Williams moved to Nashville and signed as a songwriter with Jack Music, Inc. owned by legendary producer/publisher Jack Clement. In 1972 he signed with JMI as a solo artist. While his first single "Don't You Believe" did not receive much airplay, the 1973 follow up "The Shelter of Your Eyes" reached No. 14 on the Country singles chart. He released a few more singles to varying degrees of success before hitting No. 5 with "We Should Be Together" in 1974. This success led to a recording deal with ABC/Dot Records. His debut single on the new label, "I Wouldn't Want to Live If You Didn't Love Me," topped the Country singles chart in the summer of 1974.
During the 1970s, Williams grew into one of the most popular Country artists in the world with No. 1 songs such as "You're My Best Friend," "Love Me Tonight," "Till the Rivers All Run Dry" (which he co-wrote with Wayland Holyfield), "Say It Again," "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend," "I'm Just a Country Boy," "Tulsa Time," "It Must Be Love" and "Love Me Over Again" (written by Williams). In addition to his American success, he gained a huge following in the United Kingdom and Europe. He was named CMA Male Vocalist of the Year in 1978. Williams also appeared in movies such as "W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings," and "Smokey and the Bandit II."
Williams wrote several of his hits, including "I've Got a Winner in You" (with Holyfield), and "Lay Down Beside Me," both of which hit the Top 10 in 1978. But he also frequently recorded songs written by Bob McDill, Holyfield, Roger Cook, Dave Loggins, John Prine, and Allen Reynolds (who produced several of Williams' early albums). For more than 17 years beginning in the mid-70s, Williams co-produced his albums with Garth Fundis.
In 1980, Williams released his most successful single "I Believe in You," which topped the Country singles chart and reached No. 24 on the pop singles chart. 1981 saw two more No. 1 singles ("Lord, I Hope This Day is Good" and "Miracles"); a No. 3 duet with Emmylou Harris on "If I Needed You"; and the CMA Album of the Year Award for I Believe In You. Additional No. 1 singles in the '80s included "If Hollywood Don't Need You," "Love is On a Roll," "That's the Thing About Love," and "Heartbeat in the Darkness." He switched labels, moving from MCA (which had acquired ABC/Dot) to Capitol in 1986, and then to RCA in 1989. His last Top 10 single was in 1992 with "Lord Have Mercy on a Country Boy."
Williams announced his "Farewell Tour to the World" in early 2006 and performed around the globe before wrapping up with his sold-out, final concert in Memphis, Tenn. at the Cannon Center for Performing Arts on Nov. 21, 2006. He then retired from live performing, recording, and public life. Among his many career accomplishments were 17 No. 1 hits and 13 CMA Award nominations. He and his wife Joy will celebrate 50 years of marriage on April 10, 2010.
