Gary Portnoy
Encyclopedia
Gary Portnoy is a singer/ songwriter from New York, best known for co-writing and singing the theme songs to two U.S.
television sitcoms:
Both songs were written by Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo. They also composed the theme to the long running television series Mr. Belvedere
.
, heard their opening number, "People Like Us". They wanted to use the song as the theme for their upcoming sitcom. However, the producers of Preppies wouldn't release it. Portnoy and Angelo then set out to write a new theme for Cheers. After their first two attempts were rejected, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" was finally selected as the theme song for Cheers.
Prior to writing the Cheers theme, Mr. Portnoy had found success as a highly regarded young songwriter. His songs had been recorded by Dolly Parton
("Say Goodnight" from Dolly, Dolly, Dolly
, co-written by Susan Sheridan) and Air Supply
("I'll Never Get Enough" co-written by Jeanne Napoli
and Judy Quay) among others, and he had recorded a self-titled album for Columbia Records that was released in 1980. (That album was recently re-released on CD by Sony Japan). He had also written several songs for the critically acclaimed NBC series Fame
. One of the songs from Fame, "I Still Believe In Me" (co-written by Susan Sheridan), went on to be nominated for an Emmy Award
for best original song. He also co-wrote the song "It's Gonna Be a Long Night" with Estelle Levitt. Both Fame songs were featured on the album The Kids from Fame
As a result of his television work of the 1980s, Mr. Portnoy received an Emmy nomination for "Cheers" and six consecutive ASCAP awards for the Most Performed Television Themes of the year.
After that, Mr. Portnoy took an extended hiatus from the music business. In the late 1990s he and co-writer Gloria Nissenson began making regular visits to Nashville
and some of the songs that they wrote there appear on Portnoy's 2004 CD Keeper. Keeper also includes the original full-length version of the Cheers theme "Where Everybody Knows Your Name".
January 2007 brought the release of Portnoy's mostly self-penned CD Destiny. It contains 11 tracks and a full length version of the Mr. Belvedere
theme as sung by Portnoy (Leon Redbone
's recorded version of the song was Mr. Belvederes original theme).
February, 2010 saw the release of Gary Portnoy's latest CD, "Songs Along The Way". It includes 11 newly recorded songs as well as his never before released original demo of the Cheers Theme.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television sitcoms:
- CheersCheersCheers is an American situation comedy television series that ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. It was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television for NBC, and was created by the team of James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles...
Theme: "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" - Punky BrewsterPunky BrewsterPunky Brewster was an American sitcom about a girl named Punky Brewster being raised by her foster parent...
Theme: "Every Time I Turn Around"
Both songs were written by Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo. They also composed the theme to the long running television series Mr. Belvedere
Mr. Belvedere
Mr. Belvedere is an American sitcom that originally aired on ABC from March 15, 1985, until July 8, 1990. The series was based on the Lynn Aloysius Belvedere character created by Gwen Davenport for her 1947 novel Belvedere, which was later adapted into the 1948 film Sitting Pretty...
.
Career
Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo were composing the score to an off-Broadway musical, Preppies, in the early 1980s when Glen and Les Charles, two of the producers of CheersCheers
Cheers is an American situation comedy television series that ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. It was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television for NBC, and was created by the team of James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles...
, heard their opening number, "People Like Us". They wanted to use the song as the theme for their upcoming sitcom. However, the producers of Preppies wouldn't release it. Portnoy and Angelo then set out to write a new theme for Cheers. After their first two attempts were rejected, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" was finally selected as the theme song for Cheers.
Prior to writing the Cheers theme, Mr. Portnoy had found success as a highly regarded young songwriter. His songs had been recorded by Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
("Say Goodnight" from Dolly, Dolly, Dolly
Dolly, Dolly, Dolly
-Chart performance:- Personnel :*Eddie Anderson – drums*Anita Ball – vocals*Jeff Baxter – guitar*George Bohannon – horn*Alexandra Brown – vocals*Lenny Castro – conductor*Steve Cropper – guitar*Denise DeCaro – vocals*Frank DeCaro – strings...
, co-written by Susan Sheridan) and Air Supply
Air Supply
Air Supply is an Australian soft rock duo, consisting of Graham Russell as guitarist and singer-songwriter and Russell Hitchcock as lead vocalist. They had a succession of hits worldwide, including eight Top Ten hits in the United States, in the early 1980s...
