TomCattt releases final tribute song for late mentor Dan Wayne Dunlop

Canadian singer-songwriter TomCattt has released “Jenny Said,” the third and final song in a tribute series honoring his late friend and musical mentor Dan Wayne Dunlop. The indie-pop track and official video revive a late-1970s song for a new audience and close a deeply personal project rooted in friendship, memory and preservation.

Why it matters: - The release preserves a song Dunlop recorded on cassette in the late 1970s and introduces it to a new audience. - The project closes TomCattt’s three-song tribute series and turns a personal remembrance into a public archive of Dunlop’s songwriting. - The release also underscores how independent artists can use new recordings and video to keep older material alive.

What happened: - TomCattt, the music project of Canadian singer-songwriter and producer Thomas Patton, released “Jenny Said” and the official video “Jenny Said (OFCL).” - The release date is Oct. 16, 2026. - “Jenny Said” is the third and final song in Patton’s tribute series to Dan Wayne Dunlop, who died Nov. 17, 2012. - The earlier tribute releases were “Young Love” and “Out In A Week.” - The song is available through the release link.

The details: - Dunlop originally wrote and recorded “Jenny Said” on cassette in the late 1970s. - The original cassette recording used a drum machine, guitar and Dunlop’s vocals. - Patton first tried to revive the cassette recording with artificial intelligence technology, but that attempt was unsuccessful. - Patton then rerecorded the song with help from fellow musicians. - Patton performed the lead and harmony vocals, harmonica and keyboards on the new version. - The lyrics are credited to Dan Wayne Dunlop, also known as Fastmandan, and Thomas Patton, known as TomCattt. - Recording was completed at TJP Entertainment in North York, Ontario, and Pezmosis Music Productions in Oak Ridges, Ontario. - Bernie Serrao played bass guitar. - Nick Kellie played electric guitar. - Mark Pezzelato played drums and handled mixing and mastering at Pezmosis Music Productions. - Patton created the album cover and provided the photography. - The official music video extends the tribute beyond the audio release. - Patton and Dunlop met in junior high school and became best friends in high school. - Their friendship continued for decades through music, shared adventures and frequent jam sessions. - Patton credits Dunlop with giving him his first experience in the film industry in 1985. - Patton appeared as an extra in the feature film “Busted Up,” which starred Irene Cara, Stan Shaw and Paul Coufos. - Dunlop served as an assistant producer and also acted in the film. - Dunlop’s creative work stretched across comedy, cartooning, singing, guitar, puppetry, film production, radio hosting, camerawork and film editing.

Between the lines: - The release is as much an act of preservation as a new song launch. - Patton frames the project as a way to keep Dunlop’s artistic contribution visible for listeners who never knew him. - The story also reflects Patton’s return to music after 37 years in the federal workforce. - Patton resumed creative work in 2013 after a rented keyboard helped him reconnect with songwriting during a difficult period. - His independent music path has since expanded into recordings, music videos and other projects.

What's next: - Patton says the three-song tribute series is complete with “Jenny Said.” - The new recording and video will remain part of his broader independent catalogue. - Patton’s official website is tomcattt.com. - More information about Dunlop and his work is available at Dan Wayne Dunlop’s website.

The bottom line: - “Jenny Said” closes a personal tribute while preserving a long-lost song and the legacy of a friend, mentor and multidisciplinary artist.