Warren H Williams

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Warren H Williams
Birth nameWarren Hedley Williams
Born (1963-12-27) 27 December 1963 (age 60)
Origin Ntaria (Hermannsburg), Northern Territory, Australia
Genres Aboriginal country music
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, radio broadcaster
Instrument(s)Guitar
Years active1990s–present
Labels CAAMA, ABC Music

Warren Hedley Williams (born 27 December 1963) is an Aboriginal Australian singer, musician and songwriter from Ntaria in Central Australia. As of 2013 he worked as a broadcaster on CAAMA Radio in Alice Springs.

Contents

Early life

Williams was born on 27 December 1963 in Hermannsburg, the son of country musician Gus Williams. [1] He is an Arrernte man. [2]

He started playing guitar at the age of six with his father, [1] and later went to school at a Lutheran college in Adelaide: [3] Immanuel College in Novar Gardens. [4]

Music career

Williams was included on a compilation CD released in 1999 to promote reconciliation in Australia. The album was titled Reconciliation: Stories of the Heart, Sounds of the Rock and included music, personal statements from celebrities, and excerpts from historical speeches and events. [5]

In 2007, he wrote the musical Magic Coolamon, which debuted as the first ever Central Australian Indigenous musical. [6]

Williams toured with John Williamson many times, including "Hillbilly Road" in 2008. [7]

In 2015, Williams invited long-time friend and award-winning Australian singer Shane Nicholson to visit his hometown of Hermannsburg (Ntaria) to help break his writer's block. Williams took him to sacred sites and shared Aboriginal Dreaming stories which inspired Nicholson's ARIA-nominated album Hell Breaks Loose, which features the track 'Hermannsburg'. [8]

In 2016, Williams teamed up with emerging artist Dani Young, writing and recording an album of traditional country duets in Nashville. The album, Desert Water was produced by Billy Yates, and features Jim Lauderdale. The album was released on 22 July 2016. [9] The album debuted at #2 on the ARIA Country albums charts, and the first single "Two Ships" spent six weeks at #1 on Tamworth Country Radio. [10]

Radio and television career

In 1996, Williams was the first remote Indigenous broadcaster (RIBS) on the 8KIN FM network, presenting music shows live from Hermannsburg. He is the longest-serving broadcaster on CAAMA Radio, as of 2015 presenting the mid-morning show from 9am - 11am on weekdays, as well as the 80s Mix on Monday evenings, Rockn on Wednesday evenings, and CAAMA's highest rating program Strictly Country on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. [11] [ citation needed ] His programs are also played through the National Indigenous Radio Service. [2]

In 2015, Williams made his directorial debut, writing and co-directing for the Aboriginal television series Our Place for ICTV. [12]

Politics

Williams stood as lead Australian Greens candidate for the two Northern Territory seats in the Australian Senate in the 2010 federal election, [13] and again in the 2013 federal election. [14]

At the 2012 Northern Territory election, he stood for the Australia's First Nations Political Party in the seat of Namatjira. [15] On the day before the election, he commented that the Country Liberals had gone too far in using vicious personal attacks at the polling places, which they shouted in Aboriginal language to avoid being removed by poll officials. Williams claimed that the attacks were part of a systematic campaign. [16]

Discography

TitleDetails
Western Wind
  • Released: 1995
  • Label: CAAMA Music
  • Format: CD
Country Friends & Me
  • Released: 1998
  • Label: CAAMA Music
  • Format: CD
Where My Heart Is
  • Released: 2001
  • Label: CAAMA Music
  • Format: CD
Places in Between
  • Released: 2002
  • Label: CAAMA Music
  • Format: CD
Be Like Home
  • Released: 2005
  • Label: CAAMA Music
  • Format: CD
Looking Out
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: Heartland
  • Format: CD
Urna Mara
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: ABC
  • Format: CD
Winanjjara
(with The Warumunga Songmen)
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Heartland
  • Format: CD
Desert Water
(with Dani Young)
  • Released: June 2016
  • Label: UMA
  • Format: CD
These are the Changes
  • Released: January 2020
  • Label: ABC
  • Format: CD, DD

Recognition and awards

In 2004, Williams was the subject of an episode of the television series Nganampa Anwernekenhe. [17]

In 2009 he was inducted into the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame. [18] [1] (His father, Gus, had become an inductee in 2000. [19] )

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2012 [20] Urna MarraBest Independent Country AlbumNominated

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
1998 "Raining on the Rock" (with John Williamson) Best Indigenous Release Nominated [21]
2012 Winanjjara: The Song Peoples Sessions Best World Music Album Nominated [22]

Australia Council for the Arts

The Australia Council for the Arts is the arts funding and advisory body for the Government of Australia. Since 1993, it has awarded a Red Ochre Award. It is presented to an outstanding Indigenous Australian (Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander) artist for lifetime achievement.

