ACMA Presents Hymn for Her in Concert - Bob Williams opens

“These trailer park hippies can sing and play their butts off and don’t give a hoot what the straights think! It’s White Stripes meet Country Joe McDonald, with things just psychedelic enough to keep everyone interested and on their toes. The humor is good. The music even better.”
– Vintage Guitar Magazine/RA

The ACMA audience has spoken….”Bring back Hymn for Her!” And so we did.

Hymn for Her began as the duo of Wayne Waxing and Lucy Tight some 20 years ago in Philadelphia, playing garage rock and roots-punk via Waxing on drums while also playing either guitar or banjo, and Tight on cigar-box guitar, has blossomed into a trio with the many times addition of daughter, Diver, on keys. Diver has been part of the touring unit since birth, hustled along with Mom and Dad in the touring Airstream as they made their way around the country on what seemed to be a never-ending tour.

They’ve got five full-length releases under their belt, and as of late have been doing the singles thing. In 2023, they’ve dropped two: “Elders” is a soft, harmony-heavy nod to when Waxing and Tight worked in a retirement community before the pandemic, a cut that’s the ripe, dream-pop sound they’ve pushed out. “Guns, Porn and Jesus” is a glorious jab at some of the roadside sights and personal beliefs of some of the residents of Hymn for Her’s now home state of Florida, a blast of cow-punk and satirical hillbilly rock that would make Mojo Nixon proud. Both singles were recorded at their home studio, which remains home base for future musical output.

Hymn for Her have been busy touring across the country and abroad over the past few years, injecting juiced-up backwoods country blues with a dose of desert rock psychedelia that has been described as “Hell’s Angels meets the Amish,” and “Hillbillies with electronics opening Pandora’s Box”

In 2017, they returned to the UK and Europe playing many festivals, including Glastonbury, to promote “Drive Til U Die” to their overseas audience.They recorded their 2nd album, “Hymn for Her Presents . . . Lucy and Wayne and the Amairican Stream”, in their vintage 1961 Bambi Airstream trailer at locations stretching from Philadelphia to Malibu on a three-month tour.

The duo certainly covers a lot of musical territory in Smokin Flames. Their wild-eyed mash-up of country, blues and punk led U.K. music critic Steve Bennett to call H4H’s sound “a riotous, rocking roadkill stew,” while others have referenced such diverse bands as Captain Beefheart, Primus, X, R.L. Burnside, JS Blues Explosion and the Ramones.

Impressively, the two create their “ripsaw sounds” (Los Angeles Times’ Randy Lewis) with only a few instruments. Wayne (with the devilish voice), mainly playing the kick-drum, high-hat, acoustic guitar and harp, serves as the group’s rhythmic driving force. Lucy (of the fallen-angel voice) delivers a gritty squall on her “Lowebow” — a custom-made cigar-box guitar: “The Riff Monster.”

During the pandemic, Hymn For Her played a live song on FB every Sunday for over a year. These “Singalong Sundays” were a way to share smiles and keep connected with fans.

As stated in their press kit, which is the ACMA’s good fortune….
“Catch this duo and many times trio as they burn down the highway and tear up your town like a Wichita twister”.

More cool stuff about Hymn for Her at:
hymnforher.com

Bob Williams opens the show. In the late sixties, Bob Williams, a young guitarist from Long Island, NY, began writing his own music as soon as he mastered three chords. Drawing inspiration from Folk-Rock and Country-Rock, Bob crafted a unique sound influenced by the folk singers of the 60s and the singer-songwriters of the 70s. His writing evolved into what is now known as Americana Music, a blend of Roots, Folk, Country, Bluegrass, Blues, and everything in between.

With encouragement from family and friends, Bob released his debut CD, “No Apologies,” in 2015. Following its success, he released “Ain’t Sorry Yet” in 2018, “Rocky Road” with The Pearl Street Band in 2020, “It’s Good To Be Back” in 2021, and his fourth solo album, “Will I Ever Feel That Way Again,” in 2023. Over the past decade, Bob has performed numerous concerts, opened for national touring artists, and regularly played with The Pearl Street Band. His songs have also been recorded and released by other artists.

Known for sharing the amusing stories behind his lyrics, Bob’s songs are personal, irreverent, funny, sad, and always heartfelt. His performances have been described as a mix of Neil Young and Crazy Horse with solo acoustic Bruce Springsteen. While that may be a stretch, Bob’s passion is evident in his music. All of Bob’s music is available to listen to or download for free on his website.

In addition to being a prolific songwriter, Bob serves as VP for the Americana Community Music Association (ACMA) of Fort Myers, FL, which promotes local singer-songwriters. He frequently performs and emcees ACMA Songwriter Showcases and coordinates workshops with the White Horse Black Mountain.

www.reverbnation.com/bobwilliams2

Tickets are available at the door for this show.

Door donations:
Members – $15
General Admission – $20

Doors open at 6:30 pm and concert begins at 7:00 pm.

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