By Staff

THE BAND Hayley Williams, center, is pictured with her band Paramore which also includes Jeremy Davis, left, Josh Farro, Jason Bynum and Zach Farro. Hayley, a native of Meridian, recently signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records. Submitted photo

By Penny Randall / staff writer

October 17, 2004

In second grade, Hayley Williams told her teacher she was going to be a famous singer.

In fourth grade, she dreamed of starting a band. By sixth grade, Hayley had written her first song, and in seventh grade she moved to Nashville to pursue a career in the music business.

Now 15, the Meridian native and former Poplar Springs Elementary and West Lauderdale student has signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records and is on her way to achieving her dream.

Stage persona

Hayley said she feels like she's on top of the world when she's onstage.

Hayley is the daughter of Joey Williams and Cristi Williams, and the granddaughter of Rusty and Sharon Williams, all Meridian natives who now live in Nashville.

Hayley's mother Cristi: "Hayley has walked through every door that God opened. Each door opened the next stage of her career. She wants her life to be involved in making music in some form or fashion."

Talent winner

While living in Meridian, Hayley was involved in Meridian Little Theatre and won first place in the Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival Youth Talent Competition in 2001. Her first onstage experience came at YouthQuake 2001, when she and a friend, Kaitlin Windham, performed together as the Christian duo, Blessed X 2.

Hayley started singing in contests and has done jingles for commercials and demos for songwriters. She sings the national anthem for a Mississippi commercial promoting tobacco-free teens the one in which a young woman holds the final high note for an impossibly long time. And, in the past year, Hayley was the voice of Taylor in the Christian cartoon "Mammoth City Messengers."

Hayley not only sings, but also plays drums, piano and guitar. She writes all her songs and has started learning studio production.

Busy teenager

Instead of typical teenage diversions like shopping, Hayley's life is focused on daily band rehearsals and meetings with her manager and record executives.

Hayley describes her music as "alternative rock" and said she is influenced by independent bands. She likes the music of U2, The Cure, Alicia Keys and The Temptations.

Hayley and her band, Paramore, hope to finish their first album by Christmas. Band members include: Josh Farro, 16, lead guitarist; Jeremy Davis, 19, bass player; Jason Bynum, 21, rhythm guitarist; and Zach Farro, 14, drums.

To learn more about Hayley Williams and her band Paramore, visit www.paramore.net.