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/giggab or use code giggab 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
    
    
    • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
    
    
    • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

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