THE LIFE AND TIMES OF RED PETERS
A BRIEF HISTORY
Red Peters
Red was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, the city of presidents, in 1950. As a growing boy, he attended a mix of public and parochial schools and was often described as having a fertile mind by those who knew him.
In 1968, after high school, he attended Massachusetts College of Art, and while a student, he helped form the theatrical, rock, musical group, GNP, Gross National Productions with Gary Rutstein, Joe Botti, Art Johnson, Tony Bartolini, John Pressuti. and Tom Dempsey.
GNP recorded their only album at Ultrasonic in Hempstead, Long Island, "P-Flaps and Low Blows", and was released on Metromedia Records in 1972. GNP toured and opened for many acts including Sha Na Na, Tommy James and The Shondells, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Tim Hardin, Boz Scaggs, Lee Michaels, Spirit, and Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention.
In 1976, Red co-wrote and co-produced/directed, "Rockfights... rich amusement" with Howie Ritz, a controversial, multi-media, comedy music revue that was staged by The Open Door Theater Company of Boston.
That same year, Red and Dempsey formed Handsome Brothers Creative Music Service, a commercial production company that provided original music services to Fortune 500 companies.
In 1984, Red incorporated Handsome Brothers ® with composer/producer, Ed Grenga, and since then they have created numerous award-winning soundtracks for TV, radio, advertising, and the internet.
That same year, taking a break from a grueling commercial session, Red and Ed co-wrote and recorded, "Blow Me (You Hardly Even Know Me)".
Their first collaboration, the classic, big band arrangement became an instant hit in jukeboxes across America. In 1990, the duo followed up with their 2nd hit, "How's Your Whole... Family?".
The success of these 2 songs led to a recording deal in 1994 with Ugly Sisters Records in NYC. This accord gave birth to two best-selling, comedy music albums, and a cross country tour of morning shows across America with his personal manager, Owen Money. That's a whole other story.
After several appearances on The Howard Stern Show , Red created and produced The Red Peters Comedy Music Hour in 2005, and debuted on The Howard Channels on SiriusXM satellite radio. It was broadcast until 2013. The show featured original, adult, comedy songs, comedy, and artist interviews. He released three compilation albums featuring his favorite songs from the shows.
In 2006, Red signed with Oglio Entertainment by Carl Caprioglio, and his music is distributed worldwide by Universal Music Group.
Still at it today, Red has written and produced several hit singles, including duets with Margaret Cho and Todd Rundgren.
Red lives in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts and continues to write and produce music and comedy. Drop him a line. red@redpeters.com
I LAUGHED, I CRIED, I FUDGED MY UNDIES!
Red's 1995 best-selling, debut album, “I Laughed, I Cried, I Fudged My Undies!”, which contains the comedy music classics, “Blow Me (You Hardly Even Know Me)”, “How’s Your Whole… Family?”, “The Ballad Of A Dog Named Stains”, “You Promised The Moon (But I Preferred Uranus)”, “Holy Shit, It’s Christmas!" and many more!
Hear all Red's songs on Spotify, Pandora, amazon, google, Tidal, Apple, YouTube, Napster, and on all streaming services.
Red's music can be downloaded wherever digital music is sold.
photo by Malcolm Hewitt
cover design by Kevin Quinn, Q Graphics
OL' BLUE BALLS IS BACK!
Red's 2000 smash, follow up, “Ol’ Blue Balls Is Back!” which contains the unforgettable, “Let’s Do It Doggy Style (So We Can Both Watch TV)”, “The Spelling Song”, the “I Wanna Polka Polka”, "Pullin' It All Night Long", “The Closing Song (Get The Fuck Outta Here!)”, “Use Your Hand”, “You Ain’t Gettin’ Shit For Christmas!” and many more!
Hear all Red's songs on Spotify, Pandora, amazon, google, Tidal, Apple, YouTube, Napster, and on all streaming services.
Red's music can be downloaded wherever digital music is sold.
photo by Malcolm Hewitt
SINGLES & COMPILATIONS
SINGLES (left to right)
"When I Jerk Off, I Think Of You" (2006)
"Have A Wonderful Hawaiian Christmas" (2010)
"The Christmas Gift" a duet with Margaret Cho (2010) written by Dick Shreve
"Blow Me (You Hardly Even Know Me)" a duet with Todd Rundgren (2014).
