J. Fred Coots was an American songwriter and composer, best known for his work in the early to mid-20th century. He was born on December 2, 1897, in New York City and became prominent in the music industry during the 1930s. Coots wrote numerous popular songs, including the famous holiday classic “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” which has been covered by many artists over the years. In addition to his songwriting, Coots worked as a music publisher and collaborated with various musicians and lyricists. His contributions to American music have left a lasting impact, particularly in the realm of Christmas music and popular standards. Coots passed away on April 18, 1985.