About Jerry...

    Like a lot of other kids growing up in the southern portion of the US, Jerry Lynn Williams began his music career singing in church. By the age of 14 he was traveling around Texas singing and playing for anyone who would listen. In a juke joint in Texas one of those listeners was Little Richard. Jerry idolized Little Richard, so when he asked Jerry to join his band, Jerry jumped at the chance.

    A quick stint with Little Richard attracted the attention of yet another of Jerry's idols, Jimmy Reed. Soon after, Jerry hit the road with Jimmy's band."Jimmy taught me many things," he recalls. "Mostly how to handle the everyday music stuff...keeping my wits about me." Lessons were learned. Lessons that would prove invaluable.

    The road brings many unexpected encounters and adventures.
One of which was befriending a guitar player known at the time as Jimmy Jones. "Jimmy was the guy who showed me how to play lead guitar,"remembers Jerry. "Before I met him, I was just playing
rhythm. He taught me not to be afraid of the high strings." Jimmy Jones was later to find a special place in the history of rock music as Jimi Hendrix.

    Inevitably, all serious artists migrate to New York, Los Angeles,
London or Nashville. With Jerry it was Los Angeles. It didn't take long before then-president of CBS Records, Clive Davis, signed him to a 5-year contract. Along with producer, David Briggs, and Aretha Franklin's rhythm section, Jerry released his first album. Jerry headed back to Texas where he wrote more songs. Some with Leon Russell.

    It was on the strength of these new songs that Jerry wound up signing with Warner Bros Records back in Los Angeles. This new album would include Chris Kimsey (engineer and producer of the Rolling Stones' "Some Girls") and a list of top session players like Dennis Seiwell, Tom Scottand and Jeff Pocaro.The Warner's debut, "Gone", highlighted Jerry's distinctive blend of rock, blues and soul. The title track,   "Givin' It Up For Your Love", was a sure hit.

     Enter Delbert McClinton, Jerry's long time Fort Worth friend. Delbert re-recorded "Givin' It Up" and made it a worldwide number one hit. It was Jerry's first number-one, but others were to follow. Bonny Raitt recorded "Talk To Me",which struck up an undying friendship between them. And then there was Eric Clapton's versions of "Forever Man", "No Alibis" and "Pretending". Also Stevie Ray Vaughan recorded "Tick Tock".

    And now, Jerry Lynn Williams has released his third album, "The Peacemaker", on his own label, Urge Records. A few of his friends showed up to give him a hand -- Clapton, Stevie Ray (his last recording), Nicky Hopkins  (one of his last appearances), Mick Fleetwood and a few others. This CD features all new original songs from one of the best songwriters you ever heard.