S.C. folk musician celebrates half century of performing

"After 50 straight years, you think I would be burnt out, but I'm not," said singer/songwriter Jack Williams.

When his musical career began in the late '50s, Williams played classical, rock n' roll, R&B and even jazz.

Now, he's on the U.S. Folk Music Circuit, which doesn't allow him to play the Deep South that frequently, but it does take him to 48 states and eight countries. Currently, he is in West Fork, Ark., to keep him close to other folk musicians, but as most of us know, there's no place like home.

"I don't know ... I might be the only full-time singer/songwriter from South Carolina who actually sings songs about and tells stories about S.C.," he proudly stated.

Growing up a military kid and going to 17 different schools in 12 school years demanded he have a sense of home. For Williams, South Carolina was that home. He was born in Lancaster and eventually returned and lived in Colombia from 1981 to 2000.

Most of the music scene in Charleston isn't conducive to the listening audience Williams's craves. The first 30 years of his career were spent playing in bars and restaurants where the focus was on drinking and partying. Music was just a backdrop.

"The concerts I play now, alcohol is a minimal presence and there's no socializing during the concerts. It's basically what we call a 'sit-down and shut-up' situation. And the people on my circuit prefer that," Williams said.

Luckily for his audiences, Williams' music makes you want to sit down, relax and listen. He has a captivating stage presence and expressive voice and sings songs that inspire.

Williams, who's traveled from San Diego to Maine and Alaska to

Miami, said he's been around long enough to see corporate America's infiltration and vice grip on today's music industry.

"The progression of commercial music from the '40s to the 2000's has been an unhappy one to me," he said. "And it's the main reason I now find myself out on the folk circuit, which is people friendly and music friendly and money doesn't play anywhere near my goal," explained Williams.

He outfitted a Dodge Sprinter cargo van so he and his wife could tour and camp from. Though Williams will be bringing his DVD and seven CDs, including his newest release "Don't Let Go," he is not performing to promote any product.

On Sunday, he will perform an assortment from all his albums at Gage Hall. He also caters to his audience, which means he will play a lot of songs special to the Lowcountry.

Carroll Brown, his opening act and a Charleston favorite, will have his new CD, "Songwriter," with him.

The show should provide an evening of dazzling folk music for the Lowcountry.