TONY AND GARY WILLIAMSON (THE WILLIAMSON BROTHERS)
- From Siler City, North Carolina.
- Tony is a well-known mandolin virtuoso, with several solo projects to his credit.
- Their grandfather was in Company B, 52nd Regiment of the North Carolina Troops who marched with General Lee up Seminary Ridge, July 3, 1863 in the Battle of Gettysburg. He survived.
- First band: The Bluegrass Gentlemen (1970) which made the cover of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine.
- Gary earned his Ph.D in educational research from Stanford University. He works full-time for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
- Tony owns a musical instrument company called Mandolin Central.
- 1977, Gary was a member of the Bluegrass Alliance.
- 1978, Tony worked with the Richard Greene band.
- 1989-1991, Tony was a member of the group ASH&W (He was the “W”).
- 1994, Tony performed with a one-man show called “The Sound of the American Mandolin.” He has a degree in music from the University of North Carolina.
- 1995, Tony and Gary formed a duo called The Williamson Brothers.
- 1995, Tony released solo project “Across the Grain” (Plucked String).
- 1996 , Tony released solo project “All for Naught” (Mandolin Central).
- 1998, The Williamson Brothers released “My Rocky River Home” (Mandolin Central).
- 1999, the Tony Williamson Trio released “Christmas at Doobie Shea” album (Doobie Shea).
- 2000, released Let Us Cross Over the River album (Doobie Shea).
- 2003, Tony released Sessions at McBain Mill album (Bonfire).
- 2003, the Williamson Brothers released “Still Light of the Evening” album (WildChild).
- 2011, Tony released “Lloyd Loar Mandolins” album (Mandolin Central).
- 2013, The Williamson Brothers released”Bluegrass!” album (Flatt Mountain).
- 2018, received the North Carolina Heritage Award.