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Ok, she is not new in the game, she has released two (good) albums before, but there haven’t been enough people paying attention. She’s a great artist.

In a couple of days (5 Feb), her new album will be released. It is called The Highway and she is releasing it independently, and she describes it as a new beginning. It will be released on Holly’s own label, Georgiana Records.

Her first single off the record is Drinkin’, what a wonderful song!

Holly Williams  was born March 12, 1981 she is the granddaughter of Hank Williams Sr., the daughter of Hank Williams, Jr. and half-sister of country singer Hank Williams III.

Let you go (live on Leno):

Here are even more tracks from Holly Williams via the excellent Noisetrade website:

“It’s all about the songwriting for me. I still love songs that I wrote when I was 17. I was always attracted to the heavier stuff and the real stories that painted a very clear picture for you in your head. Tom Waits songs read like little movies in my head, and I hope listeners always walk away feeling like I’ve taken them somewhere. That desire has remained the same through and through.”

– Holly Williams (to Noisetrade)

The guest list on new album is impressive and includes Jackson Browne and Jakob Dylan. The record is co-produced by Charlie Peacock (The Civil Wars) and Williams, and from the songs we’ve heard it sounds amazing.

The Highway Track List:

1. Drinkin’
2. Gone Away From Me
3. Railroads
4. Happy
5. The Highway
6. Without You
7. Let You Go
8. Giving Up
9. A Good Man
10. ‘Til It Runs Dry
11. Waiting On June

“I think every artist has their coming of age record,” says Williams. “This one definitely feels like mine in that there was such a shift with me through the process of this record. It was completed in exactly nine months to the day, feeling somewhat like a birth. These songs really brought a focus into my life personally. Since the last record, I turned 30, my grandparents are gone, I’m married now, I’m keeping doggies and gardens alive, I have a clothing store, I have a husband on tour with a huge rock band, so there’s a lot to keep up with. But the highway came calling and I suddenly had this serious longing for the road, the fans, the storytelling, and the life in that living. I’m ready to get back to those wheels and play these songs for everyone.”

In recent interview with Rolling Stone Magazine she talked about her family’s music pedigree:

Williams didn’t listen to much country music as a kid, gravitating instead toward songwriters like Browne, Tom Waits and Laura Nyro. She discovered her family’s influence through other artists. “I fell in love with Leonard Cohen and found out he was a fan of Hank’s,” she says. “Same with Dylan, finding out he was a fan, same with Springsteen. So there were a lot of things that felt like a strange circle: these people I loved so much were inspired by my grandfather, and now they’ve inspired me.” 

Support this very good singer/songwriter, buy her album and go see her concerts.

…and if someone could get her to Norway this year, it would be great!

– Hallgeir