[3] Williams began releasing music on his own label, Red Guitar Blue Music, in 1989, with an EP called Red Guitar Plays Blue; this EP was pressed on CD with additional unreleased recordings from the late 1980s in 1993, under the same title and label.

His first two "official" albums (North From Statesboro, How the Night-Time Sings) were also self-released under Red Guitar Blue Music.

The first, entitled My Turn Now, featured Sally Barker on backing vocals, Richard Gates on electric bass and co-producer Chris Pepper on the drums.

The album was recorded in an 'old school' manner, with just voice and guitar (acoustic, resonator and cigar box), live in the studio, using vintage microphones.

In November 2016, Brooks joined forces with Guy Davis for a UK tour entitled 'Inside The Delta', a showcase of the many varied styles of the blues.