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Parallel Press releases 'Them Poems' by Mason Williams

Posted 8/1/2000

Cover of Them PoemsMADISON, Wis.--Grammy-award winning singer, songwriter and poet Mason Williams becomes the latest Parallel Press chapbook author with the release of Them Poems. 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."

Them Poems is a bold collection of knee-slapping works captivating the down home antics of the 1960s. Smart, rhythmic stanzas have readers snickering through such works as "Them Moose Goosers," "Them Toad Suckers," and "Them Sand Pickers."

Williams' work as a writer with the Smothers Brothers earned him an Emmy award in 1968. In addition, he has published more than 12 pieces of written work comprised of poetry, musical composition and prose.

Williams is a known in musical circles for composing and recording "Classical Gas," a best-selling album and triple winner at the 1968 Grammy awards.

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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