Paul Schlesinger

Paul Schlesinger is a professional fiddle player, singer, voice-over artist and actor living in Taylor, Texas. Born September 1970, his career path began in college while studying photo journalism at the University of Texas Austin in the early 1990's. During his studies, he was introduced and became immersed into the world of Texas swing and honky tonk music, where he photographed many of its legendary performers.

Paul's performing career began as a result of his interest in researching the Jimmy Heap band of Taylotr. He received his first fiddle lesson at age 23 from Perk Williams, the fiddler & vocalist on Jimmy Heap's 1954 hit recording of Release Me.

Paul's musical career began in earnest when he began playing with Bill Dowdy, a professional rythmn guitarist, at a weekly performance in Lexington, Texas. With Dowdy's influence, Paul soon started working with other area bands, learning the profession.

It soon became evident to Paul that performing music for crowds of people was much more exciting and lucrative than following it around with a camera. In 200, Paul joined the King of Swing, a top-notch Central Texas based Western Swing band with a large following. He and band member Ray Tesmer formed a well-polished twin fiddle team.

By 2001, Paul was putting his own Texas swing bands together, emceeing musical tribute shows, as well as freelancing his talents to other area bands. In 2005, Paul released his first national distributed CD, Our Way, which sold out in the first pressing.

Pauls is a strong lead fiddle player and also plays mandolin & rhythm guitar. He is sought after by many groups for his sense of playing style, knowledge of songs and clean vocals.

Paul was also inducted to the Texas Music Hall of Fame - Gatesville, in 2012.