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Mason Williams

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Musician

The Resume

    (August 24, 1938- )
    Born in Abilene, Texas
    Guitarist/banjo player/comedy writer
    Writer/performer on 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour' (1967-69)
    Also wrote songs and material for the variety shows of Andy Williams and Glen Campbell
    Recorded the instrumental 'Classical Gas' (1968)

Why he might be annoying:

    He is a one-hit wonder.
    He has re-recorded 'Classical Gas' multiple times, including a collaboration with Mannheim Steamroller.
    For one performance with the Smothers Brothers, he mimed playing a clear plexiglass guitar filled with water and goldfish.
    He was briefly head writer for Saturday Night Live, but quit after clashing with producer Jean Doumanian (1980).

Why he might not be annoying:

    He gave Steve Martin his big break, hiring him as writer for 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour' and initially paying Martin's salary out of his own pocket.
    The same year that he won three Grammys for 'Classical Gas' he also won an Emmy as a writer for the Smothers Brothers (1968).
    BMI certified 'Classical Gas' as the most successful instrumental for radio airplay, with over five million broadcast performances (1998).

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 113 Votes: 59.29% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 27 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 20 Votes: 45.00% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 16 Votes: 31.25% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 17 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 13 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 76 Votes: 38.16% Annoying