Peter Himmelman (born November 23, 1959, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and film and television composer from Minnesota, who formerly played in the Minneapolis indie rock band Sussman Lawrence before pursuing an extensive solo career.[1]
Himmelman is also the founder, CEO and Chief Dream Enabler of Big Muse, a company that helps individuals and organizations unlock their creative potential.[2]
Himmelman garnered his first solo deal on Island Records in 1985 after a video for the song "Eleventh Confession" made its way onto regular rotation on MTV. His first release entitled This Father's Day was composed for Himmelman's father David. In the early '90s, he achieved significant alternative radio play with songs including "The Woman With The Strength of 10000 Men", from his From Strength To Strength release. He was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2002 for his song "Best Kind Of Answer" which appeared in the CBS series Judging Amy, for which Himmelman also composed the score. He was the composer for the FOX television show Bones through the fourth season. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for his children's album, My Green Kite. USA Today has called Himmelman "one of rock's most wildly imaginative performers" for his often highly improvisational stage shows.
Big Muse
In 2011 Himmelman began working with organizations and brands such as McDonald's, Gap Inc., and Banana Republic to help them achieve better communication, innovation and leadership with a company he started called Big Muse. The methodology Himmelman created is designed to help organizations increase innovative thinking, team building and leadership ability. Its main metaphor for teaching these skills is songwriting.
Personal life
Himmelman is married to Maria Dylan, a lawyer and adopted daughter of Bob Dylan.[3] They have four children.
Himmelman identifies as an Orthodox Jew,[4] prays 3 times a day,[5] and will not work on the Jewish sabbath or Jewish holidays.
-In the early 1980s Peter Himmelman wrote and produced songs for Spinoza Bear, a therapeutic stuffed animal that was used to eliminate the stress of children in hospitals, rape victims, autism sufferers and others. He was also the voice of the bear.
1984: I'm Your Friend and My Name Is Spinoza – Bonding, Opens Communication
1985: 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
1986: Do You Wonder – Curiosity, Learning
1986: Good Friends – Feelings, Relationships
1991: New Beginnings – Relaxation, Healthy Choices
1991: Breathing Healthy, Breathing Free – Positive Attitude, Deep Breathing
1991: Hold On to Me – Grief and Loss
Filmography
From 2008 to 2010, Himmelman produced a live Internet show, Furious World, broadcast every Tuesday evening from his home studio. The highly innovative show featured original live music with his band, video segments that ranged from philosophical to comedic, and special guests from the world of technology, music and the arts.
The film Rock God is a documentary about Peter Himmelman directed by Keith Wolf. 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".
Heart of Dixie – Ally Sheedy, Phoebe Cates, Treat Williams
Awards
ASCAP – Top TV Series: Judging Amy (2000)
ASCAP – Top TV Series: Judging Amy (2003)
ASCAP – Top TV Series: Judging Amy (2004)
ASCAP – Top TV Series: Judging Amy (2005)
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)
Award nominations
Emmy 2002 Music and Lyrics – Judging Amy, song: "The Best Kind Of Answer"
Grammy 2008 Best Musical Album for Children – My Green Kite
Visual art
Himmelman is also a visual artist and painter whose work appeared on the cover of his 1987 Island release Synesthesia. A collection of his recent art can be found online.[7]
