July 21, 2010
Stimmenfest

Bet at Stimmen 2010 Festival

Epiphany Project just back from playing at Stimmen (Voices) Festival down in Lörrach/Switzerland. What a great festival. Beautiful. Well run. Thanks Helmut, Susanne and Anke and Johann. Bobby McFerrin played as well. He was brilliant. A vocal adventure. Then we headed to Aachen to "Across the Borders" festival. Great too! Good folks. We played in a large very reverberant church with lots of soul. Earlier this summer we were at the Gnaoua Festival in Essaouira. We loved Morocco! The people were lovely in spirit and body. The food awesome. Jack liked the camel rides and playing soccer on the beach with locals. Also Armenian Navy Band was playing which was a fine surprise! One of my favorites. Arto the leader of the band played on the "Hin Dagh" CD. Also check out Bet Williams Band at Blues, Roots and Song fest near Hamburg! That was a blast. Here's a photo. Lots of sweat! A summer of music. Next some shows in Northern Germany by the coast and Hamburg area at the beginning of August. love and sea breezes Bet

The Bet Williams Band w/ Steve Baker at Blues, Roots and Song

June 20, 2010
Berlin, Germany

April 22, 2010
Back in Berlin

April 11, 2010
The legendary Bearsville Theater, Woodstock NY

April 5, 2010 — After Easter
Philadelphia

April 1, 2010
New York City

The Tour in Germany
Epiphany Project — March 2010

Stopped along the road in South Germany

Mal arrived in Berlin from New York with his drums and we set up in the studio for a few days and explored all things Epiphany. Was great to play with him again. He's really an amazing and soulful percussionist. At the beginning of March we headed to Braunschweig and kicked off the tour with an interview w/ Florian Damm at Radio Okerwelle. As usual Florian was full of great questions and surprises and we performed on air and warmed up for the first show of the tour later that night in Lucklum at Wegwarte - an old beautiful place. A big crowd and high energy. During the intermission we realized it had snowed (yeah again!) and so we ran outside and made snow angels. A magical night. Leipzig was a full house at a famous venue where even the Rolling Stones have played. Then we played a lovely church near Cottbus before coming back to our "hometown" Berlin for a show at a theater in Spandau. Was great to see our Celle buddies in Bergen. And Hamburg was fabulous with Lelani's birthday crew there and the great lights and sound. Mehlbek was in the country for sure and the food was amazing thanks to Freya and Freya! Eisenach was the most beautiful town and great venue at Jazzkeller - where they have an extensive Jazz library - museum really. Incredible. Here are pictures from that gig. We celebrated Mal's birthday a few times on the road - once with good folks in Hainichen and then the next night in Burghausen where we were surrounded by some incredible artwork (Knox) and of course the people were awesome too (hey muk!) as we played on a stage that literally has a stream running beneath it a la Frank Lloyd Wright. Fürth and Laufen (hey even some armenians there!) folks thanks! Ravensburg- we love this place. Beautiful 1362 building made art house. A deep place.

February 26 — Berlin
Spring is Coming

We're warming up for our spring tour! The snow is melting and even some tiny flowers are trying to come up.

The fabulous world percussionist Mal Stein flies into Germany next week.

We'll be trying some new songs in the studio and start the tour next friday on March 5 in Braunschweig!

The tour will have us traveling all over Germany to some great venues so we're pretty excited. Then we head back to the U.S. for a visit in April (check calendar) and a few shows before we return to this new home town Berlin. I like it.

Hope to see you on one of the fine continents on this fine earth.


Take care

- Bet

Berlin, February 2010
Fasching! — Germany's Mardi Gras

A Saubera (Wizard)	Hey! It is Fasching (German Mardi Gras) and Jack's Waldorf school made a circus complete with lions and tigers, a strong man, acrobats, clowns and magicians all in a sawdust covered ring. Have some popcorn. Take a look. Hope you are well LOVE and happy fat tuesday Bet, Jack and John

February 2010
Schlachtensee, Berlin, Germany

Building an icy tower	when we came to visit berlin in september we took the train only a few stops out of the city to swim in the schlachtensee. we thought oh what a city, a wonderful place, let's live here for a while. Now we walk across this lake with the berliners dreaming of the swimming days but happy for the occasional blue sky. getting ready for epiphany project germany tour in march. the fabulous mal stein comes from manhattan to play percussion for this one. check the calendar. also looks like we'll head back for a visit to nyc and philly in april. we hear there's lots of snow in the u.s. too. til then, eating snow -bet
Schlachtensee impressions

January 27, 2010 - News from Berlin, Germany

It is still minus 14 here in Berlin!
But we are keeping warm with the great energy the good folks gave us at Petruskirche . It was a wonderful night. Thanks to all the people oh and the dog (one dog night apparently) - woof! I love Europe. Where else can you have a dog in the audience in a theater. And he really listened and only barked in rhythm.

Now we hunker down and do some more writing and recordings for new CDs. A new Bet Williams Band CD with all new songs will come out in October. And a new Live Epiphany Project CD is in the works.

We're thinking about the people in this great big world and especially the people in Haiti.

