Ted McDermott became an internet star after his son began posting videos of him singing crooner classics in the car. The 80-year-old British man, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2013, is now more than just a viral fad: he has a record deal.
“It’s a dream come true for my dad,” his son, Simon McDermott, told CTV News Channel from London, England. “It’s the most amazing thing!”
Simon’s videos, which are posted on his YouTube and Facebook pages, have garnered tens of millions of views.
One of those viewers worked at Decca Records and wanted to get Ted in the studio.
“We walked into the recording studio and it was literally an orchestra -- it was about 20 to 30 guys there,” Simon said. “I was knocked over by it.”
Ted, who goes by the stage name Teddy Mac, cut two tracks: “You Make Me Feel So Young” and “Quando Quando Quando.”
You can buy the tracks on iTunes, Amazon or Google Play.
Half of the money raised from the songs will go towards the Alzheimer’s Society, with the other half going to Simon’s parents. Simon has already raised nearly £125,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society through a crowdfunding page.
For Ted, who has been singing since he was a teenager, music has been a means to cling to the past that Alzheimer’s is trying to rob him of.
“My dad’s always sung,” Simon said. “It kind of makes him a lot calmer. Like when he does get confused, and he can get in a bit of a funny mood, we know how to deal with that now -- and we need to get out for a drive and take him singing.”
Music, Simon says, has brought peace to the family.
“As soon as he starts singing, he’s back in his comfort zone,” Simon said. “It’s been good for everybody in the family.”
