Mr Yipadee
| Dean O'Brien aka Mr Yipadee | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 2 September 1978 |
| Known for | Children's musician, producer, and author |
| Website |
www |
Dean O'Brien, known by his stage name Mr Yipadee, is a New Zealand children's entertainer and musician, who has performed in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Early life
O'Brien was raised in Mosgiel, New Zealand, where he was educated at St Mary's Catholic primary school and Taieri High School.[1][2] He became interested in performing music from an early age, and he played guitar in a number of bands in school.[3][4] He also spent a year in Japan teaching English through music to young children.[4] He began working in radio, initially for More FM in New Zealand, and then for 6 years on breakfast shows in Manchester, Liverpool, and Lancashire in England. He then spent over 4 years as the Programme Director for a radio station in Manchester, England.[1] He was made redundant in 2012.[5]
Music career
After being made redundant, O'Brien decided to pursue a career writing and performing children's music, using the stage name Mr Yipadee. His music is intended to promote positive thinking and self-confidence among children.[1] His first performances were at birthday parties and children's play centres near his home in Preston, England.[4]
He has released four albums under the name Mr Yipadee, The Animal Choir, about a mouse starting a choir, The Yes I Can Club.,[1] "Positively Nursery Rhymes", and World's Greatest Christmas Party. Yes I Can Club charted at number one on the iTunes Children's Best Sellers Chart in the UK when it was released.[5] and World's Greatest Christmas was at number two on the Best Sellers Chart in December 2014.[6]
In 2013, Mr Yipadee performed on the Kidz Field stage at Glastonbury Festival. After his performance, his debut album The Animal Choir peaked at number one on the iTunes children's chart.[3] In September and October 2013, he toured New Zealand with fellow children's entertainer Craig Smith.[7] He has also toured the UK in 2013 and 2014 with CBeebies presenter, Alex Winters.[8][9][10] and CBeebies TV actor, Joe Chambers who plays First Officer Ditti on CBeebies TV Show, The Rhyme Rocket [11]
Personal life
O'Brien married Lani in Wanaka in February 2010.[2] They have a daughter, Evolet, who was born in 2012 and Ellora, who was born in August, 2015.[5] They currently live in Preston, England.[2][12] [5] http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/music/tv-stars-sing-along-for-syrian-children-1-7473649>[12]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Houlahan, Carmen (23 January 2013). "iTunes hit for Mosgiel man". Southland Times.
- 1 2 3 Benson, Nigel (20 September 2013). "Proving power of positive thinking". Otago Daily Times.
- 1 2 Etheridge, Jess (1 October 2013). "From Glastonbury to Takapuna". North Shore Times.
- 1 2 3 "Dean back on top with Mr Yipadee". Lancashire Evening Post. 19 January 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 "'If you have a dream, just go for it'". Nelson Mail. 3 October 2013.
- ↑ http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/music/preston-dad-is-no-2-in-itunes-kids-chart-1-6990325/
- ↑ "Former Hamilton man to perform at Glastonbury Music Festival". Waikato Times. 4 June 2013.
- ↑ http://www.roundthetwist.biz/alex-winters-from-ceebies-and-mr-yipadee/
- ↑ http://gb.pinterest.com/mryipadee/summer-kids-fun-tour-with-alex-winters-from-cbeebi/
- ↑ http://thecrewenews.co.uk/childrens-tv-host-alex-winters-to-visit-crewe-playcentre/
- ↑ http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/CBeebies-star-Joe-Chambers-performed-Saffron/story-25712515-detail/story.html
- 1 2 "Children in for top entertainment". Southland Times. 26 September 2013.