The Lone Bellow at Damrosch Park

Zach Williams first came to songwriting via near tragedy. Williams’ wife was injured in a horseback riding accident in his native Georgia. Physicians initially told Williams that, at best, his wife would leave the hospital a paraplegic. After months of rehab she ultimately regained the ability to walk. Throughout the ordeal, Williams had been scribbling his thoughts into a journal. A friend suggested he turn his writing into songs. Having experienced something close to a miracle, a revitalized Williams learned how to play the guitar and composed deeply personal songs -- tender but frank tales of romantic rupture and hard-fought redemption -- rooted in the country, folk and gospel of his Southern youth. Williams and his wife decided to pursue their creative paths in New York. Williams met with a fellow Georgian guitar-player and college classmate, Brian Elmquist, at the Brooklyn diner where Elmquist worked. Williams then invited mandolin player Kanene Pipkin, who just returned to New York from living in Beijing, China, to join Zach Williams and the Bellow. The trio renamed itself the Lone Bellow and released its self-titled debut in January 2013.

Opening for Rosanne Cash tonight as part of the Lincoln Center Out of Doors AmericanaFest at Damrosch Park, the Lone Bellow gained a new, larger audience. Performing  original songs ranging from the quietest, tightest three-part-harmony-into-one-microphone acoustic songs to rip-roaring barn-burners backed by a band, the Lone Bellow embodied the earnest, ambitious and hope-filled spirit of twenty-something Americans. The homey wardrobe and the casual demeanor of the musicians and the rich feel of the emotive lyrics, soaring melodies and soulful harmonies echoed the world beyond the skyscraper-laden metropolis behind the stage; they nearly transported the listeners to southern small town life. Many in the audience responded especially to the rave-ups at the end of the performance, rushing to the open space in front of the stage to jump, stomp and dance to the driving indie-rock-like anthems.

Visit the Lone Bellow at www.thelonebellow.com.