David Buskin
Encyclopedia
David Buskin is a singer, songwriter, performer, author, playwright, jingle composer and girls’ basketball coach. He is well known for composing numerous television and radio commercials produced in the 1980s and 1990s. He won a Clio Award in 1983 for Just Watch Us Now, NBC
's signature jingle.
. He graduated from Brown University
in 1965 in the middle of the folk music era. After Brown, he attended Berklee College of Music
in Boston, MA where he began to write his own brand of folk-rock songs. His brother is the playwright, John Buskin.
for her album, Morning Glory, Buskin toured with her for several years as her opening act and they became lifelong friends. Some of the other artists who have recorded his songs include: Astrud Gilberto
, Judy Collins
, Peter, Paul & Mary, Johnny Mathis
, Tom Rush
, Roberta Flack
, Dixie Carter
, and Tracy Nelson
.
In addition to his folk-rock music, Buskin has written numerous advertising jingles. Among others, Buskin wrote the jingle for NBC for which he won a Clio Award in 1983. He co-wrote All Aboard America for Amtrak
, and did work for Burger King
, JC Penny, and the US Postal Service.
He also helped create the children's show Generation O that was seen on the WB
Kid's Network. He is currently working on a play to be directed by Tony Award
winner and fellow Brown graduate, James Naughton
.
in the early 1970s. He recorded two albums in Nashville and later toured with the rock group Pierce Arrow, recording two albums for Columbia Records
. Here he met Robin Batteau
, and the two decided to become a duo. David played guitar and piano; Robin guitar, mandolin, and electric violin. The partnership lasted until 1990. The Washington Post has described the duo as "an irresistible amalgam of melodic, sensual pop, folkie grit and killer wit." They appeared together, composing and performing throughout New England
in various clubs, including The Bottom Line.
David performs with his partners, Rob Carlson and George Wurzbach in the group “Modern Man – filling the void between The Three Tenors
and The Three Stooges.” “With the release of their third CD, “Assisted Living,” the somewhat musical group known as Modern Man continues its assault on the out-moded idea that only those persons not yet manifesting symptoms of senile dementia should perform in public.”
In 2005, after a thirteen-year hiatus, Buskin rejoined his former partner, Robin Batteau
. They have just finished a new CD and are touring again as "Folk du Soleil."
Buskin is the recipient of the “Kate Wolf Award” from the World Folk Music Association in 1999.
In 2002 Modern Man was awarded Backstage's “Bistro Award” for Best Musical.”
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's signature jingle.
Biography
Buskin grew up in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He graduated from Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
in 1965 in the middle of the folk music era. After Brown, he attended Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in Boston, MA where he began to write his own brand of folk-rock songs. His brother is the playwright, John Buskin.
Composer
After selling five songs to Mary TraversMary Travers (singer)
Mary Allin Travers was an American singer-songwriter and member of the folk music group Peter, Paul and Mary, along with Peter Yarrow and Noel Stookey...
for her album, Morning Glory, Buskin toured with her for several years as her opening act and they became lifelong friends. Some of the other artists who have recorded his songs include: Astrud Gilberto
Astrud Gilberto
Astrud Gilberto is a Brazilian samba and bossa nova singer. She is well known for the Grammy Award-winning song "The Girl from Ipanema".-Biography:...
, Judy Collins
Judy Collins
Judith Marjorie "Judy" Collins is an American singer and songwriter, known for her eclectic tastes in the material she records ; and for her social activism. She is an alumna of the University of Colorado.-Musical career:Collins was born and raised in Seattle, Washington...
, Peter, Paul & Mary, Johnny Mathis
Johnny Mathis
John Royce "Johnny" Mathis is an American singer of popular music. Starting his career with singles of standards, he became highly popular as an album artist, with several dozen of his albums achieving gold or platinum status, and 73 making the Billboard charts...
, Tom Rush
Tom Rush
Tom Rush is an American folk and blues singer, songwriter, musician and recording artist.- Life and career :Rush was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. His father was a teacher at St. Paul's School, in Concord, New Hampshire. Tom began performing in 1961 while studying at Harvard University after...
, Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is notable for jazz, soul, R&B, and folk music...
, Dixie Carter
Dixie Carter
Dixie Virginia Carter was an American film, television and stage actress, best known for her role as Julia Sugarbaker in the CBS sitcom Designing Women...
, and Tracy Nelson
Tracy Nelson (singer)
-Youth in Wisconsin:Nelson was born and grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. There she first learned about R&B music from WLAC radio in Nashville. In her teens, Nelson sang folk music in coffeehouses and with a group called The Fuller's Wood Singers and was lead singer in a band called The Fabulous...
.
