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ometimes it’s the unsung, uncelebrated deeds that boost a performer into the limelight. Who helped advance these popular entertainers with an unforgettable yet enduring gesture?

Shloime Daskal: Singer

Looking back, it’s clear that the one I have to thank for giving my career a major boost is Reb Abish Brodt, who recommended me to sing at the 11th Siyum HaShas in 2005. Many people were involved, but Reb Abish had the Agudah’s ear, and when they asked him for someone new, he put forward my name. For me, that was when everything took off.

Yitzy Waldner: Composer

Back in 1986, Shmuel Borger gave me a shot at joining the Amudai Shaish choir, and I was the Amudai Shaish soloist for a couple of years. I’m from a very musical family, but I still think that had I not sung in the choir, things might not have worked out this way. After those years in the choir, I left music completely until after I married. Then, I bought a keyboard and began to practice chords. I’ve never learned music formally, but with Shwekey’s “Meheira,” my songs started to be noticed, baruch Hashem.

Boruch Sholom Blesovsky: Singer/composer

Yeedle Werdyger started my career. I had always admired his musical taste, and having him produce my album was a longtime dream. When the time came and I was ready, Yeedle believed in me from day one, to the extent that he agreed to fund and produce my first CD himself.

Mordechai Ben David: Veteran chassidic singer/composer

I was still a bochur when I met a young chazzan named Ari Klein, who later became my brother-in-law. He was very popular at the time with his powerful, charismatic voice, and I connected to his music. He used to perform at several weddings every night, running from one wedding hall to the next, and I used to tag along. One day, as we were sitting at the piano, he said to me, “Let’s compose something together.” I started playing the piano, and he started singing. For the first time, thanks to Ari, I had a glimpse of what it means to compose, and how a song is born. Some time later, I started sitting at my father’s piano, trying to compose on my own. I would sit at the piano, playing and singing. One day my father a”h came in while I was playing a new song. He listened and asked if I was recording my music. I replied in the negative. He then began to pressure me to record an album, and finally, at some point, it began to sink in and my first album was born.  (Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 715)