Marty's Bio 

          Marty’s career as a lyricist began when an unknown piano player (and his best friend), Barry Manilow, asked him to collaborate.  Though they were born and raised just blocks apart, they actually met while working together in the CBS-TV mail room in New York.          

          Barry was determined to have a career in music, and they began by writing commercial jingles.  This collaboration resulted in over 30 songs recorded by Barry, many of which have become standards of American popular song.  These include "It’s A Miracle," "This One’s For You," "All the Time," and "Even Now ."

          Barry’s appearance on "Murphy Brown," singing their first "real" song ("I Am Your Child "), attracted nation-wide media attention.

          Today, "I Am Your Child " serves as title and theme, of Rob Reiner’s "I Am Your Child Foundation." The foundation (introduced with the "I Am Your Child" TV special, hosted by Tom Hanks), is dedicated to increasing awareness, of the critical importance of early childhood development. 

          "The Barry Manilow Songbook," a musical revue featuring many of Marty and Barry’s most popular songs, opened to glowing reviews in June 2001, at the Mercury Theater in Chicago. 

          Some of their greatest hits, are included on the chart topping CD "Ultimate Manilow," on Barry’s CD, "2 Nights Live!," and the current "Greatest Songs of The 70's."

          They are also featured on the multi-platinum DVD "Ultimate Manilow," and on Barry's two newest DVD releases, "Manilow Live from Las Vegas" and "First & Farewell."

           “BARRY MANILOW: THE FIRST TELEVISION SPECIALS,” a box set, including five historic programs, has also just been released.

          Their newest songs, are featured on Barry’s critically acclaimed Concord CD, "Here at the Mayflower," as well as Diane Schuur's Concord release, "Midnight."

          Marty and Barry have written 3 songs for Diane, including "I’ll Be There" (a duet with Brian McKnight, written with co-producer Eddie Arkin), and a song which has quickly become Diane’s "theme" song, "Life Is Good. "

          With Steve Dorff, Marty wrote the Kenny Rogers classic, "Through the Years. "

          These songs, along with recordings by Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Julio Iglesias, Frankie Valli, Dusty Springfield, Michael Crawford, Teddy Pendergrass, Dolly Parton, Davis Gaines, Daft Punk (Daft Punk?), and many others, have garnered Marty 35 gold and platinum albums, four BMI million-play awards, a 3 million-play award, and record sales in excess of 70 million units.

          Marty’s collaborators have included Richard Kerr, Charlie Fox, Tom Snow, Michael Masser, Randy Goodrum, Ramon Arcusa, Stephen Schwartz, and Larry Grossman.

          His first theatrical dialogue was written for the "Houdini" segment of the MGM Grand Hotel’s 47-million dollar production, "EFX."  The show (originally starring Michael Crawford, and later David Cassidy, Tommy Tune, and then Rick Springfield), also included his song "Tonight," with music by Don Grady.  Marty wrote eight additional lyrics for "EFX," when the show was updated, a year after it’s opening. This remarkable entertainment, ran for a remarkable seven years.

          Marty’s collaboration with Don Grady continues, and they've written a new theme for Disney’s "Winnie The Pooh," the first eight volumes of Disney’s DVD series "Magic English," songs for the first ever live-action interactive featurette on the DVD re-release of "Alice in Wonderland," and "Sidekicks and Henchmen," for Disney's "Once Upon a Halloween."

          Marty and Don have also written and produced two complete CDs for Disney. "The Princess Tea Party Album," and "Disney's Princess Christmas Album." Both feature the first new songs written for the legendary Disney Princesses, in a generation.

             They have most recently produced "The Disney Princess Birthday Party Album," scheduled for release in early 2008.

          Marty received an Annie Award nomination for "We Are One," from the Disney sequel to "The Lion King" – "Simba’s Pride," and created the lyrics for the score of another Disney sequel, "Pocahontas II:  Journey to a New World."

          Marty wrote lyrics AND music, for two CD’s (and companion DVD’s), for the widely popular children’s series, "Mommy and Me." The complete "Mommy and Me" product line, is scheduled to re-launched, this Fall.

          Marty and Don have just completed production of the first two episodes of the direct-to-DVD series "History's Heroes." "Patrick Henry" and "Paul Revere", are currently available from American Animation Studios. 

          Having succeeded Glen Frey at UCLA, this winter, Marty will teach his fourteenth Master Class in songwriting.

          "An Evening With Marty Panzer," featuring songs, stories, and performances by many guest composers and artists (including John Boswell, David Burnham, Tami Damiano, Steve Dorff, Davis Gaines, Don Grady, Tessa Grady, Brian Lane Green, Larry Grossman, Phillip Ingram, Monica Mancini, Eric McCormack, Bobbi Page, Diane Schuur,  and a special appearance by Barry Manilow), had its world premier at the Coronet Theatre in Los Angeles, on January 17th, 2005. This performance was a benefit for the Academy For New Musical Theatre.

           The second performance of this show was on May 14th, 2005, at the Dean Lesher Center for the Arts, in Walnut Creek, California. Marty received the first "Foster A Dream Award," at this benefit, for the Foster A Dream organization.

          Future performances of this production, are currently being developed.

          All this, while he completes his book of observations and personal experiences in the world of popular music. This book will include many of his favorite lyrics.