J.P. Williams
J.P. Williams was born in the small town of Clarksville, Indiana, but soon moved to Dallas, TX where as a child he lived a life singing in the children's choir at church and of laughing and playing with his two sisters. His childhood resembled that of most any other child in America, except that J.P. was born blind in his right eye, and then at the tender age of ten, glaucoma in his left eye took his sight completely.
After a few years of adjustment as well as out right frustration John began to look for something to hold on to and call his own. He turned to his love of music and began to teach himself to play guitar. J.P. had found an outlet of expression that he truly enjoyed.
The family soon moved to Chattanooga, TN where in his sophomore year of high school he began to find himself playing guitar more and more, and even writing a few songs now and again. John started bringing his guitar to parties and small get togethers with friends, word soon began to spread about his talent.
It was at this time that J.P.'s parents had gotten him involved with The Special Olympics back in Texas. Word had spread to the producers of the event regarding J.P.'s talent and they arranged for him to perform the national Anthem at the Mesquite Rodeo nearby where the Olympics were being held.
After coming off the stage and feeling the electrifying cheers of the crowd J.P. knew what he wanted to do, be a performer. He completely immersed himself in his guitar and songwriting and began to formulate a plan to make a career out of music.
After graduating from the TN school for the blind J.P., starting playing with some local bands while attending University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he received a B.A. in music.
Subsequent to receiving his degree he started looking for the next step to take in his career. It was this search that took J.P. to Atlanta. He felt that this would be a place he could truly hone his craft and that the diverse urban population would be more accepting of the unique sound he had developed over the years. After paying his dues on club and bar scene all around the area John began to receive bigger and and better offers as he progressed. To date he has opened for names such as Bruce Hornsby, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Charlie Daniels, CCR, Ricky Skaggs, Edwin McCain and has also become a regular at the famous Bluebird Café in Nashville.