Photo credit Williams Honor
By Chris Spiewak
As popular as country music is, the number of New Jersey-bred country artists is quite small. Clint Black, who actually lived in Red Bank for a short time as a child, comes to mind, and Mary Chapin Carpenter was born in Princeton before moving south. There have been a few others, but most do not publicize their Jersey roots when they leave the state.
Well, things have changed around here in the past few years and New Jersey now has an amazingly talented country duo within its borders. Although they split time between Jersey and Nashville, singer/songwriters Gordon Brown and Reagan Richards of Williams Honor are proud of their home state and won’t hesitate to talk about it every chance they get.
Brown has had quite a prolific career in the music business. Growing up in the Hazlet area, he took up the guitar and discovered that he had a knack for writing good music. In fact, his songs have garnered much attention from record labels over the years and he has secured record deals with three bands and written songs for them – Mr. Reality, Samhill and Highway 9. Brown has branched out over the years, becoming an accomplished music producer and music director as well. With his proficient skills, he also collaborates with new and rising musicians when requested, guiding them forward in their young careers.
Richards has also had a successful career in the business. Her parents were big music fans, and Mom sang with groups in the big band era of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Her mother was a Les Paul fan and sang with him when he would come through town. Her father was a country music fan and introduced young Reagan to the music of Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline. Inheriting her mother’s beautiful voice, Richards would go on to be a gifted vocalist with a tone very reminiscent of the late, great Patsy Cline. Because of her mom’s contact with Les Paul, she introduced Reagan to him in New York City several years ago. Reagan sang with Paul at his weekly shows at The Iridium for almost four years before he passed.
Richards moved to Nashville for awhile after college and recorded a demo tape to try to further her budding career. Returning to New Jersey, she performed at The Saint in Asbury Park one evening in 2011, where she met Gordon Brown. They exchanged pleasantries and went on their way, not knowing until meeting again a year later that they would soon become a force in country music. That second meeting was arranged by renowned local musician Marc Ribler who was putting together “Restore The Shore,” a CD to raise money and assist victims of Hurricane Sandy. Brown and Richards were both asked to be part of this project, and this time they spoke at length about the music business. Having much in common and with both having Nashville contacts, they decided to start writing together; not for themselves but for other artists who were looking for good music to record. After about a year, they stepped back and decided to make a change. Instead of writing for others, what if they focused on writing for themselves? It turned out to be a fantastic idea.
The band name is a tribute to both of their fathers, military men who unfortunately passed before their time. They wanted to “honor” these fine men, and they decided that Richards’ father William would represent both families. Thus, Williams Honor was born. Their association has been spectacular, and they released their self-titled CD in 2015. Eleven tracks of superb country music, some old school and some “contemporary” country, are masterfully written and recorded. A national tour ensued with dozens of country radio station live interviews and the second single, “Step,” climbed to Number 27 on the Music Row country chart. Things were firing on all eight cylinders when the highlight of their respective lives occurred; an opening set for Bon Jovi at Madison Square Garden in 2018. Every musician’s dream actually came true for this dynamic duo in dramatic fashion. Fueled by their success, they wrote and recorded a second CD entitled “eX,” but then decided to delay the release until the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
These world issues have stifled musicians, but Brown and Richards have worked hard to remain connected with their supportive fans. A weekly livestream on their Facebook page called “The Willie Ho Show” is wildly popular, and it’s a great way to keep in touch with “virtually” live music. Please visit Gordon and Reagan at their FB page or williamshonor.com to hear some of their music and get the absolute best country by the Shore.
Chris Spiewak is a 40-year veteran of the Shore music scene.
The article originally appeared in the Sept. 24 – 30, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
