Andy Williams
Andy Williams performing at his own Moon River theatre in late 2006
Background information
Birth name	Howard Andrew Williams
Also known as	Andy Williams, A Voice of National Treasure, The King of Hearts, The Emperor of Easy, The Emperor of Class, The Crooning King, The King of Easy Listening, Mr. Moon River
Born	December 3, 1927 (1927-12-03) (age 80)
Origin	Wall Lake, Iowa, USA
Genre(s)	Easy Listening, Jazz, Country, Pop
Occupation(s)	Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Producer
Years active	late 1930s–Present
Label(s)	Sony BMG/Columbia/Cadence
Website	AndyWilliams.com

Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams (born December 3, 1927 in Wall Lake, Iowa) is an American pop singer. Andy Williams has recorded 18 gold ^[1] and three platinum ^[2] certified albums. He has performed with Ray Charles, Elton John, Ella Fitzgerald, Simon and Garfunkel, Mama Cass and Michael Jackson. When Ronald Reagan was president, he declared Andy's voice to be "a national treasure". He had his own popular TV variety show from 1962–71. He also owns his own theater, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri. Andrew or Andy Williams may refer to: Andy Williams, American singer Andy Williams (soccer), Jamaican soccer player Andrew Williams (Australian rules footballer) Andy Williams, rugby player Charles Andrew Williams, American murderer Andy Williams, the Hereford United footballer This human name article is a disambiguation page — a list of pages that... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 256 × 598 pixelsFull resolution (307 × 717 pixel, file size: 54 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Andy Williams at Moon River theatre 2006. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... is the 337th day of the year (338th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wall Lake is a city located in Sac County, Iowa. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Easy listening music is a style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the mid-20th century, evolving out of swing and big band music, and related to Beautiful music and Light music. ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Country (disambiguation). ... This article is about the genre of popular music. ... For other uses, see Singer (disambiguation). ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition (chords) or melody to songs, or both. ... Actors in period costume sharing a joke whilst waiting between takes during location filming. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression, also known as the [[. In East Asia, the rise of militarism occurred. ... In the music industry, a record label can be a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Bertelsmann is a transnational media corporation founded in 1835, based in G tersloh, Germany. ... Cadence Records was an American record company founded by Archie Bleyer (formerly musical director/orchestra leader for Arthur Godfrey) in 1952. ... is the 337th day of the year (338th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wall Lake is a city located in Sac County, Iowa. ... This article is about the genre of popular music. ... For other uses, see Singer (disambiguation). ... For Ray Charles, the composer and conductor of the Ray Charles Singers, see Ray Charles (composer). ... Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE[2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a five-time Grammy and one-time Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as Lady Ella and the First Lady of Song, is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th Century. ... The duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel are US-American popular musicians known collectively as Simon and Garfunkel. ... Mama Cass Elliot (September 19, 1941 - July 29, 1974), born Ellen Naomi Cohen, was a noted American singer who performed with The Mamas & the Papas. ... For other persons named Michael Jackson, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation). ... Reagan redirects here. ... The idea of national treasure, like national epics and national anthems, is part of the language of Romantic nationalism, which arose in the late 18th century and 19th centuries. ... The Titanic Museum is shaped to look like the real Titanic and is a popular tourist attraction in Branson The Duttons performing their famous song where they all play each others violins at their theater in Branson Missouri Herkimer and Cecil are performing at the Presleys Country Jubilee Branson is...

Early life

Williams first performed in a children's choir at the local Presbyterian church. Williams and his three older brothers Dick, Don, and Bob, formed a quartet, the Williams Brothers, in the late 1930s, and they performed on radio in the Midwest, first at WHO in Des Moines, Iowa, and later at WLS in Chicago and WLW in Cincinnati. Williams graduated from Western Hills High School in Cincinnati. The Williams Brothers appeared with Bing Crosby on the hit record "Swinging on a Star" (1944). This led to a nightclub act with entertainer Kay Thompson from 1947 to 1951. Presbyterianism is a family of Christian denominations within the Reformed branch of Protestant Western Christianity. ... The Midwest is a common name for a region of the United States of America. ... WHO is a clear channel radio station broadcasting 50,000 watts on 1040 AM with a news/talk format. ... “Des Moines” redirects here. ... WLS is a pioneer Chicago radio station. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ... For the California airport with this IATA airport code, see Willows-Glenn County Airport. ... Cincinnati redirects here. ... Western Hills High School is located at 100 Doctors Drive in Frankfort, KY. Western Hills High School is the more recently constructed of the two high schools in the Franklin County Public Schools district, having opened to students in 1981. ... Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American popular singer and Academy Award-winning actor whose career lasted from 1926 until his death in 1977. ... Although the song Swinging on a Star is often associated with Frank Sinatra, its start came with Bing Crosby. ... Kay Thompson (born November 9, 1908 in St. ...

