22 Feb EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE JEWISH MUSIC LEGEND, AVRAHAM FRIED

Avraham Fried, the world renowned Jewish singer, is beloved to his fans and best known for his beautiful songs and lyrics. Very few people have had the success that Avraham Fried has had over the last 40 years in the Jewish music industry. Ari HIrsch of the Jewish Vues sat down with Avremel for a few minutes last week to discuss how the Jewish music industry has changed over the last 40 years and how the MAKOR concert that is coming up this Sunday will be an epic concert produced by the one and only Sheya Mendlowitz.

This coming Sunday is the MAKOR Hall of Fame Concert produced by your good friend Sheya Mendlowitz. I know Sheya does not want anyone to know who is performing, but the title is: Celebrating sixty years of Jewish Music. You have known Sheya for many years now. Let’s take it back to the beginning. How did you meet Sheya Mendlowitz & why is it that you have such a Hakaros Hatov to him?

Sheya and I go back almost forty two years. We first met in Eli Teitelbaum’s basement. This was when you were first able to call in and hear Torah shiurim from your phone; Eli started that in his basement. He also had a studio down there and we recorded some songs. It was a basement where light and Torah emanated. As an adult, I had the idea to sing professionally. I sent out some demos and no one really got back to me except for Sheya. He heard something he liked and gave me my first record deal; that was for “No Jew Left Behind.” Sheya took me to a composer named Yossi Green, and here we are some 40 years later B”H.

Over the years you’ve worked a lot with different special needs organizations & individuals. Makor is a very special organization that works with special needs children. What do you think music, a niggun, means to a special needs individual?

Over the years I’ve sung for HASC, Ohel, and other places that cater to special needs children. The first thing that jumps out is how they react to the music. It’s a known fact that when these special needs kids hear music, it goes straight to their neshamas, their souls, and it’s probably the best medicine for them. It’s quite a powerful experience to see the kids react to the music. The most meaningful moments for me are when I can get these kids to smile and clap and, if they can, to move around and dance. So that’s quite amazing. I think that music and these special needs organizations are a good shidduch; they go hand-in-hand. While the children’s bodies might be limited and affected, their souls are healthy and well; you clearly see it when they hear music because music is the language of the soul. So it’s a perfect shidduch.

The title of the MAKOR concert is \the Jewish Hall of Fame concert. It’s celebrating sixty years of Jewish Music. You’ve been in the business for over forty years at this point. How has the industry and music itself changed?

I think we have much more variety today; much more colors in what we call Chassidic music. Back in the day, there was only a handful of the same genre and style. Then some bands and choirs came along and started changing the colors a bit. These days there’s no reason that anyone should have to listen to non-Jewish music because in Jewish music alone there are so many colors and shades, so many varieties, and singers that cater to so many people. It’s amazing. It’s a beautiful rainbow of music.

This past week, I’ve been asking a lot of people who they would sayare the best Jewish singers over the last sixty years. The top 4 were Carlebach, MBD, Shwekey, & yourself. There are many talented Jewish singers in the industry. Would you agree with those answers?

We’ve taken the terms from the non- Jewish vocabulary like “superstars” and “idols.” I can only tell you who has had an impact on me and that surely includes Reb Yom Tov Ehrlich, Benzion Shenker, and David Werdyger, Mordechai’s father. They were not called “superstars,” but they certainly impacted me. Even Shlomo Carlebach was never called a superstar. These labels have recently been created as we’ve tried to become more secular and borrow names from unholy sources. Negina is a holy subject and these individuals should not be called superstars, but they should be recognized for their incredible influence. They have had a tremendous impact on my life and thousands of others.

Let’s discuss some of the great performers that you’ve worked with over the years. Please share your stories about these great Jewish singers.

Carlebach

What was it like performing on the same stage as R’ Shlomo Carlebach?

I didn’t really have that many live performances with R’ Shlomo. We did perform together at Westbury Music Theater. I remember there was a revolving stage that just kept turning and turning, which was a chiddush. But I didn’t have too many instances where I performed live with R’ Shlomo. There was an incident that happened where I met him and he expressed to me disappointment that I had recorded one of his songs and I added a tnua to one of his songs; I added a little kvetch. He said he was disappointed that I changed the melody. He said “When I wrote the song, I wrote it the way I wrote it and you’re changing it to not the way I wrote it.” That bothered him.

