Andy Williams Biography, Photos and Posters

Andy Williams

Biography

Born: December 3, 1927
Hometown: Wall Lake, Iowa
Instrument: Vocalist
Music Training: voice lessons, high school band vocalist
Bands and Orchestras:
Top Recordings: "Butterfly," "Lonely Street," and " The Hawaiian Wedding Song," "Canadian Sunset" "Can't Get Used to Losing You," "Moon River"
Andy Williams biography: Andy Williams began his singing career in a Presbyterian church choir in his hometown of Wall Lake along with his 3 brothers. He made his professional singing debut at the age of 8 as part of the Williams Brothers Quartet. The group soon became regulars on the WHO's "Iowa Barn Dance show" in Des Moines. The brothers were also featured on radio in other midwest cities like Chicago and Cincinnati. The exposure caught the eye or should I say ear of singing star Bing Crosby who used the group on his 1944 major hit recording "Swinging on a Star." Starting in 1947 the brothers teamed up with comedienne Kay Thompson on a trend setting nightclub act which toured the country. The run came to an end in 1951 with the brothers disbanding and going their own way. Andy chose to continue his singing career and moved to New York City. He became a regular performer on Steve Allen's Tonight Show for the next 2 1/2 years. This led to a recording contract with Cadence Records. His first album Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen was released in 1956 and he soon had his first top 10 hit with "Canadian Sunset." After this he had a string of hits including "Butterfly," "Lonely Street," and " The Hawaiian Wedding Song" for which he recieved the first of his 5 Grammy nominations. He continued his work on television appearing on the Dinah Shore Chevy Show and did a 13 week segment of "The Chevy Showroom with Andy Williams." In 1959 he was chosen by CBS to host his own variety show. In 1962 he began a 28 year relationship with Columbia Records. His first offering for the label was "Can't Get Used to Losing You" which was followed up by the biggest hit of his career with Henry Mancini's and Johnny Mercer's "Moon River." Oddly enough the song was never released as a single, but its popularity helped propel the album Moon River and Other Great Themes, to Wine and Roses to a 16 week stint on top of the album charts. On September 16, 1963 the Any Williams Show debuted on NBC. It would be on his show that the Osmond Brothers would get their first national exposure. The show would last for 9 years and would win 3 Emmy Awards. In 1966 he started a 20 year relationship as a headliner at Las Vegas' Caesar's Palace. By the time his TV show had run its course Williams had become an international star. After a trip to visit his friend Ray Stevens in Branson, MO in 1979 Williams began to make plans for his own theater in the Ozark community. On May 1, 1992 the Andy Williams Moon River Theater opened its doors. Andy continues to perform and record to this very day.

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