Treasure trove of music by country legend discovered, takes fans back in ‘time machine’
Previously unreleased recordings by the "Gentle Giant" had been languishing in storage for decades.
Mason Reed 
Country music enthusiasts are in for a treat as a legendary voice from the past returns to the spotlight. A long-lost collection of recordings from the late Don Williams has finally emerged, offering a rare look at the iconic star during his absolute prime in the 1970s and 80s.
A Hidden Treasure
These tracks spent decades tucked away in storage until they were discovered in the cellar of the Williams family home in Tennessee. Now, these unearthed gems have been meticulously restored with the help of producer Garth Fundis, a longtime collaborator who worked closely with Williams throughout his illustrious career.
Twelve of these recovered songs will make their debut on the upcoming album “Epilogue: The Cellar Tapes,” which drops May 29 via Craft Recordings. The project includes tracks like “Try Me Again,” “You Came True,” “How Can I Miss What I Never Had,” “Spinning Around,” and “I’m In Love For My Last Time.”
Restoring the Gentle Giant's Sound
While Williams’ original vocal performances remained intact, many of the multi-track elements had deteriorated over time. To reconstruct the artist's signature sound, Fundis and executive producer Tim Williams—the singer’s son—brought back several musicians who had toured with the country legend, including bassist Joe Allen, drummer Kenny Malone, keyboard player Charles Cochran, steel guitarist Lloyd Green, and guitarists Jimmy Colvard, Dave Kirby, and Billy Sanford.
“These songs Dad recorded are — as music can be — a time machine,” Tim Williams said. “In working on this project, we tried above all to stay true to how Dad approached production.”
A Legacy Reimagined
The first single, “Leaving Louisiana in Broad Daylight,” hit streaming platforms in late March. Additionally, fans have already received a glimpse of the project through a stripped-down version of “I’m the One,” released in mid-April.
Don Williams, who passed away in 2017 at age 78, remains a titan of the genre. Known as the “Gentle Giant,” the Country Music Hall of Fame inductee defined an era with his smooth baritone and a string of 17 No. 1 hits. 205focus.com is excited to see these lost recordings finally find their audience.
