"a Wayfarer" - norm williams
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Thank you for taking the time to visit this page. For several years I have been encouraged to make a solo recording of the acapella and Mountain Dulcimer songs & tunes I often sing/perform, as well as other material. I have desired to do an all gospel recording for some time of those songs/tunes that minister to my soul and reflect this journey I have been on. I have begun the recording process thanks to a generous benefactor and I cannot express to you how excited I am to get to work recording these wonderful songs & tunes, but I still need help to make it happen!
How did all of this start you ask?!? Music has always been a large part of my life. I sang my first solo at age 12 and sang a lot with the church choir and my family during my high school years. At age 20 I picked up the guitar, primarily to accompany myself - I was really into folk and folk-gospel at the time. While in College I met other like-minded folk musicians and became part of a band called "Wayfarers." We played all through college and beyond and have remained close over the years. These were my musical "teeth cutting" years and I value the lessons learned from playing and the friendships that endure. For a few years in the 80's I played mostly solo and it was the singing that was most important to me. In the '90's we moved into East Stroudsburg and I met Bob Mallalieu who was playing in a group called "Joyful Noise." He invited me to join them. We became good friends and over the next 9 years developed into a band called "Pure Water Supply." During this time period Bob's and my love for Old Time Music grew and we picked up additional instruments - banjo, mountain & hammered dulcimer and other assorted folk instruments. "Pure Water Supply" was a dynamic band and I was fortunate to record 2 albums with them. In 1999 I hit a low - spiritually, morally and emotionally - in my life and dropped out of playing music. I entered recovery and discovered some disturbing and wonderful things including that I have a God who loves me and Who desires, by grace, to restore me. This seemed impossible to me but, gratefully I was wrong.
Over the past 17 years I have found a new vitality in my relationship with Christ and, in turn a new passion for the music. I am very much an Old Time musician, learning tunes from others “knee to knee,” and gravitating toward the old and the traditional. I have been privileged to continue my close friendship with Bob and in 2002 we formed the band, "Wayfarers & Company." We have produced 2 albums and are working on our third as I write. Bob & I also started the Pocono Dulcimer Club and its Winter Dulcimer Festival around that time, and I also began teaching Mountain Dulcimer, first in our club and later at other festivals throughout the Northeast. Additionally, I am privileged to play with Tom & Betty Druckenmiller ("the Druckenmillers," who I’ve also recorded with) and with Cliff Cole & Rob Yoder as "the Dulcimer Boys."
All of these experiences (and many more than I cannot convey here) have conspired to bring me to this moment of recording this album which is titled, "...a Wayfarer; songs of encouragement & hope for the journey." Songs included are "Wayfaring Stranger; Where the Soul Never Dies; Love That Amazes; What Wondrous Love”; and a dozen more. Most are very old; some are new but in an older style. I play Mountain Dulcimer, guitar, a little banjo and Native flute. On some I have asked friends who I've sung/played with to join me. My hope is these will be an encouragement to all who listen.
I tell you all that to ask you this: Would you please take a moment to consider partnering with me as I strive to share this music that's been put on my heart? Any amount of support will be deeply appreciated. I hope when it’s completed you’ll love the music as much as I do.
For those of you interested in how the money will be spent, here's the estimated breakdown:
Studio Time: $0 (gifted by a generous benefactor)
Art Work: $500
Sound Engineer: $2000
Mastering & Mixing: $1000
Post Production: $2500
That totals $6000 that I am seeking to raise to complete this recording.
Again, thank you for your consideration in partnering with me on this project.
Norm
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How did all of this start you ask?!? Music has always been a large part of my life. I sang my first solo at age 12 and sang a lot with the church choir and my family during my high school years. At age 20 I picked up the guitar, primarily to accompany myself - I was really into folk and folk-gospel at the time. While in College I met other like-minded folk musicians and became part of a band called "Wayfarers." We played all through college and beyond and have remained close over the years. These were my musical "teeth cutting" years and I value the lessons learned from playing and the friendships that endure. For a few years in the 80's I played mostly solo and it was the singing that was most important to me. In the '90's we moved into East Stroudsburg and I met Bob Mallalieu who was playing in a group called "Joyful Noise." He invited me to join them. We became good friends and over the next 9 years developed into a band called "Pure Water Supply." During this time period Bob's and my love for Old Time Music grew and we picked up additional instruments - banjo, mountain & hammered dulcimer and other assorted folk instruments. "Pure Water Supply" was a dynamic band and I was fortunate to record 2 albums with them. In 1999 I hit a low - spiritually, morally and emotionally - in my life and dropped out of playing music. I entered recovery and discovered some disturbing and wonderful things including that I have a God who loves me and Who desires, by grace, to restore me. This seemed impossible to me but, gratefully I was wrong.
Over the past 17 years I have found a new vitality in my relationship with Christ and, in turn a new passion for the music. I am very much an Old Time musician, learning tunes from others “knee to knee,” and gravitating toward the old and the traditional. I have been privileged to continue my close friendship with Bob and in 2002 we formed the band, "Wayfarers & Company." We have produced 2 albums and are working on our third as I write. Bob & I also started the Pocono Dulcimer Club and its Winter Dulcimer Festival around that time, and I also began teaching Mountain Dulcimer, first in our club and later at other festivals throughout the Northeast. Additionally, I am privileged to play with Tom & Betty Druckenmiller ("the Druckenmillers," who I’ve also recorded with) and with Cliff Cole & Rob Yoder as "the Dulcimer Boys."
All of these experiences (and many more than I cannot convey here) have conspired to bring me to this moment of recording this album which is titled, "...a Wayfarer; songs of encouragement & hope for the journey." Songs included are "Wayfaring Stranger; Where the Soul Never Dies; Love That Amazes; What Wondrous Love”; and a dozen more. Most are very old; some are new but in an older style. I play Mountain Dulcimer, guitar, a little banjo and Native flute. On some I have asked friends who I've sung/played with to join me. My hope is these will be an encouragement to all who listen.
I tell you all that to ask you this: Would you please take a moment to consider partnering with me as I strive to share this music that's been put on my heart? Any amount of support will be deeply appreciated. I hope when it’s completed you’ll love the music as much as I do.
For those of you interested in how the money will be spent, here's the estimated breakdown:
Studio Time: $0 (gifted by a generous benefactor)
Art Work: $500
Sound Engineer: $2000
Mastering & Mixing: $1000
Post Production: $2500
That totals $6000 that I am seeking to raise to complete this recording.
Again, thank you for your consideration in partnering with me on this project.
Norm
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Organizer
Norm Williams
Organizer
Breinigsville, PA
