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www.myspace.com/zanewilliams Zane Williams personifies hope for those Nashville dreamers who find themselves just a little left of center – the writers and artists for whom creating is easy, but finding the outlet, difficult. A native of Abilene, Texas, Zane cut his teeth on classical piano and hymns on Sundays. His senior year of high school, he branched out into guitar and composition, writing his first songs and loving all that implied. As a student at Abilene Christian University, Zane began recording albums that reflected his mélange of influences: his gospel, blues and country happily swapped notes. After graduating from school, Zane made the move to Nashville. Mainstream success initially eluded him, but Zane’s sound prompted university doors around the country to swing wide open. Invitations to play at more than 400 colleges over the next six years gave Zane a chance to hone his craft while making many lifelong fans. Zane’s 2003 collection of live songs exposed a mature songwriter enriched by a love of upright bass, mandolin, fiddle and cello. These recordings prompted a string of national awards for the relatively unknown artist. Zane was a finalist in an unprecedented three categories at Merefest’s Chris Austin Song Contest, claiming top slots in both the Country and General categories. His “Hurry Home” was also dubbed the $20,000 Maxwell Song of the Year – the paramount honor in the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Zane released Hurry Home in 2006. The album evinces superior but subtle acoustic arrangements that provide Williams’ wistful lyrics a soft place to fall. Zane’s songs bear the mark of meticulous craftsmanship, inviting the listener to lean in closer for an intimate tale. With his addition to the Big Yellow Dog writing staff, he has found strong allies in both song and purpose. An exhilarating find, Zane Williams’ raw talent and stubborn work ethic encourage happily prescient views of hits lining his future. |
