Charlotte, N.C.—Less concrete, beautiful country and the desire to be closer to family brought North Carolina native Joey Williams back home from New York City to Charlotte three years ago. A member of the Grammy-winning gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama. Williams and his fellow artists will perform at Campbell University with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on September 30.“I love listening to all kinds of music,” said Williams from his home in Charlotte. “But when I sing gospel, I feel on top of the world. Some times I’m not even myself, that’s how I feel. Once you sing gospel, gospel will be in everything else that you do.”Williams attributes the group’s international appeal to its classic gospel style. “Somehow gospel is a universal language,” he said. “People who don’t even speak English; they still get it.”Singing and playing since he was a boy of three or four years old, Joey learned from his own father, Joe Williams, a singer and guitarist with the gospel quartet, “The Northernaires.” Although Joe Williams is a Wilson, N.C. native, the family lived in New York City and little Joey remembers the many gospel stars that stopped into play with his dad’s group.“People like Shirley Caesar heard me play when I was about 12 or 13,” he said. “I toured with The Northernaires and played with other groups on the side like The Mighty Clouds of Joy and The Gospel Keynotes.”Williams continues to play with Robert Randolph and The Family Band.While on tour with The Mighty Clouds of Joy, the tour manager for The Blind Boys of Alabama asked Williams if he knew a good guitarist.“I researched the Blind Boys, and I was impressed,” Williams said. “When I later told them that I’d found someone; it was me.”The Blind Boys released the Grammy-winning “Spirit of the Century” in 2001, the first of three consecutive Grammy-winning recordings. Another Grammy win for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album followed with 2002’s “Higher Ground, which included songs written by Jimmy Cliff, Prince, Ben Harper, Stevie Wonder and Curtis Mayfield. In addition, the group’s version of “I Shall Not Walk Alone” was recently featured in an episode of the ABC prime time hit, “Lost.” Their latest album, “Down in New Orleans,” is recorded with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band and distinguished Rhythm and Blues musicians Allen Toussaint, David Torkanowsky, Rolan Guerin and Shannon Powell.The group also writes and arranges original music such as “Look Where He Brought Me To” and “Someone Watches Me,” by Williams himself. The group does all of its own arrangements.Although some of the members like Williams are sighted, “The Blind Boys” was founded by blind musicians Jimmy Carter, Clarence Fountain and the late George Scott. Other members include Ricky McKinnie, Ben Moore, Billy Bowers and Trae Pierce.The Blind Boys of Alabama are scheduled to appear with New Orleans’ famous “Preservation Hall Jazz Band” on Sept. 30, 2008, at 7 p.m. in Turner Auditorium on the Campbell University campus. Tickets are $10 balcony; $15 under balcony; $20 front; and $5 for students. The concert is part of Campbell University’s 2008-2009 Performing Arts Series. Tickets may be purchased on the Campbell Website at https://www.campbell.edu or by calling 910.893.4700.Photo Copy: The Blind Boys of Alabama open Campbell University’s Performing Arts Series on September 30, at 7 p.m. in Turner Auditorium. Pictured from left are Ricky McKinnie, Bobby Butler, Jimmy Carter, Ben Moore, Joey Williams and Billy Bowers.
NC based member of Blind Boys of Alabama comes to Campbell