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Friedman Inches Closer to a Deal...
Volume 1, Issue 8 - July '98
Friedman Inches Closer To Deal...
Listen, don't look at me. I don't understand it. I can't explain it. Stuff just happens. A couple of years ago a meteorite fell out of the sky and landed on the fender of a 1985 Mustang parked in the driveway of a local Peekskill resident, just a few miles from my house. They sold the meteorite to the Museum of Natural History for $20,000... The busted fender too. I don't know what happened to the rest of the car. The point is you can control your own destiny, but only to a point. I mean I know I made a couple of dumb moves, so sue me. Well actually, they did sue me, but that's a story for another day.
What I meant to say was, it definitely appears as if I'm getting closer to a publishing and record deal than I've been in years but until it actually happens it hasn't actually happened. Know what I mean? I turned 40 this year. I'll be 41 by the time I actually finish writing this, print it out, make copies, print labels, fold the copies, attach the labels, add the postage and run it down to the post office. Or maybe 42. Anyway, it's been a pretty contemplative year; you know,, you're supposed to have achieved some vague sense of direction at this age, right? I guess not. I'm still deciding whether to spend my time making VR video games, manufacturing musical playground equipment or writing songs and making records. Believe me, it's hard doing all three at once.
But, wait a minute, this is the same nonsense I was complaining about in the last newsletter. Hey Dean, what gives? Maybe you need some new material, huh? How come you're still dwelling on this boring stuff. Well, folks, because, it's still going on! I'm still perpetually on the verge. Deal memos, negotiations, reversion rights, terms, conditions, faxes have been flying back and forth. That's right, at least fifty five furiously flying fact-filled faxes from far afield. Frankly, I'm flummoxed. What I'm trying to express here is that this being on the verge stuff is driving me a little bananas. The closer it gets, the more excruciating it becomes. Sign me or shoot me - just get it over with already. There, I feel much better now. Don't worry, I promise to let you know how this all turns out. Remember, be careful what you wish for - you might get it. Friedman remains on the verge!
Deano Does Birmingham July 17-20
That's right folks, following a sold-out performance during his last tour, Dean Friedman, singer/songwriter/honkblatt maker extrodinaire will be returning to Birmingham this summer to perform for four consecutive nights, July 17-20, at Ronnie Scotts. Friedman will be performing a one man show demonstrating his range and versatility by bouncing around on stage from electric to acoustic piano and electric and acoustic guitars. He also will be show off his newly developed juggling skills and exhibit his ability to factor square roots from 7 digit numbers. Well, not really. But, he will be performing a slew of familiar and not so familiar songs sprinkled with humorous anecdotes about his days as a rum-runner off the Cuban coast during the Kennedy administration. For ticket information call Ronnie Scotts' box office in Birmingham at 0121-643-4525. [By the way, for the benefit of those Americans Podiatry Digest subscribers, we're talking Birmingham England, not Alabama, O.K.]
And for my stalwart American contingent, immediately prior to my UK engagement, on Saturday, July 13th, I'll be opening up for Roger McGuinn of the Byrds (Eight Miles High) right here in Peekskill, NY at the Paramount Center for the Arts. I'll be doing a 30 minute set and it ought to be an enjoyable evening. The show starts at 8:00pm and tickets are $20. Call 914-739-2333 for ticket information and directions. Sorry, I won't have time to do any juggling at the Paramount show. See you. Dean to Open for Roger McGuinn (The Byrds) at Paramount in Peeksklill - July 13th
Disney Hankers for a Honkblatt.
It's true. Mickey
and Donald and the Little Mermaid too (you know,
the fish girl named after that hit song
from the `70's - Ariel) will now be able to express themselves musically
like never before. Walt
Disney, the worlds leading themed entertainment company, has just purchased
an honest to
goodness Honkblatt from Cool Stuff for Kids, makers of the Music Atrium
instruments - a musical
playground for kids.
The Music Atrium was originally created by multimedia maniac Dean Friedman for the Eureka! Children's Museum located in Halifax, England. The Music Atrium instruments proved so popular with children and families visiting Eureka! that Friedman soon began receiving orders from children's museums, science museums and theme parks around the world. The Music Atrium consists of a half dozen strange and whimsical giant musical instruments including the Honkblatt, Booble, Tone Stones, Boing-D-Boing, Jingle-Lingle-Lily and Laser Harp. Honkblatts, Tone Stones and Boobles can now be found in Japan, Taiwan, the Philipines, Mexico, Venezuela, Texas, Arkansas, Connecticut, and at Universal Studios/Barney's Playland in Florida. Disney's Honkblatt will be featured in a national anniversary tour beginning this summer.
For further information on the Music Atrium Instruments (just in case you feel like building a Family Entertainment Center in your back yard) feel free to send a self addressed stamped envelope to: Cool Stuff for Kids 7 Corporate Dr. Peekskill, NY 10566 USA
Donald to Mickey, "Sit on my HonkBlatt!"
