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Not only a singer-songwriter, he has composed songs for television series including Boon and one of my favourite television series growing up, the classic Eerie Indiana.

“I always get a kick out of people discovering that they have been hearing my music, without actually having been aware of it. On Eerie Indiana, my brother in law wrote and produced that series and he invited me to do some select songs that I enjoyed contributing to the show like ‘Forever Ware’. I had a great time contributing those songs. I also did the incidental music for the TV Series Boon. That was great to put on my Cowboy hat and deliver all the country and western music that the soundtrack called for”.

A pleasure to talk to @DeanFriedman about ‘Songfest’, which is being held virtually at the end of this month! Thank you so much Dean. I loved talking to you about songwriting, the festival and your music in shows such as Eerie Indiana! Interview coming soon in @MystMag @MusicPR
— Sarah O’ Hara (@xSarahOHx) August 19, 2020

Dean Friedman, one of the pre-eminent songwriters of his generation, announces a ‘virtual’ incarnation of his personally curated, micro-music-festival, SongFest, to be held as a ‘live’ webcast via Zoom on Sunday, 30th August, 2020 from 4:00pm to 11:00pm (UK). SongFest is a boutique micro-music festival that celebrates really good songs and the folks who write ‘em.

The ‘Artist Lineup’ for the upcoming features a gathering of acclaimed singer-songwriters who’ll be joining Friedman, including: Boothby Graffoe, Tracey Curtis, Attila the Stockbroker, Charlotte Campbell, Vance Gilbert, Katy Rose Bennett with a special appearance by The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre who will be co-hosting the event along with Friedman and Charlotte Campbell.

Ticket details:

‘Virtual’ SongFest ‘ZoomFest’ tickets are available via the following link:

https://virtual-songfest-zoomfest-tickets.eventbrite.com/?aff=PR1 or www.DeanFriedman.com

The previous, on-site version of SongFest, originally booked for July 2020, has been rescheduled for July 2021 but, in the meantime, Friedman has gathered most of the SongFest line-up to appear in a ‘virtual’ SongFest, utilizing the ‘livestreaming’ platform, Zoom.

Hail to Thee, O Ears of Splendor,
Joyously we pledge our job
We declare our staunch allegiance
to protect your kingly cob.

With fidelity and devotion
and every day from dawn to dusk,
We will never shuck our duty,
we’ll defend your noble husk.

Yea, we vow, our dear lodge brothers,
when ‘er in need down through the years,
When there’s trouble by the bushel
we will always lend an ear.

For from each teeny tiny kernel,
another Eerie ear is born,
There sprouts a Hardy sturdy stalk,
the Loyal Order of Corn.

from “The Loyal Order of Corn” episode of Eerie Indiana. First aired: Mar 22, 1992.

Hey Folks, I hope you'll join me, tomorrow, Sunday, April 12th, for Ep. #3 of my DeanZine 'LiveStream'

Local Times: 8:00pm UK & Ireland / 3:00pm New York / 12noon Los Angeles / 9:00am Hawaii

Featuring singer-songwriter, comedy legend, Boothby Graffoe! https://t.co/JwYCkDvM67
— Dean Friedman (@DeanFriedman) April 11, 2020

Hey Folks, Don't miss today's DeanZine 'LiveStream', an online, stay-at-home, hunker-down, music event that's happening today, Sunday, April 5!

Local Times: 9:00am Hawaii / 12noon Los Angeles / 3:00pm New York / 8:00pm UK & Ireland

STREAMING today on both Facebook & YouTube TOO!

Watch on...

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/DeanFriedman/videos/10156982290096464

or

Youtube

https://youtu.be/oQOcS-DuFZo

Join me, tomorrow (Sunday) for my first DeanZine 'LiveStream', an online webernet concert - that's this Sunday, March 29th at 3:00pm (NY) / 8:00pm (UK), where I'll be singing songs, strumming my guitar, uke-ing my uke, tickling the ivories (plastic keys - no elephants were harmed) and answering questions from you, a 'live', on-line, world-wide audience of music afficianados!

There will be assorted guests, plus I'm inviting a few random folks from this very email list: specifically, anyone reading this email that might want to join me for a 'live' on-line interview; just write me back at dean@deanfriedman.com and let me know what you've been up these days. All you need is a smartphone or laptop with a camera and mic, and if you're picked, I'll send you all the info you need.

It's gonna be a hoot! It's gonna be fun! It's gonna be a totally slip-shod production!

But you're invited to tune in, anyway!

So, set your alarms (don't forget to set your clocks ahead in the UK) and click on the following link at the appointed time: this Sunday, March 29th at 3:00pm (NY) / 8:00pm (UK):

www.facebook.com/DeanFriedman

Don't say I didn't warn you.

We may be doomed, but that doesn't mean we can't also enjoy ourselves while the world descends into a delirious state of chaos!

Be well! Take it easy! See you Sunday!

Date: Sun 03 May 20
Time: 19:30

Date: Sun 03 May 20
Time: 19:30

The weather may still be a little bleak but fear not, we’ve got an April shower of bands to drench you with until the good weather arrives.

Kicking back and dreaming of the heady summer days of last year, it gets us in the zone and makes working hard to cherry pick the finest of fine bands for this years festival a breeze. Ok, maybe that’s enough of the weather analogies.

Either way, whatever the climate. We don’t rest on our laurels, we’ve picked the finest of the finest bands for this years festival. Last week we brought you Emily Barker, Coco and the Butterfields and the Rob Lear Band. This week we’ve got some more great acts to present:

Hailed by critics and fans alike as a one of the finest songwriters of his generation. Dean Friedman has achieved legendary, pop-icon status for chart-topping hits, Ariel, Lucky Stars, Lydia, McDonald’s Girl and more.

