Doug & Telisha

Artist Information

Biography

New Record Just Released 10/26/09!
Ghost of the Knoxville Girl
15 Weeks in the Americana Music Association top 40


“...Every now and again you run across something that just knocks your socks off. This was one of those times... It all combines to obtain near perfection...”
--Rod Ames, No Depression

“I love to hear artists developing from record to record/show to show, and the growth of Doug & Telisha Williams is here in their new CD, "Ghost of the Knoxville Girl." They now have the old-time, pre-70’s country, mountain & honky-tonk road house music all blended together into their own whiskey - open the jar and have a pull! The steel playing of Lloyd Maines on here makes this an absolute classic.”
--Darrell Scott

“That’s a great country record ya’ll have out."
-Jonathan Buchanan, WSM

Momentum has been steadily building for Doug & Telisha. The past two years have been filled with hundreds of shows, thousands of miles, and finally in October ‘09, a stunning new release. They’ve traveled from Florida to Oregon and Michigan to Texas, they’ve played with some of their most beloved heroes - Lucinda Williams, Darrell Scott, Charlie Louvin, and Joe Ely – and been on stage at Anderson Fair, Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour, The Birchmere, The Carolina Theater, Godfrey Daniels, Caffè Lena, The Bluebird Cafe, Madison Square Park and Floydfest. The new record, Ghost of the Knoxville Girl, has received rave reviews, been featured on hundreds of radio stations, and spent over two months (and still counting...) in the Americana Radio Chart Top 40.

When they are home, they live right in the middle of the places others only write about; where old time religion, superstition, run down bars, gravel parking lots and boarded up factories all mingle together. A place where in just one set, Doug & Telisha can still send audience members to their feet in applause, to their knees in prayer, and back to the bar to buy another beer.

“I have just listened to Doug and Telisha's new CD. I enjoyed it very much and I know you will too... You'll love it!”
-Charlie Louvin

Instrumentation

Telisha- Vocals, Mandolin, Bass,
Doug- Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Telecaster

We can also tour as a trio or full band - Hammond B3, Drums, and Pedal Steel

Discography

Doug & Telisha Williams: Ghost of the Knoxville Girl - No Evil Records - 2009

Doug & Telisha Williams: Rope Around My Heart- No Evil Records- March '06
No Evil: No Evil- Rythm Hill Records- 2003

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace

Audio

• Ghost of the Knoxville Girl
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• 20.2
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• Graveyard Train
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• Learning to Drink Whiskey
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• Bar Room Story
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• Bad Attitude
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• Rope Around My Heart
  Listen  

Lyrics

• West Wind
• I Wonder
• Nashville
• If My Heart
• Kitchen Light
• Learning To Drink Whiskey
• Ghost Of The Knoxville Girl

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• No Depression [+ Show ]
  

  I was invited to be on my friend’s radio show last Halloween night. It’s a great opportunity for the...I was invited to be on my friend’s radio show last Halloween night. It’s a great opportunity for the two of us to go a little crazy by spinning some of our favorite most obscure tunes we can find. We’re like a couple of kids in a candy store. However, our candy just happens to be in the form of music.
  
  We’re not limited to twang either. We play everything, from Amazing Rhythm Aces to Zappa. We have free rein and do practically anything we want (within the FCC’s guidelines, of course). I did play one song by Damon Fowler performing one of Billy Joe Shaver’s old songs, “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal”, which I had not heard yet. So Big ‘G’ apologized ahead of time to the good people at the FCC just in case Mr. Fowler added an expletive not contained in the original version. But Mr. Fowler remained true to the original tune and there was no need to worry. You get the idea, free rein.
  
  On this particular night as I entered the studio with the small box tucked under my arm and in the crook of elbow like I was holding a football, containing the music I hoped to play on his show, Big ‘G’ said, “I have some gifts for ya ‘Rebel’ Rod”, and he pointed down to a black swivel office chair.
  
  There on the chair were four or five CD’s and a white envelope. I’ll get to the other CD’s and the white envelope another time. But one of the CD’s jewel cases just sort of jumped out at me. It was Doug and Telisha Williams’ (www.dandtw.com) latest release on No Evil Records, Ghost of the Knoxville Girl.
  
