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2006 KEYNOTE SPEAKER: PAUL WILLIAMS 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, Ray Charles, David Bowie, Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughn, Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, The Carpenters, Luther Vandross, Mel Torme and Diana Ross.

His songs have also found favor with Country legends including Chet Atkins, Garth Brooks, Kris Kristofferson, Charlie Pride, 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, 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 the top movie songs of all time, the second, “Evergreen“, is from the award winning Streisand/Kristofferson remake 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 title song “Stand Back“, sung by Joan Osborne, for Raising Helen. He is currently writing the music and lyrics for the Garry 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".

As a part of America’s large recovering community, Paul is also very active on the Speakers Circuit. Sharing stories of his own escape from addiction, he quips, "You know you’re an alcoholic when you misplace a decade." Sober 15 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 lyric’s 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.

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