Artists:Dar Williams

Dorothy Williams was born in 1967, in Mt. Kisco, NY, to two "liberal and loving" parents, who encouraged her desire to become a singer/songwriter. One of her two older sisters always called her "Dar", and the name stuck. She began playing the guitar at the age of nine, and wrote her first song at eleven. She was also interested in drama, and majored in theater and religion at Wesleyan University. She moved to Boston in 1990, to further her career in the theater, but began writing songs and performing in coffeehouses as well. She opened for Joan Baez, who recorded some of Dar's songs, and helped to establish her popularity as a folk/pop songwriter.

Dar Williams at WomenRock in north Florida, March 2006

As a songwriter, Dar chooses to dig deeper into the meanings of things, and the importance of being true to yourself. She writes about the things that she loves, and the things that she hates, and the social and environmental issues that she holds dear to her heart. Her songs combine poetic images and warm melodies, made personal through her beautiful singing voice.

Williams' devotion to activism remains strong as ever. Her causes range from environmental protection to social action; she has helped spearhead grassroots organizations around the country alongside her legions of fans. In 2005 she inaugurated a program called the Echoes Initiative that allows her to formally partner with various local organizations to help raise funds and awareness for their missions. Dar has also branched off into the publishing realm as an author of two novels for young readers, Amalee and Lights, Camera, Amalee, both published by Scholastic Press. Williams continues to tour regularly; a new album is due out in 2008. She is a favorite among Whole Wheat Radio listeners.