Following last year’s sold-out, 40th Anniversary Tour. Friedman returns to the stage armed with a stunning collection of his insightful and compelling, true-to-life ‘story songs’. Songs of pathos and humor that deal with family, friends, neighbors, work and the seemingly trivial, yet ultimately essential stuff of everyday life.

“Soundtrack of our lives!” – NYTimes; “Songsmith extraordinaire!” – MusicWeek; “Dean Friedman is entirely unique and utterly brilliant” – ThreeWeeks; “Stunning Musicianship!” – Hot Press

In addition to his familiar radio hits, album releases and touring. Friedman composes and produces music soundtracks for TV and film, including the music to the hit Central TV series BOON, NBC’s Eerie Indiana, Nickelodeon’s Nick Arcade and the indie horror classic, ‘I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle’. He’s also published a respected tome on the art and craft of songwriting titled, ‘The Songwriter’s Handbook’. Based on songwriting workshops and songwriting masterclasses he’s conducted at universities and music conservatories around the world, including L.I.P.A. (the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts).

A consummate entertainer, Friedman will be performing solo, on guitar and keyboard, featuring songs from throughout his four-decade career, including familiar, radio hits and fan favorites, drawn from his eight studio albums. Invite family and friends and join Friedman for an evening of powerful, poignant and hilarious songs about the ordinary and extraordinary lives we share.

Check out this cool segment touching on my curious multimedia career, part of the popular PBS TV series, 'Articulate'. Thanks to host, Jim Cotter, and his terrific crew! https://t.co/tQVTSrkJaf
— Dean Friedman (@DeanFriedman) December 23, 2019

In addition to his familiar radio hits, album releases and touring, Friedman composes and produces music soundtracks for TV and film, including the music to the hit Central TV series BOON, NBC’s Eerie Indiana, Nickelodeon’s Nick Arcade and the indie horror classic, ‘I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle’. He’s also published a respected tome on the art and craft of songwriting titled, ‘The Songwriter’s Handbook’, based on songwriting workshops and songwriting masterclasses he’s conducted at universities and music conservatories around the world, including L.I.P.A. (the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts).

Theatre Royal,
Shakespeare Street,
Dumfries,
DG1 2JH
1 Aug 7:30-10pm

Hailed by critics and fans alike as a one of the finest songwriters of his generation, Dean Friedman has achieved legendary, pop-icon status for chart-topping hits, Ariel, Lucky Stars, Lydia, McDonald’s Girl and more.

Following last year’s sold-out, 40th Anniversary Tour, Friedman returns to the stage armed with a stunning collection of his insightful and compelling, true-to-life ‘story songs’ – songs of pathos and humor that deal with family, friends, neighbors, work and the seemingly trivial, yet ultimately essential stuff of everyday life.

In addition to his familiar radio hits, album releases and touring, Friedman composes and produces music soundtracks for TV and film, including the music to the hit Central TV series BOON, NBC’s Eerie Indiana, Nickelodeon’s Nick Arcade and the indie horror classic, ‘I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle’. He’s also published a respected tome on the art and craft of songwriting titled, ‘The Songwriter’s Handbook’, based on songwriting workshops and songwriting masterclasses he’s conducted at universities and music conservatories around the world, including L.I.P.A. (the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts).

A consummate entertainer, Friedman will be performing solo, on guitar and keyboard, featuring songs from throughout his four-decade career, including familiar, radio hits and fan favorites, drawn from his eight studio albums. Invite family and friends and join Friedman for an evening of powerful, poignant and hilarious songs about the ordinary and extraordinary lives we share.

Date: 3rd August 2019 7:30 pm

Show Starts: 8pm

Dean Friedman - In Concert - Tim McLoone's Supper Club - Asbury Park, NJ - Friday, March 29 8:00pm

Hailed by critics and fans alike as a one of the finest songwriters of his generation, Dean Friedman has achieved legendary, pop-icon status for chart-topping hits, Ariel, Lucky Stars, Lydia, McDonald’s Girl and more.

Following last year’s sold-out, 40th Anniversary Tour, Friedman returns to the stage armed with a stunning collection of his insightful and compelling, true-to-life ‘story songs’ - songs of pathos and humor that deal with family, friends, neighbors, work and the seemingly trivial, yet ultimately essential stuff of everyday life.

"Soundtrack of our lives!" – NYTimes; "Songsmith extraordinaire!” – MusicWeek; “Dean Friedman is entirely unique and utterly brilliant” – ThreeWeeks; “Stunning Musicianship!” - Hot Press

In addition to his familiar radio hits, album releases and touring, Friedman composes and produces music soundtracks for TV and film, including the music to the hit Central TV series BOON, NBC’s Eerie Indiana, Nickelodeon’s Nick Arcade and the indie horror classic, ‘I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle’. He’s also published a respected tome on the art and craft of songwriting titled, ‘The Songwriter’s Handbook’, based on songwriting workshops and songwriting masterclasses he’s conducted at universities and music conservatories around the world, including L.I.P.A. (the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts).

A consummate entertainer, Friedman will be performing solo, on guitar and keyboard, featuring songs from throughout his four-decade career, including familiar, radio hits and fan favorites, drawn from his eight studio albums. Invite family and friends and join Friedman for an evening of powerful, poignant and hilarious songs about the ordinary and extraordinary lives we share.

