Known for timeless classics such as "We've Only Just Begun," "Rainy Days and Mondays," "Evergreen," "Just An Old Fashioned Love Song" and "Rainbow Connection," Paul Williams is responsible for what will remain part of our pop culture for many years to come. His music has been recorded by some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. Three Dog Night's versions of "Just An Old Fashioned L ...
show all Known for timeless classics such as "We've Only Just Begun," "Rainy Days and Mondays," "Evergreen," "Just An Old Fashioned Love Song" and "Rainbow Connection," Paul Williams is responsible for what will remain part of our pop culture for many years to come. His music has been recorded by some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. Three Dog Night's versions of "Just An Old Fashioned Love Song," "Out in the Country" and "Family of Man" have sold millions of copies worldwide. Karen Carpenter's rich vocals made "We've Only Just Begun," "Rainy Days and Mondays" "Let Me Be the One and "I Won't Last a Day Without You," a part of our lives. Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, Willie Nelson, Kermit the Frog, and Luther Vandross are among the hundreds of artists who've recorded Paul's songs. Neil McCoy recently recorded Paul's "Party On" while Diamond Rio recorded and took "You're Gone" to the top of the charts. The video for "You're Gone" became Pick of the Week on Country Music Television. In 1997, Paul went back into the recording studio and recorded his CD "Back To Love Again," which includes remakes of some of Paul's more classic hits such as "Rainbow Connection" and "I Won't Last A Day Without You" as well as new songs which contain the same quality, passion and depth that was heard and felt in his hits from the past. Richard Carpenter and Graham Nash appear as guest artists on the album bringing to it a richness and a quality all its own. Critics, fans and the most famous in the music industry have all had positive reactions and reviews to the album. Hal David sums it up by saying, "Paul Williams, singing Paul Williams-it doesn't get any better. Fabulous!" But Herb Alpert's remark "Through the decade his keen wit and big heart have made him an uniquely special songsmith and artist," is what keeps a true Paul Williams fan coming back for more. No one sings a song like the songwriter who wrote it, and the same holds true for Paul's music. No one captures the emotion within the songs the way he can and does time and time again. Paul is one of the most celebrated songwriters of our time having won Academy, Grammy and Golden Globe awards. His most recent accomplishments include his induction into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. Paul's reputation as a motion picture songwriter took hold in 1973 with an Academy Award nomination for "Nice to Be Around" (co-written with John Williams ) from "The Cinderella Liberty (1973)". 1975 brought Paul's second nomination for the soundtrack from the Brian De Palma cult classic, "Phantom of the Paradise (1974)". He not only wrote the words and music and produced the album for the rock cantata, but also held the audience captive with his devious portrayal of the evil Swan. Paul went on to become the Music Supervisor for "Star Is Born, A (1976)", bringing with it the challenge of working with three different composers to produce its award winning score. Williams and Ken Ascher won a Golden Globe Award for "Best Motion Picture Score." "Evergreen," co-written with Barbra Streisand won the 1976 Oscar for "Best Song of the Year." In 1980, Paul was once again nominated by the Academy for the score from the box office smash hit "Muppet Movie (1979)" for "Best Original Score" as well as the song "Rainbow Connection" being nominated for "Best Song." "The Muppet Movie" soundtrack went on to win two Grammy Awards and became the biggest soundtrack album of the year, exceeding sales of one million units. Paul reunited with Henson Productions in 1992 for the Disney feature film "The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)". He wrote and produced the songs for the soundtrack which brought with it yet another Grammy Award nomination for "Best Musical Album for Children." Paul's other film credits include the songs and score for "The Bugsy Malone (1976)", which starred Jodie Foster and Scott Baio. "Bugsy Malone" continues to be a favorite of children's playhouses and theaters worldwide. He co-wrote the title song for "Flying Dreams" from the "Secret of NIMH (1982)", which was recently recorded as a duet by Kenny Loggins and 'Olivia Newton John' and has written songs for "The End (1978)", "The Rocky IV (1985)", and "Ishtar (1987)". Paul collaborated with Jerry Goldsmith on the title song for "Sum of All Fears (2002)". The song is featured in the beginning of the movie with a Latin translation and again at the end in English, performed by Electra recording artist Yolanda Adams. This may very well be the first time in entertainment history where a song has been presented in a film in two different languages. Paul Williams began his career as an actor in 1965 with his portrayal of a 12-year-old prodigy in "The Loved One (1965)" playing opposite Jonathan Winters . He is probably best known for his roles as Little Enos in the "Smokey and the Bandit" movies as well as the orangutan Virgil in "The Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)". In 1995, Paul received stellar reviews for his starring role as a wheelchair bound hostage in "Headless Body in Topless Bar (1995)". Variety Magazine proclaimed his performance as "standout" and "sterling," while Bill Hoffman wrote, "The most intriguing performance comes from pop songwriter Paul Williams who was eerily convincing as a depressed MS victim who ends up a hero." Paul is also remembered for his roles in Oliver Stone 's "Doors (1991)", "The People Like Us (1990) (TV)" (the NBC miniseries based on the Dominick Dunne bestseller), as the fun loving amphibian Gus in "Frog (1987) (TV)" and "Frogs! (1991)" and Freddie the Bomb in "Solar Crisis (1990)". He rarely passes up the opportunity to return to his early roots of acting and played an emergency room doctor in Roger Avary's "Rules of Attraction (2002)"." Paul is no stranger to the small screen. He has appeared on "Picket Fences" (1992)", "Dream On" (1990)", _"Honey, I Shrunk the Kids"_ (1990) (qv), "Boston Common" (1996)", "Walker, Texas Ranger" (1993)", and "Bold and the Beautiful, The" (1987)". Many people are unaware that Paul has provided voice-overs for countless animated series some of which include his role as Penguin in "Batman" (1992)", and his recurring appearances in "Phantom 2040" (1994)". Having obtained his certification from UCLA as a drug and alcohol counselor, Paul is very active on the speaker's circuit across the country. Speaking from his personal experiences with his own addiction and the knowledge that he gained through his education and his experience as a counselor, Paul continues to touch the lives and hearts of many people whose lives have been affected by drug abuse and/or alcoholism. He is actively involved with the Musician's Assistance Program and is on the Board of Directors for Community High School, a sober high school in Nashville, Tennessee which offers the teens assistance with their recovery as well as the education that they both strive for and deserve. Paul has appeared on "Prime Time Country" (1996)", "Geraldo" (1987)", and "Primetime Live" (1989)" talking about the devastating effects of drugs and alcohol and the increased use of them amongst our teens and pre-teens. Paul has been presented with the Global Arts Award from the Friendly House for his efforts on their behalf, the Spirit of Youth Award from the Pacific Boys Lodge for his efforts and contributions and the 'Celebration of Hope' award given to him by Hazelden for his overall contribution in the recovery field. Recovery is not simply a field that Paul is active in, it is one that he is passionate about...this is just one way in which Paul gives of himself to other. You will learn more about the organizations that Paul is involved with as well as his personal contributions to these organizations.
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