Solo career

Williams's solo career began in 1952 after his brothers left the act. He recorded six sides for RCA Victor's label "X," but none of them were popular hits. Year 1952 (MCMLII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sony BMG Music Entertainment is the result of a 50/50 joint venture between Sony Music Entertainment (part of Sony) and BMG Entertainment (part of Bertelsmann AG) completed in August 2004. ...

After finally landing a spot as a regular on Steve Allen's Tonight Show in 1955, he was signed to a recording contract with Cadence Records, a small label in New York run by conductor Archie Bleyer. His third single, "Canadian Sunset" (1956) hit the Top Ten, and was soon followed by his only Billboard #1 hit, "Butterfly" (a cover of a Charlie Gracie record on which Williams imitated Elvis Presley). More hits followed, including "The Hawaiian Wedding Song," "Are You Sincere," "The Village of St. Bernadette," and "Lonely Street," before Williams moved to Columbia Records in 1961, having moved from New York to Los Angeles. In terms of chart popularity, the Cadence era was Williams's peak although songs he introduced on Columbia became much bigger standards. Two top ten hits from the Cadence era, "Butterfly" and "I Like Your Kind of Love" were apparently believed to not suit Williams's later style; they were not included on a Columbia reissue of his Cadence greatest hits in the 1960s. “Steve Allen” redirects here. ... The First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush and current host Jay Leno. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... Cadence Records was an American record company founded by Archie Bleyer (formerly musical director/orchestra leader for Arthur Godfrey) in 1952. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... Archie Bleyer (June 12, 1909-March 20, 1989) was an American song arranger and band leader. ... Canadian Sunset is a popular song. ... A car from 1956 Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Butterfly is a popular song. ... // In popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition (performance or recording) of a previously recorded song. ... Charlie Gracie (born 1936) is an American rock pioneer and singer. ... Elvis redirects here. ... Columbia Records is the oldest brand name in recorded sound, dating back to 1888, and was the first record company to produce pre-recorded records as opposed to blank cylinders. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969. ...

In 1964, Williams ultimately became the owner of the Cadence master tapes, which he did occasionally license to Columbia, including not only his own recordings, but those of his fellow Cadence-era labelmates, The Everly Brothers, Lenny Welch, The Chordettes, and Johnny Tillotson. In 1968, although he was still under contract with Columbia for his own recordings, Williams formed a separate company called Barnaby Records not only to handle reissuing of the Cadence material, especially that of The Everly Brothers (one of the first Barnaby LPs was a double LP set of the brothers long out of print Cadence hits) but new artists as well. Barnaby also had several Top 40 hits in the 70s with novelty artist Ray Stevens (who had done a summer replacement show for Williams in 1970), including Top 10s such as "Everything Is Beautiful" in 1970, and "The Streak" in 1974. Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... The Everly Brothers, (Don Everly, born Isaac Donald Everly February 1, 1937, Brownie, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, Phil Everly, born Phillip Everly, January 19, 1939, Chicago, Illinois) are male siblings who were top-selling country-influenced rock and roll performers, best known for their steel-string guitar playing and close harmony... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Chordettes was a female popular singing quartet, usually singing a cappella, and specializing in traditional pop music. ... This article is about the 1950s and 1960s singer. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... Everything Is Beatiful is a song by Ray Stevens. ... Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Streak was a popular song written, produced, and sung by Ray Stevens. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ...

Also in 1970, Barnaby signed and released the first album by an unknown singer-songwriter named Jimmy Buffett ("Jimmy Buffett Down to Earth") produced by Travis Turk. Columbia initially was the distributor for Barnaby, but later distribution was handled first by MGM Records and then GRT. Once Barnaby ceased operating as a working record company at the end of the 1970s, Williams licensed the old Cadence material to various other labels (such as Varese & Rhino in the U.S.) after 1980. Jimmy Buffett tours Pearl Harbor with United States Navy Admiral Jonathan Greenert, June 12, 2003 James William Jimmy Buffett (born December 25, 1946) is a singer, songwriter, author, businessman, and recently a film producer best known for his island escapism lifestyle and music including hits such as Margaritaville (No. ... Down to Earth - true to themelf and sometimes strage [1] Film and Television Down to Earth (TV series), a 1983–1987 television series starring Carol Mansell, Dick Sargent and David Kaufman Down to Earth (UK TV Series), a 2000 British television series starring Pauline Quirke Down to Earth (1947 film... MGM Records was a record label started by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio in 1946, for the purpose of releasing soundtrack albums of their musical films. ... THE GRT GROUP The GRT Group is promoted by GR Thangamaligai South Indias leading jewellery house, established in 1964 by Mr. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

