RHYS Meirion has continued his travels around Wales finding his perfect singing partners.
On Friday, 20 October, singer-songwriter Alys Williams from Caernarfon opens up her home to Tremadog’s very own singing superstar and takes him to a number of places which are close to her heart.
You can see the singer and mother of two with the unique voice practise and perform a number of duets with tenor Rhys Meirion in the latest episode of Deuawdau Rhys Meirion on S4C.
“Mum says I started singing before I could talk. I got through to the final round on the Eisteddfod stage when I was quite young and then went through a period where I was terrified of singing in front of an audience. I’ve always battled against my nerves before a performance,” says Alys, who is also well-known to UK audiences for reaching the semi-final of the TV competition The Voice in 2013 and being mentored by Sir Tom Jones.
Alys Williams and Rhys Meirion will perform two duets of their choice, O Gymru and Gerfydd fy Nwylo Gwyn, and put their own stamp on the songs.
“I much prefer singing with someone else than on my own,” says Alys who sings in a band with Osian Williams, who works on the duet arrangements in the series.
“When you’re singing with a group, you don’t have everyone’s eyes focused just on you. It gives me confidence. When singing by myself, I often feel a lot more vulnerable.
“I’m a big fan of experimenting with music, especially with my kids,” says Alys, who is mum to twins Catrin and Gruffudd.
Her grandfather Wilbert Lloyd Roberts – one of the founders of Theatr Gwynedd – certainly helped her creative development.
“He was one of the founders of the first Welsh-language theatre company, but to me he was Grandad,” says Alys, who takes Rhys Meirion on a tour of Pontio Arts Centre, Bangor to show him a statue in memory of Wilbert Lloyd Roberts.
“I’m proud there is a statue to honour the contribution my Grandad made to theatre in Wales and to commemorate his life. I have wonderful memories of him making us all laugh; he was great with kids.”See this week's north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday