Roy Zimmerman: ReZist, Funny, Satirical Songs!

Over twenty years on stages, screens and airwaves across America, Roy Zimmerman has brought the sting of satire to the struggle for Peace and Justice. His newest show “ReZist” brings laughter and encouragement to progressive-minded people who need a lot of both in the Age of Trump.

“Sometimes I think satire is the most hopeful form of expression,” says Roy, “because in calling out the world’s absurdities and laughing in their face, I’m affirming the real possibility for change.”

Roy’s songs have been heard on HBO and Showtime. He has recorded for Warner/Reprise Records. His YouTube videos have garnered over seven million views, and he’s a featured blogger for the Huffington Post. Zimmerman has shared stages with Bill Maher, Ellen DeGeneres, Robin Williams, Holly Near, Arlo Guthrie, John Oliver, The Roches, Andy Borowitz, The Chambers Brothers and George Carlin. He’s done several shows with The Pixies’ Frank Black, swapping songs in a solo acoustic setting, and provided comic commentary to the live premiere performance of Black’s score for the classic silent film “Der Golem.”

The world is full of funny songs, but Zimmerman’s hilarious, rhyme-intensive originals are also incisive calls to action, smart, savvy and undeniable. Roy’s songs are often played on progressive radio by Stephanie Miller, Bill Press, Randi Rhodes, Thom Hartmann, and others. His tunes are spun regularly by folk music DJs across the country and he’s a frequent guest on Sirius Radio’s syndicated show “West Coast Live.”

Roy’s performance of his song “I’m Fired” is featured in the Showtime film “Fired!” And he sings his song “Ted Haggard is Completely Heterosexual” in Alexandra Pelosi’s HBO documentary “The Trials of Ted Haggard.”

Zimmerman founded and wrote all the material for the comedy folk quartet The Foremen, who recorded for Warner/Reprise Records. The Foremen toured extensively, playing the nation’s major folk venues, a lot of fancy Progressive benefits, Pete Seeger’s Clearwater Festival, The Democratic National Convention and CBGB.

Roy and his wife Melanie have written hundreds of children’s songs for Disney, Warner Bros, Looney Tunes, McGraw and Hill and others. Melanie is the author of the children’s picture book All Aboard for Dreamland, published by Tradewind Books and Simon and Schuster in 2008. By far, Roy and Melanie’s best collaborations are their sons, Joe and Sam.