Name: Joe Williams
Age: 18
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Year: First-Year
Instruments: Guitar, vocals, bass, drums, piano (kind of)
Favorite Song: “This Is Letting Go” by Rise Against
Inspirations: Dallas Green and Tim McIlirath
Joe Williams first began palying guitar when he was 14 years old and ever since then, he has been unable to put the guitar down. It was not until he turned 17, that he started getting into singing.
During his senior year of high school, he recorded his first song which was a cover of “Face Down” by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Since then, he has recorded 14 cover and original songs by himself.
In 2010, Williams joined together with some friends to form the alternative band, Merge, where he played guitar and is the lead vocalist. Their top moment was when their song, “Blink” was played on a 
This past January, Williams auditioned for The Voice with fellow student, Jackie Heuser. Unfortunately, they were not accepted, but they plan to make another attempt the next time auditions come around.
While Williams would love to be famous for his singing, if that does not pan out for him, he would be happiest teaching young children music so that he can shape their minds to appreciate good music.
Williams has a solo project named Just Me. His genre is acoustic alternative and consists of original songs and also covers of some of his favorite songs. His sound has been likened to the music from Mumford & Sons and also City and Colour.
If you want to check out Joe Williams’s solo project, Just Me, then go to www.reverbnation.com/justme2
Lauren Dwyer
Features Editor