The Real History of Williams and Ree
1968
Bruce Williams alias the White Guy met up with Terry Ree aka The Indian outside of Spearfish, SD. when the latter jumped out from behind a Busch (light) and began jabbing the former about the head and flank with a newly remodeled coupstick.
Nursed back to health by an overly long tongued deer, the white man began a concerted effort to regain his self respect and force the native noggin-knocker into a life of servitude in front of all people of the world via the stage. The first three years of the duos existence was spent at Black Hills State College (Now Black Hills University) attempting to refine the crude and yet mildly attractive sioux warrior into a gentleman of letters.
Endless sessions were spent, guitar and compass in hand, in front of the women's dormitory in an effort to exploit the artistic side of the Titan Headed Village Dweller and to increase the white guys' chickage factor. These early formative years saw the pair trekking to places in South Dakota such as Sturgis, Belle Fourche, Huron and Deadwood honing material and deciding on a course of action with regard to a tour or series of road gigs at small out of the way dives.
During this period the twosome adopted several homeless troubadours who relished seeing the boys polish their act and gallantly "Die Big Time" in front of several inebriated audiences. Among these minstrels were: Dennis Van Vactor, whose keyboard prowess earned him the moniker "Lightning Fingers", Jerry Burton whose drum style became the stuff from which Acura Legends are made, By Wilcox, who still to this day teaches attitude adjustment classes at furman school for the Phlegm Prone, Jimmy "the junk jeweler man"Roberts who's idea of "taking a ride" was to jump into the van and go around the block, Kenny Miller who's influence is still heard in some of the Indian's chants , and Kenny Putman who wandered in and unstructured musician one day and left the next a deranged graphic designer. Out of this melange came two men with a band. each time the Indian and White guy began going off on a comedic tangent, bandmembers would invariably throw down their instruments, stomp off stage, and begin sorting through their sock drawers. This pattern continued until-
1978
The guys journey to Los Angeles and audition at the World famous "Comedy Store." They do a bang up job on one of their timeless ethnic bits. In the audience are RICHARD PRYOR, ROBIN WILLIAMS, MITZI SHORR, AND HARRIS PEETE. All are laughing and very impressed but only Harris Peete picks up the phone. He orders Chinese take out and resumes his place as official greeter of the Comedy Store. The Duad becomes regulars, appearing nightly poised on the heels of their knockout audition. They work in tandem with a host of neer - do - wells who continue to rise - DAVID LETTERMAN, MICHAEL KEATON, ROBIN WILLIAMS, JAY LENO, JIMMY J.J. WALKER, AND HARRIS PEETE.
1981
A Job with the OAK RIDGE BOYS; opening their show broadens horizons as the guys move from LA back to South Dakota. Duane Allen remarks that this will be the beginning of a long and lasting relationship with the country music throng. Elvira is a smash and Williams and Ree continue to flounder as a comedic/musical anomaly.
1984
The Red and White delight move to Nashville, TN and began a journey of unprecedented mediocrity. Landing occasional stints on TNN's THE RALPH EMERY SHOW or as it was known NASHVILLE NOW eventually flung them in front of the ever watchful talent eye of big time TV producer Alan Reid and his wife Mady Land. Reid coerced the two into a fledgling niche on a cooking show with FLORENCE HENDERSON called COUNTRY KITCHEN in which the two presented a "comedy" dessert after Flo and a guest prepared an entree. From 1985 to 1993 the show ran unnoticed on TNN until it was bounced in favor of more Line Dancing Shows.
1993
The first of over 300 Indian Casinos opens in South Dakota and becomes the next stepping stone for the Red and White delight to spread their gospel of peace and harmony amidst an air of greed, gambling, and sovereign autonomy.
1999
The first of a planned plethora of Williams and Ree Cruises begins, offering fans a chance to catch up with, tackle and generally hang out with the paeons of ethno - comedy on board a ship with a bunch of other confused people. For info on where to sign up for a future cruise go to our contact page and leave us an e-mail or write us for more info on dates, times and prices.
Williams & Ree Official Website
