Hayward Williams is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Originally from Waukesha, Wisconsin, he now lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is an active recording artist and producer.

Biography

Hayward Williams
Birth nameJohn Hayward Williams
Born (1981-02-25) February 25, 1981
Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States
GenresAmericana, alt-country, folk, rock
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, bass guitar
Years active2001–present
LabelsMachine Records, Continental Record Services
Websitehttp://www.haywardwilliams.com/

John Hayward Williams began playing and composing music at the age of 13 on his mother's 1964 Gibson LG guitar.[1] In 2001, Williams quit his studies at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire to join the award-winning Milwaukee-based band Exit, named Wisconsin Band of the Year in 2004 by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry.[2][3] Lending bass guitar and vocals to the band's hook-driven pop catalogue, Williams traveled the Midwest circuit and around the country with Exit.

In 2002 Williams independently released Manoverboard, a solo project recorded under a pseudonym, which allowed him the opportunity to play solo engagements throughout the region and served as the foundation for Uphill /Downhill, his 2005 debut under the name Hayward Williams.[4][5] He soon began touring nationally and internationally, including the 2007 Take Root Festival in Groningen, Netherlands in support of his album Another Sailor's Dream (Machine Records).[6] His 2012 album Haymaker was the result of a successful Kickstarter project and was released on Continental Record Services.[7][8]

Williams' influences range from 60s singer-songwriters, Bruce Springsteen, and Van Morrison, to Stax-style horns and American soul and folk.[9][10][11]

As a collaborative artist, Williams has often performed nationally and internationally with singer-songwriters Kris Delmhorst, Peter Mulvey, and Jeffrey Foucault.[12][13] In 2019 with musician John Hardin, Williams formed the duo Coyote Brother and released the eponymous album.[14] Williams also produced and performed on Hardin's 2016 album The Piasa Bird.[15]

Williams' album Every Color Blue was produced during the 2020 lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and features contributions from artists such as J. Hardin and John Statz that were recorded remotely.[16][17][18] Performances from the album by Williams were featured on Milwaukee Public Radio in August 2020.[19]

Williams lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his wife and three children.[20][21]

Discography

Solo albums

  • 2005 – Uphill/Downhill
  • 2007 – Another Sailor's Dream (Machine Records)
  • 2009 – Cotton Bell (Machine Records)
  • 2012 – Haymaker (Continental Record Services)
  • 2014 – The Reef
  • 2017 – Pretenders
  • 2020 – Every Color Blue

EPs

  • 2005 –Trench Foot

Coyote Brother

with J. Hardin

  • 2019 – Coyote Brother (2019)

References

  1. "Hayward Williams delivers 'Haymaker' through generosity". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  2. "Hayward Williams delivers 'Haymaker' through generosity". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  3. "FolkLib Index - 2004 WAMI Award Nominees & Winners". www.folklib.net. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  4. "Hayward Williams – Free listening, concerts, stats, & pictures at". Last.fm. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  5. "Hayward Williams". OurStage. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  6. "Take Root 2007 informatie op Festivalinfo". www.festivalinfo.nl. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  7. "Hayward Williams New Album by Hayward – Kickstarter". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  8. "Hayward Williams delivers 'Haymaker' through generosity". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  9. Levy, Piet. "8 Milwaukee albums and songs you have to hear in September, from Lorde Fredd33, Reyna and more". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  10. "Hayward Williams Preview : Illinois Entertainer". Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  11. "Album reviews: Hayward Williams, Arctic Sleep and more". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  12. Nichol, Alan (April 8, 2015). "Americana acts Kris Delmhorst and Hayward Williams team up for Live Theatre gig". ChronicleLive. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  13. Deb (July 27, 2016). "Jeffrey Foucault & Kris Delmhorst 11-18-16 - Narrows Center for the Arts". www.narrowscenter.org. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  14. Moore, Andy (January 2, 2020). "Separated at birth?". Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  15. Moore, Andy (December 1, 2016). "Returning from self-exile". Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  16. Infante, Victor D. "Hayward Williams delivers smouldering 'Every Color Blue'". The Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  17. Maas, Tyler (August 19, 2020). "Hayward Williams pushes back against the darkness with vibrant, soulful 'Every Color Blue'". Milwaukee Record. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  18. "Milwaukee Singer Hayward Williams Releases New Album In Lockdown". WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  19. "Milwaukee Singer Hayward Williams Releases New Album In Lockdown". WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  20. "Hayward Williams - About". haywardwilliams.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  21. Moore, Andy (September 9, 2020). "Music for troubled times". Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
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