Parenting Panel with Norman Zamcheck
Norman Zamcheck has had a long and successful musical career. He’s performed with some of the best musicians and acts that have ever hit the live music scene. His group Stormin Norman and Suzy, was praised by the New York Times as New York Times as the "hottest act in town," during their stint in the 1970’s. As a composer of songs, Norman Zamcheck has been praised in publications from Rolling Stone Magazine to The New York Times, which called him “exceptionally good and exceptionally original.”
We got the chance to speak with Norman for our Parenting Panel series. So, without further ado, let’s get started:
How many children do you have? What are their names and ages?
Ariela and Abbie (twins), Akiva. 37 37, 33.
Did you have fears or concerns about how becoming a parent would interfere with your artistic endeavors?
Totally. And just as important, I had fears that I would never be able to earn enough money as a.musician to support a family, which I very much wanted to have. That kept marriage at bay well into my thirties, as did a few years of “success” (tours, record deal, mass media). My career crashed. By coincidence I was fired from my gig at an Irish bar on 57th street the same time we learned my wife was carrying twins. That decided it for me , and I became a high school teacher (music, other subjects) in NYC.. And then I took a really wrong turn, and went into school administration out of fear that there was no way a teacher’s salary would get three kids through college. DO NOT become a school administrator if you want to keep your music going!!! Teaching you can just about swing a solid music career (I continued composing. working regularly with a great club date ensemble, even did some touring.. But the bottom line is, after becoming a parent & raising my children, I just completed the best album of my career. It just took a little more time.)
Have those fears come true?
Yes and no. I took a detour from full time music for 20 years, but even so managed to have some great musical highlights, including an 8 years gig as a sideman to a famous world music virtuoso & club date group, even some international gigs.. And had the thrill of turning inner city kids onto music. Plus, when I retired, I had the energy - and the money! to resume my career full-time. Within a few years of my retirement I recorded 6 albums of original music, today I head a 7 piece combo that performs regularly in NYC. I have the financial backbone to do what I dream of musically. And I managed to keep on creating music all through that time when I had a straight. Job. So depends on whether you can make the time.
How did you juggle your family and your career? What was your support system?
My support system was always my WIFE. Who made a strong point that she was marrying a musician, and had no intention of seeing me change (despite the fact that I was broke during our courtship!). As things transpired, I DID add a significant day gig - my decision, not hers, when I learned that I was going to be father of two babies at once. But all during my years in public education I had musical projects, collaborated on music theater works....plus (as I said before) shared my love of music with 150 high school kids every day, along with our scruffy school band. And I always kept the dream alive that as soon as I was done with my day job I would return to music full time. Which I did. The other consideration for me was the decision to be close to my kids when they where growing up...hence giving up my life on the road for all those years with them. But the payoff was I could share my deepest dreams with them. As my dear departed Mom once said when I told her about an off-Broadway show I was writing for - “your kids may well turn out to be your greatest production!”
What’s the one thing you wish someone had told you before you became a parent? Any advice for others?
I wish somebody had told me there is no conflict between being a parent and being an artist. I was too afraid I didn’t have the strength or the brains to do both. It was my wife’s total support that got me over the hurdle. As a parent you grow new muscles - of being open to emotions, yours and others - and most important. to love. Which after all is what music is all about. Plus you get tough, smarter and able to function on different levels. Plus you get to play a big part in creating amazing new people.
How do your children inspire/inform your music?
They were the reason I kept on creating and striving to get better. I didn’t necessarily want them to become musicians (although one is a composer and guitarist with a PhD in musicology). ). But I wanted them to see their dad as a strong, uncompromising artistic force - to see that passion & inspiration can be at the center of their life. They were literally listening to my band when they were in my wife’s womb! I think the gift of passion and love of life is the best gift you can give to your kids. And ir gets reflected right back into your music.
Have you ever written a song for or about your kids?
Yes, quite a few including one when my daughter was 3 weeks old, Which was performed by my band Meanwhile. (“Ariela:” It’s on Spotify, “Real Stormin Norman Live at the P & G Bar”). Here’s a song off my last album about springtime seeds, chance meetings of two possible future lovers, birth, re-birth and the whole Love/marriage/family thing - “Everything is Turning (on the Wings of Love.)”
You can find Norman via:
Instagram // Facebook // YouTube // Spotify // Soundcloud