Dean Friedman, one of the pre-eminent songwriters of his generation, announces an epic 32 date UK tour, April-August 2019. The tour kicks off in Belfast, Crescent Arts Centre on April, 19th 2019 and takes in The Bloomsbury Theatre, London on May 11th, 2019 and finishes up at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. Tickets on sale now.

Dean Friedman will also be hosting, performing and producing two orientated SongFest – micro-music festivals which includes masterclasses in songwriting and celebrating good songs with the artists that make them. This takes place:
July 20/21 at the Springfield Country Hotel, Wareham and August 27/28 at Wychwood Park Hotel, Crewe.

This follows on from the huge success of Friedman’s first SongFest last year. Both SongFest will feature, legendary singer/songwriters: Chris Difford (ex Squeeze); Richard Digance; Boothby Graffoe; Tracey Curtis; Fiona Bevan; Boo Hewerdine and Kal Lavelle - with more to be announced.

Says Friedman, “A good song is like a combination time-machine and transporter-device; with nothing but a handful of words and melody, it creates an instant-universe capable of transporting the listener into another dimension, immersing them in a vivid, virtual world, filled with humor, beauty, pathos and joy. Every one of the incredible songwriters performing at SongFest does just that – each in their own unique and wonderful way.”

Last year marked Dean Friedman’s 40th anniversary in the music industry, where he celebrated with a sold-out UK tour and the re-release of his digitally remastered, 1978 ground breaking album “Well, Well,” said the Rocking Chair’.

Friedman will be performing solo, on guitar and keyboards, featuring songs from throughout his four decade recording career, including his classic hits: ‘Lucky Stars’, ‘Lydia’, ‘McDonald’s Girl’, ‘Ariel’ and ‘Woman of Mine’, as well as selections from his last studio album, ’12 Songs’ – which was fan-funded.

This year marks Friedman’s 16th appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where in addition to his regular concert runs, he’s written and produced several hit children’s musicals, including ‘Smelly Feet’ – a children’s musical that really stinks!

Ariel was a top 30 hit in 1977. It was the only chart single for singer songwriter Dean Friedman. He went on to write jingles and music for films and TV. He was born May 23, 1955 in Paramus, NJ. As a teen he played the New Jersey wedding and bar mitzvah circuit with Marsha and the Self Portraits. He majored in music at City College of New York. One of his teachers was guitarist David Bromberg. Bromberg sent him to the New York City club The Bottom Line and owners Allen Pepper and Stanley Snadowsky agreed to manage him. This led to a record deal with Lifesong Records owned by the duo of Terry Cashman and Tommy West who recorded as Cashman and West. Friedman's 1977 debut album Dean Friedman was produced by Lifesong house producer Rob Stevens. They used session musicians like Jim Ryan on guitar, Tony Levin on bass and Rick Marotta in drums. The sax solo is by George Young who was in the Saturday Night Live band. Ariel reached #26 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is Friedman's tongue in cheek tribute to life in the suburbs of New Jersey. It could have been a bigger hit but some radio stations refused to play the song because Ariel was described as Jewish in the second verse. Friedman's second album "Well, Well" Said The Rocking Chair did well in England as the single Lucky Stars, a duet with Denise Marsa, reached #3 on the British chart. Ace Records has released both albums on one CD. Friedman continued to record occasionally on his own label. He wrote the music for the British TV series Boon and he wrote for Eerie, Indiana and Nick Arcade. One guy clearly influenced by Friedman is Barenaked Ladies lead singer Steven Page who ,appeared on one of Friedman's albums. He still performs and records on his own label. Here's Dean Friedman performing Ariel in Asbury Park, NJ July 23, 1977.

See details and buy tickets here.

Christine Lavin in concert, Nov. 17

Folk singer Christine Lavin will perform a homecoming concert 8 p.m. Nov. 17 at Dramatic Hall located in the Peekskill Central Market, 900 Main St., Peekskill. Dean Friedman will be the opening performer. Lavin will host a pre-show knitting circle at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35. Visit christine-lavin-peekskill-homecoming-concert.eventbrite.com or call 914-736-3600.

What are some songs built around harmonica? I got ‘Mighty Ship’ by Housemartins and Toots Thielman ‘Midnight Cowboy theme’. What else? Dylan, yes, I know. Not Dylan, and not in the style of Dylan. For the kid. Asking for the kid.
— Carl Newman (@ACNewman) July 26, 2018

The theme tune to Eerie, Indiana? Dub be good to me by Beats International?
— Matt Law (@m_law) July 26, 2018

He signed his first record deal at the age of nine, over milk and cookies - and since then Dean Friedman has had chart success, made music for 80s TV show Boon, met the likes of James Taylor and Carly Simon, and designed video games and musical playgrounds for kids.

( Read more... )

Witty, wacky and wonderfully talented, Dean Friedman performed an excellently varied concert for an enthusiastic crowd in Bilston last night.

The wordsmith wonder from New Jersey had excellent command of the stage; performing a two-hour set entirely on his own - except for the help of the few fans he recruited for the show.

As Dean strolled on stage and strapped on an acoustic guitar, the venue erupted with cheers and applause before Dean kicked off the evening with late 70s number Company.

"It's really lovely to see you all here," beamed the 62-year-old star.

"I'm gonna play you some tunes - a bunch of stuff from over the years.

"Then, for the second set, I'm going to tackle that second album."

Dean's tour marks 40 years since the release of album 'Well, Well,' Said The Rocking Chair, released in 1978, which featured some of the singer/songwriter's biggest hits.

"It's kinda weird being the 40th anniversary," added Dean.

"It took me by surprise."

In between songs from the album, Dean treated fans to an array of humorous numbers, including I'm Not Sorry To See You Go, and another about his mother loving to cook called A Million Matzah Balls.