During the 1960s, Williams became one of the most popular vocalists in the country and was signed to what was at that time the biggest recording contract in history. He was primarily an album artist, and at one time he had earned more gold albums than any solo performer except Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and Elvis Presley. By 1973 he had earned as many as 18 gold album awards. Among his hit albums from this period were Moon River, Days of Wine and Roses (number one for 16 weeks in mid-1963), The Andy Williams Christmas Album, Dear Heart, The Shadow of Your Smile, Love, Andy, Get Together with Andy Williams, and Love Story. In these recordings Williams displays an incredible vocal technique along with an uncanny ability to make each song his very own, often rivaling or surpassing the version by the original artist. These attributes, along with his natural affinity for the music of the 1960s and early 1970s, combined to make him one of the premier easy listening singers of that era. In the UK, Williams continued to reach high chart status until 1978. The albums Can't Help Falling In Love (1970), Andy Williams Show (1970) Home Lovin Man ( #1 1971), Solitaire (1973), The Way We Were (1974) and Reflections (1978) all reached the Top 10. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with RIAA certification. ... Sinatra redirects here. ... John Royce Mathis (b. ... Elvis redirects here. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... Easy listening music is a style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the mid-20th century, evolving out of swing and big band music, and related to Beautiful music and Light music. ...

Williams forged an indirect collaborative relationship with Henry Mancini, although they never recorded together. Williams was asked to sing Mancini and Johnny Mercer's song "Moon River" at the 1962 Oscar Awards (where it won), and it quickly became Williams's theme song. ("Moon River" was never a chart hit for Andy). The next year Williams sang "Days of Wine and Roses" which was written by Mancini and Mercer (this song also won). Two years later, he sang Mancini's "Dear Heart" at the 1965 awards and "The Sweetheart Tree" (also written with Mercer) at the 1966 awards. Henry Mancini (April 16, 1924 – June 14, 1994), was an Academy Award winning American composer, conductor and arranger. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

On August 5, 1966, the 14-storey, 700 room Caesars Palace opened with the stage production of "Rome Swings" with Andy Williams. Andy performed live to a sold out crowd in the Circus Maximus showroom. He headlined for Caesars for the next twenty years. Caesars Palace is a luxury hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, an unincorporated township in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. ...

In 1968, Columbia released a 45-rpm record of two songs Williams sang at the funeral of Robert F. Kennedy, a close friend: "Ave Maria" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". These were never released on a long-playing record. Robert Francis Bobby Kennedy (November 20, 1925 – June 6, 1968), also called RFK, was one of two younger brothers of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and served as United States Attorney General from 1961 to 1964. ... Cover of the 1862 sheet music for The Battle Hymn of the Republic The Battle Hymn of the Republic is an American patriotic anthem written by Julia Ward Howe in November 1861 and first published in The Atlantic Monthly in February 1862 that was made popular during the American Civil... An LP Long playing (LP), either 10 or 12-inch diameter, 33 rpm (actually 33. ...

Williams also competed in the teenage-oriented singles market as well and had several charting hits including "Can't Get Used to Losing You," "Happy Heart," and "Where Do I Begin", the theme song from the 1970 blockbuster film, Love Story. In addition Williams hit the UK Top 10 singles chart with, "Almost There" (1965),"Can't Help Falling In Love" (1970), "Home Lovin' Man"(1970) and "Solitaire"(1973). A collection of various CD singles In music, a single is a short recording of one or more separate tracks. ... (Where Do I Begin?) Love Story is a popular song published in 1970, with music by Francis Lai and lyrics by Carl Sigman. ... Love Story is a 1970 romantic drama film written by Erich Segal based on his 1970 best-selling novel, and directed by Arthur Hiller. ...

Both Williams and Petula Clark recorded "Happy Heart" at the same time, just prior to his guest appearance on her second NBC-TV special. Unaware that she, too, was releasing the song as a single, he asked to perform it on the show. The exposure ultimately led to his having the bigger hit with the tune. The song "Happy Heart" is played during the final scene, and throughout the end credits, of the Danny Boyle film Shallow Grave.

Building on his experience with Allen and some short-term variety shows in the 1950s, he became the star of his own weekly television variety show in 1962. This series, The Andy Williams Show, won three Emmy Awards for outstanding variety program. Among his series regulars were the Osmond Brothers. He gave up the variety show in 1971 while it was still popular and retrenched to three specials per year. His Christmas specials, which appeared regularly until 1974 and intermittently from 1982 into the 1990s, were among the most popular of the genre. Williams has recorded eight Christmas albums over the years and has been penned as Mr. Christmas. The Andy Williams Show was a television variety show which ran from 1957 to 1971 (alternating during the summer of 1970 with Andy Williams Presents Ray Stevens), and a short-lived run in syndication, beginning in the fall of 1976. ... An Emmy Award. ... The Osmonds are an American family pop group who achieved enormous worldwide success as teenage music idols in the 1970s. ... A television special is a television program, typically a short film or television movie, which interrupts or temporarily replaces programming normally scheduled for a given time slot. ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ...

