Keller Williams to hit Bottling Company Sunday night

"Music's mad scientist" Keller Williams will drop some science at the Bottling Company this Sunday.

Williams received his scientist nickname for his unique one-man show set up. Typically, Williams will perform alone and construct his songs by running his guitar through a Gibson Echoplex Digital Pro looping unit. By doing so, the guitarist can create multiple backing loops that he builds upon on the fly.

During recent tours, Williams has stepped out of the lab for shows with a full band backing him. His current tour, of which the Bottling Company show falls in the middle, is a return to his original one-man band setup, a move praised by fans.

"I think the return to a one-man setup is a good idea for him," sophomore journalism major Stephanie Massey said. "Having a complete band works for some people, but his style and his music is even better when it's just him."

For other fans, Williams' return to his performance roots is not as important as the music itself. "I'm not too concerned with how he plays, as long as the music he produces is good," sophomore anthropology major Katie Holmes said.

Compared to the other dates on Williams' tour, The Bottling Company is an intimate show. The concert is sandwiched in between shows at the New Daisy Theatre in Memphis and the Sunoco Performance Theater in Harrisburg, Penn., both large, high-scale venues. "It's definitely a great feeling to have someone that big play here at Hattiesburg," Bottling Company general manager Brad Cornett said. "He's someone you'd usually have to drive to New Orleans or Memphis to see."

Williams seems to have taken the intimate nature of his first Hattiesburg show to heart. After the performance, the musician plans to stick around the venue to sign autographs and meet fans.

Since putting out his debut record Freek in 1994, Williams has been a very prolific artist, putting out twelve albums of either studio or live material. Though his recordings are usually solo affairs, he has occasionally collaborated with others, such as The Keels (on 2006's Grass) and The String Cheese Incident (on 1999's Breathe).

In 1998, the guitarist signed to the latter's Sci Fidelity label, where he has remained since.

Despite his prolific recording history, the main appeal of Williams for many is still his live show.

"He seems like a showman, meaning, he will entertain a crowd to the fullest extent," Holmes said. "Who doesn't want to be entertained thoroughly?"

Doors for the show at open at 7:00 p.m., and the show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.thebottlingco.com.