Former Singer songwriter, recording artist. Now creating Custom written songs for any event.
Bio:
The musical path.... A retrospective
Cummings recalls. "From the moment I saw Presley on T.V. “I knew I would be A Star”. He studied guitar and in a short while made his Folk music debut. The living room in his Brooklyn home was packed, and the pressure was on. Paul Robeson, Harry Belafonte, DrW.B Dubois and Pete Seeger were waiting. Back stage in the kitchen his only worry. “Please don't let Aunt Bella pinch me on the cheek again before I go on”. He took a quick belt of OJ and headed upstairs to the green room. Earlier, he had put his 6 string in a hiding place. When introduced he slid head first down the stairs, for the big entrance. He grabbed the guitar and launched in to “This land is your land” segued to Sloop John B. The applause was deafening! A few years later in 1962, his first copy written song“Since You Went Away” was recorded in a basement freezer room. 
By 1966 Cummings as 1/4 of "The Reasons Why", signs with Platinum Records, distributed by Capitol. Well crafted, catchy pop songs with four part vocal harmonies were their forte. Shortly after the recording sessions ended.. the band broke up. Cummings was heartbroken, the dream was over. He divorced himself from music. Started a family, and a successful sales career in the fashion business. 
In 1971 his musical path continues. After an Epiphany, he brings the passion of music back into his life. Locking himself up in Jimmy Blake's attic, he starts playing and writing again. Responding to an ad in the Village Voice, sends his demo tape, meets manager Jerry Purcell, who sets up a session with a producer /studio musicians. Within two months Cummings signs with Sunflower Records, a division of MGM. Contracted as singer songwriter, he moves his family to Hollywood . His first slated release " A Slice of Life"was to be akin to T.V's "All in the Family", a musical inside view of Anytown, USA. Cummings wrote for months, yielding a cast of characters that embody the good the bad the ugly in all walks of life. Happy Hookers, Embezzling Bankers, A Chestnutman, A Preacherman, A crazy kid Roger, Dogs and even a suspicious embryo. The work was never released as MGM's conservative management deemed the lyrics too controversial and irreverent. Cummings manager pleaded with him. "Your not John Lennon, this is your dream, don't blow it. Change some lyrics, whats the big deal". At the time Cummings refused. He said " What the hell do they know" He was the artist. The work had to be heard, and live previews of the music were well received. Cummings stuck to his guns. He was promptly dismissed. From the house in Hollywood Hills to a one room dump and food stamps almost overnight. Ouch! Say goodbye to Hollywood.
In 2006 an acetate record of The Reasons Why demo was recovered as well as the original live MGM recording sessions were salvaged and remixed. 
" I have suffered for my passion... now you can too". 
This site is a retrospective of his writing and singing. Dedicated to daughters Jennifer and Laura. 
Thank you in advance for your ears.
peter

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