Mr Yipadee
{{Short description|New Zealand children's musician}}
{{redirect|Dean O'Brien|the South African tennis player|Dean O'Brien (tennis)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Mr Yipadee
| image = Dean O'Brien MrYipadee4 (1).png
| birth_name = Dean O'Brien
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|9|02|df=y}}
| known_for = Children's musician, producer, and author
| other_names = Deano Yipadee
| website = {{URL|http://www.yipadee.com/}}
}}
Dean O'Brien, known by his stage name Mr Yipadee or Deano Yipadee, is a children's author, musician, and producer, who has performed in New Zealand, Australia 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. He became interested in performing music from an early age, and he played guitar in a number of bands in school. He also spent a year in Japan teaching English through music to young children. 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. He was made redundant in 2012.
It was reported (incorrectly) in the Sydney Morning Herald after his Debut album went to Number One in the UK that O'Brien is from Melbourne, Australia.{{cite web| url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-diary/first-lady-brings-fringe-benefits-to-presidents-round-two-20130121-2d397.html?deviceType=text| title = First lady brings fringe benefits to President's round two| date = 21 January 2013}}
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. His first performances were at birthday parties and children's play centres near his home in Preston, England.
He has released four albums under the name Mr Yipadee, The Animal Choir, about a mouse starting a choir, The Yes I Can Club., "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. and World's Greatest Christmas was at number two on the Best Sellers Chart in December 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/music/preston-dad-is-no-2-in-itunes-kids-chart-1-6990325/ |title=Preston dad is No. 2 in iTunes kids' chart! - Lancashire Evening Post |access-date=8 January 2015 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308074455/http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/music/preston-dad-is-no-2-in-itunes-kids-chart-1-6990325 |url-status=dead }}
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. In September and October 2013, he toured New Zealand with fellow children's entertainer Craig Smith. He has also toured the UK between 2013 and 2016 with CBeebies presenter, Alex Winters.,{{cite web |url=http://www.roundthetwist.biz/alex-winters-from-ceebies-and-mr-yipadee/ |title=Alex Winters from Ceebies and Mr Yipadee - Round the Twist |access-date=2014-02-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303035023/http://www.roundthetwist.biz/alex-winters-from-ceebies-and-mr-yipadee/ |archive-date=2014-03-03 }}http://gb.pinterest.com/mryipadee/summer-kids-fun-tour-with-alex-winters-from-cbeebi/ {{Dead link|date=August 2022}}{{cite web |url=http://thecrewenews.co.uk/childrens-tv-host-alex-winters-to-visit-crewe-playcentre/ |title={{as written|Chil|drens [sic]}} TV Host Alex Winters to Visit Crewe Playcentre {{pipe}} the Crewe News |access-date=2014-02-21 |archive-date=2014-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301112514/http://thecrewenews.co.uk/childrens-tv-host-alex-winters-to-visit-crewe-playcentre/ |url-status=dead }} CBeebies TV actor, Joe Chambers who plays First Officer Ditti on CBeebies TV Show, The Rhyme Rocket,http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/CBeebies-star-Joe-Chambers-performed-Saffron/story-25712515-detail/story.html {{Dead link|date=February 2022}} Let's Play (CBeebies) presenter Rebecca Keatley {{cite web |url=http://www.prestonguildcity.co.uk/events/details/3956/ |title=Preston Guild City • The Summer Party |website=www.prestonguildcity.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920190743/http://www.prestonguildcity.co.uk/events/details/3956/ |archive-date=2017-09-20}} and Cat Sandion {{cite web |url=http://www.visitblackpool.com/latest-news/families-and-tv-stars-set-for-magical-day-in-black/ |title=Families And TV Stars Set For Magical Day in Blackpool |date=10 May 2016 |website=Visit Blackpool}}