Andy hosted the most Grammy telecasts, from the 13th Annual Grammy Awards in 1971 through the 19th Annual Grammy Awards in 1977, totaling seven consecutive shows. He returned to television to do a syndicated half-hour series in 1976–77. Grammy Award statuette The Grammy Awards, presented by the Recording Academy (an association of Americans professionally involved in the recorded music industry) for outstanding achievements in the recording industry, is one of four major music awards shows held annually in the United States (the Billboard Music Awards, the American Music...

In the early 1970s, when the Nixon Administration attempted to deport John Lennon, Andy Williams was an outspoken defender of the Beatle's right to stay in the United States. Nixon redirects here. ... John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980), (born John Winston Lennon, known as John Ono Lennon) was an iconic English 20th century rock and roll songwriter and singer, best known as the founding member of The Beatles. ...

A caricature of Andy Williams is included in the montage of caricatures displayed on the cover of Ringo Starr's 1973 album, "Ringo". Richard Starkey, MBE (born 7 July 1940), better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an Academy Award-winning English musician, singer, songwriter and actor, best known as the drummer for The Beatles. ... Ringo is the third solo album by Ringo Starr, released in 1973. ...

Williams also sang the national anthem at Super Bowl VII in 1973 with Little Angels of Holy Angels Church in Chicago, Illinois A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... Date January 14, 1973 Stadium Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum City Los Angeles, California MVP Jake Scott, Safety Favorite Redskins by 1 National anthem Andy Williams Little Angels of Holy Angels Church, Chicago Coin toss Game referee Referee Tom Bell Halftime show Woody Herman and the University of Michigan Band Attendance... Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ...

National Tour Success

His 1967 recording of "Music to Watch Girls By" became a huge surprise UK hit to a new young TV audience, in 1999, when it reached #9 after featuring in new TV ads for the Fiat Punto, (beating the original peak of #33 in 1967). A new generation was reminded of Williams' recordings and a sell-out UK tour followed the success of the single, and he was given the nickname "The Emperor of Easy" in the UK.

In 2002 he sang "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" with British actress and singer Denise van Outen. Nearly everything Williams ever recorded has now been made available on CD through a series of compilations from 1997 to 2006. Cant Take My Eyes Off You, written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, was a 1967 single by Frankie Valli. ... Denise van Outen (born May 27, 1974, Basildon, Essex, England, UK) is a British television hostess and stage actress. ...

He completed a sold-out tour of the United Kingdom and Asia in the winter and summer of 2007, in which he performed at several major concert halls including the Royal Albert Hall, singing among other classics, Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately". Albert Hall redirects here. ... George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born August 31, 1945) is a Grammy Award-winning Irish singer, songwriter, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist, who has been a professional musician since the late 1950s. ... Have I Told You Lately is a hit song included in Van Morrisons 1989 album Avalon Sunset, and written by him. ...

Andy returned to the UK singles charts with his 1963 recording of "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" in December 2007 thanks to an advert for Marks And Spencer, reaching number 21 in its first appearance in the British charts, also reaching #108 on the EU Top 200.

Personal life

Williams met French-born Claudine Longet when he pulled over to aid her on a Las Vegas road. She was a dancer at the time at the Folies Bergère. They married on December 15, 1961. The union produced three children, Noelle, Christian, and Robert within the next eight years. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For further information, see Las Vegas metropolitan area and Las Vegas Strip. ... The Folies Bergère is a Parisian music hall which was at the height of its fame and popularity from the 1890s through the 1920s. ...

Williams was close friends with Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, campaigning for Kennedy '68 for President. Williams was present at the Ambassador Hotel when RFK was assassinated in June 1968. Williams personally solemnly sang "Battle Hymn of the Republic" at RFK's funeral, by request of widow Ethel. By August 1969, over a year after Bobby Kennedy's death, Andy and Claudine named their newborn son 'Bobby' Williams. The Williams' friendship with Ethel Kennedy has endured, with Andy even serving as escort to Ethel, during events in the 1970s. Robert Francis Bobby Kennedy (November 20, 1925 – June 6, 1968), also called RFK, was one of two younger brothers of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and served as United States Attorney General from 1961 to 1964. ... Ethel Skakel Kennedy (born April 11, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois) is a member of the Kennedy political family by her marriage to Robert F. Kennedy. ...

