Vern Williams

Vern Williams (born Delbert Lavern Williams) (December 9, 1930 – June 6, 2006) was a singer and mandolin player who was instrumental in introducing bluegrass music to the West Coast of the United States.

Early life Williams was born on December 9, 1930, in Newton County, Arkansas (or Bullfrog Valley, Pope County, Arkansas ), as part of a musical family; family members (such as brothers Junior and Hairl Dean) played fiddle, guitar, and banjo. Williams started on guitar, then switched to mandolin at age 17. and he was the first to be awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the California Bluegrass Association.

Williams died in 2006 in San Andreas, California.

Discography Sounds From the Ozarks, Vern and Ray, Old Homestead Records, 1974 Vern & Ray With Herb Pedersen - San Francisco, Arhoolie Records, 1968 This Is Rose Maddox, Rose Maddox with The Vern Williams Band, Arhoolie Records, 1981 A Beautiful Bouquet, Rose Maddox with The Vern Williams Band, Arhoolie Records, 1983 Traditional Bluegrass, The Vern Williams Band, Arhoolie Records, 2004