FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steve Scholl
Ph. 541-301-7469
SATIRICALSONGWRITER SAYS, “THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT”
Roy Zimmerman Returns to the Rogue Valley, August 15
Likeany good candidate in an election year, Roy Zimmerman is trying to sellhis record. “Thanks for the Support” is Zimmerman’s new CD, full offiercely funny songs lambasting all things political in this mostpolitical year.
Thesinging satirist brings these songs to Ashland Friday, August 15 at 7pm for a show at the Unitarian Center, 87 4th St. The show will serveas a benefit for the reelection of Oregon State Representative PeterBuckley. Zimmerman and Buckley were high school friends who have beeninvolved in progressive politics since their teens. Tickets are $25 andavailable at the Music Coop in Ashland (181 A Street) and at theJackson County Democrats Headquarters in Medford (40 S. CentralAvenue). Phone orders with VISA/MasterCard can be made by calling theWaterStone Agency at 541-301-7469.
The90-minute show in southern Oregon is one stop on the way to fulfillingZimmerman’s “campaign promise” to perform in all fifty states beforethe election. Opening for Zimmerman is Monkfish, a recently formedband featuring Kevin Cooney (guitars), Kieran Devine (guitars, vocals),Duane Whitcomb (violin), Richard Seidman (harmonica, vocals), G ValmontThomas (guitars, vocals), Scott Beveridge (drums), and Steve Scholl(vocals). Monkfish's influences range from Irish music, Bob Dylan, JimiHendrix, and the great American tradition of garage bands. Author andpolitical commentator Jeff Golden will emcee the event.
Zimmerman’sCD “Thanks for the Support” features twelve new satirical songs, alloriginals. The tracks were recorded live over the last few monthscapturing the infectious comedic energy of Zimmerman’s performance, hismanic vocalizations and his virtuosity as a guitarist.
TheLos Angeles Times says, “Zimmerman displays a lacerating wit and keenawareness of society’s foibles that bring to mind a latter-day TomLehrer.”
Whois Zimmerman thanking for the support? “Well, I owe a lot to the Bushadministration,” he says. “Political comedians are the only subgroupof the American workforce for whom Bush has provided job security.”
Butit’s not all Bush-bashing, or “Bush-banishing,” as Zimmerman calls itnow. There’s a campaign anthem for the current Republican nominee,“The Man, the Myth, the McCain.” “Burn Goody Clinton” pokes fun at thewitch hunt that followed Hillary throughout the primaries.
And his Obama song is sung to a popular melody by Mozart. “Eine Kleine Barackmusik” is already a favorite on YouTube.
Avideo of Roy’s performance of his song “Creation Science 101” made thefront page of YouTube recently and garnered over 780,000 views, and13,000 comments, many of them coherent.
Zimmermanhas shared the stage with George Carlin, Ellen Degeneres, Arlo Guthrie,Bill Maher, Peter and Paul (but not Mary), Kate Clinton, Bill Clintonand Paul Krassner He’s played a series of shows swapping songs withThe Pixies' Frank Black.
Hefounded and wrote all the material for the satirical folk quartet TheForemen, who recorded for Warner Reprise throughout the Nineties. As asolo artist, he’s released five albums.
TomLehrer himself says, "I congratulate Roy Zimmerman on reintroducingliteracy to comedy songs. And the rhymes actually rhyme, they don'tjust 'rhyne.'"
Joni Mitchell says, "Roy's lyrics move beyond poetry and achieve perfection."
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