Lucinda Williams biography

Synopsis

Early Life

The daughter of a poet, Lucinda Williams has won a devoted following with her unique blend of country, rock and folk. She learned to play guitar around the age of 12, and aspired to be like Joan Baez. Bob Dylan was another early influence. Through her father, poet and professor Miller Williams, Williams met a number of literary figures, including writer Flannery O'Connor. She also inherited some of her passion for music from her parents—sat a young age, she shared her father's love of country and blues, and her mother's interest in folk music. "My mother played the piano; there was always a piano around the house," Williams told Texas Monthly. "So I had the best of both worlds—words and music."

Moving several times for her father's work, Williams lived in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mexico and Chile, among other places. She demonstrated her strong will as a teenager. In high school, Williams was kicked out for refusing to say the "Pledge of Allegiance." She started her career as folk singer in New Orleans.

Career Highlights

Williams moved to Austin, Texas in 1974, and then spent several years playing in both Austin and Houston. In 1979, she released her first album, Ramblin' on My Mind—a collection of traditional songs reflecting her interest in country, folk and blues. Talking to EQ magazine, Williams explained that she developed her confidence as an artist from performing. "I had to learn how to win over an audience. When I first went out, I didn't have a lot of my own songs. I was so shy. But rather than quit, something in me said, 'Okay, I need to work on my craft so that the audience will pay attention.'" And her hard work showed on her next effort, 1980's Happy Woman Blues. The album featured songs penned by Williams herself.

Williams relocated to Los Angeles in the mid-1980s, but the move west proved to be a struggle. No one knew quite what to make of her sound. She was told that she was "too rock for country" and "too country for rock," she explained to The New York Times. Williams also struggled personally around this time, experiencing a short-lived marriage to drummer Greg Sowders.

In 1988, Williams began to attract notice for her distinctive style, earning critical praise for her self-titled album. Her reputation as a singer-songwriter grew when she released Sweet Old World in 1992. Williams also penned "Passionate Kisses," which became a huge hit for Mary Chapin Carpenter in 1993. The song brought Williams her first Grammy Award (for Best Country Song) that same year.

Known for her deeply personal lyrics and penchant for perfection, Williams spent years creating her breakthrough album.