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'Them Poems' author Mason Williams performs Monday, Aug. 14

Posted 7/31/2000

Mason WilliamsMADISON, Wis.--Grammy-award winning singer, songwriter and poet Mason Williams will enliven Mills Music Hall in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Humanities Building with a free performance and book signing at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14.

The performance commemorates publication of Williams's book of poetry, "Them Poems," by the Parallel Press, an imprint of the UW-Madison libraries. The collection of poetry is the latest work in a storied career that includes writing comedy for "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" and "Saturday Night Live."

Williams is best known in musical circles for composing and recording "Classical Gas," a best-selling album and triple winner at the 1968 Grammy awards. Williams has recorded a dozen musical albums, including holiday, country and bluegrass music, and performed with many symphony orchestras internationally.

His work as a writer with the Smothers Brothers earned him an Emmy award in 1968. In addition, Williams has published more than 12 pieces of written work comprised of poetry, musical composition and prose. Seating at the concert is on a general, first-come basis. Copies of "Them Poems" will be on sale; a book signing follows the concert.

Each chapbook is $10; annual subscriptions for six chapbooks are $50. Titles may be ordered by writing: The Parallel Press, 236 Memorial Library, 728 State St., Madison, WI 53706. For information, see their Web site at http://parallelpress.library.wisc.edu, or phone (608) 262-2600. E-mail inquiries may be sent to kfrazier@library.wisc.edu

Here's a sample poem from the collection.

Them Lunch Toters

How about Them Lunch Toters,
Ain't they a bunch?
Goin' off to work,
A-totin' they lunch.

Totin' them vittles,
Totin' that chow,
Eatin' it later,
Totin' it now.

Look at Them Lunch Toters,
Ain't they wise?
Totin' they lunch,
Made by their wives.

How to be a Lunch Toter?
Iffa may emote it.
Gitchy wife to fixit,
Go to work and tote it!


Visit Mason Williams' homepage at:

http://www.masonwilliams-online.com/index.html

The Web page for the chapbook series of the Parallel Press is:

http://parallelpress.library.wisc.edu/

 

 

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