Singer/Songwriter Georgie Brennan to Release New Album

This Saturday, November 1, Ridgefield's beloved singer/songwriter George Brennan will be releasing a new album of songs entitled "Life, Love and Lessons." (HamletHub loves him too, and Brennan was kind enough to perform at one of our meetups!)

I had the honor of interviewing George about his new album, his love of Ridgefield, and his musical journey. 

Congrats on your latest album release! What was your inspiration behind the album?

GB: Thank you so much! It has been three years in the making. (This is my third original release. 2007 was My Dayand 2011 was Believe). It feels great to finally launch it and get these songs out there. The title itself, Life, Love, and Lessons, comes directly from my personal prayer to my mother, Barbara Brennan, who passed unexpectedly at the age of 57 back in 2002. She was such an incredible mother and human being. I learned so much from her and she gave me life, she she showered me with love, and she certainly taught me many lessons. When I pray or think about her, which is quite often, I always end my reflection with, "Thank you for life, love, and lessons." The songs on the album perfectly capture the essence of the title as well.

Who are some of the music artists that have inspired you as a singer/songwriter?

GB: I first picked up the guitar at age 11 after hearing Eddie Van Halen. He was my biggest musical influence. As a singer/songwriter, I was very influenced by Billy Joel, John Denver, Paul Simon, and John Fogerty. 

We all know how much you love Ridgefield from the way you give back to the community, to your opusThis Is My Ridgefield. What do you feel other cities and towns don't have that Ridgefield does?

GB: Ridgefield just has it all! It still carries that Norman Rockwell charm. It holds a strong bond of community and family which is almost non-existent elsewhere these days. I just think for a town of Ridgefield's size to carry as many great restaurants, great schools, great entertainment, and be recognized as the safest town in the state just reminds us to be so grateful. "This Is My Ridgefield" really wrote itself! It has almost 5K views because I just happened to write and touch on what just about everyone else in town understands. We have something very special! It was all worth the price of admission! 

I'm never short of surprised by how you've sung in every performing spot in town but never The Ridgefield Playhouse. How long till we see you on that stage?

GB: I would love to perform at The Playhouse! It is such a great venue! I have seen so many incredible performances there and I had the great honor of having my song and video, "Set On Gold-Tucker West", played before the screening of Tucker's first race. That was so memorable! It always leaves the promise of, "What's next?" Maybe the "This Is My Ridgefield" video playing before a movie or actually playing the song live before 500 people? You never know what tomorrow holds!    

This is a question I'm always curious about when I interview singer/songwriters. Of all the songs you've written and sung in your life, what has been the hardest one to do?

GB: I have three that immediately come to mind. I wrote one song that is on my first album called "Mothers Love." It was the song I danced with my Mom at my wedding. Mom loved it! It evoked entirely different emotions the first few live performances in front of family after she passed. However, it always keeps her legacy alive and it is one of my most downloaded singles to this day. I also wrote a song in memory of my cousin, firefighter Michael Brennan, ("Michael's Song") who perished on 9/11 at the age of 27. Every year I perform that song at our annual Brennan Family Reunion in July and that song ends the night. There was one more too. I wrote a song called "Dear Molly Ann" in honor of Molly Ann Tango a few years back and I performed it live in support of The Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation. I had to perform this song in front of a mother who lost her daughter (Molly.) I felt so much anxiety to perform this flawlessly in that setting before that crowd.

You have three BEAUTIFUL kids who I have had the blessing of meeting. Do any one of them have plans to follow their father in his lyricist and singing footsteps?

GB: My 7 year old twins, Connor and Caroline, have both been taking guitar lessons from dad. However my daughter Caroline clearly has taken more to it. She actually keeps her own little songwriting notebook and has written three songs, one of which is titled, "I Love Insects." She loves to sing and she enjoys the guitar. My 5 year old Caitlin loves to sing as well and boy she has the lungs to do it. They are always around music at home but if I were a betting man, I would say both of my girls will be making music in some capacity. Maybe I have the next Heart (Ann and Nancy Wilson) in the making? Right now it may be more Elsa and Anna (Frozen) but time will tell.

God plays a big role in your life noted in your lyrics. Talk to me how your faith has inspired you as an artist and as a human being in general.

GB: My faith has truly delivered me out of some very dark times. I am a Catholic School product from third grade through undergrad so that spiritual influence has made a tremendous impact on how I treat people, how I look at life, and how I handle trials and tribulations. In fact, the eighth track on this release is a humorous homage to my Parochial education called "Catholic Schools." As an artist, the greatest thing my faith has done for me is make me grateful for the God given gift to be able to write songs and perform them. Truly a gift for life that keeps on giving! I also have the obligation to share it and give back. I have to send a positive message with it and do good things with it!

As a successful singer/songwriter, what advice would you give to other young artists who want to pursue their musical dreams?

GB: Do it because you love it! Learn as much about the business side of music as the creative side. Listen to artists you love and don't imitate, but be inspired. Find the genre where you can best express your music and play it anywhere, everywhere, and anyhow. Find your inspiration from your own life because everyone has their story to tell. We will not know it until you tell it. Remember commercials need music, animation needs music, video games need music, and people who love music need music. You have a lot of avenues so it is not American Idol or bust. Make it happen,believe, and deliver!

Life, Love and Lessons will be available at digital music retailers on November 1. (i.e. i-Tunes, Amazon, Spotify, Rhapsody, etc.)

R
Submitted by Redding, CT

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