In 1975, Williams and Longet divorced. Yet, in 1976, when Longet was charged with fatally shooting her boyfriend, skier Vladimir "Spider" Sabich, Williams stepped up for the mother of his children, and emotionally supported her, along with providing legal assistance. Longet claimed the shooting was accidental, and eventually received 30 days in jail. Shortly after, Longet ran away to Mexico with her defense attorney Ron Austin, whom she married a decade later. They have remained married since June 1985. Vladimir Spider Sabich, Jr. ...

Andy Williams married a second time (May 3, 1991), to the former Debbie Meyer, whom he met through a mutual friend. They make their homes at Branson, Missouri and La Quinta, California. Williams' homes have been featured in Architectural Digest, and he is a noted collector of modern art. Williams is an avid golfer. He hosted a major golf tournament in San Diego from 1968 to 1988, which was known as the Andy Williams San Diego Open during that time. The Titanic Museum is shaped to look like the real Titanic and is a popular tourist attraction in Branson The Duttons performing their famous song where they all play each others violins at their theater in Branson Missouri Herkimer and Cecil are performing at the Presleys Country Jubilee Branson is... La Quinta redirects here. ... Architectural Digest is a glossy American monthly magazine dedicated to interior design, published by Condé Nast Publications. ... This article is about the game. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney         City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders (R) Michael Aguirre Scott Peters Kevin...

Williams' birthplace is a tourist attraction open most of the year.

Moon River Theatre

In June of 1991 Don Williams, Andy’s brother invited Andy to the small Ozark town of Branson, Missouri. Don at the time was managing entertainer Ray Stevens and Stevens had just opened a theatre in Branson. While attending Ray’s show Andy was encouraged by numerous Branson guests to open a venue in the town. In August of 1991 Andy broke ground on his own Branson theatre.^[3] The Titanic Museum is shaped to look like the real Titanic and is a popular tourist attraction in Branson The Duttons performing their famous song where they all play each others violins at their theater in Branson Missouri Herkimer and Cecil are performing at the Presleys Country Jubilee Branson is... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ...

The Moon River Theatre opened May 1, 1992.^[4] The theatre was named for the song Andy made famous from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s and was the first theatre ever to be featured in Architectural Digest and won the 1992 Conservation Award from the State of Missouri.^[5] Andy was the first noncountry act to open in the then country music town. Andy was discouraged by many back home in California from making such a bold move, but it was what Andy wanted. Other noncountry entertainers like Bobby Vinton, Tony Orlando, Wayne Newton and the Osmond Brothers soon followed.^[6] For other uses of Breakfast at Tiffanys, see Breakfast at Tiffanys (disambiguation). ... Architectural Digest is a glossy American monthly magazine dedicated to interior design, published by Condé Nast Publications. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Bobby Vinton (born April 16, 1935) is an American pop music singer. ... Image:Tony Orlando main. ... Carson Wayne Newton (born April 3, 1942, in Norfolk, Virginia) is an American singer and entertainer based in Las Vegas, Nevada. ...

The Moon River theatre was designed to blend into the rough terrain of the Ozark Mountains. While on his way to Big Cedar Lodge, Andy noticed some rough rock outcroppings and said, “What about these? This could be the entrance.” Andy had originally planned a marble style theatre reminiscence of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, but soon had a change of mind. The Larson Company of Tucson, Arizona fabricated a section of rock on Missouri’s highway 65 and the theatre was soon engulfed with waterfalls, koi filled ponds, ferns and trees native to the Ozarks. The inside of the theatre incorporates the outside. Trees and plants are seen throughout the theatres three lobbies. Oak floors are accompanied by African ribbon striped mahogany walls that are filled with pictures of the Andy Williams Television Show. Andy’s passion for art can be seen throughout as well. From the start of his career Andy had accumulated several paintings and sculptures and decided to fill his theatre with his collection. Frankenhaler, Diebenkorn, Oldenburg, Pollock, Klee and Moore are a small list of artists the Moon River Theatre represents.^[7] This article is about the Ozark Plateau. ... The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is one of the halls in the Los Angeles Music Center (which is one of the three largest performing arts centers in the nation). ... Oldenburg (Low German: Ollnborg) is an Independent City in Lower Saxony, Germany. ... Species Pollachius pollachius Pollachius virens Pollock (or pollack, pronounced the same and listed first in most UK and US dictionaries) is the common name used for either of the two species of marine fish in the Pollachius genus. ... Klee redirects here. ... // Moore may refer to: Moore (surname) Roger Moore Englis actor famus for the James Bond movies 1973-1985 Division of Moore, Western Australia Moore, Idaho Moore, Montana Moore, Oklahoma Moore, Pennsylvania Moore, South Carolina Moore, Texas Moore County, North Carolina Moore County, Tennessee Moore County, Texas Moore Haven, Florida Moore...

