On October 30th, in the recently-restored Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Josh Williams was named Guitar Player of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association—for the third consecutive year. In addition, the IBMA gave the Josh Williams Band its Emerging Artist of the Year award. On November 20th (which happens to be his thirtieth birthday), he will perform at Temple Beth El in Poughkeepsie in a concert sponsored by the Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association. 

Despite his youth, Williams has been performing professionally for two decades. At the age of ten, he recorded his first album, Tall Pickin’, two cuts from which received national airplay. By the age of thirteen, he had mastered banjo, mandolin, and guitar. Three days after his high school graduation, he joined Greg Cahill’s band, Special Consensus, with whom he performed for five years, including two years as their lead vocalist. In 2003, Rhonda Vincent asked him to join her band, The Rage, on guitar, and he spent the next four years with them. He formed his own band in 2007, which rapidly became established as one of the most promising groups on the bluegrass scene.

In addition to Greg Cahill and Rhonda Vincent, Josh cites among his influences J.D. Crowe, Tony Rice, Earl Scruggs, and Kenny Ingram, many of whom he has played with over the years.