Hoyt Wayne Axton was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and actor. He became prominent in the early 1960s, establishing himself on the West Coast as a folk singer with an earthy style and powerful voice. Among his best-known songs are "Joy to the World", "The Pusher", "No No Song", "Greenback Dollar", "Della and the Dealer" and "Never Been to Spain".
He was also a prolific character actor with many film and television roles to his credit, often playing a father figure in a number of films including The Black Stallion, Heart Like a Wheel and Gremlins.