Holly Williams Sings Love Letter to Her Grandparents
As the granddaughter of American icon Hank Williams (and daughter of Hank Jr.), singer-songwriter Holly Williams is used to the public’s fascination with her legendary family. Williams was born in 1981, and her grandfather, Hank Sr., died in 1952. Her grandmother, Audrey, died in 1975, so she never had a personal relationship with either of them, only the memories of others to rely on through the years. She was, however, close with her maternal grandparents, Warren and June White. The couple, both from the small town of Mer Rouge, Louisiana, were married for 58 years.
Williams’ latest video, “Waiting on June” is the true story of Warren and June White’s life together from beginning to end, painting an intimate, bittersweet portrait of their enduring affair. Interspersed throughout the live performance of the deeply meaningful tune is personal film footage of the couple and their family.
“After they were gone, I just realized not only how much I missed them, but the kind of legacy they left, the impression they left on me, and I just wanted to capture it somehow,” Williams tells Rolling Stone of the inspiration for the moving ballad about her “papaw” and “granny,” written shortly after both of them had passed away. “It all just kind of fell out one morning. I was washing dishes and thinking about their relationship and the constant love they had and commitment my grandfather had.”
“Waiting on June” is taken from Williams’ latest album, The Highway. Williams’ friend, actress Gwyneth Paltrow, is featured on the album version of the tune. The Highway also features guest appearances from Dierks Bentley, Jakob Dylan and Jackson Browne.