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2012 [23] himselfRed Ochre AwardAwarded

Country Music Awards (CMAA)

The Country Music Awards of Australia (CMAA) (also known as the Golden Guitar Awards) is an annual awards night held in January during the Tamworth Country Music Festival, celebrating recording excellence in the Australian country music industry. They have been held annually since 1973. [24] [25]

YearNominee / workAwardResult (wins only)
2008himselfHands of Fameimprinted
2009"Australia Is Another Word for Free" with John Williamson and Amos Morris Bush Ballad of the YearWon

Deadly Awards

The Deadly Awards, (commonly known simply as The Deadlys), was an annual celebration of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in music, sport, entertainment and community. They ran from 1996 to 2013. [26]

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1998 "Raining on the Rock"Single of the YearWon
2001 Where My Heart IsAlbum of the YearWon

National Indigenous Music Awards

The National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. They commenced in 2004.

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2004 himselfMale Artist of the YearWon
2005 "Dreamtime Baby"Most Popular SongWon
2006 "Learn My Song"Song of the YearWon
Be Like HomeBest Cover ArtWon
2010 himselfAct of the YearNominated
Looking OutAlbum of the YearNominated
2012 "Winanjjara"Traditional Song of the YearWon
Winanjjara: The Song Peoples SessionsAlbum of the YearNominated

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Warren H Williams, 2009". Australian Country Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Biographical details". Warren H. Williams. Warren H Williams. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  3. ↑ Egan, Ted (23 December 2019). "Hermannsburg Mission: questions of survival". Alice Springs News. Speech by former Administrator Ted Egan AO at the launch of Volume II of The Tale of Frieda Kaysser by John Strehlow. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "2010-10-21: Statement by Speaker: Death of Mr Kasper Gus Ntjalka Williams OAM". Northern Territory Government – Legislative Assembly. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  5. ↑ "Celebrities 'sing out' for Reconciliation". Torres News. 10 December 1999. Retrieved 26 December 2023– via Trove.
  6. ↑ Munro, Jacqueline (5 September 2018). "Where his heart is...on stage". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  7. ↑ "John Williamson". Toyota National Country Music Muster. August 2008. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  8. ↑ McCabe, Kathy (8 August 2015). "Shane Nicholson found outback inspiration to write songs about life and dating as a single dad". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 August 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  9. ↑ "LEGENDARY COUNTRY MUSIC ARTIST WARREN H. WILLIAMS AND RISING STAR DANI YOUNG LAUNCH SPECIAL DUETS ALBUM THIS JULY IN SYDNEY". www.hotoffthepress.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  10. ↑ Sheridan, Haley (24 August 2016). "Warren H Williams and Dani Young confirm they're heading to the 2017 Tamworth Country Music Festival" . The Northern Daily Leader. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  11. ↑ "Radio Program Guide". CAAMA. Archived from the original on 1 November 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  12. ↑ Finnane, Kieran (25 April 2016). "TV series: community life beyond stereotypes". Alice Springs News. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  13. ↑ Nancarrow, Kirsty (14 July 2010). "Greens choose entertainer as Senate candidate". ABC News Australia. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  14. ↑ Aston, Heath (26 June 2013). "Country singer challenges Peris in Senate race". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  15. ↑ Finnane, Kieran (25 August 2012). "Polling day: Backing family, dad Warren H and aunty Alison". Alice Springs News. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  16. ↑ Skelton, Russell (25 August 2012). "NT Libs slammed for vicious tactics". The Sidney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  17. ↑ Warren H Williams, the stories, the songs (2004)
  18. ↑ "The Hands of Fame Inductees – Australian Country Music Hall of Fame".
  19. ↑ "Gus Williams, 2000". Australian Country Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  20. ↑ "NOMINATIONS: 2012 Jagermeister Independent Music Awards". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  21. ↑ Warren was introduced to John, by legendary Australian radio journalist Graham Archer, who facilitated the collaboration. The song's lyrics were slightly changed by Williams in consultation with Williamson, creating what Williamson described as a stronger song. Aria Awards
  22. ↑ ARIA Award previous winners. "ARIA Awards – Winners by Award – Best World Music Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  23. ↑ "Warren H. Williams 2012 Red Ochre Award winner". indigenous.gov.au. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  24. ↑ "Australian Country Music Hands of Fame". historyofcountrymusic. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  25. ↑ Sydney Morning Herald 25 January 2009 Kasey rattles the gongs by Matt Buchanan
  26. ↑ "The 2001 Deadlys". Archived from the original on 21 July 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2008.
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