Artist Bio

Meredith Willson (Book, Music & Lyrics, 1902 – 1984) was born in Mason City Iowa. An accomplished flutist, Willson became the musical director for various radio programs from the 1930s through the 1950s, including The Big Show, where his hit song “May the Lord Bless and Keep You” premiered. Willson composed film scores for The Great Dictator and The Little Foxes, as well as symphonic, band and choral works. Willson’s Broadway musicals include The Music Man, The Unsinkable Molly Brown and Here’s Love. He published two autobiographical works, a novel and a memoir about the making of The Music Man, titled But He Doesn’t Know the Territory.