Written By Allison Bloom | June 27, 2024
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE
There is no name in country music as iconic as the Williams. Hank Williams is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, and a pioneer in the 50s and beyond. After his passing, his son Hank Williams Jr. joined the throne, winning a Grammy and countless Country Music Awards in the 80s. Now it is Jr.’s son Sam Williams turn to continue the legacy.
Williams joined GLAAD’s Yolanda Lenge to talk about his iconic family’s and his new music being released tomorrow!
Act I: Scarlet Lonesome is dropping on June 28, 2024. This is William’s first full project since his 2021 debut album Glasshouse Children. This upcoming project will be the first part of this 3-act trilogy, all of which will come together to form his sophomore album, coming early 2025.
“It feels rather bitter-sweet,” Williams says about the release of his new album. “The bigger records that I make, there’s an extremely emotional aspect to them… The songs are very special to me, I’m at a point in my life where I’m proud of myself for making it happen.”
“I’ve always looked up to artists that were themselves in their music and were completely unafraid to be theatrical and push the limits every single time,” he explains. Through his music, he wants to “take those walls down and show the person behind everything.” He talks about how much he enjoys music where you feel like you are actually getting to know the artist through their music.
“I think it was important for me early in my career to establish that I was going to be myself,” the openly gay artist says. “I’m excited to just keep swimming.”
He talks about what it’s like to be making music as a member of the Williams family. “Coming from my family… I’ve always been exposed to the negative remarks, long before I ever came out. I think that the magnitude of the legacy of my family, with millions upon millions upon millions of people that are very passionate about it.” He goes on to say, “I had to develop some tough skin in that matter, at the end of the day some of that doesn’t feel good but there’s only one Williams making music right now in the music industry and that’s Sam Williams.”
“I hold the entire weight of my whole family because I’m the one doing music,” he continues. “Early on for me, validation from people that I really respected felt so powerful,” he says in reference to artists like Dolly Parton that have supported and collaborated with him since the start of his music career.
Williams then reminisces on his recent performance at GLAAD’s Concert for Love and Acceptance. “I’m so glad and grateful to be a part of something like that with GLAAD,” he says. He was excited to get to see “so many artists that I love and think are great,” that got to be celebrated at the show. “The visibility is so important for that next generation of people.”
Check out Sam’s upcoming tour dates here and be sure to stream Act I: Scarlet Lonesome, starting tomorrow, wherever you stream music!