Saturday, March 18, the Campus Activities Board (CAB) hosted their annual Mystery Concert for Milligan and Emmanuel students, faculty and staff. This year the concert was performed by South of Roan, a musical duo consisting of Milligan grad Grizel Williams and Johnson city local Seth Thomas.
South of Roan is a folk band with an emphasis on authenticity and soul. The concert was held in SUB 7, which seemed fitting for the folk band. The lights were dim and the stage was decorated with antiques of various sorts, such as a rustic door, an old chair and suitcases that looked like they had been used many times. The environment was intimate, complementing the band’s emphasis on authenticity and soul.
South of Roan played a mix of original and cover songs and transitioned with quirky humor in between their setlist. The crowd at the concert was only about 15 people, but that only made the performance feel more genuine.
South of Roan started making music three years ago. Now, with the duo living in two different cities, Williams and Thomas occasionally perform together when in Johnson city.
“Seth works during the day as a carpenter, like Jesus,” Williams said. “I decided to take the plunge and move to Knoxville to pursue music more seriously. So, when I come back to Johnson City we get back together and play as South of Roan.”
As a solo artist, Williams tried out for the television show “The Voice” and made it to the second round of judging.
Though she may have been cut early on in the competition, she has kept on singing.
“Over the last nine months I have learned that I want this more than anything, and that I can do it,” Williams said. “It’s a marathon and not a sprint.”
Casey Knapp, a Milligan senior and member of CAB, was the connection from CAB to bring in the band for the Mystery Concert.
Rebecca Guthrie, another CAB member, said, “I thought they had great voices, and I enjoyed listening to their set and the realness that they brought to the stage.”
The duo sang of soft and intimate moments about loneliness and heartache. Their music addressed the fight of inner battle and having to leave someone to follow a different path.
If you want to find more about Grizel Williams and South of Roan, check out their YouTube page, or visit Grizel Williams’ website grizelmusic.com.