Gary Portnoy Napoli and Judy Quay). He also recorded and released a self-titled album in 1980 for Columbia Records. Portnoy also wrote several songs for the NBC television series, "Fame", including the Emmy-nominated track for Best Original Song, "I Still Believe In Me" (co-written by Susan Sheridan) as well as "It's Gonna Be a Long Night" (co-written by Estelle Levitt). Both songs were featured on the 1982 album, "The Kids from "Fame"". Portnoy also received an Emmy nomination for the "Cheers" theme, as well as six consecutive ASCAP awards during the 1980s for the Most Performed Television Themes of the year. He
Jerry Portnoy London's Royal Albert Hall as part of Clapton's 24-night stand. In 1993, he joined Clapton's band and remained with it through 1996. During this time, the band recorded Clapton's blues album "From the Cradle". Portnoy has performed in twenty-eight foreign countries on six continents, including performances at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, the Smithsonian, the Newport Jazz Festival and other major jazz and blues festivals worldwide. He was a Grammy Award nominee in 1996 for his work with the Muddy Waters Tribute Band on their recording "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Dead and Gone", and