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All Music Guide:
Minnesota native Peter Himmelman was the leader of a pop/rock quintet called Sussman Lawrence that made two independent albums in the early '80s and earned him comparisons to such new wave singer/songwriters as Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. The group became Himmelman's backup band for the release of his debut album, This Father's Day (1986), which earned him a contract with Island Records. He followed with Gematria (1987), Synesthesia (1989), and From Strength to Strength (1991). By the last release, he had moved to Epic Records, releasing 1992's Flown This Acid World and 1994's Skin. Stage Diving appeared on the Plump label in 1996. The following year, he released the children's album My Best Friend Is a Salamander on the Baby Boom label. Later that year, Himmelman signed with the Six Degrees subdivision of Island Records. His first album for the label was Love Thinketh No Evil, released in spring 1998. More children's recordings followed, as did 2004's Unstoppable Forces on Majestic. In 2005 he delivered the raw and bluesy Imperfect World, followed by his first anthology, Mission of My Soul: The Best of Peter Himmelman. The children's album My Green Kite appeared in 2007 from Rounder Records. A new album, The Pigeons Couldn't Sleep, was released in 2007, followed by My Trampoline and The Mystery and the Hum in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
Wikipedia:
Peter Himmelman (born November 23, 1960 in St. Louis Park, Minnesota) is a singer-songwriter from Minnesota, who formerly played in the band Sussman Lawrence.
Family life
He is Bob Dylan's son-in-law, being married to his daughter Maria Dylan. He grew up in a Jewish home, his Romanian-born grandmother having migrated to the United States with her parents when she was eight years old.
Career
In the early '90s, he achieved a bit of alternative radio play for his song The Woman With The Strength of 10000 Men, from his Strength To Strength release. Nominated for an Emmy Award in 2002 for his "Judging Amy" contributions, his music has also been featured on the television series Bones. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for his children album, “My Green Kite”. USA Today called Himmelman "one of rock's most wildly imaginative performers"
Religious beliefs
Himmelman identifies as an Orthodox Jew, prays 3 times a day, and will not work on the Jewish sabbath or Jewish holidays.
USTREAM
He is also the creative force behind his USTREAM live Internet show broadcast every Tuesday evening at 7pm (Pacific time) from his studio, called Furious World. The show features original live music with his band, video segments that range from philosophical to comedic, and special guests. The show can be accessed through peterhimmelman.com or furiousworld.com
Rock G-d Film
Rock G-d is a documentary about Peter Himmelman. It is described as "a road epic about the pursuit of an adolescent dream into adult reality that powerfully touches on issues of faith, fame and failure."
Award nominations
Emmy 2002 Music and Lyrics - Judging Amy, song: "The Best Kind Of Answer"Grammys 2008 Best Musical Album for Children - "My Green Kite"Awards
ASCAP - Top TV Series: Judging Amy (2000)ASCAP - Top TV Series: Judging Amy (2003)Family Channel Seal of Quality - My Best Friend is a Salamander (1997)Family Channel Seal of Quality - My Fabulous Plum (2003)Parents Choice - My Best Friend is a Salamander (1997)Parents Choice - My Fabulous Plum (2003)Parents Choice - My Green Kite (2007)Parents Choice - My Trampoline (2009)National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Gold Award - My Green Kite (2007)National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Gold Award - My Trampoline (2009)Minnesota Music Award - Best Male Songwriter (1993)Band albums
Shangoya - "Get a Grip" - 7" single (1978)Sussman Lawrence - Hail to the Modern Hero (1979, reissued 1980)Sussman Lawrence - Pop City (1984)The Complete Sussman Lawrence (1979-1985) (double CD reissue with bonus tracks) (CD, Deep Shag Records, 2004)Solo Studio Albums
This Father's Day (1986, reissued 1995)Gematria (1987)Synesthesia (1989)From Strength To Strength (1991)Flown This Acid World (1992)Skin (1994)Love Thinketh No Evil (1999)Unstoppable Forces (bonus disc: Himmelvaults, vol. 3) (2004)Imperfect World (2005)Pigeons Couldn't Sleep (2007) (bonus DVD: Rock God - originally title: Mittin Derinin)The Mystery and the Hum (release date: tba)Solo children's albums
My Best Friend is a Salamander (1997)My Fabulous Plum (2000, re-issued 2004)My Lemonade Stand (2004)My Green Kite (2007)My Trampoline (2009)Live albums
Stage Diving (1996) - Live from The Bottom Line - NY, NYPen and Ink (2008)Greatest hits compilations
The Complete Sussman Lawrence (1979-1985) (double CD reissue with bonus tracks) (CD, Deep Shag Records, 2004)Mission of My Soul, The Best of Peter Himmelman (2005)Songs of Folly and Transcendence (1998–2007) (2007)Rarities releases
Himmelvaults, Vol. 1 (1998)Himmelman Music for Film (1999)Himmelvaults, Vol. 2 (2002)Himmelvaults, Vol. 3 (2004) - bundled with Unstoppable ForcesHimmelvaults, Vol. 4 Pristine (2005)Himmelvaults, Vol. 5 When Grace Collides with Sin (2005)Himmelvaults, Vol. 6 (2006)Himmelvaults, Vol. 7 (2007)Himmelvaults, Vol. 8 (2008)Blackout in the Book of Light (2009)Spinoza Bear Project
All About Spinoza Bear
I'm Your Friend And My Name Is Spinoza - Bonding, Opens Communication (1984)You Are All You Need To Be - Encouragement, Self Esteem (1985)Everybody Needs A Little Tenderness - Ease Anxiety (1985)Dream on the Water - Encourage Sleep (1985)Do You Wonder - Curiosity, Learning (1986)Good Friends - Feelings, Relationships (1986)New Beginnings - Relaxation, Healthy Choices (1991)Breathing Healthy, Breathing Free - Positive Attitude, Deep Breathing (1991)Hold On To Me - Grief and Loss (1991)
