ELI WILLIAMS. GUITAR. VOCALS.
ELI WILLIAMS. GUITAR. VOCALS.
Music first took hold of Eli Williams as a child, guided by the sounds of his grandparents southern gospel quartet. In fact, it was Eli’s grandmother who bought his first guitar, and his grandfather who told him, “As long as you can play guitar and sing, you’ll always have friends.” With those sage words and a new guitar, Eli began playing in the 8th grade. His interest shifted to the acoustic side of bluegrass, country, and country rock in the late 70’s. Eli’s influences were the likes of Flat and Scruggs, Tony Rice, New Grass Revival, Poco, and Pure Prairie League. Those influences came to life in 1977 with Eli’s first band, Homegrown Grass, who after winning the school talent show, played in more competitions and festivals throughout the region until 1979.
In 1986, Eli began playing guitar again at bluegrass conventions, although his interests were beginning to expand to rock and roll, but still with bluegrass instruments. Throughout his journey, Eli has been involved with a range of projects through the late 80s and 90s including Crossroads, The Rocky Road Band, Homebrew, The Cattails which stood out with their 3 female vocalists, and The Gnarly Mountain Boys which played rock and country covers through a bluegrass lens, each contributing to his broad and evolving musical identity.
By the 2000s, Eli began to take even more of an interest in country music, inspired by modern country legends such as Vince Gill, Restless Heart, Lyle Lovett, Ricky Skaggs, and The Desert Rose Band. Eli also took an interest in acoustic jazz when he joined The Jazzalachian Playboys in 2018. In 2002, Eli formed Blue Mule with good friend and current bandmate, John McBroom, recording multiple albums and playing covers from Grateful Dead, Bill Monroe, Doobie Brothers, Miles Davis, Little Feat, Jethro Tull, and a little Merle Haggard for spice.
In the summer of 2022, Eli decided to mix all of his influences into the form of a band, Leonard Blush and the Camecals, wanting to add a drummer in order to explore those familiar sounds with percussion. This new project also allowed Eli to lean back into electric guitar for certain material. In 2024, Matt Leonard, Jay Gladden, and Timbo Simms became regular members of Leonard Blush and the Camelcals, joining Eli, John McBroom and Dave Harden, solidifying the unique sound Eli was searching for. Each player brings his own vibe which blends into a mutual artistic appreciation and musical respect, challenging and complimenting each other on the stage. Most importantly, the members of Leonard Blush and the Camelcals strive to have a good time, and they hope all who come to hear them have a good time too.