Next came a wonderful rendition of Woman Of Mine, which saw Dean reach the tremendously high notes with ease, with lovely projection and tone.

"That's something I wrote when I was 16," he explained, much to fans' surprise.

He performed a few songs from his latest album 12 Songs too, including Your Pretty Face and This Guitar, as well as a touching number he wrote for his sister when she was travelling, which was a lovely display of his genuine sweetness and ability to write from the heart.

McDonald's Girl followed, which Dean was keen to point out he had written from the perspective of a teenager, given it is a love song about a 15 year old.

"This is off the third album which was filled with teenage love songs," he added.

The second half then saw Dean launch straight into the album title track 'Well, Well' Said The Rocking Chair, which went down a storm.

Ahead of the tour, the US star had asked fans to submit videos for a chance to sing alongside him on stage for iconic duet Lucky Stars.

The winner for the evening was a young girl named Jennifer, whose voice was absolutely stunning - leaving fans in shock as she sang the most beautiful rendition of the chart hit.

Fans were then treated to Shopping Bag Ladies, The Deli Song, S&M and Let Down Your Hair, as well as a stunning performance of fan favourite Lydia.

Dean ended the show with an excellent, faultless rendition of Ariel, managing the high-reaching range and fast pace with enjoyment and deftness as the fans sang along to every word.

A tremendous show, filled with funny anecdotes, excellent crowd interaction, superb vocals and musical talent.

Come back soon Dean.

WELL, WELL said the Rocking chair’ is the title of Dean Friedman’s album from 1978.

Well, if that rocking chair could talk today it would still be saying ‘Well, Well,’. The Well, well being the start of a sentence saying well, well Dean still writing and singing your songs.

The answer for the rocking chair would be ‘Yes I am and doing very fine thank you.’

Dean Friedman, for those unaware is one of the preeminent songwriters of his generation - is returning this year to mark his 40th anniversary in the music business.

He will be celebrating with the digitally remastered, re-release of his 1978 ground breaking album “Well, Well,” said the Rocking Chair’ - released April 13 on Real Life Records.

Somerset County Gazette:

Dean Friedman will also mark the milestone by performing the entire album ‘live’, on a 57 date UK tour which will bring him to Bridgwater Arts Centre on April 28.

Speaking to Dean Friedman there is a sense of calm about what he says, ‘the melody of stillness’ if you want to pop a phrase to describe the experience.

Songs and music have always been important to him and are in his DNA and blood.

Speaking about this Dean said: “Writing songs is an individual experience “My mum who recently passed away was a singer and her house was filled with her perfume and music.

“There was always a Broadway tune on the piano and as a result music was in my blood.

"I was always going to do something as the power of music can be joyous.

“As I grew up I was open to all styles and types of music including popular, classical and jazz.

"Music has enriched my life and it has helped make me who I am. I got my first guitar when I was eight-years-old.

"I took a bag of quarters to the shop, put them on the counter and bought it.

"I saved all the money from doing a paper route. I used to take it to school and play some songs.

"I first realised I wanted to be a musician when I realised it would help me meet girls.

"But I had to get up and perform on stage and this allowed me to express myself. It was all really positive.”

Even though he was moving forward with his career, something was not right.

Somerset County Gazette:

Dean explained no matter the songwriter they had to write songs which are personal to themselves no matter how obscure they made it and each song defined how they felt at that moment.

This discovery came to Dean when he was looking back at his song The Kite Song.

The kite in question flies everywhere after it broke loose.

It did not have a tail and so there was no control and the person in the song was chasing a kite out of control as they tried to catch it.

Dean said: “What I was describing was my musical career. Things were blowing up and there was no stability.

So when I was re-interpreting the song I realised what I was saying at the time. What I was experiencing at the time was disarray, panic and anxiety.”

Getting passed all this meant Dean carved out a very successful musical career releasing 18 albums and singles including Ariel, Woman of mine, Lucky Stars and Lydia.

Dean said: “Ariel was my first single off my first album and this was the song which started my musical career.

"When I recorded it I was using the same type of tape machine The Beatles had used for Sgt Pepper.

"This meant I had four tracks and I could over dub my vocals which for me was very exciting.

Somerset County Gazette:

"The name Ariel came about as that was the way I sung, I sung the vowels and not the consonants.

"Later I discovered my mum had written a poem about a ray of light which came in the window and the sun bounced around off the reflected surfaces and she called it Ariel.

Subconsciously it seemed to be a gift from my mum.”

Another song which came out of ‘learning’ about an incident came when he recorded his 2017 album 12 Songs.

One of the twelve was The Ducks of St Stephen’s Green.

Dean said: “This was something I wrote after seeing a lot of messages from friends in Ireland talking about the 100th anniversary of the Easter Up Rising.

"I was very ignorant of it all and decided to look into it to learn more.

"I discovered St Stephen’s Green was in a park and when the fighting was going on James Kearney went into the park with a white flag as he wanted to feed the ducks.

"Each time over the weekend he went in they stopped fighting.

“It is interesting to discover something out of curiosity in the midst of everything in the world.”

- Dean Friedman’s 40th Anniversary “Well, Well,” Said the Rocking Chair Tour is at Bridgwater Arts Centre on April 28.

Tickets £25.

Buy online at bridgwaterartscentre.co.uk

AS THE starting point for a love song, the opening lines of Lucky Stars: "What, are you crazy? How the hell can you say what you just said?" hardly suggests a fine romance and happy ending.

But so enduring is Dean Friedman's 1978 single - a semi-humorous exchange between a jealous wife and her husband who has just bumped into his ex-flame Lisa - that it is still played regularly on Radio 2.

