Meet Singer-Songwriter Doctor Fish

Former College Professor/Sideman Debut Album “The Last Troubadour”

“When I was younger, I had it figured out. I clearly understood what life was all about. But life, of course, knew better and had its way with me. You know that I’m still standing, just not where I thought I’d be.” So sings Doctor Fish in “Tuesday Morning,” from his debut with Renaissance Records, The Last Troubadour.

Doctor Fish’s songs reveal a proud musical throwback—a guitar-wielding, storytelling, folk-rock singer-songwriter. No fake retro act: he is one of the last surviving purveyors of that style from the era of its originators, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, James Taylor, and Cat Stevens.

Vents Magazine heralds The Last Troubadour as “One of the best albums we’ve heard in ages.” “Rock History Music” Vlogger John Beaudin thanks Doctor Fish “for making me stare at the speaker for the first time in years. We need more music that makes us stop in our tracks. Top shelf.”

Produced by multi-platinum veteran David Kershenbaum, the album features bassist Leland Sklar (James Taylor, Jackson Browne, and Carole King) and drummer Denny Fongheiser (Heart, Counting Crows, and Shawn Colvin), along with other top studio musicians from around the world.

Doctor Fish’s music reveals a particular affinity to that of Harry Chapin. The late singer-songwriter inspired one of his most popular songs, “Harry Chapin (Every Monday Night)." Harry’s son Jason has called it “a great tribute to my father,” and Fish has given several interviews with Jen Chapin about her father’s legacy.

Doctor Fish pens story songs in a folk-rock style like the late activist songwriters, but his syncopated melodies and rich chord progressions also reveal his background as a jazz musician.

He grew up playing saxophone and backed legends, including Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. “But I wound up taking a sharp left turn,” he laughs. “I picked up a guitar and began writing and singing songs.” He continued songwriting and earned his Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Michigan. He went to Japan to conduct doctoral fieldwork for three years by studying with the 4th generation master of Shinto music and returned to live in the country, working as a translator and editor.

Fish’s journey brought him to North Carolina, where he built a music education program for popular music studies at Catawba College. He helped students advance to successful careers in many parts of the music industry, from performance to major talent agencies. Now living in Durham, NC, he is pursuing his own interrupted goals as a performer.

Renaissance Records US, the label that's released his newest album, "The Last Troubadour," is extremely enthusiastic about the collaboration. John Edwards, President of Renaissance Records US, stated, "We are proud to welcome Doctor Fish to our roster of exceptional artists. Doctor Fish's musical talent and unique perspective make him an extraordinary addition to the label. We look forward to supporting his artistic journey and sharing his music with the world."

“Arizona Skies” and the other songs from Doctor Fish’s Renaissance Records debut, The Last Troubadour, are available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and his website, https://doctor.fish as well as Doctor Fish - The Last Troubadour CD – RenaissanceRecordsUS.

 

Michael Veitch on PBS This Month, New Song & Lyric Video, Number 1 on Folk Radio

 

­ ­ photo of Michael and Rita Schwartz, born Rita Tepper in Vienna, Austria Photo courtesy of PBS   (Veitch is pronounced “Veech)    Michael Veitch has lots to be thankful for this season.  He’s going to be on over 400 TV PBS stations this April, is promoting a new folk radio single/lyric video “April Fools,” and is celebrating a number 1 placement on Folk radio with the song “Valentine’s Day” this past February.      Michael’s new song “April Fools” is making its way to the folk radio charts. Co-written with Judy Kass; it deals with delusional thinking. The song’s message is about how people literally fool themselves in believing things when they know better. It can be applied to any topic, from romance, personal dilemmas and battles, and world situations—anything that can be prevented.      Michael’s album WACHTRAUM (meaning “wake dream” in German and pronounced "Vock traum ") focuses on each month of the year with insights on life from romance to topical themes. WACHTRAUM is Michael’s 11th album.     In February Michael’s single “Valentine’s Day” hit number 1 and his album, “Wachtraum” hit number 16 on the Folk Alliance radio charts.     Michael and 3 other songwriters (Elizabeth Clark, Kelleigh McKenzie, and Jude Roberts) from New York’s Hudson Valley are part of a collaborative documentary “We Remember Songs from Survivors” on over 450 PBS TV stations starting April 26. They are collaborating with Holocaust survivors. The documentary will premiere the week of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. The show will broadcast again in the fall. The Online Presskit for the program is www.weremembersongsofsurvivors.com.      Michael's song “Veteran’s Day” has been covered by Judy Collins. He’s been mentored by Shawn Colvin and Bernie Sanders.   ####    "April Fools"       April Fools  Here come those April Fools again Knee deep in all their selfmade quicksand Always smiling with a shake of your hand While they try to pull the wool over on us again   The road may bring us pain There’s a cure for what remains We may be drowning in the pouring rain   Here come those April Fools again Selling their souls just like corn in the can Rolling out all the craziest plans Behind the curtain stands another straw man   Living the deluded dream Blind to what it means I’m shocked by all I’ve seen   Here come those April Fools again On the road that’s lead us to the dead end No more fooling you and fooling me The truth is clear as it will ever be   No matter what these fools believe Winter’s gonna turn to Spring Our eyes are open to the dream   ©2021 Michael Veitch (P)Burt Street Music (BMI) ©2021 Judy Kass (P)Judy Kass (BMI) All Rights Reserved