In 2015. O'Brien organised a dozen TV Stars to create an album called "Sing Along For Syria, this album included kids to stars from CBeebies, CITV, CBBC, and a star from iTV's Coronation Street.{{cite news|url=http://www.garstangcourier.co.uk/what-s-on/gigs-music/tv-stars-sing-along-for-syrian-children-1-7473649|title=TV stars sing along for Syrian children|date=22 September 2015|newspaper=The Garstang Courier}}
Author career
In 2016, under the name Deano Yipadee, O'Brien's first children's book Jingle Bells, Rudolph Smells was released by publishing house Scholastic.{{cite web |url=http://www.scholastic.co.nz/media/3091/scholastic-xmas-2016-lr2.pdf |title=Scholastic New Zealand, xmas-2016 |website=scholastic.co.nz}} and debuted at number one on the best sellers children's charts http://www.booksellers.co.nz/book-news/nzs-bestsellers/nielsen-bestsellers-week-ending-5-november {{Dead link|date=August 2022}} and although it was only released in the last quarter of 2016 was number five in overall 2016 New Zealand Children's books best sellers list.{{cite web |url=http://www.booksellers.co.nz/book-news/nzs-bestsellers/nielsen-bestsellers-lists-2016 |title=Nielsen Bestsellers Lists for 2016 {{pipe}} Booksellers New Zealand |access-date=2017-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113152757/http://www.booksellers.co.nz/book-news/nzs-bestsellers/nielsen-bestsellers-lists-2016 |archive-date=2017-01-13 |url-status=dead }} It also reached the top 10 of all genre of books in Australia in the Collins Booksellers Best Sellers List in 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.collinsbooks.com.au|title=Bestsellers|publisher=Collins booksellers|date=20 September 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170920041216/http://www.collinsbooks.com.au/|archive-date=20 September 2017|url-status=dead}} This book was taken from the song Smelly Christmas.[https://web.archive.org/web/20160924053133/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/smelly-christmas/id945425671?i=945425703 iTunes] This song was on the World's Greatest Christmas Party album that went to number two on the UK children's charts.{{cite web |url=http://www.lep.co.uk/whats-on/music/preston-dad-is-no-2-in-itunes-kids-chart-1-6990325 |title=Preston dad is No. 2 in iTunes kids' chart! - Lancashire Evening Post |website=www.lep.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822073928/http://www.lep.co.uk/whats-on/music/preston-dad-is-no-2-in-itunes-kids-chart-1-6990325 |archive-date=2016-08-22}} "Jingle Bells, Rudolph Smells" is illustrated by Paul Beavis and Gruffalo's Alex Scheffler.{{cite web | url=https://yprl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/756202027_jingle_bells,_rudolph_smells | title=Bibliocommons Inc }}
Deano Yipadee's second book, Nee Naw The Little Fire Engine, debuted in the top 3 in the best sellers charts in the first week of February. It remained in the top 10 for over three months http://old.booksellers.co.nz/book-news/nzs-bestsellers/nielsen-weekly-bestsellers-week-ending-10-june {{Dead link|date=August 2022}} and also made the Collins Booksellers Top 10 Best Sellers List in September 2017.http://www.collinsbooks.com.au {{nonspecific|date=August 2022}}
His third book, Stink-o-saurus, reached the top 3 in the best sellers charts in October and November 2017.https://www.booksellers.co.nz/news/nielsen-weekly-bestsellers-week-ending-21-october {{Dead link|date=August 2022}} and also topped the Collins Booksellers Top 10 Best Sellers List in Australia.
In 2018, Deano Yipadee has had three books in the top 5 in the same weeks in the Collins Booksellers Australian Best Sellers Charts in March and The New Zealand best sellers charts in April.https://www.booksellers.co.nz/news/nielsen-weekly-bestsellers-week-ending-21-April {{Dead link|date=August 2022}}
In 2019, Deano Yipadee had his books released in 21 countries by Scholastic Asia, Scholastic Canada, Scholastic UK and New Frontier publishing.{{cite web|url=https://shop.scholastic.co.uk/products/Stink-o-Saurus-9781407196596|title = Stink-o-Saurus}}{{cite web|url=http://www.scholastic.ca/books/view/stink-o-saurus|title = Stink-O-Saurus {{pipe}} Scholastic Canada}}[https://www.scholastic.asia/es/authors/deano-yipadee]{{dead link|date=August 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newfrontierpublishing.co.uk/books/ron-the-royal-guard|title = Ron the Royal Guard}}
In 2020, Deano released the third book in the Scholastic bestselling book series Nee Naw The Little Fire Engine, called Nee Naw Goes Bananas.
