Williams' 'cult personality' attracts dancing fans

Fans loved Williams' lack of pretension.

By Erica Zucco

Published Jan. 25, 2008

Keller Williams is not a rock star.

Backed by his band, The WMDs, Williams skipped flashy costumes, fancy light shows and even an opening act in favor of a simple background projection screen with videos and a penchant for improvisation. The message to the audience: just focus on the music.

It worked.

Keller charmed the audience with his natural smile, goofy demeanor and familiar melodies — and clearly, show-comers knew what to expect.

Once the show began, concertgoers immediately began singing and moving to the music.

The line of 20 fans that waited impatiently outside The Blue Note at 7 o'clock grew to an indoor crowd of about 500 as the night progressed.

Williams has been described as a "cult personality," and the attending crowd consisted mostly of devoted fans rather than interested outsiders. Several audience members standing near the front of the stage proudly sported Schwagstock shirts, referring to a festival Williams previously played.

Williams, barefoot in a gray t-shirt and khaki floods, walked onstage with a big smile on his face.

He was followed by The WMDs: drummer Jeff Sipe and bassist Keith Moseley, both casual in tees and jeans, and guitarist Gibb Droll decked out with hat and scarf, both in houndstooth.

The foursome perfected the image of casual, fun music making; they appeared unpretentious and happy to be there.

Whether they were nodding along with Sipe's beat, swaying their hips or engaging in the exorbitant swing dance cluster started by a male fan in a flowered blouse and sunglasses, almost the entire crowd of 20-somethings danced from the first song until the last.

Williams captured the essence of attraction with the humorous, upbeat tune "Restraint."

The song began, "I want to jump your bones/But you're on the phone/And it seems kind of important."

The lyrics were real, personal and easy to connect with. Who doesn't want to "do it on a swivel chair"?

Williams skips glamorization of romance, opting for a more realistic view.

Williams launched into the playful G. Love cover "Back of the Bus," singing "All the cool kids sit in the back of the bus" and reminded listeners of their middle school bus rides.

The band also performed the sardonic "Got No Feathers" and "Kidney In a Cooler," which sparked rhythmic clapping from the crowd.

The band took a 15-minute break, and audience members kept their energy up by talking, laughing and, some of them, with a game of hackey-sack.

"How about a little bit of bluegrass?" Williams asked as the crew walked back onstage, this time even more relaxed and eager to improvise. The band launched into a smooth version of Williams' "Freeker By the Speaker," and the enthusiastic audience sang along.

Keller Williams and The WMDs are strong on tune and great with lyrics, but the gold star really goes to their ability to connect with the audience.

They seem like a likeable bunch of relaxed guys playing in your living room at a family get-together — experimental, unassuming, and willing to have fun with whatever they do.