The Songaminute Man: How Music Brought My Father Home Again

by Simon McDermott

A powerful and emotional memoir about family and memory from the father-son singing sensation whose heartwarming carpool karaoke video took social media by storm.

At first, Simon's beloved father, Ted, suffered sudden bad moods and forgetfulness. Then the diagnosis: Alzheimer's.

Ted was disappearing from the family, but Simon wanted to hold on to him. While music could bring him back temporarily--the video of the two of them singing along to Ted's favorite song was a hit around the world--Ted could no longer tell his story.

This is that story.

The Songaminute Man is the heartbreaking, poignant tale of vanishing family memories, a celebration of Ted's life and a moving account of caring for a truly loved father.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 5, 2018

Reviews

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved this via goodreads giveaways in exchange for an honest review. All my opinions are my own.
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A heartbreaking and heartwarming read in equal measures. An incredible story of family and how they deal with this illness that comes into their lives.

Ted was a very interesting guy. As I read of his life I was smiling and laughing quite a few times. How he stepped up and took care of his family was so beautiful. Even at the cost of his dreams at times.

He wasn't a perfect man but a good man. A thought came to my mind more than once that Pop Pop would have loved this guy.

Believe it or not, I had no idea this all happened. The description on Goodreads giveaways was my first introduction to Ted and his family... I couldn't hit the enter buttons fast enough.

Definitely will be checking out the videos when I'm off:).

There aren't enough words to do justics to what I want to say but I would highly recommend.

[Katie.dorny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured this via audio in a day - read by the author. Unflinching, soul bearingky crushing honesty shows the realities of living with Alzheimers.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book.

This book is a truly heartbreaking and heartwarming read, in equal measure. I loved the reality, the honesty and the humour shown by Simon. I first came across The Songaminute Man on Facebook where Simon recorded his Dad singing as they drove around town and county. It was delightful to listen too, I love the old songs. So I read the book with interest. It is a tribute to the family who have endured so much but highlights the plight of so many other families too. It was actually after reading this that I recognised symptoms in my own father. Who has now been diagnosed, so I hope I can move forward with the same dignity that Simon and the family have shown.
The photos were also a lovely touch.
Do read, but keep a box of tissues close by.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for a book review. Simon McDermott writes a wonderful devotion to his dad Ted McDermott. Simon and his dad became famous on facebook by putting videos of them singing in the car. Ted grew up the eldest of 14 children. he helped his parents by doing all kinds of jobs. His best ability was his singing voice. He sang in bars, clubs, and anywhere else he could. He earned money at other jobs but his greatest love was singing. The last few years Ted was diagnosed with dementia. Simon has watched his dad struggle act out in anger at this devastating disease. But he can still sing. With their facebook blogs of their singing together started a fundraiser to help those with Alzheimer's. I had to find out for myself and look up Simon and Ted to listen to Ted sing. He is a wonderful singer. They even got a deal with a recording deal with a studio and Ted recorded a CD. Some of the profits from this book that comes out In September and the CD go to a fundraiser for Alzheimers.

[Sharon Banda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye opener. Living with someone with Alzheimers is a challenge in itself. How this illness changes the life of the patient and the people around them. They are all silent warriors.

