Born and raised on a small farm in Hassetts, Nova Scotia, Brent Williams developed a love and appreciation for music at an early age. One-night stands in the Maritimes in their early teens with fellow Afro-Canadian and lifelong friend Harry Cromwell, signalled the beginning of a life in music for Brent. The Birch Mountain Boys were one of the first groups to play and perform live Bluegrass music in Canada. Following the Birch Mountain Boys, the ‘Brent & Harry Show’ was formed. Two LPs were recorded during that time – ‘Country Special’ and ‘More Country with Brent & Harry’.
In subsequent years, Brent toured extensively and made regular television appearances on programs including Don Messer’s Jubilee, The Maritime Playboys, and The Marcel Martel Show. Settling into a solo career, he recorded ‘Soft Soft Shoulders and Dangerous Curves’ which was a significant regional hit in the Toronto area and led to numerous releases including the Nashville recordings of ‘Back Home in Georgia’ and ‘Till I Can’t Take it Anymore’.
Brent has released 23 albums, had a number of songs appearing on the national charts and was nominated for a CCMA. In 2013 he received the honour of being inducted into the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame and in 2015, Brent received the prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the African Nova Scotian Music Association. An accomplished musician, consummate entertainer and truly a pioneer in many facets of the music industry in Canada, it was a great pleasure to speak with Mr. Brent Williams.
For more on Brent visit: www.brentwilliams.ca
