B. J. Leiderman

Who is B. J. Leiderman?

Bernard Jay "B.J." Leiderman is an American composer and songwriter. His best-known works are his theme music compositions for public radio programs, including National Public Radio's Morning Edition, Weekend Edition, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, Car Talk, and American Public Media's Marketplace.

Blame The Beatles ... It all started when his father brought home Meet The Beatles from the department store where he worked behind the jewelry counter. Shortly thereafter, a few mesmerizing minutes with Ed Sullivan sealed the deal. Leiderman, who grew up in Norfolk, Virginia, and is the only child in a musical family, studied journalism at American University, then became known as a composer and songwriter.

In Elementary School, Leiderman formed a band with best friend, Chicago-based actor David Lively, and, singing into a microphone plugged into a movie projector, learned every note, inflection and “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” he could get his ears on.

Leiderman took piano lessons for a year or so, but because he had to walk to the teacher’s house, and because the Beatles’ sheet music never quite sounded like the records, he gave it up. To this day, Leiderman does not read music.