Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

Laughs, Life, and Lessons with James "Diamond" Williams from The Ohio Players


Listen Later

This week, you’re sitting down with funk legend James “Diamond” Williams from The Ohio Players! From his jazz roots and early gigs at age 14 to shaping the groove of “Love Rollercoaster” and “Fire,” Diamond shares how precision, persistence, and passion built one of the most iconic sounds in funk. You’ll hear stories of wild recording schedules, late-night gigs, and the unforgettable moment Stevie Wonder first heard “Fire.” Through it all, Diamond reminds you that love—and music—is truly a rollercoaster.

Diamond also talks about what it takes to keep a band together, why preparation is everything, and how to push your career forward when no one else will. His message? Stay seated, stay belted, and enjoy the ride. Always Be Performing.

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 505 – Monday, October 27th, 2025
    • October 27th: National Black Cat Day
    • Guest co-host: James “Diamond” Williams
    • 00:03:35 Syncopated grooves
      • Jazz labs with his Dad
      • Gigging with jazz standards at 14 years old
      • All-City orchestra
      • Miami University
      • Marching band
      • Drum and Bugle Corps
      • All those influences
      • 00:05:38 How did the drum fill intro for “I Want to Be Free” come together
      • 00:10:16 Love Rollercoaster was an intentional pop hit
        • BTO was the “hit” band with Mercury when Ohio Players signed
        • Ohio Players told Mercury: “We need nothing from you but your money.”
        • Came in with a gold 45 and left with a Platinum album
        • 00:14:08 Crazy recording schedule
          • Playing at the Red Onion in Buffalo, NY at night while recording in Chicago during the day
          • They set a goal: “Let’s write three platinum albums in a row.”
          • 00:16:01 Stevie Wonder hears “Fire” for the first time
          • Sponsors
            • 00:19:37 SPONSOR: GigSalad. Always Be Performing means “Always Be Booking”, too. Head to GigSalad.com to create your free profile today!
              • (and check out Gig Gab 482 with Mark Steiner from May, 2025, too!)
              • 00:21:12 SPONSOR: Surfshark. Go to https://surfshark.com/giggab4 or use code giggab4 at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!
              • 00:22:42 “I Want To Be Free” – Midnight Special viral clip on Instagram
                • Bands covering
                • Red Hot Chili Peppers cover Love Rollercoaster
                • D’Angelo
                • Tupac
                • 00:24:47 The Ohio Players and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
                  • Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame induction
                  • 00:28:42 Keep pushing for your career… you are your best advocate
                  • 00:32:42 Balancing strong personalities within a band
                    • Advice: Never stop!
                      • Ohio Players were a band 24/7
                      • Rehearsed five days a week
                      • Hearing “Me & Mrs. Jones” everywhere when starting on tour
                        • …and hearing “Skin Tight” the same way
                        • 00:37:43 It comes back to preparation!
                          • Diamond’s Father’s Lessons
                          • 00:39:00 What transpired between Funky Worm (gold 45) and Skin Tight (Platinum album)?
                            • The musicality Billy Beck and Diamond
                            • Sugarfoot was always Sugarfoot: “he never came offstage”
                            • 00:43:28 Touring with technology decades ago
                            • 00:45:24 Diamonds life advice: love is actually a rollercoaster
                              • Stay seated and belted, and enjoy the ride.
                              • Stay diligent, faithful, and positive.
                              • 00:47:16 Gig Gab 505 Outtro
                                • Follow Diamond at The Ohio Players
                                  • Ohio Players Instagram
                                  • Contact Gig Gab!
                                    • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
                                    • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List
                                    • The post Laughs, Life, and Lessons with James “Diamond” Williams from The Ohio Players – Gig Gab 505 appeared first on Gig Gab.

                                      ...more
                                      View all episodesView all episodes
                                      Download on the App Store

                                      Gig Gab - The Working Musician's PodcastBy Dave Hamilton & Friends

                                      • 4.9
                                      • 4.9
                                      • 4.9
                                      • 4.9
                                      • 4.9

                                      4.9

                                      46 ratings


                                      More shows like Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

                                      View all
                                      Coverville: The Cover Music Show (AAC Edition) by Brian Ibbott

                                      Coverville: The Cover Music Show (AAC Edition)

                                      750 Listeners

                                      The Eddie Trunk Podcast by SiriusXM

                                      The Eddie Trunk Podcast

                                      1,316 Listeners

                                      Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting by Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete & Adam Christianson

                                      Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

                                      836 Listeners

                                      MacVoices by Chuck Joiner

                                      MacVoices

                                      33 Listeners

                                      MacVoices Video by Chuck Joiner

                                      MacVoices Video

                                      12 Listeners

                                      Guitar Nerds by Guitar Nerds

                                      Guitar Nerds

                                      153 Listeners

                                      Mac OS Ken by Ken Ray

                                      Mac OS Ken

                                      902 Listeners

                                      MacCast - For Mac Geeks, by Mac Geeks by Adam Christianson (Mac Geek)

                                      MacCast - For Mac Geeks, by Mac Geeks

                                      808 Listeners

                                      The Context Machine by Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet

                                      The Context Machine

                                      87 Listeners

                                      Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast by Shannon Jean & Dave Hamilton

                                      Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast

                                      64 Listeners

                                      Chasing Tone - Guitar Podcast About Gear, Effects, Amps and Tone by Wampler Pedals

                                      Chasing Tone - Guitar Podcast About Gear, Effects, Amps and Tone

                                      486 Listeners

                                      No Guitar Is Safe by Jude Gold

                                      No Guitar Is Safe

                                      782 Listeners

                                      Dean Delray's LET THERE BE TALK by Cactus Radio Network

                                      Dean Delray's LET THERE BE TALK

                                      2,333 Listeners

                                      And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan by And The Writer Is

                                      And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan

                                      1,031 Listeners

                                      Voice of the River Podcast by Skylar Hamilton

                                      Voice of the River Podcast

                                      2 Listeners

                                      Know Your Gear Podcast by Phillip Mcknight

                                      Know Your Gear Podcast

                                      309 Listeners

                                      You'll Hear It by Peter Martin & Adam Maness

                                      You'll Hear It

                                      16 Listeners

                                      Cover Band Confidential's Podcast by Coverband Confidential

                                      Cover Band Confidential's Podcast

                                      91 Listeners

                                      Rolling Stone All Access by Rolling Stone

                                      Rolling Stone All Access

                                      1,021 Listeners

                                      Wong Notes by Premier Guitar

                                      Wong Notes

                                      529 Listeners

                                      Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt by Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt

                                      Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt

                                      336 Listeners

                                      Dipped In Tone by Dipped in Tone

                                      Dipped In Tone

                                      220 Listeners

                                      Norah Jones Is Playing Along by iHeartPodcasts

                                      Norah Jones Is Playing Along

                                      516 Listeners

                                      The Gigging Musician Podcast by Jared Judge

                                      The Gigging Musician Podcast

                                      7 Listeners