Sweet William formed in 2001 when Dock Oscar slowly began adding musicians to his solo act. A hillbilly at heart, Dock's original line-up included acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin and percussion. In 2003 Sweet William released Gone to Seed , a full-length CD of dark mountain music.
Like most bands, Sweet William imploded shortly after the CD was released. Undeterred, Dock Oscar retooled, joining forces with Mike Nolan - one of the most talented steel guitar players in the region - then drafting Fred Stesney (former Black Velvet Flag vocalist) on bass. In 2004 the band completed its current lineup when it welcomed singer/songwriter Katherine Etzel on vocals and drummer Charlie Shaw (The Bosco Stompers, Mudbrothers, Wicked Messengers) .
The new Sweet William features a blend of alt-country and honky-tonk numbers complete with weeping pedal steel and haunting harmonies.
