Cellar Sessions: Chelsea Williams - Beautiful and Strange February 15th, 2019 City Winery New York

Chelsea Williams with guest musician Ross Garren sit down for a One On One Session at City Winery New York on February 15th, 2019. Watch the full session here: https://youtu.be/Q6zLjl6EDps For more info visit: http://www.chelseawilliams.com Audio & Video by: Ehud Lazin Audio Mixing by: Chelsea Williams

Setlist:

Skin And Bones

Beautiful and Strange

The Best Is Yet To Come

Chelsea's made a name for herself as a musician in Los Angeles in a less than traditional way. Without the support of a record label, or radio play, Chelsea managed to sell nearly 100,000 copies of her independently released records the old fashioned way, by playing on the street. “I do like the fact that I actually have met every single person that bought my album,” she says “It makes it more personal for me, and hopefully for them too. And sometimes I get tips.”

Chelsea became the darling of Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade and captured the hearts of locals, tourists and fans from around the world, gaining an impressive following. Among those who have taken note of her talents and frequent her sets include Adam Sandler, Sheryl Crow, LeAnn Rimes, and Ron Howard to name a few. Crosby, Stills, and Nash even sent Chelsea flowers in appreciation of the quality of her cover of "Helplessly, Hoping" they had found on YouTube.

After six years of playing on the streets she received a life-changing tip. One of the passers-by ended up being Grammy nominated producer Toby Gad (“Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “If I Were a Boy”). Gad, moved by the singer’s natural talent and undeniable charm, invited her to collaborate on a song, and another, and another.

Before they knew it they’d recorded an entire album. The album quickly found it's way into the hands of A&R Executive Larry Jackson, who offered her the chance to perform for Jimmy Iovine, the head of Interscope Records. Iovine, having worked with U2, Dr. Dre, and John Lennon stopped Williams after just one song. “That’s as good as it gets.”

He offered her a record deal on the spot.

“I feel like an overnight success, ”Chelsea says, laughing in a way that makes Directors stop filming, but people on the street stop and pay attention. “A seven year, overnight success, I suppose it could all end tomorrow, but I’d still be singing and making music.”