Johnny Mack Williams plays his saxophone on 3rd Avenue in downtown Prince George on Saturday

Prince George, BC – Johnny Mack Williams spends most afternoons enriching life in downtown Prince George…

Williams plunks his stool down along 3rd Avenue and fills the street with music.  He plays the saxophone.  Now semi-retired, Williams moved to Prince George four years ago and owns a small farm.  He says he usually comes down after finishing his morning chores, "Mostly, I like to interact with the people."

"Basically, I just get a conversation going and it’s like talking to old friends, really," says Williams, who has become well-known to those who work and shop in the city’s centre. (click photo at right for video clip)

"They’re attracted to the playing, they’re attracted to the saxophone because it’s something that’s different on the street."

"Many of them say, ‘Well, you bring a lot of class to town," adds the musician with a tinge of pride.  "And I can see that – it’s cool, it’s very nice of them to say."

Williams has no plans to shelve his saxophone for the season.  "No, I’ll be playing through the winter, as long as it’s not 40-below or something like that," he laughs.  "I’ve done that before in other towns that I’ve been in – if I didn’t have to work a Saturday, I’d be busking on the street."

"But it’s not so much about the money, it’s just about interaction with the people."