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With his laid-back, straightforward vocals and large, imposing build, Don Williams came to be known as "the Gentle
Giant." That nickname was bestowed on him in the early '70s, when he began a string of countrypolitan hits that ran into the
early '90s. Williams was never known as an innovator, but his ballads were immensely popular; in the course of his career,
he had a total of 17 number one hits. During the '70s, Don Williams became the most successful country artist in the world.
His country-pop not only crossed over into the American pop mainstream, it also gained him a large following in England and
Europe. In addition to his Top Ten hits, Williams won several country music awards, highlighted by the Country Music Association
naming him Male Vocalist of the Year in 1978, the same year his number one single "Tulsa Time" was named Single of the Year.
In the late '70s, he began acting, appearing primarily in the films of his friend Burt Reynolds, including W.W. and the Dixie
Dancekings and Smokey and the Bandit II. In the early '80s, Williams slowed down the pace of his career slightly, as he was
suffering from back problems. Nevertheless, the hits continued to come and many of his singles reached number one. In 1986,
he left MCA Records -- who had acquired the ABC label while he was recording for it -- signing with Capitol. The change in
labels didn't affect his career at all, as he continued to hit the Top Ten with regularity. In 1987, he underwent back surgery,
which cured his problems. Williams signed with RCA Records in 1989. Initially, he continued to have hits, but his streak came
to an end in early 1992, following his last Top Ten single, "Lord Have Mercy on a Country Boy." Although he continued to perform
in the mid-'90s, he had effectively retired to his Nashville farm, returning to recording in 1998 with "I Turn the Page".
Some of the "gentle giants" hits were "Good Ole Boys Like me", "I Believe in You", Lousiana Saturday Night", "Love is on a
Roll", "Lord I Hipe this Day is Good", and "Love me Over Again". Williams signature song is "Tulsa Time" and my favorite
is definatley "Lousiana Saturday Night".
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