Oscar Brand (born February 7, 1920) is a folk singer, songwriter, and author. In his career, spanning over 60 years, he has composed at least 300 songs and released nearly 100 albums, among them Canadian and American patriotic songs. Brand's music runs the gamut from novelty songs to serious social commentary and spans a number of genres.He has also written a number of short stories, including: "The Miser's Gold," about two young brothers who dare each other to spend the night in an allegedly haunted house - only to discover that "allegedly" is inapplicable. The boys encounter the ghost of a wealthy but lonely man; greatly amused by their reasons for being there, he names them as heirs to his considerable fortune."The Hitchhiker," about a young man who, on the way home from a party, picks up a beautiful young woman who turns out to be much more than she seems.
September 30, 2016, Great Neck, New York, United States
Place Of Birth
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Height
6' 2" (1.88 m)
Profession
Soundtrack, Actor, Composer
Education
Brooklyn College
Spouse
Karen Lynn Grossman (m. 1970)
Children
Jordan Brand, Jeannie Brand, Eric Brand, James Brand, Cats on the Rooftops, Save a Fighter Pilot's Ass, Roll Your Leg Over
Parents
I. Z. Brand
Awards
Peabody Award
Albums
Presidential Campaign Songs 1789 - 1996
Movies
Chords of Fame
Star Sign
Aquarius
#
Quote
1
Since I first learned that words had meaning and that they could be communicated via the printed page, I have wanted to be a writer. I've also had a love affair with the stage -- since the day in 1924 when I was admitted free into the Pantages Theatre in Winnipeg.
2
If you're carrying a guitar, you can feel safe anywhere in the world.
#
Fact
1
Oscar Brand continues to broadcast his program, "Folksong Festival" on Radio Station WNYC every week. Now it is heard on Saturday Nights at 10:00 PM instead of on Sunday Nights. It has the distinction of being the longest continuously broadcast program on radio, worldwide. It is so noted in the Guinness Book of World Records. It was originally supposed to be a temporary program but here it is 71 years later still being broadcast and featuring folk singers of today and yesterday. His last show was September 24, 2016. [September 2016]
2
Hired as coordinator of folk music for New York City's municipal radio station, WNYC, in 1945. His half-hour Sunday evening broadcast, Folksong Festival, was hugely popular. He later specialized in the songs of American servicemen, of which he recorded several albums, including "G.I.: American Army Songs" (Riverside), "Every Inch a Sailor" (Elektra), "Tell it to the Marines" (Elektra), and "The Wild Blue Yonder" (Elektra).
3
Graduated from Brooklyn College in 1942 with B.A. in abnormal psychology.
4
His father, I. Z. Brand, was an interpreter to the Indians for the Hudson's Bay Company at Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.
5
For his work in films, books, and recordings, he won many awards, including the Valley Forge Memorial Award, the Golden Reel Award, the Scholastic Award, the awards of the Edinburgh and Venice film festivals, the New York Critics Award, the National Council of Christians and Jews award, the Peabody citation, Brooklyn College's Community Service Award, and the Thomas Alva Edison Award for the best children's program.
6
He served as president of Heritage Music and of Harlequin Productions, Inc.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Words to Music: The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame 2006
2006
TV Movie writer: "A Guy is a Guy"
Tribute to Harry Chapin
1991
TV Special documentary performer: "Circle"
The Fox
1967
lyrics: "Roll It Over" / music: "Roll It Over"
A Ballad for the Fair
1964
Documentary short performer: "A Ballad for the Fair" / writer: "A Ballad for the Fair"
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Rovers Comedy House
1981
TV Series
Draw Me a Laugh
1949
TV Series
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Dodge City
2005
Documentary short
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
8 X 8: A Chess Sonata in 8 Movements
1957
singer
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
American Masters
2005
TV Series documentary special thanks - 1 episode
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lead Belly: Life, Legend, Legacy
Documentary post-production
Himself
Greenwich Village: Music That Defined a Generation
2012
Documentary
Himself
Blacklist: Recovering the Life of Canada Lee
2008
Documentary
Interviewee
The Kingston Trio: 50 Years of Havin' Fun
2006
Video documentary
The Legend of Liam Clancy
2006
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Get Up, Stand Up
2003
TV Series documentary
Himself - Interviewee
American Masters
1999
TV Series documentary
Himself
Tribute to Harry Chapin
1991
TV Special documentary
Himself
Chords of Fame
1984
Documentary
Himself
The Mike Douglas Show
1963-1972
TV Series
Himself - Folk Singer / Himself - Folksinger
The David Frost Show
1972
TV Series
Himself
Today
1966
TV Series
Himself
First Look
1965
TV Series documentary
Host
Once Upon a Coffee House
1965
Himself
A Ballad for the Fair
1964
Documentary short
Himself (voice)
The Jack Paar Tonight Show
1962
TV Series
Himself
Camera Three
1959
TV Series
Himself
It Takes Everybody to Build This Land
1951
Documentary short
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1996
Personal Award
Peabody Awards
Known for movies
Chords of Fame (1984) as Himself
Once Upon a Coffee House (1965) as Himself
Greenwich Village: Music That Defined a Generation (2012) as Himself
$13 Million
