Chancey Williams can’t help but shake his head when he hears a country music singer sing about the life of a cowboy, mainly if that country music singer has never actually lived the life of a cowboy.
“You can tell they’re not real, but we don’t have to fake anything in our songs,” Williams says in an interview. “We are the genuine article. I mean, I can’t sing about a Georgia dirt road! Said, if you don’t like cowboys, you probably won’t like our music.”
And it was this authenticity that, quite simply, kept Williams and his colleagues out of the spotlight of country music, particularly during the terrible ‘bro-country’ era.
“If we had tried to do that stuff, our fans would have [killed] us,” the neo-traditionalist says. “It’s been a long journey for us, playing against what was popular in country music, but we just kept going.” I always urge the band not to worry about other artists’ actions. We’re wearing blinders.”
Indeed, timing is everything, as Williams’ heartfelt music now fits not just into the contemporary country music landscape but also into American culture, with shows like Yellowstone and 1883 entering practically every part of society.
“It’s finally getting to the point where cowboys are cool again,” he says. “It’s a new fad to be this authentic cowboy, but I’ve only done it my entire life.” I’ve always worn the same way. I’ve said the same things and treated them the same way.”
Not unexpectedly, the facts of a hard life always sneak into Williams’ music. “You could run out of one of these days, right?” Williams wonders aloud. “It’s always something in the back of your mind.”
Indeed, as mortality appears to be staring us in the face these days, Williams has always believed that “life is short.” However, in his new track, “One of These Days,” the singer/songwriter transforms the sad theme into a love ballad.
“It’s like, after a long time with a girl, you start realizing that if you’re not careful, one of these days you could run out of one of these days,” Williams says of the single. “Never take those opportunities for granted.” You should take advantage of any opportunity to see someone or make a life decision.”
These life decisions have propelled Williams to this point, as the former Saddle Bronc athlete and Wyoming native never saw himself among country music’s most intriguing new talents.
“I came from a world and a town with 800 people where there wasn’t a big music scene,” Williams, 41, who now lives in Wyoming full-time, recalls. “I grew up on a ranch.” That’s all I’ve ever known. So, regarding a career, I chose something I knew nothing about.” “I probably know more about ranch and rodeo than music,” he laughs, adding, “but I chose music.”
His meteoric climb in the country music industry has been anything but quick.
“It may have taken us a little longer than some other artists, but you know, we’ve earned every inch along the way,” says Williams, whose new album One of These Days will be released on Friday. When we first started playing music, we had nothing to measure ourselves to. As a result, we took a little longer to understand the business and the craft of writing beautiful songs and putting on a live show that people want to see.”
And one of those forthcoming live events will occur on the Grand Ole Opry stage on April 22. “It feels incredible to stand on stages like that, knowing that we weren’t just picked out of a crowd and made stars.”