From next Sunday 62-year-old Friedman will be playing it all over again as he embarks on a 30-date UK tour to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

"I always wanted to tell short stories set to music," he says, "then invite the listener in as a co-conspirator."

Lucky Stars, a duet with fellow New York singer-songwriter Denise Marsa, was certainly a hit with comedian Dawn French.

In 2008, her then-husband Lenny Henry had the singer flown in to perform it at her 50th birthday party in a hotel near her West Country home.

"It was supposed to be a surprise so she couldn't know I was in the hotel," explains Friedman.

"I always have to warm up before I do a performance so I had to walk away from the hotel and wander deep into the woods to vocalise so nobody would hear me.

"It's hard to do when you're singing at the top of your lungs but I managed to get far enough away so that the only ones who knew were the squirrels.

Did Dawn take the female part in Lucky Stars? Friedman laughs.

"The whole audience joined in," he says, "and it was so gratifying that they knew all the words.

"I always really enjoy it when I'm on tour and some big bloke in the front row sings (he puts on a deep, gruff voice), 'Did you see Lisa?'" Friedman was born in Paramus, New Jersey, part of a musical family.

"His mother sang and performed on Broadway under the name Rose Rosett so, he says, "there was always a show-tune on the piano".

He bought his first guitar aged nine and started writing songs "out of sheer boredom.

I'd be standing in a line at the post office or the bank and a lyric or melody would come to me. As a kid I had a lot of time on my hands!

"My first song was for a fourth grade teacher I had a crush on and was called I Would Love To Take A Swim With You In Summertime. I've been writing ever since."

After bombarding record companies with tapes and pinning his rejection letters to the wall "for inspiration", he was eventually signed to a record label.

Dean Friedman released one of the first crowdfunded albums in 2002

His first hit in America, Ariel, released in 1977, was also a song about unrequited love.

"Ariel was actually a composite of all the girls I had a crush on growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey," he says.

"But all the details are from real life, from the lives of my family and friends.

"For example there's a line where she was collecting quarters in a paper cup for the Friends of BAI. That was actually a radio station that my brother Aaron was collecting for in the local mall.

The following year, when his breakthrough album "Well, Well", Said The Rocking Chair was released he drew even more directly from life by recording the background sounds for The Deli Song in New York delicatessens.

"I felt compelled to order something in every one of them too," he laughs, "so it was quite a delicious recording session."

He has had a love/hate relationship with the music business.

His first record company did not want to release Lucky Stars.

"They said, 'Dean, you're a solo singer, why do you want a duet on there?'" Then again, he says, they didn't like much of the rest of the album either.

"To my amusement and satisfaction about a week later I was getting Telexes - this was before faxes and the internet - saying that Lucky Stars was racing to the top of the charts."

Another hit followed, the infectiously catchy Lydia and "Well, Well..." was a hit album both in the UK and US. It is being reissued, in remastered form, this month.

His problems with the industry continued in the 1980s when his single McDonald's Girl was banned by the BBC for name-checking a brand and his label promptly dropped him. Undeterred, he channelled his energies into writing manuals about synthesisers and devising video games, including the first one to feature virtual reality.

"But," he says, "there was always a bit of music involved and I never stopped writing."

He did not stop touring either, and brought out one of the first crowdfunded albums in 2002, paid for by his fans.

Married with two grown-up children, Hannah and Sam, both of whom work in TV, he also organises folk festivals in the area where he lives, at the foot of the Catskill Mountains in New York State.

"I love that travelling troubadour tradition," he says.

"The big thing for me is to turn up in a smalltown hall, filled with people, say 'Hi, how ya' doing?' and tell my stories face to face. That keeps the music alive for me."

He'll be doing just that in the UK until early June. Don't miss him.

“I love that travelling troubadour tradition,” he says.

“The big thing for me is to turn up in a smalltown hall, filled with people, say ‘Hi, how ya’ doing?’ and tell my stories face to face. That keeps the music alive for me.”

He’ll be doing just that in the UK until early June. Don’t miss him.

For tour dates visit deanfriedman.com.

Hi Dean, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?

I’ve been just hunky-dory, thanks for asking. Although, I wouldn’t mind a little less snow, up here in the foothills of the Catskill Mountain range, in upstate New York.

As four decades past by – how would you say you’ve grown as an artist since?

I feel like I’ve honed my songwriting craft, just a bit. And I like to think I make better use of my poetic license; which I always keep in my back pocket in case I’m stopped for excessive punning or alliteration. Also, after doing this for four decades, it feels like I’m gradually learning how to sing. It’s taken a while.

With the release of 12 Songs – was the idea moving on was to re-release Well, Well, Said The Rocking Chair? How did that come about?

My new album ’12 Songs’ was my chance to go back into the studio and try and apply all the things I’ve learned, over the years, about the craft of songwriting and recording. At the same time, as I approach the 40th Anniversary of “Well, Well,” Said the Rocking Chair’, I’m reminded that no amount of craft can replace sheer inspiration and raw passion. The goal for any artist, it seems to me, is to do both – to somehow retain that early sense of discovery and open-eyed wonder, while applying your craft, and bringing to bear all those hard-earned life lessons. Or put another way, I try to take lots of crazy chances – and then edit like hell!

How was the re-mastering process?

