Thursday, August 25, 2011 8:47 am

As he takes the stage, straps on his guitar, and sits on a chair, a respectful hush falls over the audience as Don Williams begins his first song. The audience is unable to contain itself and breaks out in a thunderous applause.

   Don Williams. He came out of retirement to go on tour, once again. To share an evening with him is to share messages that are loved and remembered. You don’t come to a Don Williams concert to hear him. You come to cuddle and absorb the smooth baritone singing of a man who is now known and loved throughout the world. He gives and shares of himself so that you feel a kinship to this great man of our times.

   At 72 years of age, Don Williams is amazing. He is also very unpretentious and you get the sense that he also has a lot of humility in his personality. He is very laid back and sprinkles brief but great comments between songs. This man born in Floydada, Texas on May 27,1939 is a singer, songwriter who does vocals, and plays guitar, piano and bass. He began playing guitar as a teenager which he learned from his mother. He has just recently and, deservedly so, been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (2010).

   Don Williams grew up in Portland, Texas  and after being a part of singing groups, began his solo career in 1971. You listen and are treated to his smooth, straightforward style in that bass-baritone voice and soft tones. That style earned him the title of “The Gentle Giant”. When you are fortunate enough to see him in person, you become a “feel good person” who is continually awed by this mans’ simple, yet music with a message. You soon discover, Don Williams doesn’t write or sing lyrics, he sings poetry!

   “I Believe In You” and “Your My Best Friend” are two songs that together captures the essence of the man and the message of his poetry. The list of his offering just goes on and on. When I asked one of those attending the concert, which song she liked best, she replied: “All of them!”. That, in itself best reflects the achievement which this man has accomplished.

   The Foundation at Isothermal has presented many great performers. Most sell outs are country western musicians and legends. However, the night spent with Don Williams has to be absolutely one of the best!

   In a confused and high tech, fast paced world it seemed like we were all, once again,  sitting around the table at a family event and everyone had a kind word to say to each other. How we long for those times again!  The lesson learned from one night of musical messages from Don Williams just begs you to be grateful for what you have and infuses in you that none of us are poor. We have songs like his to make us feel rich!