May 28, 2020 – Southern Utah by-way-of Nashville country songwriter Lacey Williams has shared her debut single today at Wide Open Country, with the outlet praising “Cut N’ Curl” as “witty classic country.” The song will see a full digital release on June 5.
With her throwback style and playful country delivery, it’s hard to believe that Lacey Williams’ musical introduction was the study of classical piano and violin in Tokyo, Japan, where her dad’s work in the hotel business had them living for much of her childhood. When her dad hired a western swing band from Texas to play at one of the hotel restaurants, the musicians quickly became family friends and the fiddle player offered Lacey a few lessons. She was hooked, switched from classical to fiddle, and never looked back. The fiddle and folk tunes connected with Lacey and she began writing lyrics and melodies of her own, reminiscent of the old bluegrass standards she was learning. Years of practice later in the United States, Lacey joined her cousins in a family bluegrass band. They toured regionally, and Lacey cut her teeth playing the upright bass, guitar and singing the quintessential three-part harmony.
By the time Lacey began college she was regularly writing and performing original songs and knew she wanted to study music. She attended Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah, and became one of the first graduates of their media music program. She also played in the university’s folk band, joining them on multiple international tours. It was in the folk band that she met Drew Williams, a bluegrass guitarist who would soon become her husband. After graduating, the couple packed up and moved across the country to Nashville, Tennessee.
While in Nashville, Lacey worked as a songwriter, session musician, and recorded multiple albums with her husband as part of their duo Drew & Lacey. In 2014, she was hired by the Country Music Hall of Fame to help develop and implement a songwriting curriculum for the museum’s education program. This position sparked a love for music education and helped shape Lacey’s musical path.
After ten years in Tennessee (and with three kids in tow), Drew & Lacey moved back West in 2016. Soon after arriving, the duo became resident performers at the OC Tanner Amphitheater at the base of Zion National Park. In 2018, Drew & Lacey worked with producer Scott Wiley (Bonnie Raitt, John Legend) on their EP Most Likely, featuring all original songs written by Lacey. Lacey also founded the Maybelle Series, an acclaimed concert series that features female singer-songwriters and aims to mentor young writers. Of all her musical achievements, this concert series might be what Lacey is most proud of. “The chance for girls in high school or college and just starting out as writers to get to share the stage with professionals is an experience I would have treasured at that age” Lacey explained in a recent interview about the series.
Now, for the first time since their move to Nashville, Lacey is recording music as a solo artist. Her first single, “Cut n’ Curl”, is a playful country ode to small-town hairdressers. The record demonstrates Lacey’s distinctive country voice and lyrical prowess.