The theatre's auditorium can accommodate 2,054 people. The seating is stadium style seating for the best view. The seats and carpets match Andy’s Navaho rug collection and are forest green, magenta, gold and blue. On display inside the auditorium are nineteen Japanese Kimonos. The stage has accommodated numerous shows and guest celebrities. On stage Andy has been joined by Glen Campbell, Ann-Margret, Petula Clark and Charo. The theatre has also played host to Phyllis Diller, Pat Boone, The Osmond Family, Robert Goulet, Rich Little, Shari Lewis & Lamb Chop, David Copperfield, Pat Benatar and Broadway on Ice starring Nancy Kerrigan, Tara Lipinski and Rudy Galindo. In November and December of each year he presents his annual Andy Williams Christmas Show at the theatre. The term Navajo (occasionally spelled Navaho) or Diné refers to the Navajo Nation and its people, and to the Navajo language. ... For the town in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, see Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania. ... Ann-Margret Ann-Margret (born April 28, 1941) is a Swedish-born actress and singer. ... Petula Clark, CBE (born 15 November 1932), is an English singer, actress and composer best known for her upbeat popular international hits of the 1960s. ... María del Rosario Pilar Martínez Molina Baeza de Rasten (born March 13, 1951; disputed year 1941) better known in the Latin and Hollywood show business as Charo, is a singer, dancer, comedienne, actress and classical guitar player. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Charles Eugene Patrick Pat Boone (born June 1, 1934) is a singer whose smooth style made him a popular performer of the 1950s. ... Robert Gerard Goulet (November 26, 1933 – October 30, 2007) was a Grammy- and Tony Award- winning Canadian entertainer. ... Rich Little performing (as George Burns) in 2004 Richard Caruthers Rich Little (born November 26, 1938) is a Canadian comedian best known for his celebrity impersonations. ... Shari Lewis (born Sonia Phyllis Hurwitz; January 17, 1933 – August 2, 1998) was an American ventriloquist, puppeteer, and childrens television show host, most popular during the 1960s. ... David Copperfield (born David Seth Kotkin on September 16, 1956) is an American magician and illusionist best known for his combination of illusions and storytelling. ... Pat Benatar (born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski on 10 January 1953) is an influential, four-time Grammy Award-winning US rock singer who has recorded several million- and multimillion-selling albums and singles. ... Nancy Kerrigan (born October 13, 1969 in Stoneham, Massachusetts) is a two-time American Olympic figure skating medalist and 1993 U.S. champion. ... Tara Kristen Lipinski (b. ... Val Joe Rudy Galindo (born September 7, 1969 in San Jose, California) is an American figure skater. ...

Andy and his theatre were featured on three episodes of the soap opera As the World Turns in July 2007. The Simpsons featured Andy at his Moon River Theatre in an episode titled “Bart on the Road.” Nelson Muntz is an Andy Williams fan, and in the episode he forces the gang to make a detour to Branson so he could see his idol. The bully is reduced to tears as Williams performs “Moon River” during the second encore. The first TIME magazine cover devoted to soap operas, dated January 12, 1976. ... As the World Turns (ATWT) is the second longest-running American television soap opera (the first being Guiding Light),[1] airing each weekday on CBS. Set in the fictional town of Oakdale, Illinois, the show debuted on Monday, April 2, 1956[2] at 1:30pm EST. Before this show (and... Simpsons redirects here. ... Bart on the Road is the twentieth episode of The Simpsons seventh season. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

In the spring of 2007 Andy opened the Moon River Grill adjacent to his theatre in Branson. The restaurant is decorated in photos from the Andy Williams Television Show with stars including Elton John, Sammy Davis Jr. and Diana Ross. Art is center stage in the restaurant, with works by several artists including Andy Warhol and Robert Indiana.^[8] Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE[2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a five-time Grammy and one-time Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Sammy Davis, Jr. ... For the author-illustrator, see Diana Ross (author). ... Andrew Warhola (August 6, 1928 — February 22, 1987), better known as Andy Warhol, was an American artist who was a central figure in the movement known as Pop art. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Trivia

• Originally, Singer/songwriters Barry and Robin Gibb offered the song How Can You Mend a Broken Heart to Williams, before ultimately recording it themselves, earning them their first U.S. #1 record on Billboard Magazine's Hot 100 list.
• A persistent rumor states that Andy Williams, while a teenager, provided the dubbed singing voice of Lauren Bacall for her song "How Little We Know" in the movie To Have and Have Not. Bacall herself addressed it in her autobiography, stating that Williams did dub a couple of high notes for her, not the whole song.
• Williams hosted Happy New Year America, the annual New Year's Eve coverage of the Times Square Ball Drop, on CBS for several years. Between the start of the show and the countdown, he would try to reach a particular destination.
• He was the sponsor of the letter 'W' for the 1987 restoration of the famous Hollywood Sign in Hollywood.
• His nephews, Andy and David Williams, were minor teen idols in the 1970s.
• Williams appeared on an episode of 1950s panel game show What's My Line as a mystery guest. He stumped the panel of his identity by concealing his voice. The panel thought he was a female.
• Clips of Impossible Dream(Honda advert) was used in one of Honda's most popular adverts, titled by the same name.