It is a wild ride. Hoping you and your loved ones are well.

onward,

Bet

January 17, 2010 - News from Berlin, Germany

Greetings People of Earth (particularly Berlin),

We wanted to let you know about a special concert we are giving next week at Petruskirche in Berlin-Lichterfelde. It's a great space in the alcove of a church and has the intimate feeling of a coffeehouse or a club.

This will be our first official concert in our new hometown of "Berlin". Plus we will be featuring our new percussionist, the fabulous Marcel van Cleef. Marcel is a master drummer and plays a huge variety of percussion instruments from all over the world. Hope you can make it!

EPIPHANY PROJECT in concert:
Saturday, January 23 20.00 Uhr
Bet Williams (voice) & John Hodian (piano) with Marcel Van Cleef on percussion
at PETRUSKIRCHE in Berlin - Lichterfelde
Tel. 773 28 452
(S25, S-Bhf. Lichterfelde-Ost; Bus 117, 184, 284, M11, X11)

Click here for more info on next Saturday's concert.

Click here for more on Epiphany Project and to hear/see the band.


Bet

Berlin, January 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Birthday Boys Jack and John jamming	HAPPY NEW YEAR! We were in Berlin for this new year and fireworks were going off all night long. They take it seriously here and everyone on the street participates. We've been dumped on with snow and we love it. Getting ready for a show in this new home town next week at Petruskirche. Meanwhile we can be found sledding at various hills around Berlin. Love and Peace as ever Bet
Sledding with good friends	Solo sledding

Berlin, Potsdamer Platz - November 9, 2009
20 Years After the Mauerfall

	We went to Potsdamer Platz last night for the Mauerfall. It was quite a scene. Many people. We drank hot wine and walked all around looking at the artist and student painted "pieces of the wall", that later came down as dominos. The rain kept pouring, and we were so cold and wet that we left before Hilary and Angela spoke. Did they even speak I don't know. For sure we missed Bon Jovi. Oh well. Was good to be here. The emotion. The ghosts. The human spirit. The horrible history. The personal stories you hear being in this city. The young faces. The hope. It is all overwhelming. Came back to our apartment and listened to an old song "Parachute" written for my grandfather Col. George Gerhart who freed concentration camps in WWII. He was also a paratrooper in the Korean War. He passed away last thursday at 97. What an incredible man. We will miss him so. Crying for him. Jack was upset because he wanted grandpa George to teach him about Parachutes. Me too actually. Ah life. I imagine us all floating in the air grabbing hands as we fall to the earth. We are laughing. A few shows coming up and then Christmas in Berlin. Considering all the rain so far, we ought to see some snow this winter. Hope you and yours are all well and happy or on some satisfying road these fine, fine days. Love and lantern light from Berlin. Bet Epiphany Project - "Parachute"

St. Martin's Day - November 11, 2009

Lantern walk im Wald (in the forest)

to be sung while carrying a lantern (usually hand made) to a distant hill or castle: "Laterne, Laterne, Sonne, Mond und Sterne! Brenne auf meine Licht, Brenne auf meine Licht, aber nur meine liebe Laterne nicht!" "Oh Lantern Oh Lantern Sun, Moon and Stars! Burn, my light. Shine on my light. But don't ever let my lantern burn." or the translation I really like, "but nothing will ever make my light go out!" Born on St. Martin's day 11/11 I will keep the lantern lit. - bet

Hannover, Germany - August 31, 2009

The Bet Williams Band Summer 2009

Everything has changed and we are now in the world of drinking coffee, driving in a bus and arriving at sound checks greeted by friendly Germans who offer good microphones and good beer. The tour started out in Erfurt, a beautiful old East German town where one of our fans brought us fresh strawberry cake. Next we went to BluesGarage in Hannover and had a great time playing the “BWB” songs again. Very rootsy and bluesy. It’s nice to play guitar again and jump around and sweat. The summer is ending though and the leaves are changing already. There is nothing like the smell of Autumn. Armenia seems far away but we have some beautiful new ideas and inspirations from our travels and friends there. We head to Hamburg tomorrow. Should be a good tour!

