Bradley Williams, a 24-year-old, Mississippi State senior from Poplarville, is making himself known in the country music world, and will be making his Picayune debut this month during the Poplarville Rotary Drawdown.

Although he is majoring in finance, he intends to pursue a career in the music industry after graduation.

“I don’t know if I will start out in Nashville but I will definitely pursue music,” Williams said. “I have been in negotiations with management companies to put me on the right track.”

He said it is hard to break into the music business, but with luck, timing and skill every musician hopes to develop a good fan base.

“Around home I have a good following,” he said. “But we are trying to branch out throughout the state, then surrounding states. After that, we will form a band and somewhere along the way hope to get heard by the right people.”

Until now, the farthest he has played away from home is in Montgomery, Alabama.

Williams writes most of his own music and has played his guitar for eight years.

Interestingly enough, the former rodeo enthusiast learned to play heavy metal genre on his guitar prior to writing his own country music. He said he draws on his love of rodeo and country experiences to create his country sound with a southern rock edge.

He said that learning the intricate chords and techniques from heavy metal music allowed him to transition into his country sound with ease.

“Country is where my heart is and my voice is a better fit for it,” he said. “Basically, I am a very shy person, but performing brings me out of my shell and there is nothing like interacting with a crowd when I am onstage.”

Williams’ Picayune performance for the Poplarville Rotary’s 2014 drawdown will be on Saturday, May 17, at Southern Char Steak House.

William’s performance and the change of venue are two examples of how the Poplarville Rotary Club has changed their annual event to attract a broader range of people.

Poplarville Rotary President Stacey Wilkes said the group wants everyone to lend much needed support to local causes and have a wonderful evening of fellowship and fun.

“We also want to give exposure to a worthy, up and coming musician,”

Wilkes said that the Poplarville Rotary loves to support local people and Williams has quite a following, so much so that this year’s drawdown has been divided into two parts.

The dinner drawdown experience starts at 6:30 p.m., and includes the performance, dinner, and opportunity to win cash prizes throughout the drawdown, for $100 per person. Music lovers who are looking for just the Bradley Williams performance can enter for $15 a person beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Wilkes said the event is the club’s premier fundraiser for community causes they support. She said the majority of funds go back into the community and there is more need than ever before.

Drawdown tickets can be purchased by calling 601-569-4256 or from any Poplarville Rotarian.