“Well, Well,” Said the Rocking Chair’. was recorded in a luxurious studio called Le Studio, right outside Montreal, Canada, in the dead of winter. It was an idyllic setting – sitting at the piano, you could look out of a picture window onto a snow-covered lake and picture post-card forest – but cold as hell. Some nights the temperature went down to 40 degrees below (Fahrenheit). So, listening back to those tracks in my own basement studio was like experiencing a kind of time warp, remembering the vivid setting, but hearing familiar sounds and textures in new ways. In the pre-digital days of vinyl, a crucial aspect of mastering was to make sure the recording was compressed just enough to keep the mastering needle from skipping out of the grooves. Because that’s not a consideration with digital, it allowed me to ever-so-slightly fatten up aspects of each track, the bass, the vocal, some strings, which might have been sacrificed to the necessity of the master-cutting room. I’m pleased with the results. I don’t think anyone will miss anything from the original release; if anything, it will sound fuller and richer.

What made you want to perform the entire album live for this new edition?

I’m as surprised as anyone that forty years have passed since I wrote and recorded “Well, Well,” Said the Rocking Chair’. Because I’m reminded, every time I tour, about the impression the album made on so many folks, I wanted to take the opportunity to revisit those songs, many of which I haven’t performed in years, and a few of which – like ‘Don’t You Ever Dare’ and ‘I Will Never Leave You’ – I’ve never performed at all. I took it as a challenge to be respectful of the songs and offer my audience a chance to hear them all in sequence, the way they heard them for the first time and for all these years since.

Was it easier than what you thought or it was a challenging process?

It’s still a challenging and daunting process, but also exhilarating. In some ways it’s like having a conversation with my younger self. It’s funny, I can still find new meanings in lyrics I wrote back when I was a 22 year old musician, living in a ground floor, studio apartment on the west side of Manhattan. It was what you might describe as ‘sparsely furnished’ – which might account for the fact that all the furniture and appliances suddenly started talking in ‘Rocking Chair’!

Do you tend to take a different approach when you are scoring a film or series rather than working in your own original material?

The fun part of scoring a film or TV project is that instead of staring at a completely blank page, waiting for inspiration, you generally have the benefit of some type of brief – a storyline, a character theme, a mood, the demands of a particular scene or sequence. The job is to serve the story. And that can be quite liberating, and fun. When I wrote the soundtrack for the TV series, ‘Boon’ I got to put on my cowboy hat and become a country western singer, belting out songs like ‘Texas Rangers’ and ‘Restless Wrangler’, with my best southern twang. When I wrote the score to ‘I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle’ I got to throw on my shades and burn through heavy metal guitar licks on tracks like, ‘She Runs on Blood, Not Gasoline’ and ‘Scratch & Bite’. Like I said – fun!

Did you draw inspirations from other sources this time around for the songs and lyrics?

Like all my albums, ’12 Songs’ is unabashedly eclectic, both musically and lyrically. Musically, it’s an amalgam of styles including jazz, pop, rock, country and folk. Lyrically, I always draw inspiration from the world around me; my own life, the lives of my family and friends… but also newspaper headlines, books, magazines. ’12 Songs’, includes songs about love, frustration, success and failure; songs about being on the road and missing home, the terrors and joys of raising kids, dissertations on the physics of time and space, randomness and causality; there’s a song dedicated to Malala Yousafzai, the brave survivor of an assassination attempt by the Taliban, youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and relentless defender of all girls’ right to an education; there’s a song about my old Martin D-35 acoustic guitar; a misanthrope’s duet… there’s even a song about ducks – the true story of the ‘Easter Rising’ – a failed 1916 uprising in Ireland. The world is terrible and miraculous, from its greatest tectonic cataclysms to the tiniest ephemeral beating of a hummingbird’s wings. It’s all fair game!

How are you preparing for your upcoming tour?

Every year, as spring gradually settles in, I prepare for a new tour by walking up and down the ridiculously steep hill we live on. After a few weeks I ease into a lazy jog. You need to be in pretty good shape to jump around on stage singing and banging on a piano and guitar for two hours, plus. This year, because of the 40th Anniversary, I’m also spending a lot of time learning to play all those early songs. No easy task, even though I’m the one that wrote them!

What are you looking forward to the most?

The same thing I look forward to on every tour – the always enthusiastic reactions of my very loyal audience.

Can fans expect a new set or any new things?

For the first set, I’ll be playing a mix of old and new fan favourites, including some of my comedy songs off my ‘Squirrels in the Attic’ album, like ‘Death to the Neighbors’ and ‘I Never Really Liked You All That Much’. For the second set, I’ll be playing all the songs off of “Well, Well,” Said the Rocking Chair’, start to finish. One difference is that, usually, I invite the audience to sing the girl’s part on ‘Lucky Stars’; but this year, I’m running a ‘Lucky Stars’ Duet with Dean CONTEST, inviting submissions from anyone for a chance to join me on stage to sing the ‘Lucky Stars’ duet. I’ve done it on a few occasions in the past, and I know it’s gonna be great fun. [Link TO ENTER ‘Lucky Stars’ Duet with Dean CONTEST: www.deanfriedman.com/luckystarscontest.html ]

What else is happening next in Dean Friedman´s world?

Last year I published a book on songwriting titled, ‘The Songwriter’s Handbook’ [Amazon.com] based on ‘Songwriting Masterclasses’ I’ve held around the world, including places like L.I.P.A. (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts). It’s my personal take on the art and craft of songwriting, and includes examples from my own songs, as well as the songs of other familiar songwriters. Once I’m back home, I plan on producing a video series based on the book, my main premise being that while some songs, very occasionally, write themselves, more often than not, a songwriter needs to make decisions about where their song is going. Once ‘inspiration’ arrives, those conscious decisions, those choices, are what the ‘craft’ of songwriting is all about.