Leaving Yerewan - August 25, 2009

The mountain Ararat from our balcony	Concert with Lilit Pipoyan was so nice. Lilit’s rich voice and deep sad songs were so beautiful. We did some songs together and it was I think a special event. Sasha Grigorian a wonderful percussionist in Yerevan joined us. These last days in Armenia before we leave are poignant. The weather has been absolutely perfect. Blue skies and people everywhere outside in the cafes. Ararat is different every day. We wake up in the morning and walk out onto the balcony to see what face she will show. Sometimes clouds hover around. Sometimes she can’t be seen at all. Sometimes clear snow capped you can even almost see the ark. As a send off we went out to hear one of our favorites – the Armenian Navy Band. Our friend and leader of the band Arto Tuncboyajian continues to entertain and amaze us. Goodbye for now Aremnia. “Mer hin siroon Ararat”. Our own ancient beautiful Ararat from “Here’s to You, Ararat.” One of the Armenian Navy Band’s most popular song here.
Gyumri - August 11, 2009
In Gyumiri Jack and Avedis - Armenian cowboys Jack fishing at Lake Sevan At Lake Sevan with Jack's wonderful nanny Ani	It is pouring rain and very breezy which is unusual for Yerevan in August. I welcome the rain. It feels like New York and I can be inside writing without feeling like I’m missing the sun and the beauty. Went to Gyumiri this past weekend with friends originally from there. Took the Mashoutka (little white vans that carry people around Armenia - usually stuffed with people - usually very sweaty) for 2 hours to this old city where many of the famous Armenians composers and artists were/are from. In 1989 much of it was destroyed by an earthquake and it is still being rebuilt. Still don’t have running water most of the time. We stayed in an apartment with our friend’s Aunt Maylan and her husband Ashot and children Lilit and Armen. They were incredibly generous - baking bread and cakes for us and bringing out soorch (coffee) and plates of delicious mirk (fruit). The taxi drivers everywhere will insist they know where they are going even when they don’t. On the way to a fish farm/restaurant we were sliding down a muddy road (seldom used maybe not even really a road) when suddenly a rainbow stretched across the gorge as we descended. It was frightening and gorgeous. Obviously this taxi driver had taken the wrong road but we arrived (as miracles often happen in Armenia) and had such a good time dancing with locals, eating absolutely fresh fish and the kids even rode horses. I had kind of a sing off with an old grandmother. She sang something in Armenian, I sang something Appalachian, she sang, I sang, then we all danced. Even John danced! It was someone’s birthday and everyone sang “Happy Birthday” in English. Perhaps the only English they knew. It was very surreal. Beautiful. Except that Jack didn't like the killing of the fish. Though that was nothing compared to the next day when we went to a river where people were having picnics. How sweet I thought - many of them have brought their pet sheep. er. uh. Jack was asking why one was tied up and I said oh I don't know so it won't get away and then he saw another already slaughtered and said... wait a minute they kill them. It really up set him. Of course. It was quite the country scene in Armenia. Very Borat. Next Thursday we will perform a concert at the Chamber Theater with Armenia’s “Joni Mitchell” Lilit Pipoyan. She is a wonderful singer and songwriter. I am just starting to wrap my mind around Armenian again and am speaking more courageously to people. It will be strange to shift into Germany for the Bet Williams Band tour starting there August 28. But life in this world these days is such. A big planet with many people. What separates us? Not much. Language, culture, What connects us? Children, loved ones, joys, sorrows. Riding in the mini van on the way to Gyumri I felt such connection with humanity. It was good. Very good. At Ozdun In Lori Marz - an ancient fertility monument
Jack and Avedis with homemade bread in Gyumri

July 22, 2009 - News from Yerevan, Armenia

A thunderstorm last night so the air is cool and breezy today - a nice break from the 100 degree fahrenheit days we've been feeling here. We saw some great films at the Golden Apricot Film Festival last week and now we begin our work here. Writing, performing and making a short film/video.

Check the calendar for Epiphany Project shows in Armenia including a possible show in Yerevan with Lilit Pipoyan (Armenia's Joni Mitchell) and then at the end of the summer the BET WILLIAMS BAND will head west to tour Germany.

Epiphany Project had some great shows before we left the U.S. Thanks to the Philly Folks and the Psalm Salon for the intimate evening. Also thanks to Cornell College in Ithaca and the big crowd that came to the Schwartz Center! A wonderful hall and excellent piano. And it was so nice to see friends and folks from PSU days and beyond.

We'll be back in the United States in September briefly before going on working sabbatical to Berlin.

Hope summer is fine for you wherever you are,

Bet

Observations in Yerevan - July 2009

Jack playing the Saz

Sitting on our balcony today. Mt Ararat just over the Turkish border is obscured with clouds but there is a welcome breeze. The heat is intense but dry. We drink liters of water. There is no recycling and I start to think about how to make something useful or perhaps a sculpture or totem with these hundreds of plastic bottles. Outside I hear a woman calling. She is selling soap and shouts up to the windows for people to come and buy. I will try to record her intriguing phrase and make it into a song. The plastic bags have been cleaned up a bit since we were here last. It used to be they were blowing everywhere. And I haven’t seen as many wild dogs. But I think the people are poorer now. You can still buy bread for 30 cents or so, but any luxury items are extremely expensive. The campfires in the middle of the city continue where people cook in this city/village. The young women are exotic, thin and beautiful with black hair and almond eyes. They are very fashion conscious – unfortunately the fashion is Euro Trash. Not too many blondes so I get funny looks. Some of the men think I am a Russian prostitute. “Che Che” I say. Jack is called angel. They love children here and flock to him to fluff his hair. He is tolerant. During the hot days he goes to camp where they swim and play tennis and soccer with kids from here and all over. He seems happy. The Naregatsi Art Institute where we work when we are here continues to have film nights, concerts and art shows throughout the year. Nareg (the founder) was here and we talked about new projects and how to make it all work in the crazy financial situation in the world.

