After a brief illness, the country music community has lost another great artist— Texas native Don Williams.
On the same day country music fans mourned the loss of country duo Mongomery Gentry’s Troy Gentry, the community received some more sad news— the death of country music legend Don Williams after a short illness.
During his career spanning an impressive fifty-two years, the “Gentle Giant” of country music notched 17 number one hits and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010. Williams’ hits have been covered by a slew of top artists over the years such as Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, Josh Turner, Alison Krauss, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, and Waylon Jennings just to name a few.
His music is very popular internationally, including the UK, Australia, Ukraine, India, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. [16] In 2010, the Country Music Association inducted Don Williams into the Country Music Hall of Fame.[17] This is considered be the Country music industry’s highest honor to bestow upon an artist.
In March 2016, Williams announced he was retiring from touring for good. “It’s time to hang my hat up and enjoy some quiet time at home. I’m so thankful for my fans, my friends and my family for their everlasting love and support,” the hit-maker said in a statement.
Last year also saw the final release of Williams’ career, a live CD and DVD recorded in Ireland. In 2017, the star was also the subject of a tribute album, Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams, which included performances of his beloved songs by artists such as Alison Krauss, Dierks Bentley, and Chris Stapleton.
Rest in peace, Don.
“Sing Me Back Home”
