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Mason Williams

Classical Gas is an instrumental guitar piece like no other. Its depth and energy made an instant connection with a generation. Now... 40 years and almost 6 million air-plays later, Classical Gas has established itself as the music by which any guitarist, from hobbyist to celebrity, can measure themselves.

Composer and performer, Mason Williams, created a perfect blend of guitar and orchestra that has been recorded by over hundreds of artists including guitar legends John Williams, Chet Atkins and Glen Campbell. It's been arranged for hand bells, ukulele, harp and an amazing number of other instruments. Classical Gas has found its home on-screen as well. It has become the perfect baby boomer soundtrack for dozens of films and TV shows.

Brief Biography

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.

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Awards and Special Honors

Emmy Awards:

1967
EMMY AWARD for "Outstanding Writing Achievement in
Comedy, Variety, & Music"

1969
EMMY AWARD for "Outstanding Writing Achievement in
Comedy, Variety, & Music"

1988
NOMINATION for "Outstanding Writing in a
Variety or Music Program"
The Smothers Brothers 20th Anniversary Show

Grammy Awards:

1968
GRAMMY AWARD for "Best Instrumental Theme"
Mason Williams, composer

1968
GRAMMY AWARD for "Best Instrumental Performance"
"Classical Gas" Mason Williams, performer

1968
GRAMMY AWARD for "Best Instrumental Arrangement"
"Classical Gas" Mike Post, arranger

1969
NOMINATION for "Best Instrumental Arrangement" (Al Capps)
"Baroque-A-Nova" from
"The Mason Williams Ear Show"
(Warner Bros.)

1970
NOMINATION for "Best Album Cover Design"
"Handmade" LP (WS 1838)

1971
NOMINATION for "Best Album Cover Design" "Sharepickers"
LP photo by Terry Paul

1988
NOMINATION for "Best Instrumental Performance"
(Country Music Category) "Country Idyll"
from "Classical Gas" CD

Writers Guild Awards:

1975
NOMINATION for "Outstanding Script, Television Variety"
The Smothers Brothers Show

1981
AWARD for "Outstanding Script, Television Variety"
"All Commercials"- Steve Martin Special

Special Awards and Honors:

1990
14th Annual Oregon Governor's Art Award
Recognition for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts

1991
Gold Record "Classical Gas" (AG 800) LP/Cassette/CD

1996
Honorary Doctor of Music/Oklahoma City University

2000
Musician Laureate, State of Oregon

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Mason Williams

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Classical Gas is an instrumental guitar piece like no other. Its depth and energy made an instant connection with a generation. Now... 40 years and almost 6 million air-plays later, Classical Gas has established itself as the music by which any guitarist, from hobbyist to celebrity, can measure themselves. Composer and performer, Mason Williams, created a perfect blend of guitar and orchestra that has been recorded by over hundreds of artists including guitar legends John Williams, Chet Atkins and Glen Campbell. It's been arranged for hand bells, ukulele, harp and an amazing number of other instruments. Classical Gas has found its home on-screen as well. It has become the perfect baby boomer soundtrack for dozens of films and TV shows.

Brief Biography 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. Top of Page

Awards and Special Honors Emmy Awards: 1967 EMMY AWARD for "Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy, Variety, & Music" 1969 EMMY AWARD for "Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy, Variety, & Music" 1988 NOMINATION for "Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program" The Smothers Brothers 20th Anniversary Show Grammy Awards: 1968 GRAMMY AWARD for "Best Instrumental Theme" Mason Williams, composer 1968 GRAMMY AWARD for "Best Instrumental Performance" "Classical Gas" Mason Williams, performer 1968 GRAMMY AWARD for "Best Instrumental Arrangement" "Classical Gas" Mike Post, arranger 1969 NOMINATION for "Best Instrumental Arrangement" (Al Capps) "Baroque-A-Nova" from "The Mason Williams Ear Show" (Warner Bros.) 1970 NOMINATION for "Best Album Cover Design" "Handmade" LP (WS 1838) 1971 NOMINATION for "Best Album Cover Design" "Sharepickers" LP photo by Terry Paul 1988 NOMINATION for "Best Instrumental Performance" (Country Music Category) "Country Idyll" from "Classical Gas" CD Writers Guild Awards: 1975 NOMINATION for "Outstanding Script, Television Variety" The Smothers Brothers Show 1981 AWARD for "Outstanding Script, Television Variety" "All Commercials"- Steve Martin Special Special Awards and Honors: 1990 14th Annual Oregon Governor's Art Award Recognition for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts 1991 Gold Record "Classical Gas" (AG 800) LP/Cassette/CD 1996 *Honorary Doctor of Music/Oklahoma City University* 2000 *Musician Laureate, State of Oregon* Top of Page