1st week July 12-19:

We went to many films as part of the Golden Apricot Film Festival which takes place in Yerevan for a week every summer. Met one of my favorite performers, Eric Boghosian who was here as one of the judges. I loved the Parajanov film, The Color of Pomegranate. Beautiful imagery. Incredible. And a new film by a Hamshen Armenian (the Armenians left in Turkey – some converted to Muslim religion but never gave up their roots) called Autumn. It was a sad and longing story about a man who had spent 10 years of his life in prison because he fought for socialism. Also several films about Hrant Dink and his assassination because of his work in Turkey with the Armenian paper Agos. Hard to understand the continued denial of the Armenian Genocide. There were actually also a few humorous films. It was great to connect with good folks. Evenings went late with vodka and singing.

2nd week July 20

John is researching ancient Armenian texts and writing for some vocal groups here.

We are planning a few shows while we are here. And I am taking some time to write. I had to leave my guitar with a friend in Germany (too much weight) so I have tuned a Saz to a sort of banjo open tuning. We’ll see what songs I write like this. It is a nice change.

We continue to meet fascinating artists and are inspired by their work and the deep feeling of the Armenians and being in this ancient land.

Hadjorutsyun,

Bet
John and Jack

June 12, 2009 - News from Woodstock, NY

Back in Woodstock, NY

It's raining like crazy and the earth smells good. Nice to be home for a short while.

Epiphany Project has a few shows in the U.S. June 28 at a unique new venue in Philadelphia, The Psalm Salon and June 30th at Cornell University in Ithaca.

July and August we'll be in Armenia again playing with musicians there and writing, performing, and working on some small music films. Then at the end of August/September will be a short Bet Williams Band tour in Germany. Then who knows...

Love and light as Indigo used to say.

- bet

Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin - May 17, 2009

Epiphany Project on Tour

Sitting at an internet Cafe in Berlin. A good cappuccino and of course some apple struedel. I hear language from all countries. Many American voices. It is quite a touristy place but still fascinating. I have been here many times and it continues to boggle the mind how life was here before 1989. We came here when we were living in Germany. I was a child and I remember looking up at the towers with armed guards leaning out and imagining people trying to leave and being shot. It left an impression. My sister's violin teacher had come from the east - one day his family took a "day trip" to the west leaving behind everything they owned and never returned. They had been lucky.

So here we are today playing concerts in old towns that are finally being rebuilt after the bombings from over 60 years ago. The people all over on this tour have been fantastic and welcoming!

From the handsome, smoking young priest at the church, where we performed in Meinengen, who played "Stairway to Heaven" for us on a guitar he kept in his car, to the artist Knox who designed an entire building and venue with his amazing paintings and sculptures, to having the famous blues harmonica player Steve Baker sit in with us in Hamburg (sounds great on Epiphany stuff - who'd have thought), to the Armenian church in London and solving world problems with Levon and "Shushan", to the after show glass clinking celebrations with good friends, to jamming at the Zorkos where Jack is well taken care of by his "german family".
Thank you everyone! Life is blessed.

Epiphany Project continues. Morphing and changing. New songs come out of the improvisations at night. Mal Stein on the drums is always inventing and creating a fantastic sound for the songs. John has played beautifully on some exquisite Steinway pianos here! Roberto plays his violin and oud with passion. And I... well.... I am still breathing and singing from every ounce of my existence. It should be exhausting but the energy we get back from the people every night is so great.

Sounds dramatic? Well after all today - Ich bin ein Berliner!

Love from walls that are no longer walls!
(May it be so everywhere and in your life)

bet

February 25, 2009

Jack and I built a snowman family on sunday in the fresh fallen snow. Now it is melting during the sunny days here in Woodstock and freezing again at night to make sure we know winter is not over just yet. Soon.

Getting ready to play in NYC at The Cupping Room this friday night. It's a groovy place with a casual atmosphere so we'll be improvising and trying out some new stuff for fun. Some of our Armenian friends are here from Lebanon showing amazing art work at the Art Expo in NYC so we'll be checking that out. The artist is named Agassi. Really beautiful intriguing work. In March we play in Philly and Boston - see the schedule for details. Then we head to Europe again in April and May. Ah.

Hope to see you out in the world

bet

January 14, 2009

Hey we just found out Epiphany Project's new CD "Hin Dagh" won the Independent Music Award for best design/packaging! Yay. We are happy as we also think the new CD is really beautiful on the outside (as well as inside the music). You can see all the award winners at IMA. Scroll down to see our icon. We're in good company.

Meanwhile we are having a nice time in the snow. Jack's an expert sledder. This winter feels good for creation and brain settling. But always looking to Spring when the buds come up again, the bears are back and we tour again playing new music. Hope you're getting some time for happy things.

love

bet

January 9, 2009 - News from Woodstock, NY

Happy New Year! A cold clear day here in New York. We've been skating in Central Park and sledding in Woodstock. It's a winter wonderland and the time off has been great. But back to the sound board - we're holing up in the woods for a while writing and recording.

In December we had a really nice time playing shows in California. Between shows we went to the beach and rode horses. Ah California. Acoustic Music San Diego and Ojai Center for the Arts were both fantastic venues. Thanks for all the folks for coming out to the shows. It was great seeing old friends at The Mint in L.A. too.

