Cris Williamson
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Cris Williamson is an American feminist singer-songwriter, who achieved fame as a recording artist, and who was a pioneer as a lesbian political activist. Williamson's music and insight has served as a catalyst for change in the creation of women-owned record companies in the 1970s.
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early years
Williamson was born in 1947 in Deadwood, South Dakota, but her family moved to Colorado and Wyoming when she was young. Her musical idol at the time was Judy Collins, and Williamson developed a musical style and sound that was similar to that of Collins. She released her first album, The Artistry of Cris Williamson in 1964, when she was sixteen. She became a local musical sensation, releasing two following LPs afterward.[1] Williamson graduated from the University of Denver. During that time, she collaborated with other women who were songwriters, and began to network with Holly Near, Meg Christian, and Margie Adam; all musicians who became women artists of stature, forming an entirely new genre of music, primarily about and for women.
[edit] Moving on
During a radio interview in Washington, D.C. in 1973, Williamson suggested that someone should form an all-women's record company. The Independent label Olivia Records was founded the next day. Olivia released Williamson's The Changer and the Changed, which became one of the best-selling independent releases of all time.[2]
Williamson went on to record more than a dozen more albums with Olivia, and then formed her own record company, Wolf Moon Records, once Olivia stopped producing records. She recorded two albums with her long-time producer and lover, Tret Fure. Williamson and Fure ended their 20-year relationship in 2000, and each now records as a solo artist.[3]
Williamson has also recorded albums with fellow women's music artists Meg Christian and Teresa Trull. She has friends in many corners; one longtime friend is musician Bonnie Raitt, who has played on some of her albums. She has also worked as a session musician.
In 2007, Williamson's camp issued a cease-and-desist to record label Stones Throw and music group Jaylib, for using an unauthorized sample of her song "Shine On, Straight Arrow."[citation needed]
[edit] Political activism and charity work
Williamson has been a lesbian feminist and a promoter of women owned music companies. She has recently become involved in a new project with friend Bonnie Raitt.
[edit] References
- ^ Cris Williamson: Encyclopedia of Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Queer Culture
- ^ Garofalo, Reebee (1992). Rockin' the Boat, p. 245 South End Press ISBN 0-89608-427-2
- ^ Kort, Michelle (accessed July 15, 2007) Dated August 15, 2000 The Advocate "The Changer and the Changed"