[Sarah Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brutally honest account of how dramatic the effects of Dementia can be. It is both moving and yet ultimately overwhelmingly heart warming.
In this example of a guy with a dementia condition there is a delay in diagnosis due to him not wanting to acknowledge a decline and others only having pieces of peculiarity to pick up on. The transience of normality and the will to keep the condition covered himself do well to disguise things with him reciting poetry at the doctor's to ward off queries regarding his memory. As things develop, it becomes harder to hide with aggression surfacing sporadically and anomalies in his behaviour. He will dip in and out of normal chat, fuse vivid moments, memories and reality to confabulate it into something that seems plausible to him but nonsensical to others, talk about himself in the third person and confuse the identity of others. It is not possible to reason with him. He can be polar opposites of mood in moments and his behaviour is erratic and hard to handle. This includes sometimes incessant patterns of nocturnal behaviour which are disturbing for those around. The impact on the family is dramatic and traumatic.
However, when resources are discovered that can be tapped into, these being his ability to retain lyrics and pick up a refrain again, they are able to bring out what he can do. This transports him into a better state of mind and an enhanced experience for all around. It is quite magical how these moments can be cultivated and how they have been captured and used to help so many who may feel isolated in similar situations.
I am glad to have my "Songaminute Man" music and especially so with understanding as to what the takings can contribute towards, such as the Dementia helpline for others feeling stranded by providing care for someone affected.
I have developed a fondness for Teddy Mac. No matter how flawed he may be now due to damaged thinking, his son depicts the loving person he naturally is at heart and it is endearing to hear his son's account. There is an enduring warmth that more genuine moments in the madness give insight into in the relationships Ted has with his wife and son despite an intensity of surreal issues in recent times. It is lovely how these and his better moments have been highlighted to shine through.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had briefly heard about The Songaminute Man in the news a year or so ago, but hadn’t picked up much detail so was very intrigued to find out more about the man and his son behind this all. This book is the memoir of Ted McDermott, written by his son Simon. It captures Ted’s childhood growing up in 1940s Wednesbury as the eldest of fourteen children right through to the present day and his rise to fame in the carpool karaoke videos.

This is an extremely powerful book and definitely one that I will remember for a long time. It is incredibly well written and detailed, considering that Simon had to source all the information from other people as Ted has dementia. Ted led a fascinating life and I really enjoyed reading about his life as a talented entertainer and Butlin’s Redcoat.

The latter sections of the book, leading up to the present day really took me on an emotional rollercoaster. It was an honest, heart-breaking account of what Simon and his family have gone through in the lead up to Ted’s diagnosis and since. I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it very highly.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won this book on Goodreads (thank you!). I enjoyed this book but maybe enjoyed isn’t the correct word. It is a heartwarming and heartbreaking book. What a terrible disease this is! How do you deal with watching your loved one go away right in front of you. It is so hard and he tries to connect with his dad in any way that he can. I did think it was very interesting and well written.

[Karen Proctor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard not to give this book a 5-star rating even though it’s not the best writing. What it is is a true, jumbled, telling account of living with a loved one that has dementia.

If you’ve dealt or are dealing with someone you love that has dementia you can relate to this story. And in doing so you have felt the sleep deprived, upside down days that Simon writes about.

I love that he wrote this book and in doing so documented what so many of the care givers to people with dementia go through and how hard and frustrating it can be to watch our loved one deteriorate.

I related to the good times and dark times of this story. Had me crying along and at times brought a smile and memories of happy times.

Thank you SimonMcDermott for sharing your families story. I’m sure for people going through this it gives hope for good times yet and memories to be made. And for me, who’s been through it, I wasn’t alone and we did the best we could. Most importantly there was love.

[D. Liebhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Songaminute Man is one son’s effort to tell his father’s story because his father no longer can.

Lovable Qualities: I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did. It seemed like a nice idea but it also turned out to be a good read. Simon McDermott gives a very honest portrayal of who his father was and also of their family’s experience with dementia.

Not so lovable: Nothing. Overall delivers a very enjoyable memoir.

My assessment: My father lived with dementia for ten years. I found Simon’s portrayal of his father’s behaviors deeply honest and raw. He didn’t sugarcoat anything, which I appreciated. I wish my dad had had something he was still able to engage in that would have made his as happy as Ted McDermott clearly was when he was singing.

[Ann Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that’s been written from the heart with an honest approach. It’s a ‘warts and all’ sort of book. Simon writes about his family and the difficulties they faced and largely overcame, over many years. It would be impossible not to be drawn to the characters he describes with such obvious love and affection. The central character of course is his dad Ted. Simon doesn’t enjoy an easy relationship with his dad for many reasons but as Ted’s health deteriorates he enjoys a relationship on a whole different level as father and son both fight to keep some sense of reality possible through Ted’s love of music and performing.
Congratulations on a great book.

[Leila Kern · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book heartrending and a heartfelt book! A fitting tribute from a son to his father battling Alzheimer’s Disease! Simon McDermott was honest about his relationship with his father but when Simon was most needed by his parents, Simon was there to assist. I appreciate Simon’s honesty; it’s not easy trying to cope with Alzheimer’s and the changing of a person’s personality. Thank you for writing this book. I imagine the book was hard to write but stories like this need to be told. You are not alone in this disease!

