|
 Paul
Williams
Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe winning
songwriter Paul Williams is recognized as one of America’s most
prolific and gifted lyricists and composers. A ‘Hall of Fame’
songwriter and recipient of the 2004 National Music Publishers
President’s Award, Williams’ standards have been recorded by
such diverse musical icons as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra,
Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, David Bowie,
Tony Bennett, R.E.M., Sarah Vaughn, Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby,
The Carpenters, Luther Vandross, Mel Torme and Diana Ross.
His songs have
also found favor with Country legends including Chet Atkins,
Garth Brooks, The Dixie Chicks, Kris Kristofferson, Charlie
Pride, Crystal Gayle, Anne Murray, Lynn Anderson, The Oak Ridge
Boys, Diamond Rio and Neil McCoy. When asked which song is his
favorite, Paul is quick to respond, "That’s easy! It’s “The
Rainbow Connection.” It’s a thrill to hear my words interpreted
by such inimitable talents as Sarah McLachlan, Willie Nelson,
Judy Collins and Kermit the Frog!”
“The Rainbow
Connection,” from the children’s classic The Muppet Movie, is
one of two Paul Williams songs that grace the American Film
Institute’s list of the top movie songs of all time, the second,
“Evergreen,” is from the award winning Streisand/Kristofferson
remake of A Star Is Bor. Paul also penned the lyrics for the
blockbuster hit The Sum of All Fears. For the season finale of
Ally McBeal, Williams offered the touching “I Know Him By
Heart,” recorded by Vonda Shepard. Paul recently teamed up with
legendary songwriter Carole King to write the title song “Stand
Back,” sung by Joan Osborne, for Raising Helen. Williams just
completed words and music for the Garry Marshall musical Happy
Days, set to tour summer 07.
Although most people
came to know the witty Mr. Williams as one of Johnny Carson’s
recurring favorites on The Tonight Show, or as an actor in
dozens of films, television comedies and dramas, it is his
musical legacy that continues to inspire. “We’ve Only Just
Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “You and Me Against the
World,” “An Old Fashioned Love Song” and “Let Me Be The One” all
remain pop classics and are among the 22 tracks on the November
2004 Hip-O Select release Evergreens: The Very Best of the A&M
Years.
In 2006 the
AIX DVD Audio/Video disc I’m Going Back There Some Day was
released featuring Paul and special guests Willie Nelson,
Melissa Manchester and Gonzo the Muppet. The full-featured DVD
includes stereo and 5.1 surround recordings of some of Paul's
favorite songs, complete video of the sessions, interviews, and
concert footage of recent performances.
Privately a devoted
father, and publicly lauded for his work as a songwriter,
performer, actor and humanitarian, he predicts he’ll be
remembered for playing Little Enos in the Smokey and the Bandit
trilogy and for his lyric’s to “The Love Boat” theme.
A proud parent, Paul
considers his son, Cole, and daughter, Sarah, to be his best
work. He is happily married to writer, Mariana Williams. |
