Tony Williamson, Musician

After gaining a degree with highest honors at UNC-Chapel Hill, Tony Williamson toured with the Bluegrass Alliance.  Work in numerous bands led him to the top of his field playing classical, jazz and folk, as well as bluegrass—a mandolin player extraordinaire. His credits include work on stage and/or in the studio with Alison Krauss, Chris Thile, Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Bobby Hicks, Tony Rice, David Grisman, Sam Bush, Ricky Skaggs and Robin and Linda Williams of Prairie Home Companion fame. Tony has received awards and nominations from national music organizations and has performed for Luciano Pavarotti. He is also a North Carolina Heritage Award recipient. As one industry writer said, "Quite simply, what Tony Williamson doesn't know about mandolin is probably not worth knowing. As a player, collector, dealer, historian and mandolin community activist, Wililamson has helped keep the mandolin's great American legacy alive while upfliting and encouraging generations of modern players. From bluegrass to classical, pop and other forms, Tony Williamson is a national treasure."