Music Head Wrote:online listen
granddaughter of Hank Williams
and daughter of Hank Jr., but we won't hold that against her
backing vocal spots for Jakob Dylan and Jackson Browne
liked 3 tracks and disliked nothing
good album, makes my list
the clip was not one of my favorites, but it's ok
1.7 from me and a converted 2.1 from the pros at allmusic

from the album - Let You Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWlblefVj44

released Feb 5th, 2013



Bio - from allmusic

Most country artists talk about their long journey to Nashville, but Holly Williams was born
and raised in country music's capital. Most country artists speak of some music-loving elder
who almost made it, but Holly Williams comes from country royalty. Hank Williams was her
grandfather, Hank Jr. her dad, and Hank III her half-brother. Despite all this -- and a couple
songs she wrote at the age of eight -- when growing up Holly wasn't interested in music, and
dreamed of a career in modeling. Hank Jr. and Holly's mother had separated when Holly was
young, but in her teen years her father was taking his daughter to more of his shows. Perhaps
that's why, at the age of 17, Holly finally tried playing one of the guitars in the house.
Within a week she was writing introspective, somewhat dark, songs.

After graduating from high school, she gave herself a year to try the music business before she
would settle for college. Three months in Los Angeles to study piano, write songs, and attend
concerts by the Rolling Stones, Elliott Smith, and Neil Finn helped her focus. Her songs had
landed in the hands of Ron Sexsmith, who immediately offered Williams a support slot on his
European tour. By 2003 she had recorded and released her own EP, toured with Billy Bob
Thornton, and signed with Universal South. The label issued her debut full-length, Ones We
Never Knew, in October of 2004. A year later Williams was dropped by her label and later
involved in a serious car accident that required months of recovery. She returned in 2009 with
the album Here with Me and its hit single, "Keep the Change," both released by her new label,
Mercury. The album was critically lauded, but she parted ways with the label after touring in
support of it.

Williams began running her own clothing store in 2007. She took a couple of years off from
recording to get it running. Then she turned 30, and married her guitarist, Chris Coleman. When
she decided to record again, she opted to do it herself. The Highway is a self-financed and
self-released offering on Williams and Coleman's Georgiana Records label. Produced by Grammy-
winner Charlie Peacock, the 11-song set features guest appearances by Jackson Browne, Jakob
Dylan, Dierks Bentley, and Gwyneth Paltrow. A year in the making, it was released in early
2013.

Album Review - from allmusic

The Highway is singer/songwriter Holly Williams' first recording in over four years. It is also
her first self-released offering on her and husband/guitarist Chris Coleman's label, Georgiana
Records. Working with Grammy-winning producer Charlie Peacock (Civil Wars), Williams wrote or
co-wrote everything here. She hasn't made any remarkable stylistic changes; her songs are still
rooted deeply in Americana and country rock, and her poignancy as a songwriter is sharp as ever
-- check "Gone Away from Me," with Jackson Browne on backing vocals. What is different is the
sense of spaciousness and less-is-more aesthetic at play here. That's not to say her previous
two albums were steeped in excess, but she and Peacock understand that the organic sound of
musical instruments is enough to support her throaty, often mournful contralto. The rambling,
rocking, road song "Railroads" is a clear standout, as it reflects on the reasons for leaving
using Gothic American folk poetry that's jarring in its relationship to the tempo and electric
guitars. Likewise "Happy," which blends acoustic and electric guitars, cello, and atmospheric
keyboards. Sung from the point of view of one who has betrayed another and paid the price, it
drips with so much longing and regret, it's almost unbearable in its heartbreak and drama.
"Without You" is a midtempo ballad with a backing vocal by Jakob Dylan. It's a love song that
details the protagonist's life in the rearview mirror,along with its strange milestones, all of
which occurred before her beloved erased the miles of emptiness. Dierks Bentley guests on "'Til
It Runs Dry," which opens with a backwoods duet vocal that borders on country gospel. While the
melody sticks close to the traditional, Jerry McPherson's distorted slide guitar shifts that
focus just enough to add tension, while Coleman's organic drumming on floor tom, bass drum, and
tambourine set it on fire. On set closer "Waiting on June," Williams' protagonist has loved one
girl since he was ten. He tells their story as it moves from childhood to eternity. Williams
offers their story as if it were hers. Her vocal is backed by acoustic guitar and Coleman's lap
steel; Gwyneth Paltrow joins their voices on the chorus. Williams fully inhabits the songs on
The Highway. Peacock's organic, sometimes, limpid production makes damn sure that nothing gets
in between them, allowing the listener to have a direct, often powerful experience with both.

Track Listing

1. Drinkin'
2. Gone Away From Me
3. Railroads
4. Happy
5. The Highway
6. Without You
7. Let You Go
8. Giving Up
9. A Good Man
10. 'Til It Runs Dry
11. Waiting On June