Dan Bern
10-26-2014
Dan Bern is best known for his prolific songwriting and electric live persona. He has released 18 albums since 1997 and built a loyal following based on prodigious touring and output of songs in all forms. Since 2007, he has also focused his talent and sharp wit on writing songs for movies and other projects. He composed over a dozen songs for the Jake Kasdan/Judd Apatow spoof-biopic "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" and composed songs included in Apatow’s "Get Him to the Greek," starring Russell Brand. Bern’s song "One Dance" was also included in Kasdan’s first film "Zero Effect" starring Bill Pullman, Ben Stiller, and Ryan O’Neal. He wrote a number of the songs in "Walk Hard" and "Get Him to the Greek" with fellow songsmith Mike Viola. He has also written with Marshall Crenshaw, Peter Himmelman, Greg Prestopino and many others.
Bern wrote "Swing Set," a duet with Emmylou Harris, for the off-Broadway production of "Family Week" directed by Jonathan Demme and wrote the title song for Demme’s documentary "Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains."
In 2007, his album "Breathe" won Best Folk/Singer-Songwriter at the Sixth Annual Independent Music Awards. He has toured with Marshall Crenshaw, Ani DiFranco, and John C. Reilly’s country-infused band and in 2011 he contributed original songs for the television series "Hellcats."
In 2012 Dan Bern released three records: the critically acclaimed "Drifter"; an 18-song celebration of baseball entitled "Doubleheader"; and "Wilderness Song," a cycle of songs adapted from the journals and letters of the legendary western wanderer Everett Ruess.
In addition to his own touring, Bern leads songwriting workshops, does shows for kids, and writes books, including the forthcoming detective series, “Ten Thousand Crappy Songs & Other Stories.”