Furious World Blog

Singer-songwriter Peter Himmelman represents that rarest of talents: A Grammy-nominated performer lauded everywhere from Rolling Stone to the Huffington Post … and once you’ve seen him perform live, you never forget him. Peter is unpredictable in the best way; once he asked an entire venue full of fans to exit the building and follow him to a local park to close out a set in an intimate song circle.

Now, Himmelman (a former Sony recording artist and an Emmy nominee for his work on the CBS show “Judging Amy”) comes to Chicago’s Gold Coast for an up-close evening seminar on songwriting, creativity and getting the most out of your inspirations.

When: Mon. Nov. 30, 8 p.m.
Where: LaSalle Street Church, Leslie Hall, 1111 N Wells St.
Cost: $20, which includes a chance to have Himmelman critique one of your songs live, or a demo via email.

In this rare chance to hobnob with a master songwriter, scribes of all experience levels are invited–and encouraged–to bring their guitars, their songs, their ideas, and their restless questions. Aside from being a warm, funny guy who routinely packs venues such as the Park West, Himmelman is a patient, kind and exacting teacher. He speaks with authority, wit and sage wisdom on tapping your creative genius.

Don’t miss this opportunity to put your muse into overdrive. For more information, contact Carma Productions Worldwide at carmaworldwide@aol.com or LaSalle Street Church at 312-573-8800.

Peter will be performing songs from and signing his new CD for kids and families: My Trampoline! Free live show + more: Kids’ Day at Amoeba Hollywood!  Here’s more info about the event.

Just a quick note to announce Peter’s show this Sunday at McCabe’s in Santa Monica.  It’s actually a kids show, where he’ll be singing part of his family repertoire, including tunes from “My Trampoline”!

So, pack the kids into your Prius and bring ‘em by on Sunday!  A number of band members from Furious World, as well as yours truly, will be there.  More info about the event can be found at the McCabes concert page!

PETER HIMMELMAN CONCERT SPECIAL

AIRS ON SIRIUS-XM THIS WEEKEND

Venice, CA – Peter Himmelman will appear this weekend on a one-hour “Rumpus Room” concert special, airing four times during Friday to Sunday, August 28-30, on Sirius-XM Satellite Radio’s Kids Place Live channel 116. The special celebrates the August 25^th release of Himmelman’s newest family music CD My Trampoline. Broadcast times for the Rumpus Room with Peter Himmelman are:

• Friday, August 28 – 9pm EST
• Saturday, August 29 -  9am EST and 5pm EST
• Sunday, August 30 – 12pm EST

The new CD’s title song “My Trampoline” is inching its way up the “13 under 13” hot rotation playlist on the Kids Place Live channel, according to channel director Mindy Thomas.

Himmelman recorded the concert with an audience of kids and parents at Sirius-XM Satellite Radio’s studios in Washington, DC.  The “Rumpus Room” special will air on the “Kids Place Live” channel 116. Thomas says she was impressed with Himmelman’s unusual performance style. “Peter is a true artist. He’s got such an authentic, natural rapport with both the kids and the adults in his audience. He doesn’t try too hard, he’s always spontaneous, and it’s obvious he loves what he’s doing.”

My Trampoline is the first from a brand new family music label, Minivan Productions, distributed by Allegro Media Group (www.allegro-music.com).With songs about a trampoline, an African leopard tortoise named King Ferdinand, a picky eater named Peter, and the scarcity of kids named Steve, Himmelman mixes his offbeat sense of humor with lush pop stylings and irresistible beats to delight all ages.

Peter Himmelman is an acclaimed creator of children’s music, an Emmy-nominated TV composer and a critically lauded rock troubadour. He hosts a live weekly web broadcast called, Furious World www.furiousworld.com and will also host Peter Himmelman’s Curious World, a weekly webcast/musical variety show for children produced in conjunction with Hoosick Falls Productions and retailer Land of Nod www.landofnod.com.

Sample tunes and music videos are available at http://www.peterhimmelman.com/kids.html.

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PRESS CONTACT: Beth Blenz-Clucas, Sugar Mountain PR, (503) 293-9498 bethpr@msn.com

Have you ever been on my trampoline?
Bouncing up and down like a jumping bean…

Peter Himmelman Bounces into Fall with a New Release

MY TRAMPOLINE

Grammy Nominee Revs Up New Minivan Productions Label
with Imaginative and Energetic Original Tunes

Venice, CA – Peter Himmelman, the Grammy award nominated, internationally acclaimed artist whom Rolling Stone has lauded for his “sharp-dressed, stiletto-wit pop records,” will release a brand new family music release My Trampoline on August 25th. Himmelman’s new CD is the first from a brand new label, Minivan Productions, distributed by Allegro Media Group (www.allegro-music.com).
With songs about a trampoline, an African leopard tortoise named King Ferdinand, a picky eater named Peter, and the scarcity of kids named Steve, Himmelman mixes his offbeat sense of humor with lush pop stylings and irresistible beats to delight everyone in the minivan.

Himmelman, a Los Angeles based father of four children, writes kid-friendly lyrics that can be hilarious and reflective at the same time. Any kid who has ever pondered the immensity of the universe will love the meditation of “Ten Billion Blades of Grass.” “The idea for the song struck me when staring at our lawn one morning. Each of the blades of grass seemed like a sentient being, with perceptions, however subtle, about the world around them. The thought occurred to me that they get along so well because they’re one big family.” “Statistical Factoids” will delight young brainiacs, “Main Dish” gives the nod to both Julia Child and Charlie Pride and “Workin’, Playin’ and Dreamin’” offers up a bluesy romp with stories about kids who are making their dreams come true, with a little help from mom and dad. The high-energy collection of tunes concludes with a sweet “Lullabye (with Baseball and Trains).”
According to Himmelman, the songs on My Trampoline were inspired by real life. “We’ve had a trampoline in our backyard for the last ten years and our kids have had at least as much fun with it as any $30,000 swimming pool,” he explains. “I figure anything that simple and that much fun must have a lot of special significance. There’s something very metaphoric in a trampoline as well; you’re always striving to gain altitude … and even though you may never quite get aloft, there’s magic in the trying.”

Minivan Productions is the new family music label, based in Venice, CA. Headed by Dan Perloff, Minivan aims to become a brand synonymous with quality artists who are doing some of the most engaging children’s music today. This music will be smart, energetic and parent friendly, with artists of the caliber of premier artist Peter Himmelman. In early 2010, Minivan also plans to reissue CDs from Peter Himmelman’s catalog: My Fabulous Plum, My Best Friend Is a Salamander and My Lemonade Stand, which have been out of print for a while. Like the cover art for My Trampoline, all of the Peter Himmelman CDs will feature cover art by world renowned illustrator, Pete Oswald, who also created the cover for his Grammy nominated CD My Green Kite (Rounder). Next up, Minivan plans a compilation series of kid-friendly songs by well-known artists who don’t usually record children’s music.
Peter Himmelman is an acclaimed creator of children’s music, an Emmy-nominated TV composer and a critically lauded rock troubadour. He hosts a live weekly web broadcast called, “Furious World” www.furiousworld.com and will also be featured soon on “Curious World,” a web broadcast for children produced in conjunction with Hoosick Falls productions and retailer Land of Nod www.landofnod.com. Sample tunes and music videos are available at http://www.peterhimmelman.com/kids.html.