Hope this year is full of love, peace and happiness for you. We hope to see you in the big wide world this spring. We have shows coming up in the U.S. in March and April (check the schedule) and then head back to Europe for April/May with Epiphany Project. Til then or at Zabars or Sled Hill...


Bet

November 2008 - News

Epiphany Project is back!

We're back from a fantastic Bet Williams Band tour in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Thanks to all the awesome fans and friends who came to the shows. It was a great time and now we have some Big News...

EPIPHANY PROJECT will be on tour in the U.S. for the first time in 5 years!

We’re happy to announce that after many tours of Europe in the last 5 years, the new Epiphany Project ensemble will tour the U.S. this fall and winter, with shows on the East Coast and the West Coast. We have a beautiful vision that we've been terribly missed and the shows will be packed with friends and fans we've been missing too.
So... some of our performances will be in smaller venues and will most likely sell out. That means Get Your Tickets Early! Hope we see you soon!

peace

Bet and John

November 26, 2008

Home in Woodstock

Fire burning in Fireplace

Getting ready for Thanksgiving. Jack and I made brownies to take to the Fanarjians. He decorated them with rainbow sprinkles. Isn't this what the pilgrims did? Thankful. Yes we are. Or as Jack says, "Thanksfull". Thinking about people less fortunate than we are. How to best help others. Jack wants to know. We work on it.

Speaking of thanks - We are very thankful to the folks who came out to our East Coast shows:

BLABBING 'BOUT THE SHOWS:

Princeton - Looking Glass Pond was really intimate. Awesome sound. AND the Archbishop of the Armenian Church in New York came out to this show! We were honored and surprised. He shed some light on the title of our new CD "Hin Dagh." Apparently instead of "Ancient Verse" or "Ancient Words" as we had settled on with our friends and translators in Armenia (both Eastern and Western speaking), Hin Dagh actually means Ancient Ode - and that is really a more accurate way to describe what we created. The Archbishop also won our show "lottery" (a free CD) - we figured divine intervention! Thanks to all who were there. Niesenfelds - we'll see you next time. Drive safe all.

Great Barrington - Wow, Simon's Rock. What a school. I've never been so inspired to sing. The Kellog Center is a beautiful remodeled church. The wide awake faces and spirits of all the young people really lit my heart. Oh yeah. We loved the bake sale in the foyer! Proceeds to benefit the late night Book Writing Club who write a novel a night. Would love to read some of those. These kids are bright and funny and unique. Thanks to the bunch who ran back to their dorm room to get money to buy CDs! Thanks to Val F. Playing with new percussionist Mal Stein really came together this night. His playing is right on. Beautiful.

Woodstock - ah Woostock. We love ya. Peace ya too. Was a bit cold in the Colony but the fire was going and folks thanks for keeping us warm with your enthusiasm. So nice to see old friends and fans. Nice review in Chronogram - thanks Sharon Nichols. Shot some footage for a new Epiphany Film. Hopefully soon we'll put some up on youtube.

New York City - Drom is a great venue. We really loved playing this concert. Dudek player Souren Baronian sat in. The whole feeling in the room was incredibly good esp. for you New York. Ian did you get some good shots up my nose? Love the angles! Hey Matt just my good side o.k. Shot more footage. Will post next month. Hey women - Amy thanks for good vibes. Lisa the flowers were beautiful. Eva you make a great product manager! O.K. so I guess we'll do more shows in New York now that we're not moving to Europe.

Philadelphia - Tin Angel. Was like going back home. Yo Philly. So many friends and we sold out of all the new CDs we brought. Thanks. oh and Phil for the champagne etc. Dee hooked us up with good Serrano food. Thanks. Stayed in Philly and had an awesome breakfast at Ants Pants on south street. but Stacie my spoon is too big!

Well we're on our way wednesday to California for shows in Ojai, L.A. , Santa Barbara, and San Diego. Check the calendar. Spread the word. Epiphany. It's a word. A good word. A good show. More even.

***** love and happy thanksgiving******

carry on - bet


here are a few articles that came out. Nice writing. thanks susan and sharon.

Armenian Soul by Susan Van Dongen
The Sounds of Scripture by Sharon Nichols

November 3, 2008

Election Eve

an indian summer here in woodstock.
raked leaves. walked in the woods. it's great to be back in the u.s.
hope is in the air. obama fever in new york.
could be a revolution otherwise some say.

getting ready for some shows with rehearsals in new york this week. great sounds. songs from the new epiphany project cd - they are endless with possibilities for me vocally and I love the new improvisational aspect of the ensemble. john's ideas on the piano continue to mesmerize me. check the calendar for our shows this month on east coast and next month west.

thinking about people everywhere. friends in germany, france, armenia, syria, california, colorado, montana, south africa. it seems the world is small. in our computers and it's a strange and beautiful thing that we can talk talk talk. but it's out there, out there... get outside where the air is. where the people are. go to a show, a concert, a movie, an opening, on a hike, a playdate. whatever. o.k. i am reminding me.

putting signs around the house. banners in my mental sky. breathe.

ah.

hope you are having a bonnie day.

bet

October 21, 2008

EURO TOUR 2008 ENDS

Germany October 21, 2008

Well we're packing up our suitcases and flying out of Hannover at 6am on Thursday morning. This was probably the best Bet Williams Band tour yet. We met some amazing people and were treated very well. Thanks to all the friends and fans for coming to the shows. Thanks for the gooseberry cake (or whatever that was!), the CDs of the shows, the wine, the home cooked dinners, the German chocolate, the Austrian Oouzo, the Swiss Border Patrol (ha), the pens, the tours of the castles, the new DVD Hamburg, the coffee, the waterfalls...

