Michael Williams hesitated when his 88-year-old grandfather asked about his career dreams.
His grandfather, George Houck, thought a college degree was the best path to a successful journey. So when Houck asked Williams his post-high school plans, he reluctantly told him he aspired to become a professional singer.
Then his grandfather responded: “That’s what you’re made to do.”
“I was blown away,” the 19-yer-old Mason resident said, recalling that conversation from December 2019.
The Williams family celebrated Christmas together in 2019, then a few days later tragedy struck. Houck fell in his Cincinnati home, hit his head and died on Dec. 30, 2019.
“It was a tough time for our family,” Williams said. “Just strange timing.”
Williams sang “How Great Thou Art” at his grandfather’s funeral in early January, then left the next morning for Los Angeles to film season 18 of NBC’s “The Voice,” where he eventually secured a spot on “Team Nick” when celebrity judge Nick Jonas picked him.
He competed with three other singers for the Wildcard Instant Save and a chance to make it into the season’s top 9, but he was eliminated.
“Crazy start to 2020,” said Williams, a regular performer at Kings Island.
Then last month, Williams, who was homeschooled and graduated this year, wanted to write a “really special” Christmas song for his family. He wrote “See You Again,” a tribute to his grandfather and his first original single that recently was released.
He also plays the piano and said the song seems to resonate with anyone who has lost a loved one or lost something in 2020.
His father, Tim Williams, executive director of operations at Hope House, a Middletown homeless shelter, said he believes many people will be able to relate to the words.
“This has been a crazy year with so many losses,” his father said. “This is a reminder that if you share faith, it’s not the end. There is some hope there.”
The song begins:
“Twenty-five days ‘till Santa comes to town.
It’ll be so different without you around.
We’re decorating, doing the things we always do.
Grandma hung a stocking just for you.
It’s hard some days cause you feel so far.
But I, I look up cause I know where you are.
If you hear me I’m thinking about you.
Wondering why you had to leave this life so soon.
Because of the coronavirus, no release party was held, but Williams has enjoyed being with family and friends as they listen to the lyrics for the first time.
“There seems to be a connection with people,” he said. “It creates different feelings. People have said it sparked some stuff.”
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