  I finished another fun midnight to 2 AM gig with my friend and left the studio, got in my car, and immediately popped the CD into my CD player. I just couldn’t wait!
  
  Every now and again you run across something that just knocks your socks off. This was one of those times.
  
  The very first song, “Kitchen Light” captivated me from practically the very first note with some amazingly traditional pedal steel played by none other than Lloyd Maines. Mr. Maines is absolutely one of the best pedal steel players around, and if that weren’t enough, Telisha Williams’ voice joins in with one of the hottest, most twangy female voices I have heard since Rosie Flores came on to the scene way back when. Mr. Williams’ background vocals reside in the distant background where it’s just barely heard behind Telisha’s lead vocals. That’s they way it was written and it works. Not really harmonizing, just accompanying or maybe complimenting is a better word. At any rate, it all combines to obtain near perfection.
  
  The lyrics – “So you want me to forgive you, again/these things happen now and then. You played a game that no one wins and went and broke my heart again/so many times you let me down and your always runnin’ around/this time I won’t give in/no I won’t forgive you again”…and then, “Turnin’ out the kitchen light/I’m walking out into the night/this time I’m leavin’ you behind/and I’m not gonna change my mind/you made me say it before/but this time I’m closin’ that door/you say your cheatin’ days are through/Well there’s somethin’ I’m through with too.” Can anyone say, “oh hell yeah!”?
  
  Now it just doesn’t get any twangier than that. I was hooked on the record from the very first song and was astounded by what came next.
  
  “Graveyard Train” is the next track and is at the other end of the spectrum. Here I am expecting another twangy little tune, but instead I’m turned on to this rocking number with some incredible guitar work by Doug Williams and, if my ears served me correctly, the ever so reliable Hammond B3 played by Tom Berry (also plays accordion). Ms. Williams’ voice showed a lot of versatility as well by pounding out some powerful vocal work.
  
  I loved the contrast between the first and second tracks on the record. Come to find out, the entire record was laid out that way, and it worked brilliantly, creating its own rhythmic scheme throughout the recording.
  
  Speaking of contrasts; the third track on the record, “If My Heart”, is a simple acoustic tune with guitar and accordion accompanying Ms. Williams’s soft, almost whispering voice, singing a sad little romantic ballad. “So go away/I’ve made my last mistake/please don’t stay/please don’t stay/if my heart could just take one more heart break/ I’d give in to you, I’d give in to you”. The lyrics are very simple while remaining effective, never the less. Telisha Williams truly possesses an extremely beautiful, very versatile voice. Her voice is capable of twang, rock ‘n roll or romantic ballads, all of which are represented in the first three tunes on the CD.
  
  The opening three songs give the listener a very clear and precise representation of the record and it never strays from its path. In some cases I would say that isn’t a good thing, but not here. The entire record is somewhat outside the box while staying on course at the same time. This is clearly a difficult task to accomplish. However, the Williams’ achieve this goal almost seamlessly.
  
  The number five track, “Ghost of the Knoxville Girl”, is lyrically somewhat of a gothic sounding tune about the ghost of a girl who has been murdered in a crime of passion by her love. It’s a darkly stirring song of love gone completely wrong and the pain and anguish the title character experiences and is destined to undergo for an eternity. The drums played by Nathan Logan add to the mystery and eerie atmosphere of the tune. His pounding of the drums builds up to the point you believe he may eventually completely break through the skins of his instrument.
  
  This is a great record, and quite frankly, I don’t know how I could have missed it when it was released last month. The musicians all do a superb job on every track. The fore mentioned Doug and Telisha Williams, Lloyd Maines, and Nathan Logan, and Tom Berry are joined by Rod Capps, and Jonathan Byrd on electric guitar. Telisha also plays bass on the record.
  
  This is a wonderful compilation I would recommend to anyone. Especially those who are into roots type music. Thanks to Big ‘G’ for turning me on to it.
  
  ‘Rebel’ Rod says to definitely check this one out.
  
  

• Vin Scelsa [+ Show ]
  

  "I am playing the shit out of Doug and Telisha! I even went on line and bought a copy of their firs..."I am playing the shit out of Doug and Telisha! I even went on line and bought a copy of their first album, that's how much I like them."
  

