Kevin Williamson, originally from West Virginia but now based in Nashville, has played bluegrass music with such groups as Dave Evans, Redwing, Glen Duncan and Phoenix, Randy Waller and the Country Gentlemen, and Farm Hands Bluegrass Quartet. He fronted his own band, Shadow Ridge, in the 1990s and has released previous albums on the Pinecastle label.  In 2014, Kevin formed Williamson Branch, a family band with his wife Debbie (mandolin) and daughters Melody (fiddle), Kadence (bass) and Caroline (vocals).  The band’s newest member is Anthony Howell on banjo. In 2020, Melody Williamson received the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Momentum Award for Vocalist of the Year.

Heritage & Hope is a 2-volume gospel collection that begins with a dozen songs from the public domain that reflect the close ties between bluegrass and gospel music. Songs like “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “There is Power in the Blood,” and “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” were often sung in church, and the Williamson Family’s faith is a strong part of who they are. Whether a song is arranged with just a soloist singing “Give Me Jesus” or the family’s quartet singing “When I Die I’ll Live Again,” the messages are clear and convincing. “Where the Roses Never Fade” and “I’ll Fly Away” are other favorites on the first disc.

Just as traditional songs stem from their heritage, the Williamson Family is also focused on a joyful, happy future with inspirational songs of hope and optimism. Several self-penned songs, as well as others from contemporary writers, comprise the second disc and exclaim that faith will help one find direction and meaning.  “Which Train” is a spiritually-tinged song written by Melody Williamson and Michelle Canning that tells of two trains and provides guidance on which to ride. “Walking in the Spirit” is a collaboration of the Williamson Family with the Marshall Family, well known in gospel and bluegrass circles. Other tastefully rendered songs of hope, from the pen of Kevin Williamson, include “It Was Love,” “Walkin' and Jumpin',” “I Don't Have Time,” “On That Day,” “I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made,” “I'll See You on the Other Side” and “Every Time He Held a Nail.”

In Kadence Williamson’s “A Joyful Song,” she sings “It’s a song of His power, a song of His life, a song of His protection all through the night, I know I can be strong, ‘cuz God gave me a joyful song.” The entertaining family has a bright future, and they’ve also been helping others deal with challenges and struggles during troubled times. Williamson Branch is the type of band that you can connect with, and their songs have compelling narratives, resonate with conviction, and are needed now more than ever.  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)