On his own
Zach Williams a new face as a solo artist in Christian music scene
Zach Williams grew up watching his father leading worship. It’s one of his biggest influences when it comes to music. “Growing up hearing this songs really inspired me,” he says during a recent phone interview. “My dad also had two younger brothers who got me into rock ’n’ roll. I think between those two genres, that’s where my music comes from.”
Williams is a new face in the Christian music scene — at least as a solo artist. He previously was the lead singer of Zach Williams & The Reformation.
The Arkansas native released his debut album, “Chain Breaker,” at the end of 2016.
The lead-off single, “Chain Breaker,” reached No. 1 on the Christian charts.
Williams is on tour with Chris Tomlin on his “Worship Night in America.”
“It’s been great to see how these guys do it,” he says. “Everything is a learning experience. I’m grateful to be doing this.”
Williams’ journey has been filled with ups and downs.
He was a standout basketball player in high school, but his use of drugs and alcohol diminished his chances at a college scholarship.
Wanting to move forward, he went to college in northwestern Arkansas and eventually secured a full-ride athletic scholarship.
Then an injury sidelined him, and that’s where music stepped in.
“I write from my experiences,” he says. “This is the only way people will connect to you. I try to be as honest as I can be. It can be scary, but there’s always the silver lining of making it through. That’s what God wants me to write about.”
Williams says his current album took about six months to complete.
He and the producers had to narrow 30 songs down to 10.
“That was one of the most difficult processes,” he says. “There were a few
songs I wished were on the album, but we can always go back and get them for the next record. I was trying to please all parties involved.”
Though Williams’ album recently came out, he’s looking for opportunities to write on the road.
“I’m hoping to have some downtime,” he says with a laugh. “The tour is pretty new, and we’re all getting acclimated to life on the road with this tour. I’m sure as the tour moves forward, I’ll be able to get some time to write.”