Music: Sun Apr 24

Our special musical guest is the songster satirist, Roy Zimmerman.

He'll be singing at least 5 of his songs: 3 of them for the Prelude (10:00 to 10:10), and another couple during the service.

Later Sunday evening, Roy's giving a concert at the Ethical Culture Society at 7:30.

Roy Zimmerman sings satirical songs - original songs about class warfare, creationism, same-sex marriage, guns, marijuana, abstinence, Republicans (a lot of songs about Republicans), ignorance, war and greed.

There's a decidedly Lefty slant to his lyrics. "We used to have a name for Right Wing satire," he says. "We called it 'cruelty.'"

The Los Angeles Times says, "Zimmerman displays a lacerating wit and keen awareness of society's foibles that bring to mind a latter-day Tom Lehrer."

Tom Lehrer himself says, "I congratulate Roy Zimmerman on reintroducing literacy to comedy songs. And the rhymes actually rhyme, they don't just 'rhyne.'"

Joni Mitchell says, "Roy's lyrics move beyond poetry and achieve perfection."

In twelve albums over twenty years and on stages, screens and airwaves across America, Roy has brought the sting of satire to the struggle for Peace and Social Justice. His songs have been heard on HBO and Showtime. He has recorded for Warner/Reprise Records. He's a featured blogger for the Huffington Post. And everywhere Zimmerman goes, the Starving Ear goes with him. (Read more at: royzimmerman.com)

Here are a few samples of Roy's work:

"My Vote, My Voice, My Right"


"America"


"Everybody Is Everybody Else"


"I Approve this Message"


"End of the Ship"


"Summer of Loving"


"Hope, Struggle, and Change"


"Hope, Struggle, and Change" (cover by Phoenix Choir of UU Congregation of Atlanta)


"Austerity Beatles"