Barry Alan Crompton Gibb CBE (born on 1 September 1946) is a singer, songwriter and producer. ... Robin Hugh Gibb CBE (born December 22, 1949) is a singer and songwriter. ... How Can You Mend A Broken Heart is a song released by the Bee Gees in 1971. ... Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. ... Bacall redirects here. ... To Have and Have Not cover To Have and Have Not is a 1937 novel by Ernest Hemingway about Harry Morgan, a fishing boat captain who runs contraband and guns between Cuba and Florida. ... For other articles with similar names, see New Year (disambiguation). ... The world-famous Waterford Crystal Ball is lowered in Times Square, New York City, on New Years Eve Each year on New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square in Manhattan, New York City, a Ball made of crystal and electric lights is raised to the top of a... This article is about the broadcast network. ... The Hollywood sign as it appears today. ... ... Whats My Line? was a weekly panel game show produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman for CBS television. ...

Discography

Cadence Records

• Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen, 1957, CLP 1018 (Mono)
• Andy Williams, 1958 (compilation of A and B sides of second through seventh Cadence singles), CLP 3002 (Mono)
• Andy Williams Sings Rodgers and Hammerstein, 1958, CLP 3005 (Mono), CLP 25005 (Stereo)
• The Village of St. Bernadette, 1959, CLP 3038 (Mono), CLP 25038 (Stereo)
• Lonely Street, 1959, CLP 3030 (Mono), CLP 25030 (Stereo)
• Two Time Winners, 1960, CLP 3026 (Mono), CLP 25026 (Stereo)
• Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen, Re-issue, 1960, CLP 3027 (Mono), CLP 25027 (Stereo)
• To You, Sweetheart, Aloha, 1960, CLP 3029 (Mono), CLP 25029 (Stereo)
• Under Paris Skies, with Quincy Jones, 1961 (William's last album of new material for Cadence), CLP 3047 (Mono), CLP 25047 (Stereo)
• Andy Williams' Best, 1962 (compilation including Cadence singles which had never appeared on an album), CLP 3054 (Mono), CLP 25054 (Stereo)
• Million Seller Songs, 1962, CLP 3061 (Mono), CLP 25061 (Stereo)

“Steve Allen” redirects here. ... Rodgers (left) and Hammerstein (right), with Irving Berlin (middle) and Helen Tamiris, watching auditions at the St. ... “Steve Allen” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Aloha (disambiguation). ... This article is about the capital of France. ... This article is about the producer and songwriter. ...

Columbia Records

• Danny Boy and Other Songs I Love to Sing, 1962, CL 1751 (Mono), CS 8551 (Stereo)
• Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes, 1962 (Certified Gold by the RIAA),CL 1809 (Mono), CS 8609 (Stereo)
• Warm and Willing, 1962, CL 1879 (Mono), CS 8679 (Stereo)
• Days of Wine and Roses, AKA Can't Get Used To Losing You, 1963 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), CL 2015 (Mono), CS 8815 (Stereo), SBPG 62146 (Stereo)
• The Andy Williams Christmas Album, 1963 (Certified Platinum by the RIAA), CL 2087 (Mono), CS 8887 (Stereo)
• The Wonderful World of Andy Williams, 1964 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), CL 2137 (Mono), CS 8937 (Stereo)
• Call Me Irresponsible, 1964 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), CL 2171 (Mono), CS 8971 (Stereo)
• The Great Songs from My Fair Lady and Other Shows, 1964 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), CL 2205 (Mono), CS 9005 (Stereo)
• Dear Heart, 1965 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), CL 2338 (Mono), CS 9138 (Stereo)
• Hawaiian Wedding Song, 1965 (reissue of the Cadence Records album To You Sweetheart, Aloha), CL 2323 (Mono), CS 9123 (Stereo)
• Canadian Sunset, 1965 (reissue of the 1962 Cadence Records compilation Andy Williams' Best), CL 2324 (Mono), CS 9124 (Stereo)
• Merry Christmas, 1965 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), CL 2420 (Mono), CS 9220 (Stereo)
• Andy Williams' Newest Hits, 1966 (compilation of early Columbia singles), CL 2383 (Mono), CS 9183 (Stereo)
• The Shadow of Your Smile, 1966 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), CL 2499 (Mono), CS 9299 (Stereo)
• In the Arms of Love, 1967, CL 2533 (Mono), CS 9333 (Stereo)
• Born Free, 1967 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), CL 2680 (Mono), CS 9480 (Stereo)
• Love, Andy, 1967 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), CL 2766 (Mono), CS 9566 (Stereo) (last album released in both Mono/Stereo formats)
• Honey, 1968 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), CS 9662
• Happy Heart, 1969 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), CS 9844
• Get Together with Andy Williams, 1969 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), CS 9922
• The Andy Williams' Sound of Music, 1969, CS 9751/9752 (Double LP)
• Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head, 1970, CS 9896 (Gatefold sleeve)
• Andy Williams' Greatest Hits, 1970 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), KCS 9979
• The Andy Williams Show, 1970, KC 30105
• Love Story, 1971 (Certified Platinum by the RIAA), KC 30497, CQ 30497 (Quadrophonic)
• You've Got a Friend, 1971, KC 30797
• Love Theme from The Godfather (Speak Softly Love), 1972 (Certified Gold by the RIAA), KC 31303
• Alone Again (Naturally), 1972, KC 31625 (Stereo), CQ 31625 (Quadrophonic)
• Solitaire, 1973, KC 32383
• Andy Williams' Greatest Hits Vol. II, 1973, KC 32384
• The Way We Were, 1974, KC 32949
• You Lay So Easy on My Mind, 1974, KC 33234
• Christmas Present, 1974, 3C 33191
• The Other Side of Me, 1975, PC 33563
• Andy, 1976, PC 34299
• Let's Love While We Can, 1980 (not released in U.S. until 2004)

