more importantly know the One you are singing about.

J. Gilmore: Great advice! What can fans expect from the group this year?

D. Williamson: I think 2015 will be a great year for The Williamsons. Our new project Tell Somebody is catching a lot of positive attention. Our first radio release "It Was the Word" went to #5 on the Singing News chart, #3 in Absolutely Gospel, and #2 in Scoops. Hopefully our new release "Shout" will do at least as well. We are once again a part of The Southern Gospel Picnic at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. I believe it to be one of the greatest events in the country. This will be our first year in Echo Hollow featuring The Williamsons and Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, so I see bigger and better venues ahead. We also have entered in to a management agreement with Les Butler and The Butler Music Group. He is helping so much in several areas where I have been lacking over the years. But what I hope to expect is to see more lost folk come to Christ and more Christians uplifted than and any time in The Williamsons 45 year history!

J. Gilmore: That’s fantastic!! Thanks for your time! Looking forward to seeing all you do this year!

For more information on Donnie and the Williamsons, visit their website: http://williamsonsmusic.com/

Also visit Bulter Music Group at their website: http://butlermusicgroup.com/