ThE mAgIc ThAt Is AnDy!!!

The most well-known star of today and the kindest, Andy, offers up exclusive answers to where he comes from, how he got here, and how he manages to always have a bright smile on his face.
NOW:
Born in Tehran, Andy Madadian grew up in a humble area called Majidiyeh, a neighborhood that left much to be desired yet taught him great lessons from the beginning. With four brothers and two sisters, their house was always packed and there was always something going on.
One thing is for certain. From day one, Andy has been an entertainer at heart. From the Governor of Naishapur, to Pop Heartthrob, he has come a long way to claim the number one spot in the hearts of Iranians around the world. An actor, singer, musician, artist, producer, and all around entertainer, Andy sits down with us for a chat.
PersianMirror: Tell us about your childhood.
Andy: I was a very happy child and a top student. My father used to build roads and for his job, we would always be moving around to different villages every so often. I spent one summer in Kermanshah and through all the moves developed a real love for the essence of people. Even though my family is Armenian, I never went to church. I believe in all religions. When I was 9, I put my first play together. We sold the tickets to the neighborhood kids, while delivering a mini-trailer of the story on the spot. There were sword fights and curtain calls. We were very professional and had a lot of fun.
In high school, we put together band and I started to learn to play the guitar. I hated Iranian music and was really into English tunes, like Rod Stewart, Pink Floyd, and anything rock that represented rebellion and change.
"I am a happy guy." - Andy
PM: How did you get started with music professionally from there?
Andy: I was a very active teenager and did well in school. I went to play soccer professionally in Scotland with the Ararat Soccer team's 4th division when I was 16. I also performed for the Shah and all his dignitaries at one point. I didn't really care or know who he was. I met the Queen and Malek Hossein in Kish and was portrayed as the youth of Iran. I then came to the US finally in 1978 around Thanksgiving time. I went to Cal State in Los Angeles to study music. Then I was offered a tour with an American band, doing a tribute to Bette Midler. Eventually I started to play with Persian Singers. That is when Kourosh and I recorded our first song and that became a big hit. I think we did 26 Jewish weddings in one month - it must have been June.
PM: What are you working on right now?
Andy: I have a new album in the works - we will probably release it some time in September. It will feature duets with Arab and Armenian artists which will focus on a more international audience. I have also been doing lots of work for different films, including the House of Sand and Fog, Restless, Hollywood Cup, Real World, Road Rules, and so on. I just also finished up a great project called The Keeper - the film about Omar Khayyam.
PM: Tell us about "The Keeper".
Andy: My partner Shani did some music for the film, so we collaborated on that part. We have also put together some great music videos which you can find on her website.
In the film, I play the Governor of Naishapour. He is Hassan's dad and has a pivotal role in the film, in that he raises Khayyam and is really the father figure. He teaches him about life and how to fight for what you believe in.
PM: Sounds like a tough role. How did you like acting and how do you keep the smile going as the Governor of Naishapur?
Andy: I have to say, it took a lot out of me. Acting is a lot more difficult than one imagines. I have a hard time getting angry or sad. You know, I am a happy guy. I like to laugh, so it was tough being a strict and controlling presence in the film. I did enjoy it very much though and am very proud of the film. I am a happy guy.
PM: I heard you love dogs and own a couple. What are their names?
Andy: I love having lots going on. I have two Maltese dogs, named Lilly and Sophie. I also have a German Shepard named Isabella. I have to go home to feed them now. (big smile)
For more on Andy, visit his website at www.andymusic.com.
For more on Shani, go to www.atthecasbah.com.
For the new film "The Keeper", go to www.greatomar.com
The most well-known star of today and the kindest, Andy, offers up exclusive answers to where he comes from, how he got here, and how he manages to always have a bright smile on his face.
NOW:
Born in Tehran, Andy Madadian grew up in a humble area called Majidiyeh, a neighborhood that left much to be desired yet taught him great lessons from the beginning. With four brothers and two sisters, their house was always packed and there was always something going on.
One thing is for certain. From day one, Andy has been an entertainer at heart. From the Governor of Naishapur, to Pop Heartthrob, he has come a long way to claim the number one spot in the hearts of Iranians around the world. An actor, singer, musician, artist, producer, and all around entertainer, Andy sits down with us for a chat.
PersianMirror: Tell us about your childhood.
Andy: I was a very happy child and a top student. My father used to build roads and for his job, we would always be moving around to different villages every so often. I spent one summer in Kermanshah and through all the moves developed a real love for the essence of people. Even though my family is Armenian, I never went to church. I believe in all religions. When I was 9, I put my first play together. We sold the tickets to the neighborhood kids, while delivering a mini-trailer of the story on the spot. There were sword fights and curtain calls. We were very professional and had a lot of fun.
In high school, we put together band and I started to learn to play the guitar. I hated Iranian music and was really into English tunes, like Rod Stewart, Pink Floyd, and anything rock that represented rebellion and change.
"I am a happy guy." - Andy
PM: How did you get started with music professionally from there?
Andy: I was a very active teenager and did well in school. I went to play soccer professionally in Scotland with the Ararat Soccer team's 4th division when I was 16. I also performed for the Shah and all his dignitaries at one point. I didn't really care or know who he was. I met the Queen and Malek Hossein in Kish and was portrayed as the youth of Iran. I then came to the US finally in 1978 around Thanksgiving time. I went to Cal State in Los Angeles to study music. Then I was offered a tour with an American band, doing a tribute to Bette Midler. Eventually I started to play with Persian Singers. That is when Kourosh and I recorded our first song and that became a big hit. I think we did 26 Jewish weddings in one month - it must have been June.
PM: What are you working on right now?
Andy: I have a new album in the works - we will probably release it some time in September. It will feature duets with Arab and Armenian artists which will focus on a more international audience. I have also been doing lots of work for different films, including the House of Sand and Fog, Restless, Hollywood Cup, Real World, Road Rules, and so on. I just also finished up a great project called The Keeper - the film about Omar Khayyam.
PM: Tell us about "The Keeper".
Andy: My partner Shani did some music for the film, so we collaborated on that part. We have also put together some great music videos which you can find on her website.
In the film, I play the Governor of Naishapour. He is Hassan's dad and has a pivotal role in the film, in that he raises Khayyam and is really the father figure. He teaches him about life and how to fight for what you believe in.
PM: Sounds like a tough role. How did you like acting and how do you keep the smile going as the Governor of Naishapur?
Andy: I have to say, it took a lot out of me. Acting is a lot more difficult than one imagines. I have a hard time getting angry or sad. You know, I am a happy guy. I like to laugh, so it was tough being a strict and controlling presence in the film. I did enjoy it very much though and am very proud of the film. I am a happy guy.
PM: I heard you love dogs and own a couple. What are their names?
Andy: I love having lots going on. I have two Maltese dogs, named Lilly and Sophie. I also have a German Shepard named Isabella. I have to go home to feed them now. (big smile)
For more on Andy, visit his website at www.andymusic.com.
For more on Shani, go to www.atthecasbah.com.
For the new film "The Keeper", go to www.greatomar.com





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