("I'll Never Get Enough" co-written by Jeanne Napoli
Jeanne Napoli
Jeanne Napoli was an American singer, songwriter, and performer. She was signed to the Vigor sub-label of New York’s De-Lite Records in 1976. She is best known for her "Let’s make love" disco track....
and Judy Quay) among others, and he had recorded a self-titled album for Columbia Records that was released in 1980. (That album was recently re-released on CD by Sony Japan). He had also written several songs for the critically acclaimed NBC series Fame
Fame (1982 TV series)
Fame is an American television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show was based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although...
. One of the songs from Fame, "I Still Believe In Me" (co-written by Susan Sheridan), went on to be nominated for an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for best original song. He also co-wrote the song "It's Gonna Be a Long Night" with Estelle Levitt. Both Fame songs were featured on the album The Kids from Fame
As a result of his television work of the 1980s, Mr. Portnoy received an Emmy nomination for "Cheers" and six consecutive ASCAP awards for the Most Performed Television Themes of the year.
After that, Mr. Portnoy took an extended hiatus from the music business. In the late 1990s he and co-writer Gloria Nissenson began making regular visits to Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
and some of the songs that they wrote there appear on Portnoy's 2004 CD Keeper. Keeper also includes the original full-length version of the Cheers theme "Where Everybody Knows Your Name".
January 2007 brought the release of Portnoy's mostly self-penned CD Destiny. It contains 11 tracks and a full length version of the Mr. Belvedere
Mr. Belvedere
Mr. Belvedere is an American sitcom that originally aired on ABC from March 15, 1985, until July 8, 1990. The series was based on the Lynn Aloysius Belvedere character created by Gwen Davenport for her 1947 novel Belvedere, which was later adapted into the 1948 film Sitting Pretty...
theme as sung by Portnoy (Leon Redbone
Leon Redbone
Leon Redbone is a singer and guitarist specializing in interpretations of early 20th-century music, including jazz and blues standards and Tin Pan Alley classics....
's recorded version of the song was Mr. Belvederes original theme).
February, 2010 saw the release of Gary Portnoy's latest CD, "Songs Along The Way". It includes 11 newly recorded songs as well as his never before released original demo of the Cheers Theme.
Albums
- Songs Along The Way (2010, Argentum Records)
- Destiny (2007, Argentum Records)
- Keeper (2004, Argentum Records)
- Gary Portnoy (1980, Sony Music)
Recorded by other artists (partial list)
- "When I'm Loving You" (co-written with Paul Vance)
- recorded by Gail Wynters for her 1977 RCA album Let The Lady Sing
- "Shee Moe Foe" (co-written with Irwin Levine)
- recorded by Mac DavisMac DavisMac Davis is a country music singer, songwriter, and actor originally from Lubbock, Texas who has enjoyed much crossover success...
for his 1978 Columbia album Fantasy- "I'll Never Get Enough Of You" (co-written with Jeanne Napoli and Judy Quay)
- recorded by Samantha SangSamantha SangSamantha Sang is a stage name of Australian singer, Cheryl Lau Sang, from Melbourne, who had an earlier career as Cheryl Gray. She had a number eight hit in Australia with "You Made Me What I Am" in 1967. By 1969, she had relocated to United Kingdom and worked with Bee Gees but then returned...
for her 1979 Private Stock album From Dance To Love- "On The Run" (co-written with Jeanne Napoli)
- recorded by Cheryl LaddCheryl LaddCheryl Ladd is an American actress, singer and author. Ladd is best known for her role as Kris Munroe in the television series Charlie's Angels, hired amid a swirl of publicity prior to its second season in 1977 to replace the departing Farrah Fawcett-Majors...
for her 1979 Capitol album Dance Forever- "Say Goodnight" (co-written with Susan Sheridan)
- Recorded by Dolly PartonDolly PartonDolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
for her 1980 RCA album Dolly, Dolly, DollyDolly, Dolly, Dolly-Chart performance:- Personnel :*Eddie Anderson – drums*Anita Ball – vocals*Jeff Baxter – guitar*George Bohannon – horn*Alexandra Brown – vocals*Lenny Castro – conductor*Steve Cropper – guitar*Denise DeCaro – vocals*Frank DeCaro – strings...
