Deniece Williams
Keynote Speaker: Grammy-Winning Soul, R&B, Gospel & Pop Singer-Songwriter With A Four-Octave Soprano Range; Known for "Let's Hear It for the Boy"
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Deniece Williams Biography
Deniece Williams' soaring, four-octave soprano voice made her one of the most distinctive talents to arrive during the soul era. Although she made her recorded debut in 1968, it wasn't until the '70s that Williams truly established herself, first as part of Stevie Wonder's Wonderlove, then as a songwriter, and finally as a solo artist who could also produce and arrange her own material. This Is Niecy (1976), her debut album, scored a gold certification on the strength of the number two Billboard Hot Soul Singles hit "Free" and six other songs she co-wrote. This planted the seeds for an enduring career highlighted by the number one pop hits "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" (1978) and "Let's Hear It for the Boy" (1984), 11 additional charting albums, and Grammys in the gospel field for "I Surrender All" and "They Say" (both 1986) as well as for "I Believe in You" (1987) and This Is My Song (1998). Since the latter win, Williams has issued Love, Niecy Style (2007) and a handful of singles including "When You Love Somebody" (2020), her first independent release.
Born June Deniece Chandler in Gary, Indiana, Williams grew up singing in the Church of God in Christ. Her favorite vocalists were Carmen McRae and Nancy Wilson, and she was also inspired by her parents, both of whom sang. From 1968 through 1970, while in her late teens, Williams recorded six singles for the Chicago-based Toddlin' Town label and its Lock subsidiary as Deniece (or Denise) Chandler. None of them charted, but "I'm Walking Away" and "Mama, I Wish I Stayed at Home" became favorites of the U.K.'s northern soul scene. Williams temporarily left music behind to pursue nursing education and steady employment, and started a family.
Poised to take flight as a solo artist, Williams signed a production deal and joined the roster of Columbia Records. Williams released her first album, This Is Niecy, in 1976. It featured the number two Billboard Hot Soul Singles hit "Free," which also crossed over to number 25 on the Hot 100. "Cause You Love Me Baby" and "That's What Friends Are For" also charted. Williams' second album yielded the Top 20 soul single "Baby, Baby My Love's All for You." After that, she connected with fellow Columbia artist Johnny Mathis for "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late," a number one hit on the Hot 100, soul, and adult contemporary charts. Its success led to the duet partners making the album That's What Friends Are For. In addition to the title song -- the original version of which appeared on Williams' debut -- it featured a version of "You're All I Need to Get By" that went to number ten on the soul chart.
The 1983 offering I'm So Proud, highlighted by the number nine Black Singles hit "Do What You Feel," earned Williams' second Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance and was followed by another hit duet, an update of "Love Won't Let Me Wait". Subsequently approached by Paramount to record the bubbly "Let's Hear It for the Boy" for the soundtrack of Footloose, Williams obliged -- despite initial strong objection -- and as a result scored a global hit that in the U.S. alone topped the Hot 100, Black Singles, and dance charts. "Next Love" and "Black Butterfly" also charted from the album Let's Hear It for the Boy, which was among the nominees for Best R&B Performance in the female category. "Let's Hear It for the Boy" itself was nominated for a Grammy in the pop performance field.
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Deniece Williams Videos
How do I book Deniece Williams to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Deniece Williams for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Deniece Williams, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Deniece Williams or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Deniece Williams for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Deniece Williams, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $30,000 - $50,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Deniece Williams, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Deniece Williams speak about?
Deniece Williams is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Celebrity, Music and Performing Arts.
Who is the agent for Deniece Williams?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Deniece Williams for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Deniece Williams for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Deniece Williams or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Deniece Williams is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Celebrity, Music and Performing Arts. The estimated speaking fee range to book Deniece Williams for live events is $30,000 - $50,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Deniece Williams can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Stephanie Mills, Adrienne Warren and Tulani. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Deniece Williams for an upcoming event.
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Deniece Williams Videos
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Deniece Williams News
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As 'Footloose' turns 40, school hopes Kevin Bacon returns for last ...
Feb 17, 2024 ... Two songs featured in the film — Kenny Loggins's “Footloose” and Deniece Williams's “Let's Hear It for the Boy” — were both nominated for Best Original Song at ...
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2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala Presenters & Performers Named
Jun 10, 2024 ... Kevin Bacon, the star of Footloose, and Deniece Williams, who had a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Let's Hear It for the Boy” from that iconic ...
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Best Original Song of 1979: Inside the Oscars Slugfest – Billboard
Aug 17, 2022 ... 1 in June 1978 with “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late,” a collab with Deniece Williams. Olivor, a highly-touted cabaret-style singer at the time, ...
FAQS
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How do I book Deniece Williams to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Deniece Williams for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Deniece Williams, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Deniece Williams or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Deniece Williams for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Deniece Williams, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $30,000 - $50,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Deniece Williams, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Deniece Williams speak about?
Deniece Williams is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Celebrity, Music and Performing Arts. -
Who is the agent for Deniece Williams?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Deniece Williams for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Deniece Williams for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Deniece Williams or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