Dean Friedman remastered album Well, Well,” said the Rocking Chair’ is released April 13th on Real Life Records

There's an adage that applies to writing about personal experiences: The more specific, the more universal.

"Ariel," Dean Friedman's song that hit No. 26 in 1977, talks about a date between a teen-aged boy and girl that, in its time, could have been set anywhere in America. But this date happened to take place in Paramus.

Friedman, 62, who was born and raised in Paramus, later wrote scores for television and films, and his song "McDonald's Girl" was covered by Barenaked Ladies.

The singer-songwriter has released a new album with the no-frills title "12 Songs" (Life Real Records), and is set to perform in Asbury Park on Friday.

Friedman spoke during a recent telephone interview.

Q: You have an upcoming gig in Asbury Park. Being a Paramus boy, did you have a relationship with Asbury while growing up?

A. Like a lot of kids from New Jersey, I hung out at the Jersey Shore. It's hard not to be aware of a local Jersey boy (Bruce Springsteen) who made Asbury Park even more famous. I think the petrochemical spew of the (Garden State) Parkway is what binds us as New Jerseyans.

Q. What kind of a place was Paramus to grow up in?

A. I thought the whole world was like Paramus, New Jersey -- filled with shopping malls and bowling alleys. Lady Bird Johnson once declared Paramus the "Make America Beautiful" town. She flew over in a helicopter. I don't know if she ever touched down.

Friedman name-checked Paramus Park mall in "Ariel." Was he describing one magical date or an amalgam of dates?
Q. You name-checked Paramus Park mall in "Ariel." Were you describing one magical date, or an amalgam of dates?

A. It's an amalgam. The character Ariel is a composite of all these curly-haired Jewish girls I had crushes on while growing up in New Jersey. I eventually met her, but her name wasn't Ariel; it turned out to be Alison, and I married her.

I was a little self-conscious about the story in the song. All they do is meet, go home and make out. I thought maybe it was too simple or uneventful. I actually played it for some girls in Paramus, and they accused me of reading their diaries. So then I figured it must be OK.

Q. When "Ariel" went to No. 26, did your life change? Did you tour? Did you do (the TV show) "Midnight Special"?

A. My life changed dramatically. I did "Dick Clark's American Bandstand" and "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert" and I heard it on the radio. It was all really exciting. But even as my songs were racing up the charts -- both here and in the U.K. -- I was painfully aware that the people I was working with were idiots. That was a frustration. All of those record company cliches happened to me -- not being paid royalties and that kind of business. But I survived. I never stopped being a musician. I always appreciated the opportunities I had.

Q. You've written scores for TV and movies. How does that differ from writing songs for an album?

A. The main difference is that, when you're writing for a TV show or a low-budget horror film, the music must serve the visual story, to emphasize humor or romance or intrigue or tension. In some ways, it's liberating. Usually, the director has some brief to offer you. He'll explain the mood of a particular scene, or a transition he wants to make from one scene to another.

When writing on your own, you're staring at a blank canvas. That's daunting. But to have a specific goal is liberating. You have to come up with a strategy for reaching that goal. It's collaborative in a different way.

Q. You are also a proponent of the craft of songwriting. You've done seminars; you wrote "The Songwriter's Handbook." The songwriting process differs from person to person. What is yours?

A. Every song is a different experience. I've written hundreds of songs over four decades now. In some ways, when I start out, I forget everything I knew, which is a good thing. I've always thought I have rhyming dyslexia (laughs). I'll mix up couplets or verses in a way that doesn't seem to make sense. But on second glance, it can be useful.

The first thing is to improvise on a keyboard or piano or guitar. It's that play aspect that is crucial. Once you stumble onto something you like -- a word, a phrase, a rhythmic groove, a chord progression -- once you get that kernel, you start from there. If you like it enough, pursue it.

Sometimes a song writes itself. You wake up, the words flow out and you've got a song. When that happens, I say, "Thank you, muse." But more often than not, you have to tease the song out. You have a slew of choices. The choices you make will determine where the song will wind up.

On his new album, "12 Songs": "I try to tell short stories set to music."

Q. What did you set out to do with your latest album, "12 Songs"?

A. I try to tell short stories set to music. I was inspired by the storytelling of people like Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon and Randy Newman. Their storytelling is so vivid, it's almost cinematic. I feel like I've come to a place where I have the confidence to relax. I'm able to paint these pictures in a way that has more fluidity. My stuff was always chock full of detail. Now, I try to write lyrics in a casual, conversational way. It's more intimate. I think the album came out not-half-bad.

Dean Friedman, one of the pre-eminent songwriters of his generation - is returning this year to mark his 40th anniversary in the music business. He will be celebrating with the digitally remastered, re-release of his 1978 ground breaking album "Well, Well," said the Rocking Chair' - released April 13th on Real Life Records.

Friedman will also mark the milestone by performing the entire album 'live', on a 57 date UK tour. Opening in Manchester at Matt & Phreds on April 15th, taking in London at The Pheasantry on April 25th-26th and concluding at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

Friedman will be performing solo, on guitar and keyboards, featuring songs from throughout his four decade recording career, including his classic hits: 'Lucky Stars', 'Lydia', 'McDonald's Girl', 'Ariel' and 'Woman of Mine', as well as selections from his last studio album, '12 Songs' - which was fan-funded.

