Draft:Alan Friedman, CPA

Alan Friedman (born January 7, 1956 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and businessman catering to the music industry.

Music Background
Friedman has said his passion for music started on that fateful day when The Beatles debuted on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9th, 1964. In a June 2021 interview with drum educator Dom Famularo, Friedman said, “Every Sunday my parents used to go up to my grandparents’ house for a Sunday brunch or dinner and would watch the Ed Sullivan show; I remember it like it was yesterday. I didn't even know The Beatles were going to be on. I didn't even know who The Beatles were. And so, we were just watching the Ed Sullivan Show and he announces, ‘Tonight on our show, we have The Beatles’. The place went wild, and it was instantaneous. I remember just sitting there, glued to the TV going, ‘I want to do that’. It was the coolest thing. I mean, it was a cultural shift. I became enthralled with their music and then all music that came out from that point forward”. At the age of 12, Friedman was taught how to play guitar and subsequently joined a band. Two years later, Dean left the band and became the guitarist the band Riders on the Storm (1970-1972). In 1972, Friedman joined another band called “Highway Star” (1972-1974) before leaving for college. While in college, Friedman formed a rock band called “Storm: All-Weather Rock” (1976-1980). While pursuing his CPA certificate, Friedman began writing music and recording in his home recording studio. In 1997, Friedman was asked to start an all-CPA rock cover band called “The Accounting Crows” (1997-present). In 2003, along with other music product professionals, Friedman formed a band of predominantly print music professionals called “Printz” (2003-present) who continue to play at every NAMM Trade Show. In 2011, along with drummer Jonathan Mover, bassist Doug Wimbish, Keyboardists Vince DiCola and singer Robbie LaBlanc, Friedman formed the rock band “Cannonballz” who released their first record entitled “8 Ballz Too Many” in 2018. Along the way, Friedman has released 5 solo records of original tunes…”The Test of Time” (2003), What We’re Made Of” (2007), “Rock Hard” (2014), “B-Sides, Basement Tapes & Randumb Tunes” (2015) and “5th Piece of the Puzzle” (2020). Friedman is currently working on two more solo record projects, and recording at "HeeBro Studios", Friedman's basement recording studio.

Early Life and Background
Friedman was born and raised in Albany, NY. Friedman's father was a Certified Public Accountant, and his mother was a bookkeeper and administrator for his father's CPA practice. Friedman also has two brothers, an accomplished radiologist and firefighter/paramedic, respectively. Friedman graduated from Albany High School in 1974, attended and graduated from the University of Hartford in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting, and a Master of Science in Professional Accounting in 1982, also from the University of Hartford.

Professional Career
Friedman worked as a Financial Systems Programming Analyst for United Technology Company (Pratt & Whitney Division) from 1978-1981, a Senior Management Consultant for Ernst & Whinney from 1981-1983, and the Director of Finance for Continental Investor Services Inc. from 1983-1984.

Friedman also interned at his father’s CPA firm during the summer months of 1976-1977, and credits his father for encouraging him to pursue a career in the field of professional accounting. In 1985, Friedman started the CPA firm Friedman, Kannenberg & Raiken, P.C. which later (in 1992) restructured into the current firm, Friedman, Kannenberg & Company, P.C. Along with Friedman’s partner, Donald A. Kannenberg, Jr., CPA, Friedman pursued growing his firm into a niche practice CPA firm servicing the music industry, while maintaining his passion for songwriting, recording and playing guitar. This pairing of these divergent talents helped grow Friedman, Kannenberg & Company, P.C. into a nationally recognized CPA firm that services the music industry, most recently as 2024's Top 5 Best Music Tax Accounting Firms by Gemtracks.

Educator
Friedman is a faculty member and leading financial educator for NAMM U, the professional education division of NAMM (1995-present). Friedman moderates NAMM’s Financial Retail Boot Camp program and NAMM’s Financial Retail Summit, annually presents at NAMM’s Idea Center, as well as hosts NAMM U’s online financial video course. Friedman is also the moderator of the Yamaha Financial Advantage program, an annual 2-day financial class held exclusively by Yamaha Music Corp. for its product retailers. Friedman has also been a columnist and featured writer for Music Inc. Magazine (1998-present), Drumhead Magazine (1997-present), International Musician magazine (2001-present), and Sweetwater Sound (2022-present)

Studio Albums

 * Test of Time (2003)
 * What We're Made Of (2007)
 * Rock Hard (2014)
 * B-Sides, Basement Tapes & Randumb Tunes (2015)
 * 5th Piece of the Puzzle (2020)

Live Albums

 * Friedman Friedman & Friends: Live at Telefunken Soundstage (2021)
 * Tribute To Bernard Purdie (2022)

Upcoming Studio Albums

 * Best of Friends in the Worst of Times (2024)
 * ACD-4ED (2024)

Personal Life
Friedman has been married for 45+ years, has 3 children and 5 grandchildren. He is also a guitarist of nearly 50 years with 6 “rock” albums to his credit. In his spare time, Friedman records music in his basement studio, and plays lead guitar in the all-CPA rock band “The Accounting Crows”, the NAMM industry band “Printz”, and his new hard-rockin’ band “Cannonballz”.