• Evilneedles Review [+ Show ]
  

  This CD has got my 2010 off to a great start. Doug and Telisha Williams play American roots music th...This CD has got my 2010 off to a great start. Doug and Telisha Williams play American roots music that relies on tradition without ignoring modernity. Accompaniments such as slide guitar and upright bass combine nicely with the timbre of Telisha's warm voice. With Doug at the helm things sway towards the old outlaw sounds of Waylon, Willie, and Merle. The pronounced snare drum and vocal swagger on songs like Unrepentant Sinner's Last Prayer could go toe to toe with acts like Justin Townes Earle or early Lucero, while the gentler tunes call to mind Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline. From start to finish Ghost of the Knoxville Girl is one of the best modern roots albums I've ever heard. It goes to show you don't have to be on the Bloodshot roster to make a name in this scene.

• Performing Songwriter [+ Show ]
  

  The Virginia duo of Doug and Telisha Williams deliver honest, no-frills music on their first nationa...The Virginia duo of Doug and Telisha Williams deliver honest, no-frills music on their first national release. Part Texas honky-tonk, part mountain jamboree, 'Rope Around My Heart' moves seamlessly from bar rooms and freight trains to small towns and coal mines. Telisha’s vocals carry the twang of Steve Earle and Nanci Griffith, while Doug’s bluesy, country guitar conveys both rhythm and harmony.
  Standout tracks include the after-hours anthem “Bar Room Story” and the fast-paced “Bringin’ My Daddy Home Again” in which a lap steel convincingly mimics a train whistle as Telisha tells us, “You can ride a truck on down the road, you can fly on aeroplane/ But there ain’t nothing in this world like a mighty railroad train.” If you’re an Americana fan, let Doug and Telisha Williams tie a rope around your heart.
  

• Americana Highway [+ Show ]
  

  Thank goodness I listened to the cd “Rope Around My Heart” by Doug & Telisha Williams before I actua...Thank goodness I listened to the cd “Rope Around My Heart” by Doug & Telisha Williams before I actually met them. Recorded with some of the best musicians in Americana today (namely Darrell Scott, Dennis Crouch, Eamon McLoughlin, Kenny Malone, and Doug’s sister Becki Williams), the twelve tunes on this disc have a comfortable, familiar quality about them – tales of loves gone wrong, honky tonks, family disfunctionality, music industry sarcasm, and reflections about the “the good ol’ days”.
  
  The highlight of the cd is the title track – a true love song that’s as sweet of a story (girl meets boy, girl falls for boy, girl and boy live happily ever after) as the sweet sparkle in the voice of Telisha as she sings the tale.
  
  On the opposite end of the spectrum is “Shirt On A Rack” – a song that made me sad, made me cry, made me angry and made me cry again – all before the second verse began.
  
  This husband/wife duo from the hills of Southwest Virginia (not to be confused with South West Virginia) call their music “Fuel Injected Folk”. Which it is. But I’m hoping it will be called the first of many, many great collections of songs from this bright, energetic musical twosome.
  
  Oh, and why am I glad that I listened to the cd first and then meet The Williams’? By hearing the music first I decided to play it because I appreciated and enjoyed the honesty of the songwriting and the warmth of the singing. The merit of the music itself warranted some quality airtime.
  
  After meeting them in person, I became friends with Doug & Telisha and would have played their songs just because they are so sweet, real and fun. The fact that their music is so good is just a bonus.

• Americana Rhythm Music Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  Martinsville, VA is home to this husband and wife duo. Playing what they call “Fuel Injected Folk”,...Martinsville, VA is home to this husband and wife duo. Playing what they call “Fuel Injected Folk”, their new CD Rope Around My Heart is a fine addition to my Americana collection. At times Telisha’s voice sounds hauntingly like Natalie Merchant. There’s a depth to their songs that goes beyond the surface, and substance to their stories. They have an energy that grabs hold of you and pulls you in...

