Mason Douglas Williams (b. August 24, 1938) is an American guitarist and composer, best known for his popular guitar instrumental "Classical Gas". He is also a multiple Emmy Award-winning comedy writer, known for his writing on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, and Saturday Night Live. He is also an eclectic poet and lyricist, who has published several books. Mason Williams was born in Abilene, Texas. He grew up in Oakridge, Oregon,[1] and graduated from high school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He went to college at Oklahoma City University. He lived for a time in Oakridge,[2] and as of 2006, he lived in Eugene, Oregon with his wife, who is a defense attorney.[1]