Michigan Music History Podcast -- MMHP989 · Scott Baker, Gary Johnson, Fred Reif, Mike Beattie

Michigan Music History Podcast--Sharrie Williams--The Princess of Rockin Gospel Blues!

·1 hr 20 min·5 clips

Williams argues that artists must be paid because "your gift make room for you."

The episode opens at the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends studio inside the Historical Museum of Bay County. Scott Baker hosts with Dr. J, Sir Fred, and Mr. Mike around the table. Cherie Williams is introduced as the princess of rock and gospel blues. She says she was born in Saginaw, Michigan. She traces her start in music to church. Her parents sang in a gospel group, and she says she was singing from about age six. She sang in the choir at Williams Temple at 12. By 16, she was already touring. The hosts connect that early path to the kind of early start associated with Aretha Franklin. Williams keeps the focus on the work. Later, she talks about touring in Turkey for seven weeks. She says she never got hoarse there. Her point is that good travel and good facilities matter. She says promoters will sometimes spend on food, hotel, and travel, then skimp on sound. She pushes back hard on poor sound systems. In her view, bad sound can burn a singer out before a tour is really under way. She says young artists often do not know better. She also says age makes you less willing to accept bad conditions. The conversation turns to her recent life changes. COVID slowed her touring. Her husband passed away. She says that without an overseer, some people in business try to take advantage. She explains that she has had to be both male and female in the business side of things. She says she does not have a manager at the moment. The hosts ask about her releases after two albums on Crosscut. They mention a later release on a Canadian label. Williams says the situation was murky. She does not want to burn bridges. She jokes that when she knows she is done with someone, she can blow that bridge up, but that is not her default. The talk keeps a friendly, local tone even when it gets blunt. The closing thanks the guests, the Hall of Fame, and the listeners. It also points viewers toward the MMHP Facebook page and the related sites for more information.

As heard by us

A steady Michigan music conversation that connects gospel roots, touring, and hard-won practical talk.

Recorded live in Bay City, this episode gives a steady Michigan music conversation with Cherie Williams, moving from her Saginaw church roots to early touring and the long haul of a working singer's life.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want Michigan gospel-blues stories from Cherie Williams, recorded live in Bay City.

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