In 2021, Deano released two books with Scholastic. The first in April was 'Nee Naw And Friends - Ellie Copter
In 2022, Deano released a book called Granny's Undies with Scholastic and illustrator, Carla Martell.
In 2023, Deano released a new book in the best-selling Nee Naw series called Dusty the Digger. The voice of the character Dusty that sings on the song with Deano is host of Dancing With The Starts NZ, Sharyn Casey. The voices of Plinky and Plinky the silly billy goats on this song are sung by Bryce and Rog from The Rock's breakfast show, The Morning Rumble.{{cite web |title=Dusty the Digger - Nee Naw and Friends |url=https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0BTZTXRKZ |website=Amazon Music}}
In April 2023, Nee Naw The Little Fire Engine was featured vs Wonky Donkey and The Little Yellow Digger on TVNZ's Lego Masters (TV2). Series 2 Episode 8 had contestants making one of those three iconic New Zealand children's books characters (TV2).{{cite web |title=LEGO Masters NZ – Season 2, Episode 8 |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/lego-masters-nz/episodes/s2-e8 |website=tvnz.co.nz}}
In May 2023, Deano had four books in the Neilson NZ Children And Teens (Official) Best-sellers Charts with Ellie Copter - Nee Naw And Friends at number one, Nee Naw the Little Fire Engine at number three, Nee Naw Goes Bananas at number five and Nee Naw And The Cowtastrophe at number seven.{{cite web | url=https://www.ketebooks.co.nz/all-news-newsletters/bestsellers-11-may-23 | title=Bestsellers List to May 6 }}
In June 2023, Deano had 50% of the books in the official best sellers charts in the same week. According to Kete Books this is a New Zealand first with five books in the Neilson NZ Children And Teens (Official) Best-sellers Charts. Dusty The Digger at number one, Stink-o-saurus at number five, Nee Naw the Little Fire Engine at number seven, Ellie Copter at number nine and Granny's Undies at number ten.
In June 2023, Deano Yipadee released a new book called Dusty the Digger - Nee Naw and friends. This debuted in the Neilson NZ Children And Teens (Official) Best-sellers Charts at number one.
Personal life
O'Brien married Lani in Wānaka in February 2010. They have two daughters: Evolet, who was born in 2012, and Ellora, who was born in 2015. They currently{{when|date=August 2022}} live part of the year in Dunedin, New Zealand and part of the year in Queensland, Australia.http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/music/tv-stars-sing-along-for-syrian-children-1-7473649 {{Dead link|date=August 2022}}
References
{{reflist|30em|refs=
{{cite news|title=Dean back on top with Mr Yipadee|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/music/dean-back-on-top-with-mr-yipadee-1-5332978|newspaper=Lancashire Evening Post|date=19 January 2013}}
{{cite news|title=If you have a dream, just go for it|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/9239664/If-you-have-a-dream-just-go-for-it|newspaper=Nelson Mail|date=3 October 2013}}
{{cite news|last=Etheridge|first=Jess|title=From Glastonbury to Takapuna|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/north-shore-times/9225618/From-Glastonbury-to-Takapuna|newspaper=North Shore Times|date=1 October 2013}}
{{cite news|last=Benson|first=Nigel|title=Proving power of positive thinking|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/274004/proving-power-positive-thinking|newspaper=Otago Daily Times|date=20 September 2013}}
{{cite news|last=Houlahan|first=Carmen|title=iTunes hit for Mosgiel man|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/culture/8212898/iTunes-hit-for-Mosgiel-man|newspaper=Southland Times|date=23 January 2013}}
{{cite news|title=Children in for top entertainment|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/culture/9210640/Children-in-for-top-entertainment|newspaper=Southland Times|date=26 September 2013}}
{{cite news|title=Former Hamilton man to perform at Glastonbury Music Festival|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/8753263/Former-Hamilton-man-to-perform-at-Glastonbury-Music-Festival|newspaper=Waikato Times|date=4 June 2013}}
}}
External links
- {{official website}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yipadee, Mister}}
Category:New Zealand children's musicians
Category:People educated at Taieri College
Category:Writers from Preston, Lancashire