SHARRIE WILLIAMS & THE WISEGUYS :::: www.SLANG MUSIC.com

The Princess of
Rockin' Gospel Blues

Latest since her 2002 performance at the Blues Estafette in Utrecht, Holland, Sharrie Williams is producing a lot of attention in Europe.
Her live shows are incredible.
A galactic vocal force to be reckoned with, a ragging flame of fire that has been sprayed with gasoline, she has a message burning within her soul. Sharrie has a powerful voice, with a range that can reach and rattle the castle tower one minute, while soothing the soul of a crying child the next, she possess an unaffected nature, which gives her grace and a sensibility that pays homage to the great female artist of rock and blues without ever being imitative, in short, Sharrie Williams is the real deal, a true original.

She brings you in, by singing her insides out, hearing her is a pure delight, but seeing her perform will make you a believer. Williams has a warm and radiant stage presence, that takes hold of you and capture your imagination and captivate your senses, the sound of her voice is compelling, it promises redemption. With every note She makes you cry, laugh and dance, she can even wake up the dead, I guess one would call her the voice of an emotional cocktail.

Born and raised in the projects of Saginaw, Michigan, Sharrie grew up surrounded by music and singing her entire childhood, being raised in a musical family. "My Aunt and Grandma were jazz singers, my father was a gospel/jazz singer in the 1950’s and 1960’s, my brother is a gospel singer and my mother was a gospel singer. Our house was like a Juke Joint...Singing, drinking, dancing and the blues playing, with chicken and fish fryin."
She began singing at the age of twelve with the Greater Williams Temple church choir, recording and touring, under the direction of Hubert J. Williams, she performed with Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Shirley Caesar, The Winans, and James Cleveland. Marion McKinnie challenged this young artist with extensive vocal training in jazz, gospel, concert music and drama, she was able to combined her singing with acting.

She teamed up with The WiseGuys in 1997, and began appearing regularly at Chicago’s renowned Blues Clubs such as Kingston Mines and Buddy Guy’s Legends.
By 1998 Sharrie Williams and The Wiseguys were on their way to Europe. They started with performances in Germany, and by 2004 they had toured Holland, France, Italy the Netherlands, Spain, Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and Great Britain.

In April 2004 Sharrie released Hard Drivin’ Woman on the German label Crosscut Records, to international acclaim throughout Europe and the United States. Word spread back to the US about her captivating performances and rock solid recording. She performed at US festivals including the Chicago Blues Festival and the Pocono Blues Festival soon thereafter. Her CD sales at the Pocono Blues Festival were at the top of sales records for this storied event, a major contributor in introducing her to the American blues market.

Over her years Sharrie has had the opportunity to collaborate with national recording artists such as Larry McCray and Ron Prince. Her influences are Koko Taylor, Etta James, Pattie Labelle, Aretha Franklin and the legendary Billie Holiday - they have all helped form her unique style. She is poised for the next level. “I love what I do! I can play for five people and feel like I played for 60,000."

Sharrie’s unique style of “Rockin’ Gospel Blues” is surrounded by strong and powerful vocals and arrangements, with songs that grab your soul, like “Hard Drivin’ Woman,” “Travellin” and “Blues Lover”. Sharrie touches souls with her talent and passion for her music, combined with her smoky, sexy and imitable style she always leaves her audience calling for one more song. She emerges with grace as a humble and rock solid professional, a talented songstress that stands on her own. “Having lived the blues, I sing to inspire people, Not to let the blues get the best of you”.

In January 2007, Sharrie signed a recording contract with the Canadian based Blues label Electro-Fi Records. Andrew Galloway President & Founder, reports "Sharrie Williams is extremely talented and at the forefront of a new generation of Women Blues Artists. We are delighted to welcome her to the Electro-Fi label.”
The record, called I'm Here to Stay, will be released Worldwide in June 2007, Sharrie and the Band will be touring extensively throughout the USA and Europe in support of this release.

About her

"Sharrie Williams vibrant, gospel - drenched voice with interesting arrangements and splendid song writing... "Sharrie Williams clear and passionate delivery is absolutely compelling. The urgency, honesty, integrity and rich texture with which Williams belts out her deeply felt blues will surely earn her the respect she deserves among fans and critics alike. Record company executives, are you listening?
Leslie Ann Knight, Blues in Britain

"When Sharrie Williams starts singing the blues, it makes you proud to be from Saginaw and sorry for anyone who isn't. It's more than music, it's an experience that sings to your soul."
Sue White, Saginaw News

"Sharrie Williams and The Wiseguys did not put a foot wrong on their lengthy set. Strong and powerful numbers with some very original arrangements to some familiar tunes mixed with gospel, soul and blues and Sharrie's very confident stage presence had one thinking of Shemekia Copeland. This Lady has bags of potential, that's for sure..."
Mike Stephenson Belgium Rhythm'N'Blues Festival, Blues & RhythmUK Sept. 2003

"I don't think Chicago ever knew what hit it. Williams stormed the stage...and the room exploded. From the first lines of here own "I'm a Real Woman" she had control and she wasn't going to give it up. The way this woman works a room must be experienced in person, and when she's belting out tales of hard lives, lost loves, and the strength needed to get through the days, she isn't just singing the Blues - She is the blues. It comes right out of her mouth and hits you where you live - in your soul..."
Randy Chandler In Performance

"Sharrie brings to a song a unique freshness, strong on the present with respect toward roots. She delivers her heat; whether it's one of her many self penned originals or a standard, she brings you in by singing her inside out; hearing Sharrie is a pure delight, but seeing her perform will make you a true believer!"
Tom Bert, Grammy Award Photographer

"This Lady levels the room and leaves the crowd pleading for more, A Galactic ne vocal force to be reckoned with...I was at both of Sharrie's gigs and she wrecked the place bothe times. Super band she's great, nice people, too. Everybody loved them. We want them back"
Gary Erwin, Promoter of both South Carolina's Low Country Blues Bash
& Charleston's Blues Bash

"This Lady levels the room and leaves the crowd pleading for more, A Galactic vocal force to be reckoned with...I was at both of Sharrie's gigs and she wrecked the place bothe times. Super band she's great, nice people, too. Everybody loved them. We want them back."
Robert E. Martin, Review Magazine