As the bus rolled into Berlin for the last show of the tour there was a big billboard with the photo from the "Bet" CD and my face smiling large over the street. Jack (our four year old) said when he saw it "I can't believe how famous my mom is!" I said Oh yeah. Anyway. Swedish Marc Gransten and Master Peavey the German drummer were in awesome form and of course playing with John is always so great as he keeps it fresh every night.

I was really blown away by meeting a friend from when I had played on the streets in Heidelberg in 1992! He showed up at a show and had my first CD, "Elephants and Angels" an original! People don't change much. Faces a little, a few more wrinkles, a longer beard, but when you look into the eyes -alive eyes, they are the same and it is a beautiful thing. Here's to old friends.

Back to New York. Getting ready for some rare shows for Epiphany Project on the east coast in November and west coast in December. Excited...

Still believing...

love and peace,

Bet
Obama Mama

October 9, 2008

EURO TOUR 2008

Left Austria today, Thursday October 9.

Now we are in South of Germany:
It's definitely Fall. The leaves are gold and crimson and today we pulled the bus over to the side of the road to pick some apples. Lecker (delicious)!

The shows have been really great so far. Mostly full houses with incredibly warm and enthusiastic audiences. One of the new songs, "Release Me" is a favorite right now. We may record a new CD at the end of the tour.

The GPS continues to amuse us with "recalculating", odd routes and comments in the middle of the night. Keeping up with the crazy news when we can get online.

We head to Leipzig area in the East tomorrow morning.
Good German coffee makes it a little easier.

All for now

peace

from the hotel balcony,

Bet, John, Marc and Peavey

September 28, 2008

OCTOBER TOUR BEGINNING

Celle, Germany

John and Jack and I finally made it to Hamburg after a day at Heathrow airport in the London fog. Marc and his bass flew in from Sweden tonight. Peavey's been waiting here in Deutschland with his drums so we just had a convergence of the Bet Williams Band and it was great. My guitar hasn't made it yet from England so I borrowed an electric and it was a blast.

We are bringing back "Wait A Little While" from a Bet tape (yes tape! woah) from like 1989 that was produced by Jim Rooney in Nashville (that was before Jack so feels approx 110 years or so ago). Also have some awesome new songs we're playing.

We start the tour this Wednesday in Hannover and then have shows all over Germany and some in Austria and Switzerland for October before we head back to New York to vote for change!

We are really charged to be out in the world playing music, meeting and talking to new people every night about it all. Life.

Anyway folks there is energy in the air. An insane time in the world, but also a time of wild possibilities.

carry on,
Bet

August 1, 2008

Back in Woodstock taking care of the gardens and doing some writing. The weather has been amazing this summer and for some reason the mosquitos haven't really found us yet here in these woods.

We head to California for the Armenian Dramatics Arts Alliance Gala in Los Angeles later this month. Jack will be happy to go the beaches again and ride ponies in Ojai.

Love,

Bet

BIG NEWS **** **** July 2008

The new Epiphany Project CD HIN DAGH is now on sale for the first time through our good friends at CD Baby! CD Baby is a safe, secure and prompt on-line store, they're very artist friendly and they ship worldwide! Hey there - We're very excited about releasing the long awaited new Epiphany Project CD, HIN DAGH. Recorded while we were living in Armenia last year HIN DAGH features some of the finest musicians from the region playing santur, kamancha, duduk, zorna and a huge collection of hand percussion. While in the Causasus we discovered some very intriguing ancient sacred texts from some of the world’s mystical dead languages (Aramaic, Sanskrit, Avestan, Ancient Welsh, etc.) and some amazing ancient and not so ancient poetry and set it to new music. It was a very rich experience.

May 1, 2008 - Happy MAY DAY!

We are finally back in the U.S. after a long but fabulous tour in Germany and France. Thanks to all our friends and fans there. Many shows were sold out and we were very welcomed and well fed! Too many chocolate croissants in France and too much beer in Germany. So it goes. Now it's time for cleansing fasts!

We traveled all over. First time in Dresden where there's much rebuilding and it's very beautiful. Played a famous old church. Berlin was great and Hannover as usual with our good friends there and Celle. Stopped in Poland briefly. Said hello to the Alps. And spent some time on the north coast of France in Bretagne. Fantastic. Ah the Ocean. John, Jack and I ran on the beach like wild horses. One minute the sun would be shining and the next the rain would pour. No one there seemed to mind. With such good wine why would you? Had a lovely time in Melgven - a tiny town just on the west coast. Thanks all good friends.

