Gary S. Paxton
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Gary S. Paxton (b. Mesa, AZ) is an American record producer and recording artist.
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[edit] Biography
Best known for his 1960's novelty single "Alley Oop" which he did with his group, The Hollywood Argyles and in 1962, he produced and recorded the hit "Monster Mash" with Bobby Pickett. Paxton has built a reputation as an eccentric, quixotic figure in the recording industry. He worked in Hollywood in the 1960's, and moved to Nashville in the 1970's. He moved from Nashville in 2003 and currently lives with his new wife, Vickie Sue (Roberts) Paxton, in Branson, MO along with his son Gary Jr. from a previous marriage. In addition to his producing credits, he is also an accomplished singer and songwriter.
[edit] Body of work
He first gained attention as one half of the 50's pop duo, Skip & Flip. They recorded the song, "It Was I" which sold over a million copies. They then recorded the popular song, "Cherry Pie". In 1965, he cut and produced "Sweet Pea" which was a solid hit for singer Tommy Roe as well as "Along Comes Mary" by the Association. Paxton was nominated for Grammy Awards for engineering those projects. [1] In 1966 he cut yet another hit for the Association called "Cherish" and "Hurray for Hazel", featuring Tommy Roe. He received another Grammy nomination for engineering. In 1972 he wrote and produced the hit song "Woman, Sensuous Woman" sung by Don Gibson. The song was nominated for the Grammy Song of the Year.
After converting to Christianity, Paxton focused his work in the gospel music genre. In 1973 he wrote "L-O-V-E" which was recorded by the Blackwood Brothers in which they took home the Grammy that year for "Best Gospel Performance". [2]. In 1975 Paxton took home the Best Inspirational Grammy award for his hit album, The Astonishing, Outrageous, Amazing, Incredible, Unbelievable, Different World of Gary S. Paxton. [3]. This album also contained Paxton's most noted song, "He Was There All the Time". In 1999 Paxton was inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame [4] with fellow artist, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, David L Cook, Andy Griffith, Jodi Miller, Lulu Roman and Jimmy Snow. Paxton's list of awards and accomplishments are numerous and the list of people he has written for or produced reads like a who's who of the music industry. Today, Paxton currently continues to write and is involved with several projects in Branson, MO.
[edit] NewPax Records
| NewPax Records | |||
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| Parent company | |||
| Founded | 1975 | ||
| Founder(s) | Gary S. Paxton | ||
| Distributing label | Word Records | ||
| Genre(s) | Various | ||
| Country | US | ||
| Web address | |||
NewPax Records was founded in 1975 by Paxton as an outlet for his gregarious ideas in songwriting and engineering. This gave Paxton the edge he needed to create music that was far ahead of it's time.
NewPax Records was closely associated with Paragon Music, which handled Bill and Gloria Gaither's music and titling issues. [5] Paxton was then transferred over and began giving his publishing rights to Gaither. A relationship that is still in effect today.
NewPax Records roster featured an extremely diverse list of artists that include Paxton himself, Farrell and Farrell, Scott Wesley Brown, Don Francisco, Tammy Faye Bakker, Tom Howard, Daniel Amos, Brown Bannister, Noel Paul Stookey, Gary Dunham, Pat Terry, Bill Gaither David L Cook and others.
NewPax Records folded in 1985 after several bad business deals and Paxton's notorious drug use problems. [6]
[edit] Trivia
- "Don't forget the "S", it's one third of my whole name", is one of Gary's favorite lines onstage speaking of his middle initial. [7]
- Gary's favorite Christian comedian is David L Cook as Mortermer Crabbottom. The two have worked on several projects together including David's album, "Wind Of Change" [8] in which David redid the song, "He Was There All The Time". On the cd Gary calls the studio to find David working on it. The song was turned into a dance track and you can hear Gary's voice on the cut.
- Paxton made his first appearance in Nashville by coming up out of a sewer in the middle of Music Row.
- Gary was accused of having an affair with Tammy Faye Bakker. [9]
- In 1980, Gary was shot in the head five times by hit men hired by a country singer he was producing. After the trial Gary visited them in prison and forgave them of what they did to him. [10]
[edit] References
- ^ Grammy Nomination
- ^ 1973 Blackwood Brothers Grammy Award
- ^ 1977 Grammy Award
- ^ CGMA Hall of Fame
- ^ Paragon Music
- ^ Reported Drug Use
- ^ "Don't Forget the "S".
- ^ David L Cook Wind of Change Project
- ^ Affair with Tammy Faye Bakker
- ^ Gary Shot in Head
