Artist Biography

One of Those Nice Finds Carrie Alice Williams a singer/songwriter with perceptible depth ,Some of the best musicians in the area aren't playing in the biggest venues. Sometimes they're just passing through. Sometimes they land here with plans to stay a while -- finding work at area restaurants, watering holes, special events and the occasional last-place-you'd-think-to-look places. Discovering these little jewels of talent is like learning a secret that you just can't keep to yourself. One of those unexpected surprises popped up on a recent Saturday morning after some of our "Speaking of" staff stopping in for coffee at the Firehouse Coffee Company on Hancock Road in Bullhead City.

Area newcomer Carrie Alice Williams was seated at a piano, singing and playing as people shuffled in and out for their morning cup of Joe. Some lingered longer than they had planned. Our immediate take was that Williams is a huge talent in a small space, complimenting the warm atmosphere and rich, earthy aroma of roasting coffee beans. Her voice stands out, yet blends into her surroundings and her versatility as a singer/songwriter is the thread that holds it all together. "I do such a variety of different styles -- definitely a variety of sounds," Williams said during a recent chat with the Laughlin entertainer. "I have the ability. I can sing rock from groups like Jefferson Airplane and turn around and do standards like "My Funny Valentine." I can sing anything I want to sing. If someone asks me, I'll do 'King of the Road' by Roger Miller. I try to please everybody a little bit." She's also a little unconventional in her musical approach. "I learned to play the piano a couple of life-times ago," she states. "I play by ear. I can't read music. I have to use the 'gift.' I also play a little guitar. I played both on my CD. It's called A Bird in Hand and I recorded it in New York City and at Neil Young's ranch in California near San Francisco. It's all my on the album, nobody else ... except maybe the ghost of Christmas past." Even through it was recorded in New York and California, Williams had to go to Toronto to put it together with the help of Neil Young's brother, Rob. "I had a lot of songs to choose from and I also have the possibility of one of my songs being used in a film up there (Toronto). All it takes is one and then you're on the map." Speaking of maps, she landed in Bullhead City in the late fall when she came here to work with the duo Sacred Mirrors at River Palms. "I stayed because it was November and it was beautiful," she said. The gusts of wind the area has experienced recently haven't ruffled Williams' feathers. "I love wind," she explains. "With wind comes possibilities ... and it works well in a song. I've been writing songs forever. I guess my job is to try to bring people out of their thoughts." Listening to her CD, A Bird in Hand, reveals a few songs with the wind theme woven within and yet another side to Carrie Alice Williams -- her Joni Mitchell/Carol King/Diana Krall-ish vibe. "I was raised in the northeast and lived in Miami, half and half," she states. "So I have a bit of northeast and Cuban culture within me ... living in Miami was definitely unique." And her music is definitely stylistic. "I do covers, but I do them with my own arrangements," she states. "For instance, I do Steely Dan's 'Do It Again,' but I do it in my own way. If I don't have a band, I have to do whatever I have to do with just me there." When she's at the Firehouse Coffee Company there's not much room for any more players ... and Williams is fine with that. "I like the intimate setting of the coffee house," she explained. "People look like they're interested and like they appreciate the entertainment. I love doing it because I love the music -- that form of communication -- so when people get tired of me flapping my mouth, I can just sing to them. "I was suggesting they get an old upright piano -- which would fit nicely in there because they have such a nice business. I like to go there. I get to play in front of all the beans. I told the owner (Karen Kern), that I'd write her a song called "Bean There, Done That.' " In between performing at the coffee house and private parties, Williams has another reason for staying in the area and not letting travel get in her way. "I'm working on my second CD, which I will be calling Breath on the Mirror," she says. "When it comes to songwriting, I'm prolific. I have so many songs, I don't know which ones to do first. I am a song gold mine. I can't explain it. They come from wherever the 'gift' comes from. I have to honor that and work at it, because if you don't, you dishonor the 'gift.' That's my job." One listen to this talented musician/poet/artist and you will be asking the question that she hears quite frequently... "what are you doing in Bullhead City?" Sharin' the 'gift,' baby. Sharin' the gift.

Artist Mission

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