Songwriter Holly Williams is set to release her third album, 'The Highway", February 5 on her own Georgiana label.Holly co-produced the album with Charlie Peacock (The Civil Wars). "The Highway" includes Dierks Bentley, Jakob Dylan, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jackson Browne adding their unique backing harmonies, but as always, it is Williams who steals your heart.
Williams songwriting and voice express the gift of touching the spirit and soul. She can be haunting and emotive, and all the while vulnerable. Her lyrics are real and relatable, and immediately engaging to listeners. Holly's talent doesn't come as much of a surprise given her pedigree. The granddaughter of the legendary Hank Williams Sr., daughter of Hank Jr., and half-sister to Hank Williams III. In fact, she has spent as much time trying to live down the weight of these expectations as she has living up to them. Her music speaks volumes for her abilities and the grace she carries within.
This week Williams sent an email to her fans about the new record:
Hello to all!! I'm SO thrilled to be releasing my new record "The Highway" on February 5th on my own label, Georgiana Records. It has been a long time in the making...
I worked with the brilliant producer Charlie Peacock and a few special guests such as Jackson Browne and Dierks Bentley stopped by to sing with me! You can watch the new album trailer here!
I've missed the highway, which is what I wrote the title track off of this record all about. I can't wait to get back out there on the road! I'll be playing headlining shows, and will also be opening for fabulous ladies such as Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and doing a theater tour with Jewel. Be sure to follow me on facebook or twitter, and check back at www.hollywilliams.com for exclusive updates. We're adding new shows everyday...
I'll be playing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno next Wednesday the 30th, so mark your calendars!
I also recorded an exclusive live session for Noisetrade! It includes new songs, old songs, and one of my favorite songs ever from the brilliant Mr. Tom Waits, 'Hold On'.
Hope to see all of you out on the road very soon! I'll be posting plenty of my travel ramblings on my blog at www.theafternoonoff.com.
xoxo Holly
After a near brush with death via an auto accident a few years back, Williams dove into her love of fashion, opening her own boutique. Still her passion for music continued to call to her. Last January she entered the studio to record "The Highway", which she stated feels much like her first album on many levels. What was different this time around?
"Blood, sweat and tears. This was my baby, there were plenty of sleepless nights, and there was a lot of confusion because I was still writing in the middle of recording. I wasn’t fully prepared with all of the material when we started the record in January. But I had to keep pushing. I’ve owned my clothing store for five years now, it’s running on it’s own with a great staff so I’m not there on a day to day basis, other than handling the buying. We moved into our first house, I’m married to an amazing man, I’ve got two Labradors that I love, and I’m truly settled for the first time in my life. That is what the song “Without You” is about. When you get settled, your focus gets really clear.
"I didn’t have that for my last two records. I was younger-traveling all over in planes, trains and automobiles. Touring Europe with a backpack and exploring the world. Chasing boys, worried about things that didn’t matter.
"Some artists come into their own at a really young age, look at Jackson Browne writing 'These Days' at the age of 16. Talk about brilliance and focus!
"It took me a little longer, but I wouldn’t trade that amazing journey for the world. I finally know why I love to connect on a more intimate level in a theatre than in a bigger venue, why I’m writing the songs that I write and saying what I want to say, exactly where my voice can go. It feels good to finally get really comfortable in your own skin as an artist."
This week Holly aired her newest music video for the track, "Drinkin'" which can be viewed below. About the video, Williams offered: "It was filmed in a writing shed in the backyard with good friends, good wine and some killer upright bass..."
To give fans and newcomers a taste of what's to come, Williams has offered up a free Noisetrade sampler which includes six tracks, including five acoustic performances. You can download your free copy here.
You can pre-order "The Highway" right now on Amazon, iTunes, and at www.hollywilliams.com.
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