Hayward Williams

Hayward Williams is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Originally from Waukesha, Wisconsin, he now lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is an active recording artist and producer.

Biography

Hayward Williams
Birth nameJohn Hayward Williams
Born (1981-02-25) February 25, 1981 (age 43)
Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States
GenresAmericana, alt-country, folk, rock
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, bass guitar
Years active2001–present
LabelsMachine Records, Continental Record Services
Websitehttp://www.haywardwilliams.com/

John Hayward Williams began playing and composing music at the age of 13 on his mother's 1964 Gibson LG guitar.[1] In 2001, Williams quit his studies at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire to join the award-winning Milwaukee-based band Exit, named Wisconsin Band of the Year in 2004 by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry.[2][3] Lending bass guitar and vocals to the band's hook-driven pop catalogue, Williams traveled the Midwest circuit and around the country with Exit.

In 2002 Williams independently released Manoverboard, a solo project recorded under a pseudonym, which allowed him the opportunity to play solo engagements throughout the region and served as the foundation for Uphill /Downhill, his 2005 debut under the name Hayward Williams.[4][5] He soon began touring nationally and internationally, including the 2007 Take Root Festival in Groningen, Netherlands in support of his album Another Sailor's Dream (Machine Records).[6] His 2012 album Haymaker was the result of a successful Kickstarter project and was released on Continental Record Services.[7][8]

Williams' influences range from 60s singer-songwriters, Bruce Springsteen, and Van Morrison, to Stax-style horns and American soul and folk.[9][10][11]

As a collaborative artist, Williams has often performed nationally and internationally with singer-songwriters Kris Delmhorst, Peter Mulvey, and Jeffrey Foucault.[12][13] In 2019 with musician John Hardin, Williams formed the duo Coyote Brother and released the eponymous album.[14] Williams also produced and performed on Hardin's 2016 album The Piasa Bird.[15]

Williams' album Every Color Blue was produced during the 2020 lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and features contributions from artists such as J. Hardin and John Statz that were recorded remotely.[16][17][18] Performances from the album by Williams were featured on Milwaukee Public Radio in August 2020.[19]

Williams lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his wife and three children.[20][21]

Discography

Solo albums

  • 2005 – Uphill/Downhill
  • 2007 – Another Sailor's Dream (Machine Records)
  • 2009 – Cotton Bell (Machine Records)
  • 2012 – Haymaker (Continental Record Services)
  • 2014 – The Reef
  • 2017 – Pretenders
  • 2020 – Every Color Blue

EPs

  • 2005 –Trench Foot

Coyote Brother

with J. Hardin

  • 2019 – Coyote Brother (2019)

References

  1. ^ "Hayward Williams delivers 'Haymaker' through generosity". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  2. ^ "Hayward Williams delivers 'Haymaker' through generosity". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  3. ^ "FolkLib Index - 2004 WAMI Award Nominees & Winners". www.folklib.net. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  4. ^ "Hayward Williams – Free listening, concerts, stats, & pictures at". Last.fm. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  5. ^ "Hayward Williams". OurStage. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  6. ^ "Take Root 2007 informatie op Festivalinfo". www.festivalinfo.nl. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  7. ^ "Hayward Williams New Album by Hayward – Kickstarter". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  8. ^ "Hayward Williams delivers 'Haymaker' through generosity". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  9. ^ Levy, Piet. "8 Milwaukee albums and songs you have to hear in September, from Lorde Fredd33, Reyna and more". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  10. ^ "Hayward Williams Preview : Illinois Entertainer". Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "Album reviews: Hayward Williams, Arctic Sleep and more". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  12. ^ Nichol, Alan (April 8, 2015). "Americana acts Kris Delmhorst and Hayward Williams team up for Live Theatre gig". ChronicleLive. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  13. ^ Deb (July 27, 2016). "Jeffrey Foucault & Kris Delmhorst 11-18-16 - Narrows Center for the Arts". www.narrowscenter.org. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  14. ^ Moore, Andy (January 2, 2020). "Separated at birth?". Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  15. ^ Moore, Andy (December 1, 2016). "Returning from self-exile". Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  16. ^ Infante, Victor D. "Hayward Williams delivers smouldering 'Every Color Blue'". The Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  17. ^ Maas, Tyler (August 19, 2020). "Hayward Williams pushes back against the darkness with vibrant, soulful 'Every Color Blue'". Milwaukee Record. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  18. ^ "Milwaukee Singer Hayward Williams Releases New Album In Lockdown". WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  19. ^ "Milwaukee Singer Hayward Williams Releases New Album In Lockdown". WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  20. ^ "Hayward Williams - About". haywardwilliams.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  21. ^ Moore, Andy (September 9, 2020). "Music for troubled times". Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved October 13, 2022.