[Beth Neu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a son who comes to know his father better when he realizes he is suffering with Alzheimers disease. The beginning of the story and sharing Ted's early career in singing is enjoyable. Then comes the time to explain how unpredictable it is to live with someone suffering dementia and how each case varies. Simon lovingly portrays the toll it has taken on him and his mother. The reactions and responses someone you love will unknowingly give and the things they put you through is heartbreaking.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads. A book on the devastating diagnosis of Alzheimer's and the struggles of the family that has to cope with the disease as it progresses. I have worked in the medical field for most of my life and I see the ravages of this awful disease and how it changes a person. It can happen pretty quickly or progress slowly. I commend the author for writing this book and telling the story of his father. A very heart-wrenching life story.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful account of living with Alzheimer’s. Heartbreaking and laugh out loud funny, Simon doesn’t sugarcoat the journey he and his Mum are in with his Dad, the Songaminute Man. I first became aware of them from the Quando Quando Quando video. I wish them strength and laughter while Ted is with them.

[D FOZARD · Rating 4 out of 5]

True and touching story followed on Facebook and wanted to support the charity ,just starting on the same journey .thanks for the story x

Good book ,gets the basics across and some very touching mo ments plz read if urban are or aren't affected by this terrible illness

[Beverly Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Fantastic story, my Mum has vascular dementia and I can see so many similarities in the mood swings. It's a story that has given so many people comfort that we are not alone, and good things can still happen.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good to hear about Ted's life from childhood to adulthood. I had hoped he would include some previously unaired singing by his dad. I was easily able to identify with his story because of our mom's illness this past year.

[Hayley Marsland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart breaking and Heart warming at the same time.
It also highlights, that we never really know what goes on behind closed doors in other people's lives.
Oh and never under estimate the power of music 🎶 🎶

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a tragic but uplifting biography of his father! Showing all sides of dementia and the magic of music to bring his dad back to him through singing.

[Kathwinnard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended this book as my dad also has dementia. As such some parts hit home very hard.

The book is a wonderful tribute to a beloved parent.

I must say I was also extremely shocked when I realised that I was an old childhood friend of the author Simon and was mentioned in the book!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book.

Simon McDermott's dad, Ted, started forgetting things and would get angry or frustrated easily. Ted was finally diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Simon had hoped his dad would get to write about all his successes, but with this new diagnoses he realized that would be something Ted wouldn't get to do now. Really easy to read story. I didn't know who Ted McDermott was, before this book, but I'm glad I know about him now.

[Sharron · Rating 2 out of 5]

***Won a free copy from Goodreads.

I might have enjoyed it more if I'd been familiar with the viral videos, but I didn't find any likable characters in the entire memoir.

I did like that he raises money for Alzheimer's charity and it raises awareness and helps people in a similar situation.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is difficult to rate as it is so heartfelt and honest and it feels mean to give anything less than 5 stars.
You may have seen Simon on tv or seen his fb campaign - he uploaded his dad singing in the car with him and it went viral worldwide raising £130,000 plus for the Alzheimer's Society. This book charts his father's early life, his eventual diagnosis and how his wife and son cope. Ted is quite often very aggressive but through singing there are glimpses of how he used to be. It is a simply written book but the honesty shines through. All I can say is well done Simon for raising awareness and sharing this story.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a goodreads give away ,was a remarkable story of the power of music in the life of a family. I have more understanding of the trauma that families are subjected to when one family member suffers from alzheimers and how it not only affects that person but also the devastating effects on all family members. At times this was so difficult to read because of the hopelessness it rendered in the wife and son as they endured the constant abuse and mental break down of their loved one. But his love for music and singing throughout his life ,restores him bringing times of refreshment and memories back again for the father and his family. I also watched the videos on u tube and heard his voice for my self and was amazed at his powerful voice and the joy that it brought to him and his family at the age of 80 yrs old. This family exhibited much unconditional love for a man who became totally unpredictable in his behavior toward them.

[HTP Books]

Categories
Entertainment & Performing Arts, Alzheimer's & Dementia, Personal Memoirs, Biographies & Autobiographies