Nathan Williams (Zydeco) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nathan Williams
Williams performing at the Thirsty Ear Festival Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2009
Background information
Birth name	Nathan Williams
Born	(1963-03-24) March 24, 1963 (age 62) St. Martinville, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres	Zydeco, blues
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer, songwriter
Instruments	Accordion, vocals
Years active	1985–present
Labels	Rounder, Cha Cha Records

Nathan Williams Sr., born on March 24, 1963, is a talented American musician. He plays the accordion, sings, and writes songs in a style called zydeco. In 1985, he started his famous band, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas.

Nathan Williams' Early Life

Williams grew up in St. Martinville, Louisiana, a place with a rich folk music history. He was the youngest of seven children. His family spoke French Creole. Sadly, his father passed away when Nathan was only seven years old.

Nathan was inspired by his uncle, Harry Hypolite, a Creole guitarist. Harry played with famous zydeco musicians like Clifton Chenier. Nathan loved Chenier's music. When he was too young to go to Chenier's dances, he would listen from outside the club. Once, he leaned too close to a fan and it clipped his baseball cap!

At 13, Nathan moved to Lafayette, Louisiana to live with his older brother, Sid. He worked in Sid's grocery store. Later, after being very sick, Nathan decided to learn the accordion. He practiced in the bathroom so no one would hear him. His main teacher was Buckwheat Zydeco, but Chenier was his biggest hero. Sid bought Nathan his first accordion from Buckwheat Zydeco.

Nathan Williams' Music Career

Williams in 2022

Nathan Williams started playing music professionally when he was about 21. Five years after high school, he was recording songs on his brother Sid's record label, El Sid. Sid also opened a music club called El-Sid-O's in Lafayette. Nathan became a regular performer there every Friday night.

Nathan got a big chance when Buckwheat Zydeco left Rounder Records. Buckwheat suggested Nathan for a recording deal. Nathan tried out and got the contract! In 1985, he formed his band, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas. He named the band after a song by Clifton Chenier. In 1988, Nathan and his band played for the first time at the famous New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Playing at Rock 'n' Bowl

The Cha Chas first played at the New Orleans Rock n' Bowl club in November 1992. Their shows, along with others, were so popular that the club started having zydeco bands every Thursday night. In 1997, Nathan released a live album recorded at the club. It was called I'm a Zydeco Hog: Live at the Rock 'N' Bowl, New Orleans. Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas celebrated the club's 30th anniversary by performing there again in November 2018.

Nathan's Musical Style

Early in his career, The New York Times newspaper said that Nathan, then 25, was "poised to become important." They also called him "one of the best young zydeco musicians in Louisiana." His music mixes zydeco with jazz, blues, and R&B. Nathan writes most of his band's original songs.

For over 30 years, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas have traveled all over the world. They have played in many different places, from his brother's store in Louisiana to the Lincoln Center in New York. They even performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The band played at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. They have also performed in countries like Austria, France, Japan, and Germany. They were the first zydeco band to play in Poland!

Band Members

From the very beginning, Nathan's band has included his family members. Nathan plays accordion and sings. His older brother, Dennis Paul Williams, plays guitar. Their cousin, Mark Anthony ("Chukka") Williams, plays the rubboard. And his brother Sid is the band's manager.

Other family members who have played in the band include Nathan's son, Nathan Williams Jr., who plays accordion and keyboards. His cousin Allen Williams played bass, and his nephew Djuan played rubboard and accordion. Some non-family members have also been part of the band, playing bass, drums, rubboard, and saxophone.

Collaborations and Awards

In 1995, Nathan worked with Cajun fiddler Michael Doucet on his album Creole Crossroads. This was special because zydeco and Cajun musicians rarely worked together back then. In 2008, Nathan played accordion on Buddy Guy's album Skin Deep.

In 2013, Nathan started his own record label called Cha Cha Records. This label releases music by both Nathan Sr. and his son, Nathan Jr. In 2022, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas went on a big tour with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. They played 30 shows across the United States.

Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas were nominated for a Grammy Award in 2023. Their album Lucky Man was nominated for Best Regional Roots Music Album.

Nathan Williams' Personal Life

When Nathan is not touring and playing music, he runs a trucking company. It's called Cha Cha Hot Shot Service. His company hauls equipment for the oil and gas industry in Louisiana.

Nathan met his wife, Nancy, when he was 16 years old. They were high school sweethearts. Nathan said, "Once I met her, that was it." He added, "I have a nice wife, a nice family. I make a decent living. I enjoy what I'm doing." Nathan and Nancy have three children.

His Children's Music Careers

Nathan Williams Jr. started performing with the Cha Chas when he was only 3 years old, playing the rubboard. He released his first album, Zydeco Ballin', in 2002, when he was 14. Since then, he has led his own band, Lil' Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers, playing accordion and keyboards.

Nathan's youngest son, Naylan, is also a musician and record producer. He played most of the instruments on his father's 2022 album Lucky Man.

Nathan's older brother, Dennis Paul Williams, is not only a jazz and zydeco guitarist but also a well-known artist. His artwork has been shown in many cities in the U.S. and Europe. His paintings were featured in a 2013 book called Soul Exchange. They also appear on the covers of two books by poet John Warner Smith.

Nathan Williams' Music Albums

Nathan Williams has released many albums throughout his career. Here are some of his studio and live albums:

Nathan Williams' Film Appearances

Nathan Williams has also appeared in some films:

• 1994: The Kingdom of Zydeco (a documentary film). It includes Nathan's comments and a performance by him.
• 2009: In the Electric Mist (a movie). Nathan had a small role in this film.
• 2010: Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Concert. This concert was shown on PBS television. It included a performance by Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas.

Nathan Williams' Awards and Honors

Nathan Williams has received many awards and honors for his music:

• 2002: Best of the Beat Award for Best Zydeco Band or Performer
• 2005: Inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
• 2006: Best of the Beat Award for Best Zydeco Band or Performer
• 2006: Best of the Beat Award, Best Zydeco Album for Hang it High, Hang it Low
• 2010: Big Easy Music Award for Best Zydeco Band
• 2012: Big Easy Music Award for Best Zydeco Band
• 2012: Zydeco Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2015: Zydeco, Blues and Trailride (ZBT) Clifton Chenier Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2017: Landry Vineyards in West Monroe, Louisiana created a special "Nathan Williams Zydeco Wine" label in his honor. He had performed there for many years.
• 2023: Grammy Award nomination for his album Lucky Man in the Best Regional Roots Music Album category.
• He was also voted top festival band in the country in an unknown year.

See also

In Spanish: Nathan Williams para niños