Hayward Williams‘ Another Sailor’s Dream is a freewheeling, shotgun wedding of folk, blues and rootsy country rock, all filled with a gorgeous blend of ache, gristle and whiskey-toned gruffness. The album is comprised of songs that walk a perfect line between the sweet and bitter, and the sentimental and cynical, and is perfectly bookended by the opening track, “The Ballad of Benson Creek” and the finale, Williams’ own earnest version of Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road.” The eleven performances are carried out by an impressive trio of multi-instrumentalists, including accomplished singer/songwriter and co-producer Peter Mulvey (Signature Sounds Recording), Dan McMahon (Wandering Sons), along with Williams on vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar and piano.

Williams grew up with a guitar in his hands, performing from an early age in cafes, bars, and eventually rock clubs throughout his home state of Wisconsin and around the Midwest. He hit the ground running with a ‘64 Gibson that his mother bought at a garage sale, listened hard to everything from the Beatles to Buckley, and somewhere along the way began to write the tunes that would become his own voice.

His live shows have been described as having “…everything you could hope for… message, melody, and hooks” (Vital Source), and feature his facile guitar and thoughtful, distinctive tenor (imagine the honeyed side of Ryan Adams, Jay Farrar’s earthy grit and the playfulness of Sam Cooke). In little clubs and smoky bars around the Midwest, armed with memorable songs and engaging charisma, Hayward Williams is quietly building both a following and a career the old-fashioned way, one night at a time.

For more info please visit:
http://www.haywardwilliams.com
http://www.myspace.com/haywardwilliams

For media requests contact:
Eric Jensen / MACHINE PR
p: 262.442.4134
e: eric@machine-inc.com
http://www.machinerecords.com

Hayward Williams 2007 tour dates (more dates to be announced soon)
Mar 03 San Diego Indie Music Fest San Diego, CA
Mar 06 Vaudeville Mews Des Moines, IA
Mar 07 Bieroc Café McCook, NE
Mar 08 Mick’s Omaha, NE
Mar 09 The Listening Room Hastings, NE
Mar 10 The Mill Iowa City, IA
Mar 12 The Ark Ann Arbor, MI
Mar 13 Schubas Chicago, IL
Mar 15 Café Carpe Fort Atkinson, WI
Mar 16 Café Carpe Fort Atkinson, WI
Mar 17 Nicolet LRC Theatre Rhinelander, WI
Mar 31 Café Montmarte Madison, WI
Apr 14 Mother Fools Madison, WI
May 03 The Terrace / UW Madison Madison, WI

Here’s what people are already saying about Hayward Williams:

“Hayward Williams’ earnestly jaunty folk-rock might seem anachronistic in the prevailing musical atmosphere of self-conscious irony, but his combination of melody, restraint, and unabashed enthusiasm saves the day. Williams also boasts a voice that sounds several decades older than he actually is, lending his songs of love and loss a gravity they might not otherwise possess.” – The Onion

“Williams’ gruff voice is full and a perfect complement to the style of music he, somehow, is most comfortable playing.” – Illinois Entertainer

[9 out of 10 stars] “This is a fantastic record, one that’s a treat from start to finish.” – Americana UK

“Earnest singer/songwriter blues that is every bit a mixture of pure alt. country, blues, and rock. “Another Sailor’s Dream” is stocked with lyrics that are soaked in whiskey-blues and bitter sour grapes. But melancholy and downtrodden lyrics aside, this is quite an upper. Cynical folk rock that isn’t afraid to pull a punch isn’t something we get too often these days, even with the crowded alt. country world to reckon with. Nice.”
- Smother Magazine

“Hayward Williams’ live performances provide fans with solid guitar playing, soaring vocals and an assortment of interesting and sometimes ironic cover material. Built on a foundation of folk, blues and soul his original music blends strong melodies with lyrics that reflect his smart sense of humor.” - Isthmus

“Merle Haggard’s mouth would fall open after hearing the country-like-it-should-be-played-in-the-21-century. After hearing Another Sailors’ Dream I felt the same after I heard Ryan Adams’ Heartbreaker for the first time. Hayward Williams is young and very, very talented.” - Hanx

“On Another Sailor’s Dream Williams manages to take the classic country sound and modernize it without losing the original appeal.”
- Mixtapes/Heartbreaks

“Impressive semi-acoustic songs sparkle.” – Plato

“… a raucous hayride that traverses to the more haunted regions of Springsteen’s Nebraska, picking up both The Ghost of Tom Joad and a freshly plugged-in Dylan along the way, before ultimately crashing through the chicken-wire fence of The Band’s Big Pink.” - ConcertLivewire

“Built on a foundation of folk, blues and soul, Williams’ songs display raw intensity yet are tempered by his wry charm.” - Portal Wisconsin

[5 out of 5 stars] “The first major score for 2007! There isn’t one weak moment on this platter. From William’s own voice, that ranges from lovely and tender to raw and hoarse, to his brilliant lyrics & songs to the beautiful accompaniment of Mulvey and McMahon, this is the perfect marriage between folk, blues and country (rock).” - Ctrl. Alt. Country

“Hayward Williams’ new full-length album, Another Sailor’s Dream, is a collection of colorful, troubadour-folk numbers that beautifully marries banjo, dobro, piano, pedal steel, accordion and harmonica, along with a host of guitars. His naturally tender, yet raw voice remains melodious and intense from start to finish. A singer/songwriter of high caliber!” - Rootstime

- Press From Machine Records