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.
Liam Carter 
Country music fans are in for a nostalgic treat as a collection of long-lost recordings from the legendary Don Williams is set to hit the airwaves. A treasure trove of previously unreleased songs, recorded during the icon's peak in the 1970s and 80s, has been unearthed.
A Time Machine from the Cellar
These tracks were discovered in the Tennessee home of the Williams family, where they had been resting in storage for decades. The project, titled “Epilogue: The Cellar Tapes,” arrives May 29 via Craft Recordings and features 12 restored tracks from 1979 to 1984.
Producer Garth Fundis, a longtime collaborator who worked closely with Williams, helped spearhead the restoration. “Don liked every one of these songs,” Fundis noted. “I’m certain Don would be proud of this album.” Tim Williams, the artist's son and executive producer, describes the record as a “time machine” that invites listeners back to that defining era of his father’s career.
Restoring the Signature Sound
While Williams' original vocals remained intact, many of the multi-track elements had deteriorated over time. To reconstruct the missing pieces, the team recruited several musicians who had toured with the “Gentle Giant” throughout his life, including bassist Joe Allen, drummer Kenny Malone, and keyboardist Charles Cochran. The final product includes standout tracks such as “Try Me Again,” “You Came True,” and “How Can I Miss What I Never Had.”
The first single, a rendition of “Leaving Louisiana in Broad Daylight,” debuted in late March, followed by a mid-April release of a stripped-down version of “I’m the One.”
A Legacy of Grace
Don Williams, who died in 2017 at age 78, remains a titan of the genre. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010, the Texas native earned 56 chart records during his illustrious career, including 17 No. 1 hits. Whether through his smooth baritone on classics like “Tulsa Time” or his calm, wistful approach to storytelling, the Gentle Giant’s influence continues to anchor the country music landscape.
