Country's Gentle Giant Passes Away

Tweet

The country music world is in mourning today. As I mentioned earlier in another discussion, Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry was killed in a helicopter crash today. Sadly, country music also lost its "Gentle Giant" today with the death of Hall of Fame legend Don Williams. Williams' publicist said he died today (September 8) after a short illness. Don Williaims' career began in folk, in the trio the Pozo-Seco Singers. They had a couple of minor hits in 1966. The band broke up in 1970 and Williams began a career in country music that would take him to the Hall of Fame. Over the years he had 17 number one songs. If you know anything about me, you know how much I love Jim Reeves, and I do NOT compare people to him, because there is no comparison. Having said that, Don Williams had one of the best baritones this side of Jim Reeves. His music was simple, quiet, and beautiful. Happily married for 57 years, Williams also never had any "scandals" or "issues" in his private life. He sang of the love he lived in his private life. Don Williams was 78. Many people may not know that Williams had a hit with "Amanda" six years before Waylon Jennings. Here's his version: