Gary S. Paxton, born Larry Wayne Stevens on May 18, 1939, in Coffeyville, Kansas, was an influential American record producer, songwriter, and artist known for his work in novelty, country, and gospel music. Adopted at age three and raised in rural poverty, Paxton faced a challenging childhood, including being molested and suffering from spinal meningitis, which left him crippled for three years. His family moved to Arizona when he was 12, where he started his first band at 14.

Paxton gained early fame as "Flip" in the pop duo Skip & Flip, alongside Clyde "Skip" Battin, with their 1959 hit "It Was I." The duo achieved further success with "Cherry Pie" before disbanding. By 1960, Paxton was living in Hollywood, California, where he became a prolific figure in the music industry, producing the number one Billboard Hot 100 singles "Alley Oop" for the Hollywood Argyles and "Monster Mash" for Bobby "Boris" Pickett.

Known for his eccentricity and promotional creativity, Paxton worked with artists such as the Association, Paul Revere & the Raiders, and Tommy Roe. He founded several record labels, including Garpax and G.S.P. Records, and later focused on the Bakersfield sound in country music. In 1971, after personal struggles and the suicide of a partner, Paxton became a Christian and dedicated his talents to gospel music, producing classics like "He's Alive" by Don Francisco and winning a Grammy for his gospel album.

Paxton recorded six gospel albums from the 1970s to the early 1980s and continued to influence the music industry until his death on July 17, 2016, in Branson, Missouri.