Sweet William

Sweet William is a folk ballad duo based in Dayton, Ohio, featuring the evocative vocals of Jake Book and Eileen OConnor. Since their formation in 2021, the duo has skillfully combined their passion for English, Irish, and Appalachian musical traditions.Jake Books journey into traditional music began in his childhood in Iowa, where he was first introduced to old-time banjo music by his mother, a Kentucky native. This early exposure sparked a deep connection to the musical heritage of the British Isles and its evolution in Appalachia. Over the past decade, Jake has built a diverse musical career as a solo singer-songwriter and performer, eventually shifting his focus to the preservation of traditional songs and tunes. His expertise extends to fiddle, banjo, and Irish whistle and drum, alongside his guitar and vocal skills. Jakes commitment to preserving the essence of these musical traditions has earned him a reputation as an emerging figure in the traditional music scene. He has won awards for banjo and singing and collaborated with notable artists such as Dom Flemons, JD Wilkes, Sarah Wood, Flatfoot 56, Mike Oberst and The Tillers. Eileen OConnor has been singing for nearly her entire life, with her mother ensuring that she was always surrounded by music. However, it wasnt until a reenactment event in 2017 that Eileen began to perform publicly. Her interest in a wide variety of traditional music soon led her to specialize in the old ballads, earning her the affectionate title of a sweet sad singer of sweet sad songs. In 2019, Eileen revitalized her musical journey by taking up the banjo, an instrument she had purchased in 2008 but had yet to fully explore. She studied with prominent musicians such as Carla Gover, Montana Hobbs, Sue Massek, John Haywood, and Jesse Wells at Cowan Creek Mountain Music School, an experience that profoundly influenced her musical path. In 2021, she expanded her repertoire to include the fiddle, studying with John Harrod.Together, Jake and Eileen create a distinctive sound that honors the rich heritage of traditional music while infusing it with their own unique voice and passion.