We completely sold out of the new Epiphany Project CD, HIN DAGH, new songs of ancient texts, that we recorded in Armenia. The response to the CD has been wonderful and surprising. We weren't sure what people would think but a wide variety of people say it is moving and speaks to them beyond words. Many of the songs are in dead languages and orchestrated with indigenous instruments from Armenia and the surrounding areas. HIN DAGH (meaning old verse/words) will be available here soon!

We are spending the summer back in Woodstock in our studio. It's great to be in the woods and Catskill mountains again working on new songs and projects mostly theater/music related.

Upcoming tours will include BET WILLIAMS BAND and EPIPHANY PROJECT in Europe for an October 2008 Tour. Dates up soon for that. In the meantime I take a short trip back to Germany in a few weeks while John will stay in U.S. to work on his new opera! There are some solo shows planned in Germany starting this May 15 and some really special duo shows with my old buddy from Philly Days JOSEPH PARSONS! Check out the calendar if you are in Deutschland.

We are planning a U.S. tour and official release of the new Epiphany CD soon. We'll keep you posted. Hope you are all happy and well.

Peace,

Bet

October 10, 2007 — From Germany

Hey there - We are in Germany where the bread and coffee is good, the gas expensive and the people so kind to us as we pull into each new town. They really appreciate the music in Germany. We have had some fantastic shows thanks to all the fine folks here. Here's an update into our little lives on the road.

Zwenkau - Played at a renovated old Film House, "KulturKino". Wonderful soulful place. The sound was great and about 200 people were an enthusiastic audience.

Weimar - O.K. so it was absolutely freezing cold and these crazy people are all dancing outside! The stage lights made for only a little warmth, but we jumped and sang our hearts out to keep us all warm at this Zweibelmarkt (Onion Festival - It has been going on for over 350 years!) The Gluwein (hot spiced wine) helped. Jack who is almost 4 now sat in on the drums on Sunday. What a star!

Kassel - Schlachthof - A Slaughter house turned Art house. Go figure. Really a fine venue though. Intimate and cool. Also the best breakfast award so far.

Hannover - Enercity Expo Cafe- In the heart of Hannover. We love this place and thanks to the good friends and some new young fans. (10 year old Mareike thanks for the requests!)

Celle - Our home away from home. Thanks good friends for the fun last night. Always a Hertslich Wilkommen. Danke.

Tonight we play in the Hundertwasser Bahnhof where the artwork is amazing. And tomorrow night a small town Liebenau.


THE VIDEO SHOOT! We're all looking forward to going back up to Hamburg (Norderstedt) to shoot 2 nights of performing at the fabulous and intimate Musicstar. If you are on this continent you MUST come outt, put on some groovy clothes and be in our VIDEO/DVD! Make history with the BET WILLIAMS BAND! Check the calendar for info.


Jack Report - Jack is a big boy now, almost 4 year old He is fine and we go to the Schwimmbad every day. He loves Friedericke his new nanny and seems happy to see his German friends. Tho still doesn't speak much German. A little boy at the playground was talking to him for about 5 minutes in German as Jack just listened (not understanding). Finally I guess he felt he needed to say something so he blurted out "Links abbiegen!" Which means in German "Turn Left". Obviously he is learning more from the global Navigation System in our van than we realized! Pretty funny.

All for now. Love from the road.

Love,
Bet

December 3, 2006 - From Armenia
Hey - Yeah we are far away from the U.S. working with artists in Yerevan and traveling and exploring the region. We've been playing some nice shows and recording new epiphany stuff. John has set up a recording and film studio at Naregatsi Art Institute in the heart of the city. Jack is in "manka partez" (kinder garden) and we are all learning Armenian (a beautiful language but alphabet of 39 letters!) The country is beautiful and Mt. Ararat is huge and ever present even when the clouds cover her. Back to New York in January to play some east coast shows and then out west in March. In April we'll tour in Armenia and Russia and back to Europe in May! Check the calendar.

All is well. We miss everyone but it feels good to see the world from another perspective.

Love and peace, Bet

May 29, 2006
Hey - We're back in Germany! Played in Bavaria over the weekend. Decided to go for a gondola ride to see the alps but saw only clouds and rain. Folks have been so good to us. Had a great show at the Village Habach and in Lampenhain for our good friend Wolfgang’s b-day. Jack is learning German. Alles gut. love from Deuatschland, Bet

February 20, 2006
Just played a really great sold out show at Steel City Coffeehouse in Philly area. Thanks to all there. The feeling in the room was fantastic. Love having the kids come out- they're better behaved than the adults. Suky with her tiny guitar doing "Bet" poses was hilarious. DId you catch Jack Hodian's opening drum improv? Very avant-garde.

Was a blast having Kevin MacConnell playing his upright again and of course Dave Biddison is always rockin'.

Back in NYC and it's freezing. Just saw Sweeney Todd on Broadway. Great production- all the actors played the instruments. Excellent and creepy.

Heading south soon for a few shows! Stay warm.
-bet

NEWS: * * * WELCOME TO THE NEW SITE * * *

Hope you enjoy it. Let us know how you get around.

>>EPIPHANY PROJECT was recently heard on the air waves in France, Germany and Siberia!

>>BET WILLIAMS' new CD "Bet" is now available!