Michael Veitch’s New Album, “Wachtraum”

“Valentine’s Day” is the first single and a lyric video

 

Michael Veitch’s “Wachtraum,” (which means “Wake Dream”) is available in all digital and physical stores and by mail order c/o www.michaelveitch.com/michael-veitch-store. 

“Valentine’s Day,” a co-write with Michael’s long-time recording engineer Julie Last, is the album’s first single.  Watch a lyric video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xLaHAnvO8E. Folking’s Bill Golembeski says the song “is upbeat and pushes the pop-o-meter needle into much radio friendlier climes. This one is smooth, passionate, and graced with Hallmark greeted lyrics. And Michael gets to open the throttle on his (really nice) falsetto.”   Music Connection’s Eric Harabadian cites “Valentine’s Day”  “choice hooks and romantic sentiments.”

Favorite songs on “Wachtraum” include “August Nights,” which has a “Beach Boys” vibe.  “April Fools,” co-written with Judy Kass, deals with delusional thinking. “Happy Fourth of July” recalls leaders and peace activists we’ve lost since the 1960s and features Dan playing brother Chris’s guitar. “Wachtraum” ends with the holy days of December with “One Wish” a duet with ethereal singer-songwriter Kirsti Gholsen.

Six Degrees’ Anne Carlini praises Michael’s songwriting, “His music visits the past without regret and the future with an optimist’s eye while his lyrics and melody weave a narrative of world class performance.”

This April, Michael appears on PBS’s upcoming broadcast, “We Remember-Songs from Survivors"-- songwriters collaborating with Holocaust survivors.   

Michael’s thankful that the folk community has helped him through the years. Judy Collins covered his song “Veteran’s Day,” on her 2013 Live From the Temple of Dendur DVD, and 2011 CD “Bohemian.”  Michael’s song “Pledging Allegiance,” which reached #10 on the 2017 Folk/Americana charts, was honored by Music2Life Foundation. He’s a regular at festivals, notably the 2001 Newport Folk Festival. Breaking out in the1980s, with the help of Shawn Colvin—first sending him to Greenwich Village to expand his songwriting with Jack Hardy, and later—in the 1990s—having him open for her on an extensive tour; she also sang on his first album, “New York Journal.”

He has shared stages with a who’s who of singer-songwriters over many years of touring.     

 

 

www.Michaelveitch.com

Wachtraum

1.First Day

2.Valentine’s Day

3.Moving Day

4.April Fools

5.Sunday Afternoon

6.Happy Fourth of July

7.August Nights

8.Always Vermont

9.Birthday Oh Birthday

10.Last Days of Summer

11.First Snow of the Year

12.One Wish

  

Fall Songs from Soul Moves Music

Meet Josh Lewis, who fronts Anita Squeeze. They've got great hard rock sound with influences of the Black Crowes and Rolling Stones.  Josh's yearning tenor reminds me of Axl Rose.  I heard ZZ Top-style guitars on his song THROW ME A LINE.  It's about the loss of a father, and how his "ocean of tears lead me to dry land... Throw me a line." 



