KWXY Presents ● The Music of Andy Williams

Andy Williams - Publicity photo April 6, 1960 / William Morris Agency (management)

Andy Williams was a singer, actor, producer, an Emmy-award winning television host, art collector and amateur golfer.  He was also the owner of the Andy Williams Moon River Theater in Branson, Missouri. 

He was born Howard Andrew Williams in Wall Lake, Iowa on December 3, 1927.  He attended high school in Cheviot, Ohio and graduated in Los Angeles, California joining the Merchant Marine upon graduation and serving until the end of the war. 

Along with brothers Bob, Don and Dick, they became known as a singing quartet, The Williams Brothers.  They backed Bing Crosby on his 1944 recording, “Swinging on a Star” and worked as singers on musicals for Warner Bros., Columbia, Universal and Paramount through the end of the decade. 

Williams’s solo career began in 1953 with six singles for RCA Victor, but none charted.  He signed with Cadence Records that same year with several hits to his credit through 1961. 

His biggest hit came after signing with Columbia Records in 1962.  “Moon River,” written by Henry Mancini and featured in the 1961 film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, won Best Original Song at the 1962 Academy Awards.  Williams became among the most popular singers in the US and was signed to history’s biggest-ever recording contract. 

He also hosted the highly-rated The Andy Williams Show from 1962 to 1971 as well as a number of Christmas specials for NBC.  Williams also released eight Christmas albums between 1963 and into the 1990s, earning him the nickname, “Mr. Christmas.”  His most successful Christmas song, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” appeared on his first Christmas album in 1963.

Williams remained active throughout his life, sponsoring the “Andy Williams San Diego Open” on the PGA Tour; the event continues today as the “Farmers Insurance Open.”  He was also a noted art collector with examples displayed in his homes, offices and at his Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri. Andy and wife Debbie had homes in Branson and in La Quinta, California where he was named honorary mayor. 

Andy Williams Publicity photo September 5, 1963 - Charles A. Hollywood

Andy was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2011, succumbing at age 84 on September 25, 2012 in Branson.  Andy Williams will always be remembered as a hugely successful pop singer, TV personality, and entrepreneur, and remains one of the most popular personalities in American entertainment history.

KWXY Presents ● “The Music of Andy Williams” today at 5pm hosted by Louie Comella, on KWXY Music Radio 92.3FM ● 1340AM ● streaming at kwxy.com and ivoxradio.com