Biography

Bio

Williamson Branch is a family band and, like most families, they are rich in tradition, ripe with potential, and diverse in taste. This family has a love for each other and music. That love makes each performance special. Williamson Branch plays music that is mostly bluegrass, sometimes country, often times gospel, but always fresh and exciting. Their vocals soar with a closeness that can only be found in blood relatives. Their instrumentation is impressive.Their laughter is contagious. Their clog dancing is exhilarating and their personalities are sparkling!

Kevin Williamson, recently nominated for Bluegrass Entertainer of the Year, has been playing music professionally for 35+ years. He has worked with the bluegrass bands, Glenn Duncan & Phoenix, Dave Evans & River Bend, The Country Gentlemen, and Farm Hands Quartet. Kevin was also a founding member of Redwing and Shadow Ridge. He provides Williamson Branch with driving rhythm guitar, Bluegrass Award winning & Grammy-nominated songwriting expertise, and lonesome lead & harmony vocals. Kevin says one of his most memorable musical experiences was playing guitar and singing with The Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe in the early 90's, in a small club near Nashville. "Monroe did a guest spot most Wednesdays. I sang with him there many times. But, one night, as I finished a song he grinned at me and said, 'You sing purty good there, boy.' to which I replied, 'Thank you Mr. Monroe.' He then said, 'you might have to come play the guitar with me.' I smiled and said, I might just cut my hair and come do that.' He grinned again and said, 'I'll cut it for ya!' The crowed then roared with delight."

Debbie Williamson has been performing for almost 20 years. Also a founding member of the band, Shadow Ridge, Debbie brings sweet lead & harmony vocals to Williamson Branch, along with her solid mandolin rhythm. The Baltimore Sun described her voice as, "cool and sweet as a mountain stream", and they were right. Debbie was also born to play the role of momma,and she does it well, shepherding her children at home and on the road. She fervently believes that 99% of the problems within the human condition can be cured by water - either sitting beside it or drinking it. The other 1%, according to Debbie, are easily dealt with by drinking Gatorade. Momma knows.


Melody Williamson is a fiddle & singing phenomenon at 16 years-old. She (as with the other Williamson girls) has been performing on stage since she was two. Her original song, There's No Country Here, has over half a million views on several internet sites and climbed to #15 on the independent country radio charts. Chosen for the last three years,Melody is one of about twenty youth from across the nation to be featured in the International Bluegrass Music Association's, Kids on Bluegrass showcase and she is also listed in the honorary group, Tomorrow's Bluegrass Stars. Her voice has a beautiful quality that is a rare gift in one so young. Melody's won many awards for both her fiddling and her dancing. She was also voted by the other members of Williamson Branch as, Most Likely to Sleep Through a Hurricane.

Kadence Williamson, at 13, sings the harmonies that are too high for anyone else in Williamson Branch. She is also a marvelous bass player. Her ukelele bass, or Ubass, is the ideal size for her. With her bass, she provides the perfect punch for the group. She's a champion clog dancer, and she plays the fiddle, too. She has recently been named to the roster of Tomorrow's Bluegrass Stars. Kadence' primary gift is her ability to meet people one on one. Often at her concerts, you can find Kadence minding the merchandise table, using that gift. When she grows up, Kadence would like to work with animals. For now, she just collects cats - at one time she had 10.


Caroline Williamson is 6. She can already play the fiddle, clog-dance and sing harmony. There aren't many 6-year-olds who can sing harmony! She has been winning audiences with her sassy version of Loretta Lynn's, You Ain't Woman Enough. She is the youngest member of Tomorrow's Bluegrass Stars. Caroline will tell you, in no uncertain terms, that, "She is the banjo player for Williamson Branch" - even though she doesn't know how to play a banjo, yet. Additionally, she plans to learn to play mandolin and guitar. So far, Caroline has never given anyone a reason to doubt that she will reach her goals.