- "Late Night Confession" (co-written with Juli Davidson)
- recorded by Glen CampbellGlen CampbellGlen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
for his 1980 Capitol album Something Bout You Baby I Like- "Move A Little Closer" (co-written with Jeanne Napoli)
- recorded by Keith Barrow for his 1980 Capitol album Just As I Am
- "I'll Never Get Enough of You" (co-written with Jeanne Napoli and Judy Quay)
- Recorded by Air SupplyAir SupplyAir Supply is an Australian soft rock duo, consisting of Graham Russell as guitarist and singer-songwriter and Russell Hitchcock as lead vocalist. They had a succession of hits worldwide, including eight Top Ten hits in the United States, in the early 1980s...
for their 1981 Arista album The One that You Love- "When the Night Ends" (co-written with Ruth Rosen Greenwood)
- recorded by Engelbert HumperdinckEngelbert Humperdinck (singer)Engelbert Humperdinck is a British pop singer, best known for his hits including "Release Me " and "After the Lovin'" as well as "The Last Waltz" .-Early life:...
for his 1981 Columbia album Don't You Love Me Anymore- "Say Goodnight" (co-written with Susan Sheridan)
- Recorded by Engelbert HumperdinckEngelbert Humperdinck (singer)Engelbert Humperdinck is a British pop singer, best known for his hits including "Release Me " and "After the Lovin'" as well as "The Last Waltz" .-Early life:...
for his 1981 Columbia album Don't You Love Me Anymore- "I Still Believe In Me" (co-written with Susan Sheridan)
- Recorded by Debbie AllenDebbie AllenDeborrah Kaye “Debbie” Allen is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities...
and Erica GimpelErica GimpelErica Fawn Gimpel , American television actress. She is best known for her roles on television shows Fame as Coco Hernandez and on Profiler as Angel Brown. She is also known for her major recurring roles on the television shows ER as Adele Newman and on Veronica Mars as Alicia Fennel...
as featured on the 1982 RCA album The Kids from Fame- "It's Gonna Be a Long Night" (co-written with Estelle Levitt)
- Recorded by Lori SingerLori SingerLori Singer is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Ariel Moore, the female lead in the 1984 feature film Footloose, and as Julie Miller in the television series Fame.-Film and television career:...
as featured on the 1982 RCA album The Kids from Fame- "I Was Only Trying To Help" (co-written with Ruth Rosen Greenwood)
- Recorded by Valerie LandsburgValerie LandsburgValerie Landsburg is an American actress, television and film director, screenwriter, and singer-songwriter. She is best known for her role as Doris Schwartz in the 1982 series Fame, interpreting, for television, the role that Maureen Teefy had originated in the film. She was also the lead singer...
as featured on the 1982 RCA album The Kids from Fame Again- "Face To Face" (co-written with Judy Hart Angelo)
- Recorded by Valerie LandsburgValerie LandsburgValerie Landsburg is an American actress, television and film director, screenwriter, and singer-songwriter. She is best known for her role as Doris Schwartz in the 1982 series Fame, interpreting, for television, the role that Maureen Teefy had originated in the film. She was also the lead singer...
as featured on the 1983 RCA album The Kids from Fame Sing For You- "Come to Me Tonight" (co-written with Susan Sheridan)
- Recorded by Roberto CarlosRoberto Carlos (singer)Roberto Carlos Braga is a Grammy Award-winning Brazilian singer and composer, who has achieved a great deal of success and recognition in his 50 year career, also known as King of Latin Music....
on his 1990 Columbia album From Brazil with Love- "Mr.Belvedere Theme" (co-written with Judy Hart Angelo)
- Recorded by Leon RedboneLeon RedboneLeon Redbone is a singer and guitarist specializing in interpretations of early 20th-century music, including jazz and blues standards and Tin Pan Alley classics....
as featured on the 1996 TVT album Television's Greatest Hits Volume 6- "This Is Forever" (co-written with Gloria Nissenson and Carol Ann Brown)
- Recorded by Samantha KingSamantha KingSamantha King is a performer, recording artist and songwriter who has entertained audiences throughout North America and the Caribbean. She has performed for small intimate songwriting gatherings - all the way up to audiences as large as 80,000 people....
on her 2002 album "This Is Forever" on SKMG Records- "The Horse" (co-written with Gloria Nissenson and Matt Rossi)
- Recorded by Mammoth JackMammoth JackThe term Mammoth Jack is both a term for a large male donkey and be applied generically to some specific large donkey breeds. The term may include:...
on their 2002 album "Mammoth Jack" on Broken Bow Records- "I Miss Us" (co-written with Gloria Nissenson)
- Recorded by Sarah Gayle Taylor on her 2008 album "Texas Sweetheart" on Lure Records
External links
- Gary Portnoy's Official website- includes a video history "Outside Cheers" that showcases the life of "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" beyond the series. There is also a detailed, biographical account of the story behind the Cheers theme (including audio recordings of rejected earlier efforts), the original demo recording, and full lyrics.
- Gary Portnoy at MySpace
- Gary Portnoy at the Internet Off Broadway DatabaseLortel ArchivesThe Lortel Archives, or the Internet Off-Broadway Database is an online database that catalogues theatre productions shown off-Broadway.The archives are named in honor of actress and theatrical producer Lucille Lortel.-See also:...