Peter Himmelman
My Best Friend is a Salamander
© 2001 Himmasongs
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Artist Bio:
Peter Himmelman
Having already won the Parents' Choice Award and the Family Channel Seal of Quality for his debut children's CD, My Best Friend is a Salamander, Peter Himmelman continues his tradition of creating great kid's music with his latest release entitled, My Fabulous Plum. Whether he's going into character as a big oily moose or singing an incredibly beautiful song about a little girl chasing butterflies, Peter's own sense of wonder shines through and entices listeners of all ages to join him on this modern day "Magical Mystery Tour." Peter, whose early influences include the Beatles and Bob Marley, draws upon more than twenty years of experience as a critically acclaimed singer/songwriter/performer to make music that kids and parents both adore.
Now living in California with his wife and four children, Peter Himmelman grew up in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park, which is where he began his career. Peter was playing and writing his own music by the end of sixth grade. By the time he got to high school, his Uncle Sonny was telling his parents that Peter wasn't going to be a doctor or a lawyer, that he was going to be a musician and an artist.
Peter graduated high school early and landed a job writing and performing comedy sketches for Steamroller, a local teen TV show. At the time he was also performing with two bands, Shangoya, a Trinidadian reggae and calypso band, and his own New Wave quintet, which included his cousin and several schoolmates from his hometown. Peter, whose Steamroller alias was Sussman Lawrence, used his job at the show to get his own band on TV. Peter had the guys in his group join him on the program to perform a song he had written for a comedy sketch. That appearance on Steamroller brought them their first indie record deal and formally launched their career as the 80's New Wave sensation, Sussman Lawrence.
While all roads pointed to pop stardom for the band, winds of change began to blow through Peter's life. His beloved father fell ill and eventually succumbed to lymphoma. Himmelman got through this personal tragedy by writing music which expressed all the feelings he could not otherwise share. With all these changes going on inside him, Himmelman no longer felt satisfied with the music he had been writing and performing for Sussman Lawrence. As his life was changing, his art was changing as well. He eventually confronted his band and told them that he needed to record a solo album. Because their bonds ran deep (and still do), the guys stuck with Peter and backed him on This Father's Day, his first solo effort, which ultimately garnered Himmelman a recording contract with Island Records in 1986.
Deemed "stunning" by Rolling Stone, This Father's Day was an auspicious start to Peter's critically acclaimed solo career, which now includes another 8 solo albums in addition to his 2 children's albums. Described by Stereo Review as being "in the upper echelon of contemporary singer-songwriters," Peter was also identified by Time Magazine as being one of "The New Troubadours... writing songs with the same emphatic edge and aesthetic urgency that impelled the Lost Generation to write novels."
Beyond his solo career, Himmelman has developed an extensive resume in TV and film. Most recently Peter has been attracting critical acclaim for his scoring work on CBS' Judging Amy. His accolades for the series include a 2002 Emmy nomination in the category of Music and Lyrics and a 2000 ASCAP award. His TV compendium also encompasses a wide variety of other shows for various networks including Bug Juice, In The Zone, Making the Band, Going to California, The American Embassy, and InStyle Magazine to name a few. His music can be heard in episodes of Felicity, Providence, and Miami Vice as well. His feature film work includes Pyrates (Columbia/TriStar) with Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, Crossing the Bridge (Touchstone Pictures) with Stephen Baldwin, Jason Gedrick, and David Schwimmer, Snow in August (Showtime), Heart of Dixie (HBO), along with a variety of independent films including: Dinner and Driving, Souler Opposites, Liar's Poker, and A Slipping Down Life starring Lili Taylor and Guy Pearce. In addition, Peter's music appears in D2: The Mighty Ducks.
Over the course of his career, Peter has distinguished himself as a performer without precedent. USA Today called Himmelman "one of rock's most wildly imaginative performers." The great great grandson of a song and dance man from Russia, Peter has inherited the ability to totally captivate his live audiences -- a gift which has helped him to establish his devout international following. Peter once did a show at the Washington Park Zoo in Portland, Oregon. At one point he asked the security people to take down the ropes blocking the stairways up to the stage. He then invited all the little children to come up and join him. He ended up with about 150 kids on stage dancing and even playing his guitar.
What's exciting about My Best Friend is a Salamander and My Fabulous Plum is that Peter brings the same kind of energy and creativity which drive his live shows to these fun and memorable albums for kids. One minute he's a parent encouraging children to "imagine there's a world where you only eat candy," to help them see how lucky they are to have vegetables and fruit. The next minute he's a kid remembering what it was like to do different stuff for the first time in "Ain't Nothin' To It." He later has "A Short Discussion with My Attorney," which is the kind of freewheeling conversation you might hear at one of his shows (albeit with a 30 year old, rather than with a 3 year old). Peter entertains, and helps kids learn not just about everyday things, but also about music itself since he draws upon his own eclectic background to produce songs which reflect a wide variety of musical genres.
Do you remember the last time you and your kid were excited over the same CD? According to Sesame Street Parents, "Peter Himmelman lets his imagination run amok and creates songs that kids and grown-ups will want to hear again, and again."
Live Bookings: Film and Television:
Mitch Okmin Seth Kaplan Entertainment
The MOB Agency 323-848-3700
323-653-0427
For an interactive tour visit: http://www.myfabulousplum.com/
reviews
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a great artist with a wide range of talents
author: DianeI've loved Peter Himmelman ever since I saw him in Austin Texas several years ago. I was surprised to learn that he has also written and recorded songs for children. This CD was a must have for my 1st grandchild. And, doing business with CDbaby is efficient and always delightful!