Biography

Freeman & Williams Released February 7th; Release Party Set for Saturday February 11th at Heartwood in Abingdon, VA

Freeman & Williams, a new fresh sound from award-winning veteran performers, Jeanette Williams, Johnny Williams and Scott Freeman. This trio comes together with an arsenal of talent... all are accomplished musicians, vocalists and songwriters and bring these talents together to create magical sounds that move from old-time straight through bluegrass to old-time country music. Each artist brings tremendous talent to the table but when combined, the result is incredible. The group has completed their first recording for Mountain Roads Recordings, a self-titled release, Freeman & Williams hits stores today, February 7th, 2012. This album will showcase the group with original creations along with some well-known favorites and some not so well known classics.

Come join the CD Release Party on Saturday February 11, 2012 beginning at 6pm at Heartwood in Abingdon, Virginia. Heartwood, home of The Crooked Road, presents a perfect place to feature this great group and the music they make. Come see Johnny & Scott as they join Jeanette, who was selected this past weekend as the 2012 Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year at the annual convention and awards show for the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA, pronounced spig-mah).

Jeanette Williams, vocalist, bass player and award-winning songwriter, began her singing career in 1989, with a local country band performing at amateur recreations of the Grand Ole Opry. Since that time, she has been the recipient of a number of awards including holding the title of current 2012 SPBGMA Female Vocalist of the Year Award in the traditional category, a title she also held in 2009, she was named the Virginia Folk Music Association’s State Champion Female Vocalist, PICABO Entertainer of the Year (4 times), and PICABO Female Vocalist (4 times). She has garnered no less than 8 nominations for SPBGMA Female Vocalist of the Year and is a 2005 graduate of IBMA Leadership Bluegrass. Jeanette and Johnny have been fortunate to tour most of the USA, Canada and five foreign countries taking acoustic music around the world.

Jeanette has been featured in both Bluegrass Unlimited, Bluegrass Now magazines to name a few. She has recorded more than 10 projects, including the critically acclaimed 1999 Doobie Shea Records release, “Cherry Blossoms in the Springtime”, which spent 9 months on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Survey Album Chart. Her latest solo project “Thank You For Caring” rated high on the National charts also. She is featured on the Daughters of Bluegrass, "Back To The Well” album that earned group the prestigious IBMA Recorded Event of the Year Award in 2006 and on the group's 2008 album, "Bluegrass Bouquet." Notable guest on Jeanette’s CD’s include George Jones, Tony Rice and Tim Stafford. She has also appeared as guest on concerts with Alison Krause and Ralph Stanley!
Johnny Williams, a 2006 graduate of IBMA Leadership Bluegrass, plays guitar, shares vocal and emcee duties, and writes most of the band’s original material. An award winning singer and songwriter, he has been named Virginia State Champion Male Vocalist, PICABO Male Vocalist (twice), and PICABO Songwriter of the Year. He was the bluegrass division winner of the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest in 1998 & 1999. He penned three of the four songs that JWB recorded for “Bell Witch, The Movie” soundtrack. Rambler’s Choice, New Classic Grass, Larry Stephenson, Special Consensus, and Mark Newton have also recorded his songs. He has co-written with notable writers, such as Tom T. Hall and Dixie Hall. His 2009 solo release on Mountain Roads Recordings, Last Day of Galax, includes nine original compositions. He was featured in Bluegrass Now Magazine in the July 2004 “State of the Union” column. Johnny was President of the Dan River Region Bluegrass Association for 5 years, and produces many local music events. Johnny has been included on vocal workshops with John Hartford, Gillian Welch, Jim Lauderdale, Louisa Branscomb and Guy Clark. He currently produces and records with bands in varied genres of music but primarily bluegrass.
Scott Freeman - Mandolin, Fiddle & Vocals. He plays, arranges and writes songs, which have been recorded by some of the top touring bands in acoustic music. He has recorded three solo projects, “Southern Souvenirs”, “Friends For The Journey”, and “Carolina Welcomes You”, each showcasing his varied musical tastes. Scott spends his time now teaching fiddle and mandolin. He also tours and conducts workshops for the NCTA and folk festivals.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Karl S. Cooler
Mountain Roads Recordings
3192 Hwy 421, Bristol, TN 37620
karl@mountainroadsrecordings.com
(423) 878-4269

Johnny Williams
656 Loomfixer Lake Rd.
Danville, VA 24541
grasstank@mindspring.com
(434) 489-8080