Mason Williams emerged in the late 1960’s as a strong
force in television and music circles. He is most widely known as composer
and recording artist of mega hit Classical Gas, which won three Grammy
Awards for: “Best Instrumental Composition”, “Best
Instrumental Performance”, and “Best Instrumental Orchestra
Arrangement” (Mike Post, arranger).
In 1998, Broadcast Music, Inc., (BMI), presented Mason
with a Special Citation of Achievement in recognition of the great
national and international popularity of Classical Gas. It has
logged over three million broadcast performances to become the number one
all time instrumental composition for air play in BMI’s repertoire,
replacing the previous #1 tune, The Theme From Moulin Rouge, by
Michel Legrande, released in 1953.
In 1987, Mason teamed up with Mannheim Steamroller to
release an album on the American Gramaphone label titled CLASSICAL GAS,
a cut from this album, Country Idyll, was a Grammy Nominee
for “Best Country Instrumental Performance by a Soloist, Group or
Orchestra.” This album went Gold in 1991, and is now approaching Platinum.
In 1992 Mason released A GIFT OF SONG, an
instrumental Christmas album featuring arrangements of traditional carols
and original compositions. That same year, the Vanguard label released MUSIC
1968-1971, a compilation of cuts from his five Warner Bros. albums recorded
in the late 60s, early 70s.
Under his own label, Skookum Records, Mason released
EP 2003: MUSIC FOR THE EPICUREAN HARKENER, which has received a
Grammy Nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album.
Throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, Mason created and
performed concerts for band and orchestra; “SYMPHONIC BLUEGRASS”
was performed with over 40 major symphonies. “OF TIME AND RIVERS
FLOWING,” a chronological river of music encompassing the realms of
classical, folk, minstrel, gospel, jazz, country, pop, and contemporary
rock. His “A GIFT OF SONG” Holiday Pops concerts featured
music from his Christmas album and various community artists and choirs.
Recent honors include an Honorary Doctorate of Music
from his Alma Mater, Oklahoma City University and in 2000, Mason was
officially designated the Musician Laureate for the State of Oregon.
Mason’s music has also made its way on-screen. It has
been featured in several films including, The Story of Us, The Dish,
Heartbreakers and Cheaper by the Dozen. On television,
Classical Gas has been used in episodes of The Simpsons,
Frasier and The Sopranos.
As for Mason’s other creative work; television, books,
and art, he has written more than 170 hours of network television. He was a
prime creative force for CBS’ controversial SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY
HOUR. He won an Emmy Award for the show and received three
other Emmy Nominations as a comedy writer. Mason has also written and
produced over a dozen books of prose, poetry, and music including THE
MASON WILLIAMS READING MATTER, FLAVORS (Doubleday) and THEM
POEMS (Parallel Press). Warner Bros. recently published a second
edition of his music book, CLASSICAL GAS - THE MUSIC OF MASON WILLIAMS.
As a conceptual artist, one of Mason works, “BUS” (1967), a
life-sized photographic poster of a Greyhound Bus is in the permanent
collection of New York City’s Museum of Modern Art.
