Музыкант Keller Williams вернется в Айова-Сити с сольным концертом

Keller Williams will appear solo when he returns to Iowa City for a gig Friday, July 10, at Wildwood Saloon. But Williams, who is a one-man band, is used to performing sans other musicians. "I love playing with others, but back in the day I would play these clubs and I would show up with a band, and we would get $250," Williams said while calling from his Fredericksburg, Virginia, home. "So I decided to perform myself since I would get the $250. It was a no-brainer. I gave up on school and regular jobs, and that's how my career started. I enjoy playing with humans. There's nothing like that connection onstage, but I have no problem performing by myself." Williams, 56, is known for delivering unique solo shows with his Gibson Echoplex Digitial Pro looping unit. Williams builds his backing loops while performing. He is at his best while improvising on his custom-made, 10-string guitar. There is nothing like Williams' eccentric performances. The quirky entertainer has been among the most prolific recording artists since he emerged with the release of his 1994 album, "Freek." The jam-loving musician, who delivers a wild amalgam of funk, folk, bluegrass, rock, reggae, electronica and jazz, remains inspired. "I'm always writing even though no one is breathing down my neck for new songs," Williams said. "I can't help but create." "Still Running" is the latest new tune penned by Williams. "It's kind of timely. It has to do with global climate change and soccer. The fact that the World Cup is happening right now is perfect. I'm not a big soccer guy, but I enjoy watching the Olympics and tournaments." Williams will slip in "Still Running" along with selections from his canon, which features material from more than 25 albums. "It's not easy for me to put a set list together, but it always works out," Williams said. "I often get requests online. I've written so many songs that I'll go back to the ones I haven't played in years, and that's so much fun. It's good to have so many songs to choose from. I have fun with what I do. I know I'll never win a Grammy, but I have such a good time making music. That's all that matters to me." Williams has never had the goal of being the most popular player. "I wanted to be a working musician," Williams said. "My thing was always to make acoustic dance music. I do what I want to do. I don't worry about sales. If I did that, I wouldn't have made so many albums. I just try to make the best music that I can without ever looking at what anybody else is doing." Williams, who has played with such jam bands as The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey's McGee and the Yonder Mountain String Band, started playing guitar as a child. Williams was a college rock fan during the early '80s. He embraced U2, R.E.M. and the Cure. But his life changed in 1987 when he discovered the Grateful Dead. "I did a deep dive into the Dead catalog, and it changed so much for me," Williams said. "I saw the Dead in 1987, and I just loved what I experienced. The Dead were incredible." The late New Age guitarist Michael Hedges had an even more profound impact on Williams. "Michael Hedges' tuning was so different," Williams said. "What he did with the guitar had a huge influence on me. He found a different way to be creative. Michael Hedges was incredibly talented." Performing live is a grind, but Williams never lets that affect his performance. He’s adept at engaging the crowd. "I love what I do," Williams said. "Life is great. I love playing the shows by myself, but I also love doing the festivals since I'm part of something bigger than myself. What I love besides touring is having the ability to create." Williams still remembers his Iowa City debut at Gabe's a generation ago. "I'll never forget that show, which was way back in the '90s," Williams said. "There was no security or bouncers, which probably makes sense since I don't think anyone knew who I was at that point. There were about seven people that came up onstage while I was performing, and they were dancing along side of me. I remember saying, 'Thank you. Good night.' I went to the little backstage area and all of these people followed me, and I was like, 'Well, alright.' It was cool. I love coming back to Iowa City. It's always a great time." It will be different when Williams returns because he has more songs to choose from these days. "It'll be fun putting the show together," Williams said. "I always figure it out."