Phoebe Legere is touring, writing songs, and teaching children at her Foundation for New American Art. Earlier this year her children's chorus performed songs created in New York City's Lower East Side from the days that Native Americans ruled Manhattan till now, with a rewrite of a Ramones' hit!
This versatile songwriter's LOCAL WINE has delicious double-entendres like “wrap myself around you like a grapevine,” This is the New York version of the song.  We'd love to personalize it for you.

Rebecca and "Kathy Mattea" rhyme!

 Rebecca Loebe loved her debut on Mountain Stage, Charleston, WV.  In addition to Rebecca, featured performers were Shawn Colvin, Lucy Kaplansky, Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis, and Kacy & Clayton.  This broadcast was hosted by Kathy Mattea.

Rebecca's comforting song, GHOSTS has a great lyric, "Give up the ghosts, at least the ones you love the most--they'll never hold you as close." Her friends and mine, Darin and Denby at Blue Corn Music are administering the songs on her latest album, also called GHOSTS! 832-649-7147, denby@bluecornmusic.com, daria@bluecornmusic.com   



Dean Friedman and John Batdorf perform at the legendary MY FATHER'S PLACE on Oct. 5.  He is the "special guest" for the Steven Page Trio on select dates in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, New Jersey.  Steven was in Barenaked Ladies, who covered Dean's "McDonald's Girl," a teen idol song from the point of view of a 15-year old baseball player to an "angel in polyester" working at McDonalds. The song was also used in a McDonalds' commercial.   

One of my instrumentalists, Joe Olnick has a new fusion album, IGUANA is available for syncs.  "Don's Theme" features his electric guitar in a thoughtful vibe similar to Pink Floyd, Alex Skolnick, Kyuss.


Listen to Rob Bonfiglio's WARM LOVING CHRISTMAS.  He's one of Brian Wilson and Carnie Wilson’s long time musical partners.  Wilson Phillips also recorded this song with all the imagery of mistletoe and writing our names in the snow!  


We just got word that my partner Karen Besbeck has a song, HIGH LOVE will be in Netflix's "Sweet Magnolias" in 2020!  Yay!  It's like Kelly Clarkson updating Dottie West's "Country Sunshine."

BEHIND THE CURTAIN by Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius is knocking it out of the ballpark.  It's an aggressive rock song about deception OR transparency and lack of.  Uses “Wizard of Oz” keywords, especially “Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain.” Joe and his band Jason Gianni-drums (The Ultimate Queen Celebration, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rock of Ages, Neil Morse Band), Michaelangelo Quirinale-guitar (Thrilldriver), and Paul Ranieri-bass (Mark Wood, Circuline, Rock This Town) have been streamed 3 million plus times on social media.

ProgStock is happening in Rahway, NJ on Columbus Weekend, along with Jane Getter, Robert Berry, Nektar, Rachel Flowers, and Saga.  Saga's leadsinger Michael Sadler was blown away by electric violinist Joe Deninzon at late night showcase at ProgStock last year. said, "I never heard someone approach the instrument that way. Reinventing the way you look at the violin. It’s taking a traditional instrument, and doing your way."

Joe Deninzon and I co-wrote "The Greatest Lives" about what Muhammad Ali would want us to know.  It's going to be on an album by South Africa's Thembeka Mnguni.  Look for a US release on sports radio Jan. 17, 2020.  Thembeka is a superheroine version of Etta James and Cissy Houston combined.  




FAIR WEATHER by Gary Lucas & Jann Klose is a fingerpicking guitar blueser about dealing with psychopathic "friends." Gary has a number of film score performances including “Dracula Vs. Frankenstein” at the Chutzpah! Festival, in Vancouver on Oct. 30  and the 1931 Spanish-language “Dracula” in Mexico on Nov. 2 and 3.  More dates at GaryLucas.com. Jann's vocals was described recently by No Depression as a "Folk version of Sam Cooke!" He opens for the Yardbirds on October 10 in Rockville, MD, has a song in the upcoming movie, MARRIED YOUNG, and sings Gandhi's words in the soundtrack of ONE LITTLE FINGER. Email me for ONE LITTLE FINGER. Visit http://www.theyardbirds.com/tour.html.



NEVER TAKE LOVE FOR GRANTED by the warm folk singer Dan Berggren is one of my favorite Christmas songs with the hook, “You’ll never take love for granted if you always give love in return.”