Williams Squared

Williams Squared is an all-instrumental father/son collaboration by New England resophonic guitarist Roger Williams and son JD Williams. Roger has been on the bluegrass music scene since he first appeared with the Lilly Brothers & Don Stover back in 1963 at age 14. He has since gone on to perform and/or record with such bluegrass music luminaries as Joe Val, Hazel Dickens, Bill Grant & Delia Bell, Bill Harrell, Mac Wiseman, Bill Clifton, Red Rector, Tom Gray, Art Stamper, Wyatt Rice, Stuart Duncan, Mark Schatz, Jesse Brock, Russell Moore, Dale Ann Bradley, Michael Cleveland, Ron Stewart, Chris Jones, and Ned Luberecki, appearing on record labels Rounder, Flying Fish, Pinecastle, Compass, Signature Sounds, CMH, Strictly Country, and Turquoise, among others. JD Williams has been performing with his father in the ensemble Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters since his debut in 2005 in the northeast US and Canada. He has also toured throughout Europe, the UK, and Ireland, and is currently a student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. The album features all-original instrumentals penned by this father and son team and performed in the bluegrass music style; Roger's tunes trend toward respectful adherence to traditional music forms, while JD's are more out of the box, infused with youthful vigor and creativity. Each enlisted his musical posse for the compositions; Roger reuniting with banjoist/guitarist Dave Dick, with whom he toured in the bluegrass group Southern Rail, guitarist Lincoln Meyers from his days in the New England Bluegrass Band, and longtime musical collaborator, Canadian fiddler Ray Legere. JD has tapped into the thriving Boston music scene where he makes his home to recruit Della Mae members Kimber Ludiker and Courtney Hartman, along with banjoist and fellow Berklee student Gabe Hirshfeld. JD also joins his father on Dobro in his twin resophonic guitar creation Crystal Ice Cave. Roger Williams - resophonic guitar, acoustic bass JD Williams - mandolin, resophonic guitar, acoustic bass/bowed bass Ray Legere - fiddle Dave Dick - rhythm & lead guitar; banjo Lincoln Meyers - rhythm & lead guitar Courtney Hartman - rhythm & lead guitar Kimber Ludiker - fiddle Gabe Hirshfeld - banjo.