I know Amanda Williams as the songwriter who has led several writers’ round style shows around town – but I had no idea that she had learned from the best while just a kid! I sat down with Williams recently to get her full story, and talk about what she’s doing now.
Williams was born in East Tennessee, but her family moved to Nashville while she was still a kid. Her father, Kim Williams, had been writing songs for years and finally found success in Nashville in the early 1990s, writing or co-writing hits like Ain’t Goin’ Down ‘Til the Sun Comes Up, Papa Loved Mama, and more.
So in a sense, Amanda Williams was born into a songwriting environment. She had initially wanted to study herbal medicine, but instead got a degree in music business from the Berklee College of Music. She was in a band in college, and got right back into the music scene here when she moved back to Music City after graduation. She’s had record deals and publishing deals, but she’s happy to focus more on writing than touring so she can be at home with her kids.
Over the years, Williams has played hostess to several songwriters’ nights here in Nashville, which have helped artists like Trent Tomlinson and Steel Magnolia get discovered.
Recently she has teamed up with her father to create Hillbilly Culture, which she calls an “enhanced” publishing company. The company offers educational opportunities to its writers, including retreats and articles and interviews from top songwriters. While those things educate aspiring writers on how to write, another main focus is to educate them on their rights and opportunities. Williams says, “the point of publishing shouldn’t just be (for the songwriter) to get a copyright, but to use it to make money.”
In addition to writing, Amanda Williams has been releasing singles lately. She hopes to compile the best ones into an album at some point, to sell at her shows. She’s recently performed at Wednesday Night Wags, The Oasis Center, and Alive Hospice. She’s also being featured next month on Words & Music, a songwriter showcase on NewsChannel 5.
Hillbilly Culture is sponsoring a set during Tin Pan South, with Tommy Barnes, Randy Boudreaux, Kim Williams, and Amanda Williams.
What: Amanda Williams at Tin Pan South
When: Friday, April 1st at 6:30pm
Where: The Listening Room Café
Cover: $8
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