CD Review: Led By Love (The Williamsons)

The Williamsons trace their launch back to the 1998 launch of the Homesteaders Quartet. Don Williamson formed the group, hoping to sing a relaxed, part-time schedule. But as the booking requests came in, they quickly went to a full-time style. Williamsons, who sings baritone, was ultimately joined by his wife Lisa, singing alto. Darin Hebert sings bass; at the time of the recording, their first with Crossroads, former Stamps Quartet member Michael Helwig sang lead; David Folenius has since replaced Helwig.

Don and Lisa Williamson write much of the group’s material; Don wrote one song for the project and arranged a second, while Lisa wrote three songs. The group also cut a few as-good-as-new songs that astute students of the genre may recognize, “My House is Full (But My Field is Empty)” (Lanny Wolfe Trio), “God’s Word Will Stand” (Ivan Parker), and “Pray On” (penned by Harold Gilley and published by Singing Americans Music).

The project is a straight-ahead quartet project, with convention-style songs, uptempo numbers, and ballads that would fall safely within what most Southern Gospel fans would enjoy.

Produced by: Roger Talley. • Group Members: Lisa Wiliamson, Michael Helwig, Don Williamson, Darin Hebert. • Review copy provided. • Song list: He’s Leading Me; God is Good / God’s Not Dead; All I Can See is Grace; Pray On; Face to Face; Because of the Cross; Keep Movin’ On; My House is Full (But My Field is Empty); Walking in Step; God’s Word Will Stand.

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