Williams & Clark Expedition could be described by some as a new band on the bluegrass scene. But when you consider the members of the group are Blake Williams, Bobby Clark, Wayne Southards and Kimberly Williams, you know this is not a group of newcomers. All have very impressive musical credentials, having worked for the music’s forefathers, Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt, to some of the earlier bluegrass bands, The Bluegrass Cardinals and Tennessee Gentlemen, to even the artists who have just become popular in the last couple of decades like Mike Snider, Kathy Chiavola and Larry Cordle. No one can deny the bluegrass pedigree of Williams & Clark Expedition’s members.
What is surprising to most, is the band voice that was created when these talented people formed this band just over 4 years ago. In a very short time, they have gone from a band no one knew, to one of bluegrass music’s most requested groups in the genre. Soon after word got out about the band’s good business sense and truly unique entertaining style, some folks in Franklin, KY approached them about helping to establish and host the Franklin Music Festival. The event is now in it’s 3rd year and is not only hosted by the band, but is also co-produced by the Expedition and has featured some of the greatest talent in bluegrass music and a few outside the realm such as Vince Gill and Marty Stuart. In 2004 they were the only bluegrass act to perform for the Country Gold Music Festival in Kumamoto, Japan alongside country artist Darryl Worley and Blue County, which resulted in a feature story on GAC’s “Country Music Across America”, hosted by Storme Warren. But the band received its top accolade thus far when the International Bluegrass Music Association chose them as one of 5 nominees for “Emerging Artist Of The Year” in 2005.
To date, the band has released 3 CDs and is currently working on a fourth, due out this spring and they will be on the road approximately 100 days in 2006 alone. It is no mystery why this band is becoming so popular so quickly. They offer superb musicianship, hauntingly tight harmonies, traditional and contemporary lead vocal styles, original material, humor, and history in every performance. And each member is as personable as they are talented, believing the audience comes first. They do everything they can to show that, from their stage performances, to the lively conversation with any and all who want to visit afterwards. It really is quite simple…
Williams & Clark Expedition loves what they do and it shows!!!