"Well, Well," said the Rocking Chair 40th Anniversary Tour Dates below:-

April

15 Manchester Matt & Phreds

18 Wolverhampton Robin 2

19 Bedford Quarry Theatre

20 Hornchurch Fairkytes Arts Centre

26 East Hagbourne Fleur de Lys

28 Bridgwater Bridgwater Arts Centre

27 Isle of Wight The Quay

29 Havant The Spring

May

3 Kendal Brewery Arts

4 Bingley Bingley Rugby Club

5 Liverpool Capstone Theatre<

6 Gwynedd, Wales Fairbourne Village Hall

9 Fishguard Theatr Gwaun

11 Pentyrch nr Cardiff Acapela Studios

12 Reading Shinfield Players Theatre

13 Bath Mission Theatre

16 Harpenden Harpenden Hall

17-18 Birmingham Pizza Express Live

19 Leeds City Varieties

20 Stockton-on-Tees Georgian Theatre

23 Crawley The Hawth

24-26 London The Pheasantry

27 Maidstone Pizza Express Live

June

22 Belfast Crumlin Road Gaol

23-24 Dublin Arthur's Pub

July

5 Eastleigh The Concorde

8 New Forest New Forest Folk Festival

11 Sheffield The Lantern

13 Bromsgrove Artrix

14 Rugby Lawrence Sheriff School

15 Bishop's Cleeve Tithe Barn

16-18 Henley on Thames The Crooked Billet

20 Ilfracombe The Landmark

21 Penzance The Acorn

22 Exmouth Exmouth Pavilion

23 St Austell St Austell Arts Centre

27 Nottingham Theatre Royal

28 Rutland SongFest

29 Rutland Dean's 'Songwriting Masterclass'

August

3 Glasgow Oran Mor

8-19 Edinburgh Fringe Festival

On the UK tour - there will be a chance for a fan to enter a competition Duet-with-Dean on his biggest UK hit 'Lucky Stars, live on stage; Details here: http://www.deanfriedman.com/luckystarscontest.html

This year marks Friedman's 15th appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where in addition to his regular concert runs, he's written and produced several hit children's musicals, including 'Smelly Feet' - a children's musical that really stinks!

Two tickets available for his Saturday 19th August show on Gumtree

American recording artist, Dean Friedman, best known to UK & Ireland audiences for his classic hits, ‘Lucky Stars’, ‘Lydia’, ‘McDonald’s Girl’, ‘Ariel’, and ‘Woman of Mine’, embarks on a 40+ city concert tour, running 20th April thru 20th August, 2017, and featuring appearances at the Brighton Fringe Festival (6th May), Great York Fringe Festival (22nd July), Edinburgh Fringe Festival (10 thru 21 Aug – not 14,15) and including a 2-night run at The Pheasantry [Pizza Express], London (26, 27 May).

Friedman’s tour coincides with the release of a brand new fan-funded album – his first new album release in seven years. Says Friedman of the, as yet, untitled album, “I’ve always tried to paint pictures in my songs, with words and music. Recording in a studio, turning the songs into an album, allows me to add color and shade and texture to those sonic portraits and aural landscapes.” The new album, currently in production, has a projected release date of 15th July, 2017.

Tickets to all of Friedman’s tour dates, as well as his CD and book catalog, can be purchased direct via www.DeanFriedman.com

Friedman’s recent tours continue to garner rave reviews: “Every song in this show is a classic.” (London Theatre Guide), “Songsmith Extraordinaire” – (Music Week), “Stunning Musicianship” (HotPress) , “Dean Friedman is entirely unique and utterly brilliant!” – (ThreeWeeks)… are just a few of the superlatives used to describe his unique and original talent.

( Read more... )

Damn it, a few years ago this was totally my old stomping ground. Now I'd have to get on a plane to see this.

Dates and locations here. Anyone who's going, take lots of pictures!

American recording artist, Dean Friedman, best known to UK & Ireland audiences for his classic hits, ‘Lucky Stars’, ‘Lydia’, ‘McDonald’s Girl’, ‘Ariel’, and ‘Woman of Mine’, embarks on a 40+ city concert tour, running 20th April thru 20th August, 2017, and featuring appearances at the Brighton Fringe Festival (6th May), Great York Fringe Festival (22nd July), Edinburgh Fringe Festival (10 thru 21 Aug – not 14,15) and including a 2-night run at The Pheasantry [Pizza Express], London (26, 27 May).

Friedman’s tour coincides with the release of a brand new fan-funded album – his first new album release in seven years. Says Friedman of the, as yet, untitled album, “I’ve always tried to paint pictures in my songs, with words and music. Recording in a studio, turning the songs into an album, allows me to add color and shade and texture to those sonic portraits and aural landscapes.” The new album, currently in production, has a projected release date of 15th July, 2017.

Tickets to all of Friedman’s tour dates, as well as his CD and book catalog, can be purchased direct via www.DeanFriedman.com.

Friedman’s recent tours continue to garner rave reviews: “Every song in this show is a classic.” (London Theatre Guide), “Songsmith Extraordinaire” – (Music Week), “Stunning Musicianship” (HotPress) , “Dean Friedman is entirely unique and utterly brilliant!” – (ThreeWeeks)… are just a few of the superlatives used to describe his unique and original talent.

In addition to his familiar radio hits, album releases and touring, Friedman composes and produces music soundtracks for TV and film, including the music to the hit Central TV series BOON and NBC’s Eerie Indiana. He’s also published a respected tome on the art and craft of songwriting titled, ‘The Songwriter’s Handbook’ (The Artists League), based on the ‘Songwriting Workshops’ and ‘Songwriting Masterclasses’ he’s conducted at universities and music conservatories around the world, including L.I.P.A. (The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts).

Dean Friedman, who worked on the music for Eerie, Indiana, performs live at a pub in London

Dean Friedman, who composed and produced music for Eerie, Indiana, will be touring the UK and Ireland later this year

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