DON WILLIAMS

Don Williams (born May 27, 1939, Floydada, Texas, United States) is an American country singer, songwriter and a 2010 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He grew up in Portland, Texas, and graduated in 1958 from Gregory-Portland High School. After seven years with the folk-pop group Pozo-Seco Singers, he began his solo career in 1971, singing popular ballads and amassing 17 number one country hits.

His straightforward yet smooth bass-baritone voice, soft tones, and imposing build earned him the nickname: "Gentle Giant" of country music.

Williams has had a strong influence over a variety of recording artists of different genres. His hits have been covered by artists such as Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, Claude Russell Bridges, Lefty Frizzell, Josh Turner, Sonny James, Alison Krauss, Billy Dean, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Lambchop, Alan Jackson, Waylon Jennings, Pete Townshend and Tortoise (band) with Bonnie "Prince" Billy.[6] His music is also popular internationally, including Great Britain, Australia, Ukraine, India, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. On February 23, 2010, the Country Music Association announced that Don Williams was to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.