Sharrie Williams The Princess Of Rockin' Gospel Blues
Saginaw, Michigan, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1997 | INDIE | AFM
Music
Press
"Pool cues hung in midair as players stopped their games to check the onstage action at Buddy Guy's Legends. At the far side of the Chicago blues club, a surge of folks - some fans, some tourist, some simply curious about the sounds escaping each time the heavy glass doors swung open - found themselves packed like sardines in a standing room-only crowd...on the night's menu was Sharrie Williams ...The crowd screamed for "More! More! More!" - Sue White
"Next up was the beautiful and talented Sharrie Williams...Sharrie is a real deal Blues and gospel singer but no one would ever call her a Blues diva as she is just too much of a sweetheart to be called that. If you have not seen this great singer, put Sharrie on your MUST SEE list." - Blues Blast Magazine Issue 7-45, November 14, 2013
"Singer Sharrie Williams is one of the greatest living voices in music in any of its genres & styles." - Festival Internacional Canarias Jazz 2013
"Among her life's many adversities, she has prevailed over drug addiction and a physically abusive relationships. Many
of us would buckle if we had to face similar obstacles. However, Williams - a charismatic entertainer who performs music with a
message - overcame them and developed into a stronger person...it instilled a burning ambition within her that reveals itself in her
refreshing performances and stomping songs." - Blues Revue Magazine
“Sharrie brings to a song a unique freshness, strong on the present with respect toward her roots. She delivers heat: whether it’s one of her many self-penned originals or a standard, she brings you in by singing her inside out. Hearing Sharrie is a pure delight, but seeing her perform will make you a true believer!” - Tom Bert
“I don’t think Chicago ever knew what hit it. Williams stormed the stage and the room exploded. From the first lines of here own ‘I’m a Real Woman,’ she had control, and she wasn’t going to give it up. The way this woman works a room must be experienced in person, and while she’s belting out tales of hard lives, lost loves, and the strength needed to get through the days, she isn’t just singing the blues--She IS the blues. It comes right out of her mouth and hits you where you live--in your soul." - In Performance
“When Sharrie Williams starts singing the blues, it makes you proud to be from Saginaw--and sorry for anyone who isn’t. It’s more than music--it’s an experience that sings to your soul.” - Saginaw News
“I remember, it was 3am at the Desden (Germany) Blues Festival, Sharrie Williams and the band were still performing, and not any of the packed audience would leave: they were hypnotized by this dynamic performer as she got them all into a frenzy. It went on until 4am, and the house was still packed, begging for more. I feel that Sharrie is one of the most powerful singers and entertainers that I have seen in many, many years” - Fred Reif
“Sharrie Williams' vibrant, gospel-drenched voice with interesting arrangements and splendid song writing. Sharrie Williams' clear and passionate delivery is absolutely compelling. The urgency, honesty, integrity and rich texture with which Williams belts out her deeply felt blues will surely earn her the respect she deserves among fans and critics alike. Record company executives, are you listening?” - Blues In Britain
Discography
Out Of The Dark (2011) Electro-Fi Records
I'm Here To Stay (2007) Electro-Fi Records
Hard Drivin' Woman (2004) Crosscut Records
Sharrie Williams & The Wiseguys: Live at Bay-Car (2007) Crosscut Records
Sharrie Williams & The Wiseguys: Live at Bay-Car (2007) Crosscut Records DVD
Photos
Bio
Sharrie Williams' unique Rockin' Gospel Blues is led by powerful vocals and arrangements, with songs that grab your soul. She reaches out with her talent and passion for music, combined with her inimitable style. Sharrie emerges as a humble, rock-solid professional: a talented songstress that stands on her own.
Born and raised in the projects of Saginaw, Michigan, Sharrie grew up surrounded by music. She enjoyed singing her entire childhood, having been raised in a profoundly musical family. My Aunt and Grandma were jazz singers, my father was a gospel/jazz singer in the fifties and sixties, my brother is a gospel singer, and my mother was a gospel singer. Our house was like a juke joint: singing, drinking, dancing, the blues playing, with chicken and fish fryin'.
She teamed up with The Wiseguys in 1997, and began appearing regularly at renowned Chicago blues clubs Kingston Mines and Buddy Guys Legends. By 1998, Sharrie Williams and The Wiseguys were on their way to Europe. They started with performances in Germany, and by 2004, had toured Holland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and Great Britain just to name a few.
In April 2004, Sharrie released Hard Drivin Woman on the German label Crosscut Records, to international acclaim. Word spread back home about her captivating performances and rock-solid recording. She performed at US festivals including the Chicago Blues Festival and the Pocono Blues Festival soon thereafter. Her albums, at the latter festival, were top selling for this storied event, a major contributor in introducing her to the American blues market. She has since followed up with the releases "I'm Here To Stay" (2007 Electro-Fi) and "Out Of The Dark" (2011 Electro-Fi), and has performed countless venues and festivals around the globe.
Over her years, Sharrie has had the opportunity to collaborate with national recording artists, such as Larry McCray, Buddy Guy, KoKo Taylor, Ruth Brown, Mavis Staples and many others. Her influences include Koko Taylor, Etta James, Tina Turner, Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin and the legendary Billie Holiday--each of whom have helped shape her unique style. She is poised for the next level. Ms. Williams emerges with a fresh sting, a queen bee, that humbles herself in the spotlight shadows as the Princess of The Rockin Gospel Blues: "I love what I do! I can play for five people and feel like I played for 60,000! Having lived the blues, I sing to inspire people. Not to let the blues get the best of you."
Band Members
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