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with RIAA certification. ... RIAA redirects here. ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... The description Gold Album is applied to recorded music albums that have sold a minimum number of copies (in the US, currently 500,000 sales). ... My Fair Lady is a musical with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, based on George Bernard Shaws Pygmalion. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the 1972 film. ...

Other labels

• Christmas With Andy Williams And The Williams Brothers, Barnaby, 1971, (Columbia Special Products), C 10105
• Greatest Love Classics, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, EMI, 1984
• Close Enough for Love, Atco, 1986
• I Still Believe in Santa Claus, Curb, 1990
• Nashville, Curb, 1991
• The New Andy Williams Christmas Album, Laserlight, 1994
• We Need A Little Christmas, Unison, 1997 (Certified Gold by the RIAA)
• It's a Wonderful Christmas, Publishing Mills, 1997
• Lonely Street, Varese Sarabande, 302 066 119 2, 2000 (Inc 4 bonus tracks)
• To You Sweetheart, Aloha, Varese Sarabande, 302 066 253 2, 2001 (Inc 4 bonus tracks)
• Andy, Collectables, 2002, (Inc 8 bonus tracks)
• Easy Does It, Metro, 2002
• Together, 2006, a duet with Petula Clark, who also wrote the lyrics and music
• I Don't Remember Ever Growing Up, Demon, 2006

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is an English orchestra based in London. ... A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ... For other cities named Nashville, see Nashville (disambiguation). ... Petula Clark, CBE (born 15 November 1932), is an English singer, actress and composer best known for her upbeat popular international hits of the 1960s. ...

Compilations of interest to collectors

• 16 Most Requested Songs, Columbia/Legacy, 1986
• 16 Most Requested Songs Encore, Columbia/Legacy, 1995
• I Like Your Kind Of Love, The Best of the Cadence Years, Varese Sarabande, VSD-5644, 1997
• Hits From Cadence, Victor, VICP-41130, 1999 (Japan only)
• Complete Columbia Chart Singles Collection, Taragon, 2002
• 25 All-Time Greatest Hits 1956-1961 The Cadence Years, Varese Sarabande, 302 066 303 2, 2002
• B Sides and Rarities, Collectables, 2003, (contains recordings as early as 1948, many of which had never appeared on any album before)

Filmography

• Janie (1944)
• Kansas City Kitty (1944)
• Ladies' Man (1947)
• Something in the Wind (1947)
• The Man in the Moon (Film) (1960)
• I'd Rather Be Rich (1964)
• Dorival Caymmi (1999) (documentary)

Janie is a short film, written and directed by Christine Shin. ... Dorival Caymmi (born April 30, 1914 in Salvador, Bahia) is considered to be one to the most important songwriters in Brazilian popular music. ...

Commercials

• Honda: Impossible Dream (2005)
• Marks and Spencer Christmas Advert 2007

Marks and Spencer plc (known also as M&S and sometimes colloquially as Marks and Sparks) is the largest retailer in the United Kingdom by sales. ...

References

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2008)

External links

• Official Site
• BBC Radio Nottingham Interview