MultiMedia Man Discovered on World Wibe Web
Citizens of cyberspace and lurkers alike were astonished to discover the existence of a World Wide Web site dedicated to providing oodles of information on and about cult recording artist and media maniac Dean "Where's My Rhyming Dictionary" Friedman. Net Surfers around the globe were reported downloading pictures and text as well as audio files containing excerpts of Friedman's greatest hits.
According to informed sources, the Dean Friedman Web Site was created by Friedman associate Matthew Lees and is maintained irregularly in-house by Friedman's media company, InVideo Systems. The Friedman Web Site contains links to two other Web Sites dedicated respectively to InVideo Systems, VR game developers and Cool Stuff for Kids, makers of musical playground equipment, both run by the hyperactive musician.
Comments
ran the gamut from "Cool web site" to "Really Cool web site" . One Web Site
denizen was
reported to exclaim in an E-Mail message sent to Friedman, "Really, really
cool web site.".
Friedman's organization reports that orders for tapes and CD's have been
flowing in from four
corners of the globe - and Wisconsin. Anyone interested in exploring Dean
on the Net can visit his
site at:
http://members.aol.com/deanfried
Dean can also be reached via E-Mail at:
DeanFried@aol.com
gifs are welcome too. Maybe
we'll reprint it in PD!
Reader Mail
Dear Dean, Hi, where have you been, we have all missed your talents! I was delighted to find your page on the Internet and have just read your August 1995 Podiatry Digest. My wife (Jane) and myself travelled from our home in Abergavenny, South Wales, to the Lanterns Club in Ashburton, Devon to see you last November. Unfortunately I was down with the flu, but still dragged myself along. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and would like some more! I recently tracked down your Rumpled Romeo CD - previously I only had a highly illegal taped copy from a mate! It was in our Virgin Megastore in Oxford Street, London. I must admit I got some strange looks when I started jumping up and down, dribbling at the mouth and making rather loud whooping noises. Best Wishes, Martin and Jane B.
*********
This is wonderful. Is this really you Dean? I have your first two lp's on Vinyl as well as the two on the Cheswick (sic) double CD. I also have "Ariel" on my jukebox! I've been a fan since I first heard that song. "Rocking chair" was a wonderful follow up. Unfortunately, I didn't hear from you until I saw an ad for "Rumpled Romeo" in Goldmine magazine. I was glad to find your web-page. I have been looking for a copy of "Rumpled Romeo" for quite some time. I'm going to order a copy via snail mail. Thanks for the great music!!!
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/ _ _ \
(| (.)(.) |)
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.OOOo--()--oOOO---------
|Rob Matthews |
.oooO Oooo.
( ) ( )
(_) (_)
*** DEAN SEEN***
Hey Dean, We saw you on the Renfrew Ferry in Glasgow. The show was great and it was nice to know that there are other people in Scotland who have heard of you. Most People know "Lucky Stars" but they looked at me a bit strange when I talked of talking furniture. We like "The Deli Song" and we're often to be found in the local Pubs saying we want things "on Rye" etc. What an excuse to go into a pub!! The nearest thing we have to Rye is something called RyVita which is for desperate people on diets who have a penchant for eating things tasting of cardboard. Not to be recommended. The staples hurt your teeth. The thing is, Dean we like to do a bit of music in our spare time and we wondered if it was ok with you if we murdered one of your songs. Not for public listening of course - just in the house. Well Dean it's been nice talking to you, now its time for another drink and a chorus of Ariel. Bye for now. Susan R. & Hugh H.
Send All Correspondence to : Dean Friedman Productions PO Box 1286 Peekskill, NY 10566 or via E-Mail to: DeanFried@aol.com
Don't be a Wizzlegidget
Subscribe Now to the Podiatry Digest
Sorry, I have no idea what that means, either. .............................................................................................................................................................................
That's right folks, now for a mere $5 US or £3 UK you too can continue receiving the Podiatry Digest. Podiatry Digest is published now and then when Dean can find the time to do it between making Boobles and Honkblatts, animating VR games and contemplating the perplexeties of life on this planet. NAME/ADDRESS .................................................................. .................................................................. .................................................................. .................................................................. .................................................................. .................................................................. PHONE........................ FAX........................... E-MAIL ........................................................ Fill out this coupon and send payment to: Dean Friedman Productions PO Box 1286 Peekskill, NY 10566 USA
Podiatry Digest is published semi-regularly by Peekskill Press.
Editor - Irving Schmaltzburger,
Contributing Editors - Ariel Schwartz, Lydia Liebowitz, Larry Hoffenfeffer,
Subscriptions - Edith
Honkblatt. Accounting - Penny Pinscher. Please send all correspondence and
article submissions
to Podiatry Digest c/o Dean Friedman Productions PO Box 1286, Peekskill,
NY 10566. All
letters may be published unless you request otherwise. All material copyright
© 1996 Peekskill
Press. Don't use without permission. Oh, O.K. you can if you really want
to.