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Pat DiNizio

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Pat DiNizio
Pat DiNizio and Severo Jornacion of the Smithereens performing at Bar Anticipation in Belmar, NJ on August 24, 2012.
Pat DiNizio and Severo Jornacion of the Smithereens performing at Bar Anticipation in Belmar, NJ on August 24, 2012.
Background information
Born (1955-10-12) October 12, 1955 (age 69)
Scotch Plains, New Jersey, United States
OriginCarteret, New Jersey
GenresRock, power pop
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, actor, film producer, politician
Instrument(s)Guitar, harmonica, vocals
Years active1980–present
LabelsFuel/Universal, East West Records, Koch Records, Enigma, Little Ricky Records/Capitol, BMG/Excelsior, Velvel Records/Koch Records, E1 Music, Warner Bros., D-Tone
WebsitePatdinizio.net

Pat DiNizio (born October 12, 1955), of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, is the lead singer, songwriter, and member of the band The Smithereens, which he formed in 1980 with Jim Babjak, Dennis Diken and Mike Mesaros, from Carteret, New Jersey.[1]

In addition to the Smithereens' body of work, DiNizio has also released a number of solo albums, Sounds and Songs (1997), This is Pat DiNizio, a collection of cover songs arranged for piano and vocals (2006), Revolutions (2 CDs plus 1 DVD, limited edition of 300 copies, 2006), Pat DiNizio (2007), and Pat DiNizio/Buddy Holly (2008). An expanded 2-CD version of This is Pat DiNizio was issued in 2011.

In 2000, DiNizio made an unsuccessful run for the New Jersey seat of the United States Senate, running on the Reform Party ticket. He finished 4th with 19,312 votes (0.64%). The campaign was chronicled in the 2001 documentary film Mr. Smithereen Goes to Washington.[2]

The same year, he launched the "Living Room Tour," a five-month jaunt where he performed solo, by request only, in the homes of fans. The tour was a success, and he still occasionally books similar concerts for a nominal fee.[3]

In 2001, he was one of the first musicians to throw his support behind XM Satellite Radio, becoming host and program director for the XM Radio Unsigned station.

DiNizio was also an inaugural member of the Independent Music Awards' judging panel to support independent artists.[4]

In 2006, he was the focus of 7th Inning Stretch, an ESPN2 reality special. The special focused on DiNizio's recovery from a "life-threatening and debilitating nervous disorder" by training and attempting to try out for a Minor League Baseball team (The Somerset Patriots), along with tales of baseball folklore from other musicians such as Joan Jett, Gene Simmons, and Bruce Springsteen.[5]

DiNizio also released an audio book, Confessions Of A Rock Star, and continues to perform both solo acoustic shows and with The Smithereens. From November 2011 to June 2012, DiNizio presented a condensed, live adaptation of the book (with storytelling and full band accompaniment) in nightly performances at the The Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.[6]

Discography

Smithereen's Pat DiNizio

Solo discography

With The Smithereens

Books

  • "Removing the Horns" (introduction to Wearing the Horns by author Clifford Meth) (2003), Aardwolf Publishing[7]
  • Confessions Of A Rock Star (2009)

Filmography

Films

  • Singles (1992), Actor
  • Mr. Smithereen Goes to Washington (2001)
  • King Leisure S.O.B. (2004), Writer/Director/Actor
  • Dead Horse (2004), Actor/Producer/Composer

Television

References

  1. ^ Cahillane, Kevin. "Not Fade Away: The Smithereens' Monument to Persistence", The New York Times, October 10, 2004. Accessed November 3, 2007. "The band formed in 1980 when three Carteret High School graduates (class of 1975) and childhood friends (Mr. Babjak, Dennis Diken on drums and Mike Mesaros on bass) met Pat DiNizio, a Scotch Plains singer-songwriter-garbage man."
  2. ^ 242 Productions, Inc
  3. ^ Pat DiNizio - Living Room Concerts
  4. ^ Independent Music Awards - Past Judges
  5. ^ http://www.nuvo.net/sports/article/rock-music-meets-baseball
  6. ^ [1]
  7. ^ http://www.aardwolfpublishing.com/Comics-and-books/wearing_the_horns.htm
  8. ^ http://www.nuvo.net/sports/article/rock-music-meets-baseball
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