Bryan Fenkart 279

Bryan Fenkart is like every aspiring career musician in the sense that he has big dreams of his albums selling enough to support him so that he can continue writing music and performing it. However, his day job isn’t one he wants to quit any time soon. He is to be the lead in the successful Broadway musical Memphis. Last October he embarked on a year long Broadway national tour of the show Memphis, where he plays the lead, Huey Calhoun.. And amidst all of the chaos of touring, he will be releasing an album full of heartfelt original songs on January 17th.
In 2009, this Midland Park, New Jersey native landed a coveted role in the original cast of “Memphis,” the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical, which also garnered Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre, and Best Orchestrations. He has appeared in the lead in more than 20 percent of all Broadway performances, making him arguably one of Broadway’s busiest understudies and earning him the nickname “wonderstudy” from his peers. Despite the demands of his rigorous Broadway schedule, Bryan remains true to his first love: song-writing and performing his creations in intimate settings, close to his fans, and to his roots.

As with his debut album, “Imperfect Man,” his new album mines the sentiment and realities of his generation through lyrics and tunes that touch the heart and the soul “Simple & Grey” is honest, fresh and exciting. He has been securing morning show placements in every market of his tour- usually discussing the experience of being in the show but also singing ‘New World’ and ‘Ok’, his two singles from the album.

Bryan’s songwriting is well thought out and remarkably diverse. His music blends exquisitely with songwriting that echoes the sensibilities of artists like John Mayer and the great Billy Joel, both significant influences in Bryan’s musical life. His album coherently and tenderly conveys the monumental human battle we all wage every day – man vs. his flaws – precisely captured on the album’s title track.

Bryan’s live performances take his music to another level, as he brings a captivating and charismatic presence to every stage he graces. He performs regularly at many of New York City’s legendary venues including The Bitter End, the Knitting Factory, Sullivan Hall, Crash Mansion, Canal Room, The D-Lounge, and Gavin DeGraw’s National Underground, where he headlined bi-monthly on his nights off from “Memphis.” He is building a strong and loyal fan base through his live gigs, while also garnering a solid reputation as a talented and tireless live performer. One of his recent live performances at The Bitter End was mentioned in the New York Post’s infamous “Page Six” gossip column, which noted that the show was attended by many in the “Memphis” cast and several of the show’s producers, who joined in a rousing standing ovation at the end of Bryan’s set.

Bryan’s music has been played on a number of radio stations including Z100’s HD2 Channel, WAXQ-FM (twice featured on “Out of the Box”), 106.7 Lite FM, and on New Jersey’s 105.5 WDHA-FM. Additionally, Bryan has performed live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio’s “Breuer Unleashed” and most recently on the “Opie & Anthony” show. Bryan was profiled on New York television station WPIX-TV’s “The CW 11 Morning News” in its “Spotlight On” segment that highlights emerging musicians and was invited back to perform live on the show last year. He has also performed live on WNYW-TV’s “Good Day New York”, “Great Day Houston”, “The ABC Mid-day show” in Memphis, “Good Day Tulsa”, and will be performing on “Eyewitness News 4 NBC” in Oklahoma City.
Bryan also lends his talents and time to a number of local charitable organizations, most notably, Musicians on Call, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.
Bryan’s interests and talents aren’t limited to music alone. He is also an accomplished actor, having appeared on television and starred in several independent films and theatre productions. Bryan made his network television debut in an episode of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” that included the introduction of Jeff Goldblum’s character to the show. Recently, he starred in “The Unusual Suspects” at the New York Fringe Festival. Of his performance, NYTheatre.com said: “Another stand-out of the evening is Bryan Fenkart... showing leading-man charisma and remarkable presence.”

Bryan starred in the independent romantic comedy “You Tell Me,” turning in a sweet, funny and poignant performance. The film garnered a Best Feature award at the First Glance Film Festival - Hollywood, as well as earning an Official Selection at the Beverly Hills Hi-Def Film Fest and an Official Selection at the New Filmmakers Screening Series. “You Tell Me” also utilized Bryan’s music by including the title track of his album, “Imperfect Man,” in the film. Bryan also had a starring role in the independent film “Red Hook,” which also featured one of his songs – “Independence Day.” “Red Hook” recently aired on Showtime In Demand. He also supplied his voice and comedic talent to the Daily Comedy Network, a company that writes and produces comedy bits for hundreds of radio stations nationwide. Bryan also provided voices for E! Entertainment Television’s clay-mation series “Starveillance.”