Curly Williams & His Georgia Peach Pickers "I See A Change In You"

Curley Williams is known primarily for his 1951 composition "Half as Much," which was a hit for Hank Williams (no relation), and for having one of the earliest Western Swing units on the Grand Ole Opry. Williams and his Santa Fe Trail Riders came to the Opry in December 1942 from station WALD Albany, Georgia. Because there was already a Doc Williams and his Border Riders on WWVA Wheeling, West Virginia, George D. Hay decided it would be wise to change both the name of the band and the bandleader. Because Williams had curly hair the decision was made to call him "Curley." Choosing a new name for the band was equally easy. Williams was from Georgia, the Peach State, so Hay decided the band should be called Curley Williams and his Georgia Peach Pickers. The Peach Pickers made their first appearance on a network Opry show in September 1943, performing "Smoke On The Water" and "When The Sun Goes Down."

In 1945 Williams signed a recording contract with Columbia, the band cutting its first sides on February 20 that year. During the next six years the Peach Pickers recorded thirty-six sides under their own name and did backup work for several others, including Clyde Moody, Fred Rose, Johnny Bond and Zeke Clements. Their most successful releases were "Southern Belle (From Nashville, Tennessee)" and "Georgia Steel Guitar."

In 1945 the Peach Pickers moved to the West Coast, where they played in dance halls operated by Foreman Phillips. They also appeared in the 1947 Charles Starrett "Durango Kid" movie "Riders Of The Lone Star." By 1948, they were part of the cast of Shreveport's Louisiana Hayride. The following year they were in Memphis but soon moved to Anniston, Alabama, station WHMA.

In 1951, they recorded "Half As Much." That same year they were part of a television show called the "Smoky Mountain Jamboree." These programs were filmed at Toccoa, Georgia, and were popular for a brief time. By 1954 the Peach Pickers were doing a 30-minute show sponsored by the Jax Beer Company of New Orleans on WSFA Montgomery, Alabama. Thereafter, Williams drifted out of the music business, passing away September 5, 1970 at the age of 56.

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[starcat999]

Doc "Curley" Williams was my great uncle. Several artists have recorded Half as Much. Uncle Doc wrote, co-wrote, and recorded dozens of really great songs. I have two CDs with over 40 songs.

[projecthotrod]

hey thanks , My dad played with Curley and the boys from 1949 till 1954 , had to leave to join the Airforce !!Kinda cool to see this show up on you tube

[glipzik]

Hank Williams and Rosemary Clooney are the only two singers who ever had a hit with Half As Much.

[GiovanniMariaTommaso]

Eddy Arnold also had a hit with "Half as Much." so, did Gene Pitney. This is easy, gracious music to listen and dance to.

[MrCraig1930]

Has anyone found the song Curley wrote"Half as Much". Hank Williams had a big hit with it.