Buy Bet's 4 octave range voice on 13 new songs - listen here

Bet takes a little time off from touring to shoot a video for the national release of her new CD on Sliced Bread Records officially out on the street Feb. 2006 – watch the video

>>EPIPHANY PROJECT
Epiphany Project is back in the studio recording a new CD. Check back for release date and Euro tour in the Spring.

>>EPIPHANY PROJECT and BET WILLIAMS — Euro Tour SPRING 2007...
Epiphany Project and Bet Williams will again be touring Germany, Russia and Italy starting this coming April - check the calendar

Back Home — NYC, Jan 2, 2006
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Hope your holidays were great. We did head down to see our buddies 4 Way Street for New Years. Was a blast. The guys sounded great. Jack stayed up way toooo late playing air drums and dancing! Heard from John a day ahead in Armenia. He lost his voice but found some good friends and old dancing.

Lots of New Year resolutions. Thinking about this crazy human race we stumble in. Cried sitting in the window at Starbucks (I know I know but they've run off all the small cool coffee shops on the upper west side agh) the other day after reading the NY Times - children killed in Egypt and still Iraq and all the missing ones in New Orleans. Perspective will get you every time. It's funny, I had been in a little snit trying to decide what to do for New Years that would be meaningful and spiritual. I'm embarrassed for my petty self sometimes.

How is everyone out there? Can we change? Can we not? That was the subject on NPR as I drove home from family get together. I know it's still the same old question for me when I have a moment to breathe like now.. Jack's asleep the aparment is quiet. just the traffic in the rain below... what the hell are we doing here? You know. Here. And the only thing that ever makes any sense? love. And it still doesn't answer directly.

But... on that note good night

Love, Bet

New York City, Dec 11, 2005
Had a birthday party for Jack and John this weekend. Mostly was for Jack (they were born on the same day) so we wore those pointy party hats and paper cat-eye glasses. Very hip scene here on the island. John heads to Armenia just after Christmas - he's doing some great work there with young composers. Maybe Jack and I will show up at 4 way Street's New Years Party at the Painted Bride in Philly. bw

More Down South, GREY EAGLE
Last night was really fine. I love the venue. David LaMotte's show was fun and warm, guitar work was great, and his fans were so nice. More connections with old friends. Check it out- Susie from my college band BOOKENDS lives nearby. I stayed with her at her Horse Farm. Went out to hear her in her band Weird Mojo . Great. Jack got to ride "Shrimp" the pony before the show. Also went to a real fox hunt this morning, how southern. Heading home. Home for the holidays! bw

Down South, Dec 3, 2005
Hey... The show in Atlanta was good. EDDIE'S ATTIC is still a great venue and I plan to go back early this year (March). Fans from Florida to Penn State showed up --Thanks! I reconnected with my old best friend Rodney from 5 th grade when I lived in German. There is nothing like reconnecting with an old friend, like no time has gone by at all! Her husband Gerard McHugh is an awesome songwriter, The Indigo Girls have done a few of his. They have 3 kids plus a yard, which we lack in New York City, so Jack was in heaven.

New York City, Nov 8, 2005
Hey there! Welcome to the new site. Hope you like it! Huge THANKS to Stacie Hampton at Liquidnoise for all her hard work and Mike Gartner for his mad programming skilz.

Meanwhile... orange, yellow and red leaves are flying around here on the upper west side. It is good. Hope where you are is fine.

John's been working on new music. It is incredible. He is also working with young composers in Armenia - trying to support new work. We'll go there again this spring, then for another Euro Tour! Good thing Baby Jack likes airplanes. Last time we traveled he got to sit in the cockpit and don the pilot's hat.

Some Bet shows coming up soon then time off for the holidays.

Peace,

Bet

New York City, Nov 5, 2005
The marathon is today. This morning was foggy but its now an Indian summer beautiful day. Jack and I walked over to see a few runners coming in - they looked awesome. The crowd was too much so we headed to the hippo playground. New York is a great city. Thinking maybe I'll do the marathon someday. I just want to wear one of those metallic blankets around my shoulders when I am done and pretend I'm superwoman as I shout in Central Park, "I did it, I did it. Now watch me fly." Hmmmm. A fantasy.

A few shows coming up down south and Philly for my birthday (tin angel nov. 18). I'm looking forward to playing. I just wrote a new song think I'll try it out. It's about an ugly man.

See ya round the planet,

Bet

2:00 am Sunday Oct 23, 2005
Rainy, rainy night. Just played Steel City in Philly. Really fun evening with the band. Baby Jack took some avant-garde drum solos during the set break. Ben Arnold showed up (thanks for the beer Ben) and some folks from PSU days. Great to see some old fans and friends. Also a bunch of people I'd never seen in my life - pleased to meet choo. Thanks Dennis Wright for the nice review in the Phoenix News.

The awesome band was Christopher Colucci -electric guitar, Steve Demarest - bass, Dave Biddison - Drums, John Hodian - Piano, Organ, Rhodes, and other cool sounds.

On my way to Maryland with "almost two" Jack. We will probably sing "It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring..." several dozen times.

Looking forward to coming back to Philly for Tin Angel show, Nov. 18.

Stay afloat,

Bet