• Green Man Review [+ Show ]
  

  Coming from Southwest Virginia, Doug & Telisha Williams, formerly known as No Evil, present a superb...Coming from Southwest Virginia, Doug & Telisha Williams, formerly known as No Evil, present a superb, real homespun recording. This is their second recording, and Rope Around My Heart really is a superb Americana album that gently flirts with bluegrass and old timey rhythms. It grabbed my attention straight away. Most of the songs are written by the duo --10 out of the 12 tracks to be precise. It is delightful the way the second track, Iris DeMents' 'Our Town', fits with their own material. In fact this is one of the best covers I have heard. The other cover song on this album is a haunting version of the ever-popular 'Long Black Veil', which also has to be recommended. Apart from some fine vocal performances I was impressed by the musicianship, so it came as no surprise to find listed in the credits for guest musicians Darrel Scott on guitar, mandola, banjo, bouzouki, and slide instruments, Kenny Malone on percussion, Dennis Crouche on bass, Eamon McLoughlin on fiddle and Becki Williams adding harmony vocals.
  
  It was all recorded by Miles Wilkinson on the back porch of his house one warm day in July. It has just the right balance between vocals and instruments to make an outstanding folk recording, and the producer should get his share of the credit. Take a bow Miles!
  
  Doug and Telisha should be proud of this album: Nice, easy listening that won't offend anyone, and I mean that in the nicest possible way!

• Metro Pulse [+ Show ]
  

  They call their music “Fuel Injected Folk,” those powerful songs that only exist in Southern isolat... They call their music “Fuel Injected Folk,” those powerful songs that only exist in Southern isolation, where us mountainfolk can take off our shoes and ponder.” Since this husband-and-wife duo from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia cut their CD, Rope Around My Heart, they have been steadily climbing the Roots Music Review Folk Chart. Their success is easy to understand, because they both have voices that cry folk, which bleed the sweet Southern cadences that are hard to find today. Doug could out-ballad Bobby Helms if he wanted to, but he’s content keeping his vocals minimal, understated behind Telishia’s voice, which sounds like a polished Kitty Wells, cooing heartfelt ballads with an unassuming downhome charm.
  
  “A thousand broken hearts / Carry a thousand broken dreams / Over a thousand broken miles / In the city where everyone sings,” Telisha sings on “Nashville.” “They sit on the stage for four-hour sets / None of them have a hit song yet / Do you remember why you came?” We know why Doug and Telisha are here. They’re authentic. (K.C.)

• Roots Music Report [+ Show ]
  

  5 Stars! Doug & Telisha Williams’ newest CD, “Rope Around My Heart”, is a brilliant piece of artw...5 Stars!
  
  Doug & Telisha Williams’ newest CD, “Rope Around My Heart”, is a brilliant piece of artwork. This talented duo takes their folksy style of music and captivates the listener with it. Telisha’s clear-as-a-bell, resonant voice reminds you of a cool, crisp mountain morning and when Doug chimes in with his extraordinary harmony, the result is an absolutely beautiful sound, indeed.
  The two are incredibly in sync through each track – each supporting the other to create a synergism not often found. It is as though the two artists become one voice.
  Their songwriting is as dazzling as their singing. Ten of the twelve tracks are original tunes and those ten are both insightful and inspired.
  
  The instrumentation on the CD is right on. The acoustic guitar and fiddle provide the perfect backdrop and create a fusion of sound to complement the vocals and complete a very pleasurable listening experience.

• Music Matters Review [+ Show ]
  

  Recorded on the back porch of a Tennessee farmhouse, they sound a little South of traditional Appal... Recorded on the back porch of a Tennessee farmhouse, they sound a little South of traditional Appalachian, almost road-house at times but all acoustic. The duo has been singing together since high school, with Telisha playing mandolin and Doug playing guitar. Telisha has a strong clear voice that can swing with an honest twang or break your heart on a sad ballad. The harmonies are sweet no matter who is taking the lead. They are deservedly joined by stellar multi-instrumentalist Darrell Scott and other fine musicians on mandola, banjo, slide guitar, fiddle, upright bass and percussion. The duo has the confidence to record of Iris Dement’s signature “Our Town” in their own distinctive style. “Shirt On A Rack” visits darker places than the usual folk ballad with the unforgettable first lines, “Just a shirt on a rack in a thrift store, pulls a trigger inside of my head/ And those feelings come back in a frustrating swirl, and there I am again a helpless young girl/ Crying and alone in my bed.” One gets the feeling that national recognition is just around the corner for this charismatic duo.

Setlist

A typical set list consists mostly of originals with one or two Classic Country, Blues or Folk covers thrown in. (Think Patsy Cline or Hank Sr.) We usually do two 45 minute sets per night.

Basic Requirements

Calendar