Boots Randolph

Homer Louis "Boots" Randolph III (1927-2007) was a renowned Paducah-born and Cadiz-raised saxophonist who contributed to the "Nashville sound" subgenre of country music. Randolph learned the ukulele and trombone as a child in his family's band and picked up the saxophone in his early adulthood. He served in the US Army Band at the end of WWII, playing saxophone, trombone, and vibraphone. During his early adulthood, Randolph played in the group Kopy Kats in Decatur, Illinois for a short stint from 1948-1954. In the early 1960s, Randolph recorded for Monument Records in Nashville on hits such as Mean Woman Blues from Roy Orbison, Little Queenie from REO Speedwagon, and more. 

Randolph became widely known for his 1963 hit single Yakety Sax, which became the closing theme for BBC comedy classic The Benny Hill Show. He played with Elvis Presley, in Brenda Lee's Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, and is featured on singles from Al Hirt, Jerry Lee Lewis, and more. Randolph recorded more than 40 albums and played in Nashville's nightclub scene for 30 years, as well as owning the popular Printer's Alley jazz venue the Carousel Club. Randolph released his final album A Whole New Ballgame in 2007 just a month before he passed away. Tap the icon below to listen to Boots Randolph's hit, "Yakety Sax."