Sam Williams, son of Hank Williams Jr. and grandson of Hank Williams is this week’s Swag Spotlight and we talked all about his legacy and the career path and music he is now creating to carve out his own piece of this music genre. At just 22 years old, Williams has just released a new single, titled “Gemini” which perfectly describes the zodiac sign and all that call it theirs.

Obviously growing up in a famous family, country music was in his blood. His grandfather’s career, though short, is nothing less than legendary and many of the artists that we interview today state that Hank Williams’ music shaped their love for the genre and influenced them. His grandson, however, explains that there wasn’t a jukebox in their home playing his music or his father’s music, that he grew up listening to rap music as well and clearly remembers buying Chris Browns’ debut album. After attending Belmont University to learn more about the industry that he was almost destined to end up in, Williams explains that he appreciates all genres and loves finding new, old music to love. “I have a likening to country music but probably not as much of the modern popular country music,” he tells us. “I love to discover a classic or legendary artist who everyone else knows but since it wasn’t my era, I wasn’t too aware of it. For example, Gillian Welsh, “Look At Miss Ohio” it’s a classic but I don’t really know that song because it wasn’t my time period.” He even explained that just a few months ago he heard his grandpa’s song “Why Shouldn’t We Try Anymore” for the first time and it’s now one of his favorites.

He explains how growing up he had different dreams that didn’t involve music. “When I was 12-13 years old I really wanted to have a sneaker company or something like that. I was also, always very into politics, I think my Dad always thought I was going to do something like that but at the end of the day, I had a voice that was given to me.” Although his grandfather is regarded as one of the most influential artists in country music in his short time on this earth, his legacy, and how he died was something Williams has to come to terms with before making the decision to step into the same industry.

Currently, he listens to everything from Dolly Parton to Billie Eilish, Beyonce, and Drake, and discusses with us that those different genres are crucial to how he is now developing his own sound. His newest single, “Gemini” started out as a poem and has been a song he wrote with fellow songwriter, Jaida Dreyer. “We were getting to know each other and talking in a write one day and she was talking about an idea of straddling a line, something parallel, left and right, right and wrong and I was talking about zodiacs and Gemini’s and how they have 2 personalities.” The twangy guitar along with his rustic voice, “Gemini” is a balance between modern and traditional music.

Williams concludes with his upcoming plans for the rest of the year, gearing up to release a collaboration with an artist he says “we all know and love”. He’s hoping to release an EP by the end of the year.

To keep up with Sam Williams, follow him on Facebook and Instagram.

“Gemini” is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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