This just in - Paul has been elected President/Chairman of ASCAP! Click here to read about it!
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The song tracks above can be found on the latest DVD/CD combination which features Willie Nelson, Melissa Manchester and Gonzo as co-stars! - available through the Connection web site. Click here for more information
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, Sarah Vaughn, Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, The Carpenters, Luther Vandross, Mel Torme and Diana Ross.
His songs have found favor with country legends including Chet Atkins, Kris Kristofferson, Charlie Pride, The Dixie Chicks, 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, Kenny Loggins, 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 top movie songs of all time, the second, "Evergreen," is from the award winning Streisand/Kristofferson remakes of A Star is Born. Additional song scores include the cult favorites Phantom of the Paradise and Ishtar, as well as The Muppet Christmas Carol and Bugsy Malone. 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 song "Stand Back," sung by Joan Osborne, for Raising Helen and wrote the music and lyrics for the Gary Marshall musical Happy Days. He considers writing songs for Fonzie and the Cunningham family one of lifes most enjoyable tasks.
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. Contemporary arrangements of some of these favorites were also recorded in Japan and released on the CD Love Wants to Dance, a clear indication of he global appreciation for his work.
Also new for 2006 is the AIX DVD Audio/Video disc I'm Going Back There Some Day featuring Paul Williams 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.
Having completed a successful tour with Melissa Manchester, he has since performed his classics in venues from New York to Los Angeles. As part of America's large recovering community, Paul is also very active on the speaker's circuit. Sharing stories of his own escape from addiction, he quips, "You know you're an alcoholic when you misplace a decade." Sober 19 years, his humorous observations of his own life experiences are augmented by the education and knowledge he gained through his studies and certification from UCLA as a certified drug rehabilitation counselor.
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 lyrics 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.
Mark your calendars! On October 31, 2008 Happy Days the Musical kicks off it's national tour at the La Mirada Theatre in La Mirada, CA!
Learn more by visiting:
Visit the Paul Williams Connection
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Learn about some of the organizations that Paul's involved with and/or supports. Visit the Save Me a Dream site.
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Be sure to join the Rainbow Connection Yahoo Group.
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