William Raymond Traut (March 20, 1929 – June 5, 2014) was an American jazz musician, rock music producer, manager and record label executive.
He co-founded the Dunwich and Wooden Nickel record labels, and produced The Shadows of Knight, The American Breed, the Siegel-Schwall Band, and Styx, among others.
Traut was responsible for producing the American Breed's hit singles, including "Step Out of Your Mind" and "Bend Me, Shape Me", both in 1967.
[2] In 1971 Traut established the Wooden Nickel record label with Jim Golden and Jerry Weintraub, signing the Siegel-Schwall Band, and TW4, who later became Styx.
[2] He also worked with leading jazz musicians including Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Kurt Elling, and Tony Williams.