William Soul.com

Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Columbia, Maryland, William was made wonderfully aware of his southern roots, as both of his parents were raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is this connection with the south that kindled a flame that has remained within him to this day. The ignition for this flame was born of an undying sense of justice taught by his mother, Marion and his grandparents. At a young age William accepted the christian faith, and would later fully embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ as his spiritual path. William Soul was heavily influenced by the sounds emanating from the church and his introduction to soul music by his father, William Sr. At age 5, William Sr., placed headphones on his son, blaring Stevie Wonder.

Growing up in Columbia Maryland, William was very active in Columbia Community Church where he was a member of the usher board, youth choir and later taught Sunday school.He enjoyed his life there as he found the balance between learning about and loving all peoples. He was an ambassador of his own people too, always willing to discuss the impact of African achievement in the United States and in the world.

William attended Towson University where that flame of fire was ever growing. He became an activist, first as the president of the Black Student Union, and later for Relations Of Equality, a group dedicated to creating an actual climate of multiculturalism on campus. As president of the Black Student Union he fought on behalf of students of African descent for such causes as equal office amenities, increase in minority professors, and for health/wage benefits for the University’s food service and janitorial staff.

It is at this junction that he formed a band with childhood friend Wayman Scott IV. The two began playing campus coffee houses and other events, showcasing their songwriting with acoustic driven composition. Scott, a self-taught virtuoso would color William’s music with lead guitar, and would William would compliment Scott with backing vocals.

An avid student of history, and becoming increasingly aware of world music, and especially the music of Bob Marley, he incorporated many of the atrocities of African and other historically disenfranchised peoples into his music, while encompassing everyday life and struggles, never severing biblical ties. Upon graduating, William enlisted the help of  childhood church member Steven Waddy, on keyboards, and ultimately multiple instruments to compliment his burgeoning sound.He would later add many to his band Righteous Soul, which enjoyed moderate success as a house and performance band in Baltimore.