Check Out George Williams’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to George Williams.

Hi George, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
“My story is really about turning a lifelong passion into tangible action and community leadership. It starts with music, but it’s led to opportunities in marketing, management, and community organizing that I’ve found incredibly rewarding.

It all began here in Lakewood. I started playing guitar when I was twelve and was active in the Denver music scene for years. After pursuing a career outside of Colorado for a while, I returned in 2017 to care for my mother. Coming home reconnected me with my musical roots and ignited a new sense of purpose.
That’s when I founded my blues band, Reckless and Blue. We weren’t content to just play in town; we recorded a full album, ‘Can’t Give Me the Blues.’ I knew we had a great product, so I took the initiative to market it, sending it to every blues radio show I could find.

This proactive approach led to an unexpected and career-changing opportunity. An online station in the UK, Radio Wigwam, not only played our music but invited me to host my own weekly show. I’ve been producing and hosting the ‘Reckless Blues Radio Show’ ever since. The show has grown with the station, which is now broadcast on terrestrial radio in the UK, and it’s also been picked up by two stations here in Colorado. This has become a fantastic platform to support other musicians and venues in our local blues scene.
My involvement in the community deepened when I joined the Mile High Blues Society. A little over a year ago, the organization was at a crossroads and was considering a merger. I strongly believed in its mission, so I put my name in the hat and was elected President.

In that role, I’ve focused on revitalization. One of my proudest achievements has been reviving our ‘Blues Youth on Stage’ program, which gives young musicians invaluable experience playing with professionals. To fund programs like this, I spearheaded our effort to secure a raffle license and built a partnership with Wildwood Guitars for our first major fundraiser.

Everything is building on itself. My band is releasing our second album this winter, and we’re even collaborating with the ‘Shimmy Shakin’ Blues’ dance organization for our release party—another way to strengthen the community.

So, while it all started with a guitar, my journey has been about seeing a need and stepping up—whether it’s marketing a new album, building a radio show from a single guest spot, or leading and growing a vital community organization.”

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The most significant personal challenge was moving back to Lakewood to be a caregiver for my mother. Watching her struggle with Alzheimer’s was incredibly difficult, but the experience, as tough as it was, taught me an immense amount about patience, resilience, and finding strength in a difficult situation. My wife, who is a nurse, was an amazing partner through it all, and it reinforced the importance of teamwork and supporting each other.

On a different note, we’re now channeling that resilience into another major challenge: renovating the 100-year-old family home we live in. It’s a massive project, and like any big undertaking, it requires navigating complexities like city permits and managing timelines. It’s teaching me a lot about project management and the importance of persistence to see a long-term vision through.

So, while there have been struggles, they’ve all taught me valuable lessons that I apply to everything I do, whether it’s music, community leadership, or personal projects.”

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I see my work as having three main pillars that all support each other: I’m a creator, a broadcaster, and a community leader, all centered around my passion for the blues.
First and foremost, I’m a creator. At my core, I love writing and recording music as well as playing live. I lead my band, Reckless and Blue, where I’m a vocalist and guitarist. We’ve recorded two full albums, and there’s no greater feeling than performing our original music for a live audience. That creative process is the fuel for everything else I do.
Second, I’m a broadcaster and a promoter. My passion goes beyond just my own music. I also love supporting other artists in the blues community. This led me to host the ‘Reckless Blues Radio Show’ on Radio Wigwam and TAVN. The show is my way to give back; I exclusively feature a mix of blues legends and, more importantly, a lot of amazing local Colorado artists. It’s a platform to play them on my radio show, promote their gigs, and introduce them to a new audience. I’m also very active on social media, constantly sharing and celebrating the work of my peers. If a great blues band is playing in town, I want people to know about it.
Finally, I’m a community leader. This all came together when I was elected President of the Mile High Blues Society. In this role, I get to take a hands-on approach to strengthening our entire blues ecosystem.
When you ask what I’m most proud of, it’s definitely the work we’ve done there to revive our ‘Blues Youth on Stage’ program. We bring young, aspiring musicians on stage to play with seasoned professionals in front of a real audience. Seeing the confidence and joy on a young player’s face after they nail a solo is more rewarding than any applause I could get for myself. It feels like we’re actively investing in the future of the music we love.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like about Denver is the city’s diversity—both in terms of its people and the experiences it offers. The arts scene, historic neighborhoods, views of the Rocky Mountains and all of the music venues. Denver has a way of catering to a wide spectrum of interests and passions. On a personal level, I’ve found that many people here are welcoming, friendly, and ready to lend a hand, which adds a warm and approachable character to the city’s atmosphere.
That said, Denver is not without its challenges. One of the aspects that concerns me most is the sharp political polarization that exists within the community. It’s disheartening to witness such deep divides, with many individuals seeming entrenched in extreme ideologies on either end of the spectrum. This polarization often manifests as intolerance, with a lack of willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue or seek common ground. While Denver offers diversity in many senses, fostering more unity and understanding among its residents would truly elevate the city’s spirit and harmony.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.recklessandblue.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recklessnblue/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recklessblues
• Twitter: https://x.com/RecklessandBlu1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@recklessandblue4861
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/TheMileHighBluesSociety/

Image Credits
Grant Fukui
Ken Arias