Remembering Don Williams

On the same day as Troy Gentry‘s death, the Country music family also mourned the loss of one of its most distinctive song stylists with the passing of Don Williams after a short illness. He was 78. A native of Floydada, TX, Williams, known as “The Gentle Giant” for his smooth, laid-back sound, was born May 27, 1939. He made his chart debut in 1973 with “The Shelter of Your Eyes,” followed in 1974 with his first chart-topper, “I Wouldn’t Want To Live If You Didn’t Love Me.”

From that point through 1991, each Williams single would hit the Top 40 on the Billboard Country charts. His 1970s hits included the hits “Tulsa Time,” “She Never Knew Me” and “It Must Be Love.” He was named the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year in 1978. In 1981 Williams recorded “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good,” and what would be his biggest hit, “I Believe In You,” which not only topped the Country charts, but also crossed over to No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Williams’ final two albums were And So It Goes in 2012, and 2014’s Reflections, which included contributions from Alison Krauss, Vince Gill and Keith Urban. Both albums hit the Top 20 on the Billboard Country Albums charts – his biggest rank there in three decades. In 2016, Williams delivered his final performance and retired, capping one of the most successful careers in the history of the Country music.