Levi Brenton Williams
Levi Brenton (Brent) Williams (born March 25, 1940), is a multi-instrumental Canadian gospel, country and bluegrass entertainer from Hassetts, Nova Scotia. Williams is considered one of Canada's earliest bluegrass performers,[1][2] has appeared on several notable TV programs on the CBC, CTV, and many other networks in addition to winning many awards for his music and for his achievements and role as a pioneering Canadian entertainer.[3] He has released a number of top 100 charting songs in addition to working with several notable entertainers such as The Carter Family, Ronnie Prophet, Vic Mullen, Fred McKenna, Shania Twain, Charlie Louvin, Marcel Martel, Angus Walker, The Mercey Brothers, Myrna Lorrie, Stompin' Tom Connors, Osborne Bros, Wilburn Bros, Jean Sheppard, Dallas Harms, Oakridge Boys, among others.[4]
Early life
Brent Williams was born on a small farm in Hassetts, NS to Ethel Ena May Williams on March 25, 1940.[5] He was the youngest of eight children and was "Influenced by his mother's love of music and encouraged by his brother to begin playing guitar"[4] early in life. His interest in being a career performer began by listening to numerous acts featured on The Grand Ole Opry when he was seven or eight years old.[6][3] Williams acquired his first guitar at the age of six[7] when his mother ordered him one from a Sears catalog for $9.95[1] and his brother Robert first started to show him how to play.[5] Williams would also begin a lifelong friendship with his neighbour and future bandmate, Harry Cromwell during these early years.
Early Music Career
When Williams was a teenager, he began his musical career when he started playing at local parties dances and competitions with Harry Cromwell.[1] In 1957, Williams relocated to his older sister's residence in Halifax in order to work a construction job.[1] In the fall of that year, Williams received a call from Cromwell who informed him that professional musician Vic Mullen had heard of the duo's performances and was interested in forming a bluegrass band with them which was a relatively new genre in Canada at that point.[1] Williams moved back to Hassetts and the three began a band called The Birch Mountain Boys upon his return. Between the fall of 1957 and the spring of 1958, Mullen taught Williams and Cromwell how to play the fiddle and mandolin in the bluegrass style, respectively.[5] During the spring 1961, the Birch Mountain Boys began to tour and play at various small venues across the Maritime provinces with Williams on fiddle, vocals and rhythm guitar, Cromwell on lead guitar and mandolin and Vic Mullen playing the 5-string banjo. Over the course of their time together, The Birch Mountain Boys became "...one of the first to play and record bluegrass music north of the border..."[6] The Birch Mountain Boys incorporated various other musicians as bassists during this time and the musician that worked with The Birch Mountain Boys the most was Angus Walker who eventually became a permanent member of the group.[5]
After The Birch Mountain Boys disbanded in 1961,
Solo career
Williams began his solo career in 1965 when he transitioned to
References
- ^ a b c d e "TF007 New Brunswick: Maritime Bluegrass". The Folk Podcast. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
- ^ "Bluegrass | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
- ^ a b c "Studio Black". CBC Studio Black. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Inductee". nscmhf.ca. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
- ^ ISBN 9798885364188.
- ^ a b Smith, Emma (November 27, 2019). "Meet the musician from N.S. who helped pioneer bluegrass in Canada". CBC. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ McIntosh, Daniel (February 22, 2022). "Monuments in Black Music History". Readrange. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ "Inductee". nscmhf.ca. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "RPM Magazine Top 100 Chart". Library and Archives of Canada. October 14, 1972. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ "RPM Magazine Top 100 Country Music Chart". Library and Archives of Canada. March 24, 1973. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ "RPM Magazine Top 100 Chart". Library and Archives of Canada. November 18, 1978. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
External links
- Brent Williams discography at Discogs.