“It’s been said already, but I’ll say it again: Jack Williams is a national treasure. When it comes to pulling the worlds of blues, country, rock and roll, and jazz together on an acoustic guitar, I’ve never heard his equal.”  ~ Luke Torn, The Washington Post

Fannin County, Texas -- You are invited to attend this house concert on Sunday, February 18, 3:00-5:00 p.m. with Jack Williams -- an exceptional singer-songwriter, acoustic guitar player, storyteller, and person.  Honestly, he's the ‘real deal’.

Jack and his wife Judy will be starting a tour through OK, TX, SC, and FL in mid February.  He hadn't considered TX in the tour, until I (Faye) invited him.  His appearances at Harmony House Concerts have been memorable to him as well as the guests who attended.

SAVE THE DATE & MAKE YOUR RESERVATION SOON!  Just call 903-583-2661 (home landline...no texting) and leave your name, number of reservations you'd like, your contact info (preferably email address), and any questions you might have.  Reservations are $25 per person, payable when you come to the concert at our CD & Reservation Table.  Pay in cash or by check made to Jack Williams.  If you have to cancel, please do so early as we will keep a waiting list.  No-shows are a NO-NO at Harmony House, as seating is limited.  Hosts do not take a cut from the performer's fee.

If you have been to Harmony House before, then you know how hospitable and caring its hosts (Faye & Scott) and the musical community they've gathered over the past 15+ years are.  If you have never been to one of our concerts, just ask for directions when you make your reservation.  We are located on Wildscape Acres, www.WildscapeArcres.com, just 10 miles north of Bonham, TX and about 65 miles NE of the Dallas metroplex. Faye & Scott are about sustainability-- even Harmony House is a reclaimed house that has rustic ambiance in its natural setting amidst meadows and woodlands.  Sustaining the best independent singer-songwriters and sharing them with you is another goal.

Guests are asked to bring finger food to share with others on tables in the dining room and master bedroom.  We will provide bottomless cups of good java, teas, delicious tea-punches, plus cheese, crackers, and whatever else I (Faye)  can manage to put together for your grazing appetite.  In the breakfast room, there will be a plate for optional $1 cash donations to help defray our expenses.

Jack will play two 45-minute sets with a 30-minute intermission for browsing the CD table, chatting with Jack, grabbing another cup of coffee or a plate of yummy delights, or visiting the ‘necessary room’ (you are welcome to visit it at any time).  Just be prepared to be blown away by Jack's finger picking and his own Southern style of blues songs!  His roots started in South Carolina and have reached around the world now. 

“. . . Perhaps even more exciting than seeing Bob Dylan, though, was the reaction that Jack Williams got.  . . . He practically blew the top off the tent! Man, oh man, can that guy play guitar! He completely overshadowed more well-known performers. . . .They were wonderful but Jack Williams was playing in an entirely different league. I was astounded by how good he is.” ~ Mark Cashman, upon hearing Jack for the first time at the Newport Folk Festival.

 More about Jack  (and Judy) below:

You can visit Jack's website,www.jackwiliamsmusic.com, and read about his journeys, listen to his songs, and see videos.  It's the best way to learn about his musical evolution over seven decades.

I (Faye) decided to write this from a personal perspective, since I have been a fan of his ever since I discovered Kerrville Folk Festival in the 90's.  Jack was one of the main stage performers every year I attended.  Then, when Scott and I met, I insisted that he attend Kerrville with me (a criteria for any relationship was a love of music).  Luckily, he had it.  Some of our friends there invited us to go to Camp Maddox and visit Jack one Sunday afternoon.  Camp Maddox was a charming spot made up of cabins, a lazy stream to float, huge trees, and a limestone bluff on one side of the stream where you could hear the calls of canyon wrens and other birds. Jack lived there whenever not touring.  We took up the invitation.  Arriving at Jack's place was like a mini-Kerrville festival.  Artists and other friends gathered there to enjoy pickin' and grinnin', taking a dip in the stream, and sitting amidst the tall live oaks with a beer or whatever.  That's when we met Judy as well; he and Judy were just becoming an ‘item’.  He had met the love of his life! They lived at Camp Maddox and toured most of the year to festivals all over the USA (later, Europe and UK).  That was our beginning of a 30-year friendship with the two of them.  They converted a van into a living space so, when on tour, they always had their own accommodations (like a turtle does).

I was living in Dallas at the time, so I got to catch all of Jack's shows at Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse and at Tom & Linda Noe's + Paul Porter's ACT house concerts in Wylie.  I didn't miss a show during those years.  Then, when Scott and I moved to Wildscape Acres, we decided to start the Harmony House Concert venue.  Jack was among the first performers we hosted to a ‘sold out’ show.  Julie Ming of Denison brought about 12 persons with her because her brother in SC was a huge fan of Jack's. He flew in from SC with family, and her other brother in CA flew in for the show.  Her mother, Danute. came along and tapped her toes throughout the show.  Jack and his music have a contagious positive effect on people wherever he goes. Every show we've hosted for Jack is a whopper! 

Then, Camp Maddox sold and was being converted into some other type of space. Jack & Judy even had us start looking for property to buy in NE Texas.  However, they were used to a stream near their cabin.  They found the perfect spot in NE Arkansas on a mountain and remodeled a home on the property with the help of a retired contractor who talked them through each new project.  Both of them are motivated, quick learners, so it has become a "little piece of paradise".  Judy continues to tour with Jack, but both look forward to their home time and new projects.

Then, I became friends with Joseph Leavell, who was also an avid fan of Jack & Judy.  Joseph had him play for one of his birthday parties and I never saw Jack w/o guitar in hand;  it's an extension of his body!  I won't go into all the details here but, several years ago, Joseph made it possible for Jack & Judy, and Kelli & Donna (Still on the Hill of Fayettevile, AR) and 5-6 others to go on a Birding Safari to Costa Rica.  Though both Jack and Kelli are avid bird watchers, the trip really was planned for Donna's 60th birthday.  Later, plans included Donna and Kelli tying the knot.  Anyway, my friend Diane McCollum McCrady decided she and I should join this adventure.   We all were greeted by our guide/bus driver and taken to wondrous natural havens for bird watching, among other things -- like an evening of splendid foods and spirits to savor . . . and music.

This past summer, Scott and I took a little trip to Fayetteville.  I contacted both Kelli & Donna [they’re now having house concerts at their home -- officially The Ball Museum of Fayetteville] and Jack & Judy.  We had a lovely summer dinner with the four of them at Jack & Judy's abode on one of the decks they've added.  It was mostly homegrown organic yummy stuff and great company.  Upon leaving, I mentioned to Jack that we would love to host him again here and he was receptive to my offer, even though they were leaving the next day for a 3-week tour of CO, OR, and WA and still had packing to do.

Folks, that's the end of this inside story about a fantastic singer-songwriter and his amazing Judy!  Bottom line is:  Don't Miss This Harmony House Concert!  Enjoyment guaranteed.