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Tim O'Brien, Sam Bush & Tony Williamson
Mandomania 2011 at Merlefest!!
(photo by Francois Galland)
Tony jams with busking Gyspies
on the Paris Metro!
(Photo by Andrea Deyrup)
Tony performs in Kaoshuing, Taiwan
Photo by Atamo Shakti
Tony, Larry Perkins and fans in Japan 2008
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Phenomenal Music & Travel for
Tony
Williamson!!
Within
the last couple of years, Tony Williamson has been on tour playing his
mandolin to adoring audiences all over the world! He has just
returned from wonderful performances in Bordeaux, France, where he took
his music to new heights. The year before, he toured much of the
Pacific rim with concerts in Taipai, Kaoshuing, Taidung and
Tokyo. For his work playing on, organizing and producing the
album "Low Country All-Stars" featuring Vassar Clements and Tony Rice
(sadly, this was Vassar's last public performance) he was nominated by
IBMA for Recorded Event of the Year. This recording took place at
Randy Wood's Picking Parlor in Savannah, Georgia, a venue where Tony
also performed with Jeff Autry, Don Stiernberg and Ben Tucker for a
special night that will be the subject of an upcoming DVD called Low
Country Jazz.
Speaking of upcoming events, Tony is planning a benefit for the
Piedmont Land Conservancy in Greensboro, NC on October 14, 2011, and
has helped organize an all-star band that will include Tony Rice, Peter
Rowan, Bobby Hicks, Craig Smith and Robert Sprye.
A very special performance occured late last year in a benefit for the
legendary banjo player Al Osteen, who had been a dear friend and former
band mate. Joining Tony for this all-star fundraiser and tribute
were Lizzie Long, Little Roy Lewis, the Crowe Brothers, Kristen Scott
and Wayne Benson, Larry Perkins, Jack Lawrence, Curtis and Ricky Burch,
Scott Huffman and a host of others.
Prior to this year, his world tour has included
three weeks in Brazil,
four weeks in Japan, and a total of 6 weeks in Maui &
Hawaii. When not enjoying their overseas adventures, the Tony
Williamson Band has
played stateside from Savannah to Rochester and Wilmington to Santa
Cruz where Tony joined David Grisman and Mike Marshall on the faculty
at UCSC for the Mandolin Symposium. Tony and Jack Lawrence took their
hot flat picking and unique humor to
Ireland for 15
concerts. Returning to the southeaster US, Tony joined Rad Andy
and
the rest of his band at various venues in the
Carolinas such as the Southern Coastal
Bluegrass Festival at Fort Fisher and the Beaufort Music
Festival.
In the past, Tony's distinguished recording career has
included work alongside Alison Krauss, Earl Scruggs, Tony Rice, Vassar
Clements and a host of others. He has also received quite a few
nominations and awards by the National Music Organizations, and has
even performed for Luciano Pavarotti!
Tony Williamson's latest Cd release is a recording with Rad Andy
called: "Live at Merlefest 2010 featuring Jenna Paulette."
The musicianship excites REAL passion, the vocals by Rad Andy really
grab you
where you live and the lyrics hit home with tremendous power.
Overall, it is a very moving experience to listen to this work, which
was their performance at Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC. Along with
ace bassist James Dawkins and
banjo/guitar wizard Don Wright, this band will be in concert at a venue
near you!
tony@mandolincentral.com
Andrew Williamson <rift@mandolincentral.com>
919-663-3551
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Tony Williamson
Biography
Photo by Steve
Gilcrhist taken at Mandolin Symposium in Santa Cruz
Rad Andy, Jenna
Paulette, Tony Williamson & James Dawkins at Merlefest 2010
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