Mason Williams - Songs

Mason Williams - Songs

ABOUT

Mason Williams (b. August 24, 1938) is a classical guitarist, banjoist, composer, singer, writer, stand-up comedian, and poet who became famous during the late 1960s for both his music and his work on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour." This multi-talented artist and entertainer is best known for his rousing guitar instrumental smash, "Classical Gas" (1968), which made its TV premiere on that show.

Born in Abilene, Texas, Williams formed his first group in high school where he also sang in the choir. While attending Oklahoma City University, he began writing songs and playing the guitar and in 1959, co-founded The Wayfarers Trio with two fellow OCU students, Billy Cheatwood and Baxter Taylor. They signed with Mercury Records and released several recordings before disbanding in 1961. After serving in the U.S. Navy for two years, he relocated to Los Angeles in 1964 where he wrote songs for such top acts as The Kingston Trio and Glenn Yarbrough and published his first of many poetry books, "Bicyclists Dismount." Williams' large body of creative works at that time also included a number of comedic songs which came to the attention of Tom and Dick Smothers. The brothers recorded some of them on their album, "Tour de Farce," accompanied by Williams on guitar, banjo, and recorder, which marked the beginning of their longtime association. As a writer for "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," Williams' Emmy-winning work included such memorable skits as Pat Paulsen's farcical 1968 presidential campaign, and he penned this show's opening theme. He also served as a comedy writer for Andy Williams, Glen Campbell, Dinah Shore, Roger Miller, and Petula Clark and later served briefly as head writer for "Saturday Night Live."

Mason Williams debuted in 1968 on both the Adult Contemporary and Pop/Rock charts with the self-penned "Classical Gas," a flamenco-styled guitar instrumental arranged by Mike Post with orchestral backing provided by members of The Wrecking Crew. This smash topped the Adult Contemporary chart and became a Top 5 hit on the Pop/Rock charts, went gold, and won three Grammys the following year (for Best Instrumental Composition, Best Contemporary-Pop Performance, Instrumental, and Best Instrumental Arrangement). Williams' hits continued on both charts through 1969 with the classically-inspired "Baroque-A-Nova" (1968), the sung "Saturday Night At The World" (1969), a "Classical Gas"-styled instrumental cover of "Greensleeves" (1969), and the sung "A Gift Of Song" (1969), which all made the Adult Contemporary Top 40. His final charting song came in 1970 with the Latin-flavored "Jose's Piece," another Top 40 Adult Contemporary chart hit.

In addition to three Grammys and an Emmy, Mason Williams' numerous honors and accolades include being inducted into the Oregon Hall of Fame (2007) and several awards from that state where he has played an active role in the local music scene since around the 1980s. In 1998, he was awarded a Special Citation of Achievement from Broadcast Music Incorporated for "Classical Gas" which became BMI's all-time #1 instrumental composition for radio air play with (at that time) over five million broadcast performances.

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SONGS

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Mason Williams

  • Classical Gas     1968
    (This flamenco guitar-inspired instrumental song won three Grammys in 1969.)

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