COMPILATIONS (left to right)
"Best of the Red Peters Comedy Music Hour, Vol.#1" (2007)
"Red Peters Presents, Summer Song Sizzler" (2009)
"It's A Red Peters Christmas, Vol.#1" (2010)
SiriusXM Satellite Radio- The Howard Channels
All cover illustrations by Timothy Shamey
THE WRITERS AND PLAYERS
Ed Grenga aka Babe Marino
Art Johnson aka Art Sandcrafts
Art Johnson aka Art Sandcrafts
Besides co-writing and producing all Red's songs, Ed Grenga is a sought-after, award-winning music composer, songwriter, and producer with extensive film and television credits. While living in LA, he worked with Ross Vanelli and Buddy Miles on the platinum-selling California Raisins albums, and on hit songs with Jeffrey Osborne, Howard Hewitt, and Kim Carnes. www.edgrengamusic.com
Art Johnson aka Art Sandcrafts
Art Johnson aka Art Sandcrafts
Art Johnson aka Art Sandcrafts
Art Johnson has been writing great songs and performing since before the early days of GNP. After GNP, he played bass and toured the East Coast with hard rockers, Smoking Joe. Artie's creativity, comedic timing, quick wit, and dry sense of humor influenced the lyrics on most of Red's songs.
Kook Lawry aka Charles Lawry
Art Johnson aka Art Sandcrafts
Mike McMahon aka Smike, Mr. Bogus
Kook Lawry is a guitarist extraordinaire who started out touring in a 70's soul revue before becoming the lead guitarist for The Robert Ellis Orrall Group, playing on a Top 40 hit and recording for RCA in England with producer, Robert Bechirian. His versatility of music styles, distinctive low voice, and his innate creative sense of comedy can be heard on a wide variety of Red's songs.
Mike McMahon aka Smike, Mr. Bogus
49 More Contributors! (and counting)
Mike McMahon aka Smike, Mr. Bogus
Mike McMahon is a virtuoso guitarist and songwriter who has a wild and hilarious sense of humor along with a rock solid command of his instrument. A sought after composer, Mike has written many funny songs, and has made numerous contributions to Red's music catalog and comedy bits.
In Memoriam
49 More Contributors! (and counting)
49 More Contributors! (and counting)
Sadly, several contributors to Red's music recordings have departed this world much too soon and are loved and sorely missed.
Thank you and rest in peace, my friends.
Much love. xo
(left to right)
Herbie Ross, Patty Barkas, and Joe Stapleton.
49 More Contributors! (and counting)
49 More Contributors! (and counting)
49 More Contributors! (and counting)
It takes a village!
So many talented and funny singers and musicians have contributed to Red's songs and bits over the years.
Dave Stefanelli, Jonny Craig, Guy Groendaal, Jim Taft, Joe Stapleton, Bob Gay, Tim Archibald, Jeff Bowser, Richard Tilkin, Tommy Williams, Mike McNally, Buck & Bird Taylor, Herb Ross, Tracy Bonham, Bob Bowlby, Susan Greenbaum, Julie Foster, Steve Russo, Rosemary St. George, Terry Sanger, John Foster, Patty Barkas, Gigi Abraham, Rob Schuller, Ginny Fordham, Bob Orrall, Mike Payette, Cheryl Hodge, Cyndi Phillips, Mike Moss, Keith Kostick, Adam Craig, Don Walden, Bill Tracey, Sean Tracey, Jeff Galinda, Jack Granat, Jamie Ducat, Mark Curdo, Mike Yost, Javier Pico, Terry Sanger, Rudy Verhulst, Greg Roman, Mike Peipman, Ducky Belliveau, and Bob Moses,
photo- (l to r) Eddie, Artie, Red, Terry, Ginny, Patty, and Jim during the 2013 "Blow Me" duet vocal session at Clearview Studios.
THE ILUSTRATOR
Timothy Shamey
While working at SiriusXM on The Howard Stern Channels, Red met NYC, illustrator Timothy Shamey, and became quick friends. A fellow redhead, Tim created seven extraordinary album and single covers for Red's songs and music compilations. Check out his other mindblowing artwork for MAD Magazine, and his team logos for the NFL and ESPN at www.timothyshamey.com
