Zach Williams and The Reformation

Saturday, January 26, 2008

By Chris Swindle

JONESBORO — If ZACH WILLIAMS is anything, it’s in love with music.

Williams, a Jonesboro singer-songwriter who’s usually seen around Northeast Arkansas on stage with an acoustic guitar in his hands and a microphone at his face, didn’t even put his musical skills to work until about a year ago when some friends in local band Further Down expressed interest in what the young musician could accomplish.

“I was on the road with them, helping out at shows, and the guys were like, ‘Man, you need to get out and play some of this music live,’” Williams said.

Dustin “Red” Dorton (bass and vocals) and Josh Copeland (lead guitar and vocals) from Further Down joined Williams, and local solo artist “Shugga” Shane Chastain started playing organ and keyboards for the group. With Brian “Bullseye” Hill and Evan Wilons joining as alternating drummers, the ZACH WILLIAMS Band was formed, and today Williams couldn’t imagine not being a performing artist.

“That is all we do — eat, sleep and breathe music,” Williams said. “It was like everybody just wanted to be a part and help out.”

With influences such as The Black Crowes, Tom Petty and The Allman Brothers Band, Williams plays what he calls southern folk fusion.

“I pretty much grew up listening to all kinds of music, and it has all kind of been a melting pot of all the different styles I have come to love,” Williams said.

The singer-songwriter said that writing music is a great way to handle the stresses of everyday life.

“The songs that I write are pretty much outlets to things that I have experienced,” Williams said. “It’s a way for me to get things I need to say off my chest.”

Williams said most people can relate to his music because they too have experienced loss, happiness, frustration and a range of other emotions that he tries to convey.

The musician said his merging of various styles and his ability to convey many emotions have resulted in a regular and expanding fan base in Northeast Arkansas.

“I am pretty sure that no matter what age you are, you could come to a show and hear a song that relates to some of the things that you are experiencing and enjoy the music,” Williams said.

The ZACH WILLIAMS Band has shared the stage with many other local bands such as Plain Meanness, Starroy, Further Down and Solomons Vine at Northeast Arkansas venues such as The Brickhouse. Plus, the group has played at venues in Little Rock, Fayetteville, Hot Springs and even Colorado.

Williams said his concerts tend to have “a pretty laid-back atmosphere.”

The band plays a number cover songs live including “Voodoo Chile,” “Wind Cries Mary” and “Red House” by Jimi Hendrix, “Before You Accuse Me” by Eric Clapton, “Midnight Rider” by The Allman Brothers and “Remedy” by The Black Crowes.

Though the band does have regular members, Williams said other local musicians sometimes perform with the group or fill in if a member has other engagements.

“That’s what has been cool about the people in this area,” Williams said. “It seems like everyone just wants to play, and we all help each other out.”

Williams has recorded a 4-song demo that he sells at shows, but he is already working on songs for a full-length CD that he plans to record at Young Avenue Sound, a recording studio in Memphis. When it’s finished the album should have 11 or 12 tracks, but Williams said he has not settled on a name for it yet.

“The plans are to finish a CD and see what happens,” Williams said, adding that once he’s done recording he hopes to move to Nashville.

“Honestly, I don’t know what I would be doing if I didn’t play music,” Williams said. “It feels like it is something I will do for the rest of my life. It’s kind of like breathing. When I stop playing music and writing songs, a part of me feels like it’s dying. And then you pick up a guitar and play some chords, and a new song is born.”

cswindle@jonesborosun.com
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