In addition to his folk-rock music, Buskin has written numerous advertising jingles. Among others, Buskin wrote the jingle for NBC for which he won a Clio Award in 1983. He co-wrote All Aboard America for Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
, and did work for Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
, JC Penny, and the US Postal Service.
He also helped create the children's show Generation O that was seen on the WB
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
Kid's Network. He is currently working on a play to be directed by Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
winner and fellow Brown graduate, James Naughton
James Naughton
James Naughton is an American director, theater, film and television actor.-Early life:Naughton was born in Middletown, Connecticut, the son of Rosemary and Joseph Naughton, both of whom were teachers He is the brother of actor David Naughton.-Career:Naughton graduated from Brown University and...
.
Performer
Buskin signed his first recording contract with Epic RecordsEpic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
in the early 1970s. He recorded two albums in Nashville and later toured with the rock group Pierce Arrow, recording two albums for Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. Here he met Robin Batteau
Robin Batteau
Robin Batteau is an American Grammy-winning, Emmy-winning, Clio-winning, and Oscar-nominated composer, singer-songwriter-soloist and music producer. Batteau is the son of Blanca Batteau and Dr. Dwight Wayne Batteau, of Harvard University and Tufts University...
, and the two decided to become a duo. David played guitar and piano; Robin guitar, mandolin, and electric violin. The partnership lasted until 1990. The Washington Post has described the duo as "an irresistible amalgam of melodic, sensual pop, folkie grit and killer wit." They appeared together, composing and performing throughout New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
in various clubs, including The Bottom Line.
David performs with his partners, Rob Carlson and George Wurzbach in the group “Modern Man – filling the void between The Three Tenors
The Three Tenors
The Three Tenors is a name given to the Spanish singers Plácido Domingo and José Carreras and the Italian singer Luciano Pavarotti who sang in concert under this banner during the 1990s and early 2000s. The trio began their collaboration with a performance at the ancient Baths of Caracalla, in...
and The Three Stooges.” “With the release of their third CD, “Assisted Living,” the somewhat musical group known as Modern Man continues its assault on the out-moded idea that only those persons not yet manifesting symptoms of senile dementia should perform in public.”
In 2005, after a thirteen-year hiatus, Buskin rejoined his former partner, Robin Batteau
Robin Batteau
Robin Batteau is an American Grammy-winning, Emmy-winning, Clio-winning, and Oscar-nominated composer, singer-songwriter-soloist and music producer. Batteau is the son of Blanca Batteau and Dr. Dwight Wayne Batteau, of Harvard University and Tufts University...
. They have just finished a new CD and are touring again as "Folk du Soleil."
Awards
Buskin received the Clio award in 1983.Buskin is the recipient of the “Kate Wolf Award” from the World Folk Music Association in 1999.
In 2002 Modern Man was awarded Backstage's “Bistro Award” for Best Musical.”
Discography
- David Buskin (Self-titled)
- He Used to Treat Her by David Buskin 1973
- The Winter Comes/When I Need You Most Of All by David Buskin
- Two on One by David Buskin and Robin Batteau 1990
- Buskin and Batteau by David Buskin and Robin Batteau
- Heaven Is Free Tonight by Dave Buskin 1993
- A Folksinger Earns Every Dime by David Buskin
- On a Winter's Night with Judy Collins
- New Year Live at Symphony Hall by Tom Rush, Fritz Richmond, David Buskin, Robin Batteau and Trevor Veitch
- Wealthy Man: Live at The Bottom Line, NYC by David Buskin & Friends
- Big League Babe - The Christine Lavin Tribute Album Part 2 by Hugh Blumenfeld, David Buskin, Robin Batteau, Patty Larkin, Sally Fingerett 1998
- The Wide Album: Modern Man by David Buskin, Rob Carlson and George Wurzbach, 1999
- Modern imMaturity by David Buskin, Rob Carlson and George Wurzbach
- David Buskin Goes Out On A Limb by David Buskin 2005
- B&B3 by David Buskin and Robin Batteau 2006
- Assisted Living by David Buskin, Rob Carlson and George Wurzbach 2007
- Red Shoes and Golden Hearts by David Buskin and Robin Batteau 2009
External links
- http://www.Brown.edu/ Brown University
- http://www.modernman3.com/ Modern Man
- http://wfma.net/buskin.htm World Folk Music Association
- http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22646056.html “David Buskin Is Having It His Way” By Jill Schensul The Bergen Record, 09-12-1992.
- http://www.americanoriginalscds.com/Modernman_Wide_Album.htm The Wide Album, Modern Man.
- http://www.clioawards.com/archive/results.cfm Clio Awards
- Buskins and Batteau website
- http://www.youtube.com/user/chickenturkeypenguin Buskin on Youtube