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Read about the big Christine Lavin party in support of the release of her new memoir, Cold Pizza for Breakfast: a Mem-Wha??, at Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Birdland in NYC June 7, 2010.

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Cold Pizza for Breakfast: A Mem-wha??

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author bio

Over the past 25 years, between concert tours in the US, Canada, and Australia, Christine Lavin has recorded 20 solo albums and produced nine compilation CDs showcasing the work of songwriters whose work she loves. Although she can’t read music (she started learning guitar at the age of 12 by watching lessons broadcast on PBS), her songs have been performed by Broadway stars Betty Buckley and Sutton Foster, cabaret diva Andrea Marcovicci, the a cappella darlings The Accidentals, and many others. The lyrics to “Planet X” are included in The Pluto Files, a novel written by Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium . . . and Christine got a “D” in Astronomy.

press release

“Whether she’s recording an album solely of her favorite recipes (with an accompanying cookbook), hosting knitting circles before her shows, or, in this case, writing a ‘mem-wha,’ she is what every artist yearns to be: an original.”
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Quotes

“Christine Lavin is the unsung heroine of the

latter-day folk movement. Her tireless support of talented songwriters has brought out the best in many, given chances to more than a few, and put her head and shoulders above most people claiming to be ‘star-makers.’ Her autobiography, like her life, is a work of art.”

—Janis Ian, singer/songwriter

“When I see Christine Lavin in concert,

I laugh and shed a few tears. Reading Cold Pizza for Breakfast, I laughed and shed a few tears. Just like her concerts, I didn’t want it to end.”

—Michael Stock, host, WLRN Radio (Miami)

“Christine Lavin is an artist who covers the gamut

of performance in many genres; intimate of stars in the worlds of jazz, folk, and Broadway. She shares details of her life from Catholic school to a catholic life in this really readable book—Cold Pizza for Breakfast: A Mem-wha?? You join her in a most personal journey through her life and become her companion on a trip you want to go on unendingly.”

—Bill Hahn, producer/host, Traditions and Sunday Simcha, WFDU-FM (Teaneck, New Jersey)

“Cold Pizza is a creative and cozy journey through

the warm and witty life of one of the finest singer/songwriters performing today. I was completely absorbed by the experiences and people that make up the soundtrack of Christine Lavin’s life. Her point of view on her own world is as specific, witty, compassionate, and honest as her music. Through this book she has created a narrative that lets us in on the creative process of a writer who celebrates the joys of yesterday’s pizza with the same gusto that she anticipates the joys of tomorrow’s fresh surprises.”

—Stuart Ross, writer/director, Forever Plaid

“Lavin shows that being truly rich has little to do

with money, and you'll be richer for spending a few hours in her company.”

—Susan Hartman, Dirty Linen magazine

“Christine Lavin is quite simply one of the

greatest people on earth. I adore her and admire her more than I could ever say. Her book details her amazing life and journey in the arts. Christine Lavin has managed to never lose hold of her creativity and humanity while reaching for the stars. Anyone interested in what a life in the arts without compromise is really like should read this book.”

—Danny Burstein, Tony-nominated actor

“Christine Lavin is a ‘Folk Classic’ in every

sense of the word—and so is the book. Her tales of growing up, how she become involved in folk music, and her insights into the process of song writing and the folk music business kept the pages turning at a steady pace. And her ‘Mem-wha??’ may be the only place to find out what Henny Youngman, Joe Namath, Bob Dylan, and Linda Lovelace have in common.”

—Steve Aaronson, host of the weekly Folk Classics program, WDIY 88.1 FM

“Creative Christine Lavin tells her story

on a new stage, a book. It’s an amazing Mem-wha, because while reading, I could hear her voice in my mind as if she was performing a concert in my living room, telling a story about her next song. The stories show how Christine was always a self-motivated, clever woman who can take an idea and make it a reality. Christine represents the best of homegrown, heartfelt American folk music and storytelling through her honesty, promotion of other artists, and her collaborations.”

—Mara Noelle, aka Ruby Slippers, KVMR-FM, Nevada City, California

“Christine Lavin is not only a brilliant

performing songwriter, but she can write. Luck, and an advanced sense of humor, frame the constancy of hard work and courage that drive Lavin’s life forward. Joe Namath, Dave Van Ronk, and Bob Dylan may be some of the magic here, but really Christine’s ability to find and tell a great story is what keeps the pages turning. Highly recommended!”

—Robert Aubry Davis and Mary Sue Twohy, The Village, the folk channel on Sirius XM Satellite Radio

“If the reader follows Christine’s advice

in the preface and Googles every name, this is still an extraordinarily rich ‘mem-wah’!! (What was I thinking? It’s hilarious! It’s gentle! It’s witty! It’s informed by a life in the folkie game!) The current editors at Tell Me Press don’t need any information from me on what’s in this wonderful autobiography; I’d love to see from them just how rich they make that index.
“To Christine: in the words of Megan Smith, ‘You are a goddess!’ I bow deeply in your direction.”

—John McLaughlin, www.thedigitalfolklife.org

“Christine Lavin is as talented, witty and

effervescent in print as she is on stage. Her “Mem-wha??” Cold Pizza for Breakfast is both engaging and enlightening. A brilliant songwriter and dynamic performer, Christine is at once unflinchingly honest and delightfully upbeat when it comes to documenting her observations and experiences in the music business. The true beauty of Cold Pizza is its universal appeal; the multitude of life lessons contained within these pages will catapult Lavin to the top of Oprah’s reading list for sure!”

—Allen Foster, editor, Songwriter’s Monthly

“Wow. Along with Jimmy Webb’s Tunesmith and

Sheila Davis’s The Craft of Lyric Writing (both of which I’ve recommended to dozens of people), I now have a new gold standard for great musical autobiographies—a joy to read from start to finish. So many things you’ve written about resonate so deeply with me that I won’t even be able to scratch the surface here—maybe I’ll write you a letter. I will say this: you’ve done my heart a world of good by making note of one of the greatest songwriters I’ve ever heard—who also happens to be one of the world’s best second grade teachers. And we’re both honored to be included on your ‘Terrific’ list; thanks so much.”

—Chip & Annie

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Please credit with the following: Photo by Irene Young

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video

Christin Lavin / Shack In The Back

Filmed by:
Robert Baldwin & Wayne Crider

Edited by:
Ellen Bukstel

Filmed at:
Bukstel House Concerts @ The Shack In The Back / Florida

Info:
Ellen Bukstel
ellen@bukstel.com
954-880-0250

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