Songaminute Man and Alzheimer's Society celebrate chart single success

Viral singing sensation Teddy Mac, or 'The Songaminute Man', as he is more commonly known, is celebrating after seeing his first ever single reach the charts.

The cover of the Frank Sinatra classic 'You Make Me Feel So Young' made it to number three in the iTunes chart (which comprises solely of downloads), on the day of release, placing it in the top five alongside the likes of James Arthur, Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding. One week later, the single reached number 43 in the Official Singles Chart.

Eighty-year-old Teddy 'Mac' McDermott has dementia and in August this year, he shot to fame after his son, Simon, posted a video of them singing together in the car.

The ex-Butlins Redcoat has already amassed a following of more than 13,000 on YouTube, with his ‘Carpool Karaoke’ style version of Engelbert Humperdinck’s 60s hit 'Quando, Quando, Quando' receiving more than 1.9m views to date.

Teddy's son, Simon's aim has always been to raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Society after he and his family received advice and support from the charity’s National Dementia Helpline following his father’s diagnosis.

Simon said: "I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the reaction to Dad’s singing, not only in terms of the amount of people who’ve bought his single but because of the kind messages of support.

“The most important thing has been the way he has raised so much money for Alzheimer’s Society, which will be used to help people affected by dementia.

“I was inspired to start fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society because I turned to their National Dementia Helpline after a particularly bad summer last year when I was really struggling to cope.

“I’d found some aspects of Dad’s behaviour terrifying at times. It was only when I spoke to a woman at the Helpline that things took a turn for the better. She gave me hope. I realised we weren’t alone in all this. There was a way of coping.

“That’s why I wanted to pay something back to the Alzheimer’s Society. If that woman hadn’t been there I wouldn’t have known what to do."

Teddy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013 after years of singing in clubs and pubs in his local area. He is known as ‘The Songaminute Man’, a name which derived from his talent to remember the lyrics to numerous songs.

'A truly remarkable voice'

Teddy has been a singer all of his life and spent time travelling and performing as part of the Butlins show, a showcase of all of their best singers and entertainers, performing at some of the UK’s biggest cities and venues.

After the video of the pair singing went viral in August, Teddy was signed up by record label Decca Records, part of Universal Music and the label that Engelbert Humperdinck himself was signed to. Decca Records have more than 80 years’ experience working with international artists including The Rolling Stones, Dolly Parton, Bing Crosby and Sammy Davis Jr.

Teddy recorded his own version of the Frank Sinatra classic ‘You Make Me Feel So Young’ and a version of 'Quando, Quando, Quando' with the Guy Barker Big Band, which was mixed and mastered at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios.

Executive producer at Decca Records, Alexander Van Ingen, commented: “Teddy’s voice is truly remarkable for any singer, let alone one 80 years of age. It’s a captivating sound, full of character and experience. You can hear the worldly understanding of a lifetime.

“His nuance and delivery is perfect for ‘You Make Me Feel So Young’ and coupled with ‘Quando Quando Quando’, the song which caught the imagination of the public for the Songaminute Man’s energy and passion, this is a pairing full of poignancy and uplifting optimism.”

So far, the unlikely double-act have raised more than £130,000 for the charity after initially setting out to raise £1,000. Their fundraising efforts have also secured the duo a nomination in Creative Fundraiser of the Year category of the Just Giving Awards 2016.

Life doesn't end when dementia begins

Singing has recognised health benefits, especially for people with memory loss or dementia and Simon has found that when singing Teddy is relaxed, happy and content.

In recognition of the benefits of singing, Alzheimer’s society runs more than 300 Singing for the Brain groups to help people with dementia and their carers to interact creatively and express themselves.

Chief executive at Alzheimer’s Society, Jeremy Hughes, said: “We know music can have a positive impact on people affected by dementia and that favourite songs or pieces of music can also be powerful prompts for reminiscence. This is clearly the case when Teddy sings and is transported back to his time as an entertainer.

“We’re incredibly grateful money raised from this single will be used to fund Alzheimer’s Society services like our National Dementia Helpline, which supported Teddy’s family. Teddy’s story shows life doesn’t end when dementia begins, and you can fulfil your dreams even after a dementia diagnosis.’’

Simon added: “I’d really like to thank everyone who has supported my dad and the Alzheimer’s Society, who help a lot of families like our own who are affected by dementia.

“Lots of people have said they’ve found Dad’s music really uplifting and they’ve played his songs to parents who’ve got dementia because it’s struck a real chord with them.

“There’s no way I could have expected anything like him hitting the charts when we first started singing for fun in my car. Dad’s really picked up on the fact people know about his singing which has been amazing for him and for us as a family. It’s been his dream come true.?"

The single was released on 23 September and royalties from the single are being split between Alzheimer’s Society and the McDermott family.

To download the single, visit: http://po.st/SAMMiT or follow The Songaminute Man on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/songaminute

Anyone worried about dementia can call Alzheimer’s Society’s National Dementia Helpline for information, advice and support on 0300 2221122.