MBD

When you first started, did you look at MBD as someone who was a rival, a friend or both?

MBD was always an amazing inspiration and just captured my soul. Just hearing him and seeing him, everything about him was amazing, gripping. Even today I think he’s the role model and leader of Chassidic music; Chassidic music is lucky to have him in the lineup.

There is a cover of Good Fortune magazine from 1988 that has you, MBD, and Sheya on it. When you see that, what do you think?

What do I think? “I look funny. Who is that funny looking guy?”

Yaakov Shwekey

At what point did you know he was the real deal?

From the get-go. He was so blessed that every song he came out with went straight to the top; he has so many great hits. His vocal ability is par excellence, especially his high range. There’s no wonder he is high up there.

Abie Rotenberg

Abie Rottenberg is a crucial part of the Jewish music puzzle. He’s given us hours and hours of such amazing music with Journeys and Dveykus. It’s incredible what he’s contributed to Jewish music, so he’s definitely one of the jewels in the crowd.

Ishay Ribo

You recently performed in Eretz Yisrael with Ishai. What was that like?

You have an individual here who just skyrocketed! A few years ago, no one really knew Israeli singers. We heard of Yahoram Gaon years ago, but who else was there? For the last few years the Israeli talent has skyrocketed for all audiences, even those who don’t understand a word of Hebrew. They’re such talented people with beautiful melodies and messages, and this is another color in the rainbow of Jewish, Israeli, and Chasidic music.

Let’s talk about your musically talented family. Your nephews are extremely talented. There are the Marcus brothers, Eli Marcus & 8th day with Shmuel & Bentzi Marcus, and of course Benny Friedman. What type of nachas is that?

Great nachas! It’s beautiful to see them bringing out great songs and inspiring so many. Benny’s latest song about “a yid never bends or never breaks” has been mechazek so many people. 8th day, Eli, and Simcha have beautiful messages and are being mesameach yidden with good music. I’m proud of them.

When your family gets together at a family simcha do you guys sing together? What do you like to sing?

It doesn’t happen too often. We don’t get together that much. When we get together, we like to sing Chabbad nigunim, but I can’t remember the last time that happened.

What would you say is the most challenging part about being in the Jewish music industry today?

Coming out with good material. That’s the challenge. We’ve covered all the bases; what subject have we not sung about? Another mashiach song? Another Shabbos song? We’ve covered it.

What would you say is the main difference between having a concert in Eretz Yisrael & in Chutz Laaretz?

Eretz Yisrael has a crowd that likes to sing along and be involved. For a singer that’s the wind beneath the wings; it gives you energy. More recently there are more crowds who come to a concert with a little more energy and involvement, where they come to enjoy and not just sit back. They’ll get involved, get up, and dance a little. That helps the singer know they’re getting through to the audience. When they’re just sitting back with their arms folded, they might be enjoying it, but they’re not showing any reaction. That’s when you think “Uh oh, I’m not getting through to them.” In Eretz Yisrael, maybe because of the constant pressure they’re under, a concert and music is a good outlet and they can let out energy.

What do you prefer: concerts or simchas?

I prefer simchas, absolutely. It’s far less nerve wracking, less butterflies, and much easier.

Are you a chazzan during the Yomim Noraim? Where are you chazzan? What type of niggunim do you use? The classics or Avreimel niggunim?

No, Boruch Hashem! I am home and I daven in a little shteibel where no one bothers me. I work on Chol Hamoed.

When do you plan on coming out with your next album?

That’s a good question. My answer is when it’s ready. I am working on it, I have 80% of the material done. It’s recorded & mixed. When it’s ready, I’ll bring it out.

Let’s go back to the MAKOR concert that’s taking place this coming Sunday. It’s already almost sold out! Is there anything you can tell us?

That’s a good question, but I have no idea what I’m allowed to say. I can say that Makor is an important organization and if people can come and show their support, it’s a great tzedakah. I think they’re going to get a show they haven’t seen in many, many years. It’s a Sheya Mendlowitz production, so I know it’ll be full of surprises. I think it’ll be a memorable evening. “Hall of fame” concert, is a pseudonym for “hakaros hatov” concert. Some of these performers will be covering sixty years of Jewish music and it’s time they’re told “Thank you for being there throughout our lives.” Through ups and downs, music has given us koach and changed our lives in many ways. I would say it’s basically an evening of hakaros hatov.