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Keller Williams
VEGOOSE 2006 Multi
talented Keller Williams is literally a one-man jam band. His
fascinating live shows feature him solo on-stage with a Gibson
Echoplex Digital Pro looping unit, and he creates his backing loops
in the moment, building and improvising as he goes on his
custom-made ten-string guitar, and thanks to his equally as quirky,
upbeat, and semi-surreal songs (which he frequently weaves into
extended, half-improvised medleys) and his warm, friendly tenor
singing voice, Williams is an utterly unique performer whose musical
eccentricities don't keep him from being immediately accessible. A
native of Virginia, Williams received his first guitar at the age of
three, although he admits he didn't really learn to play it until he
was in his early teens. He attended high school in his hometown of
Fredericksburg, and began playing solo gigs when he was 17. He
discovered the new age guitar genius of Michael Hedges a year or so
later, and Hedges has been a lifelong influence on Williams'
approach to the guitar. Following a stint at college (he attended
Virginia Wesleyan College in Virginia Beach from 1988 to 1991,
majoring in theater) and frequent gigs in his hometown region, he
self-released a debut album, Freek, in 1994. Williams relocated to
Colorado the following year, and it was there where he met the
members of the progressive bluegrass band String Cheese Incident at
the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Williams ended up touring with the
group as an opening act in 1997 and again in 1998, even filling in
for a time as their bass player. A second solo album, Buzz, was
released in 1996. Williams eventually signed to String Cheese
Incident's label, SCI Fidelity, and released Spun in 1998.
Incredibly prolific, Williams has released nearly an album a year
ever since on SCI, all with one word titles. Breathe appeared in
1999, Loop in 2001, Laugh in 2002, Dance and Home in 2003, Stage in
2004, and Sight in 2005. Endlessly creative, innovative, and fun,
Williams is a fascinating artist, and his somewhat wacky take on the
world, coupled with his amazing and eccentric guitar talents, makes
him a refreshing performer.
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