Justin Williamson

Justin Williamson

KNBA

KNBA 90.3 - Stories Of Our People

Management Discussion And Analysis 3rd Quarter, 2001

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Justin Williamson

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Justin Williamson
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Justin Williamson is a BBNC shareholder and a talented fiddler and violinist.Justin was born at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 8, 1977.His mother is Susan Williamson, daughter of Liz Ritsch of Pilot Point.Justin's great grandparents are Nellie Efagna from Little Diomede and Willy Zunganuk, born on Sledge Island and raised at Mary's Igloo and Teller.Nellie and Willy traveled to Bristol Bay from Nome in an umiak.Willy was chief reindeer herder and president of the Peninsula Eskimo Reindeer Co. (P.E.R. Co.) on the Alaska Peninsula in Bristol Bay.This is documented in the book, The People of the Volcanoes.

At the age of seven, Justin attended a fiddler's exhibition with his father John.After the exhibition, Justin told John he wanted to play the fiddle.He got a fiddle for Christmas and his father commissioned a fiddler that was at the exhibition to give Justin lessons.Justin has been totally focused on his music since then, winning many trophies and awards.Justin also plays the mandolin.

In junior high and high school, Justin gave fiddle lessons.He was first chair of the high school orchestra in Casper, Wyoming, and was a member of the Wyoming State Symphony.High school was very busy for the family, playing music all over Wyoming.Justin, his father John and younger brother Matt formed a family band.Luke, seven years younger than Matt, would join them for afternoon gigs.Jessie, born on Luke's birthday five years later, would jump on the stage and dance to their music.She was three and four at the time.Mother Susan was the organizer, booking agent and publicist.The family band was also a winning combination.Justin's fiddling inspired his cousin Andrea Ritsch of Redding, California, to take up fiddling.She is now winning awards in Redding.

While Justin attended Belmont University in Nashville, he was awarded a BBNC Education Foundation scholarship.Justin has since joined Brad Paisley, an alumnus of Belmont.The band has two, number one hits: "He Didn't Have to Be" and "We Danced."Brad Paisley won the 2000 Horizon Award on the Country Music Awards.The band has been on national television shows such as the Grand Ole Opry many times, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Country Music Awards and Austin City Limits.They have played in Europe and Japan.