Your iPod may be full of the latest or the greatest, but if you're a parent, your car, the living room, and anywhere else the kids hang out is more than likely to be blasting music from the hitmakers at Disney, the Wiggles, or that master of the child-friendly sing-a-long, Raffi. And, if this is the case, it can quite safely be said that you are indeed missing out.
Kid's Music That's Not Just for Kids
Anyone still laboring under the impression that children's entertainers are simply failed musicians who couldn't find an adult audience is missing the point. Maybe their fans aren't old enough to order drinks (or pour them, for that matter), but it makes no difference when it comes to performing in front of them. "Bombing anywhere is a bad feeling," says Brady Rymer, "but it can be pretty embarrassing at a kid's party." He claims to have come very close to entering the bouncy castle - band and all - just to win over an audience. Let's see U2 work that hard.
So if they're such a tough audience to reach, why aim at the kids at all? Johnette Downing of Dixie Land Jazz for Children makes it clear. "I have a deep respect for children and appreciate their honesty, sophistication, and intelligence. I want to share music with children the way my parents shared it with me." And when you make music to entertain the kids, why does it have to exclude the parents? Well, in some cases, it doesn't.
Without further ado, here are five recent recordings for the chocolate milk and cookie set that might just have you shaking your booty (at least once or twice) right along with them.
Five New Albums from Five Up and Comers
"Here Comes Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could" - CD
With raves from The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and NPR, Brady Rymer combines a strong R&B sound with traditional acoustic hooks that bring to mind greats like Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, and Chuck Berry. This album is a great collection of songs that will have the kids bopping and dancing like they've been listening to it forever. Plus, it's a CD you'd actually download to your own MP3 player just to have all to yourself. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
Gustaffer YellowGold - "Have You
Never Been Yellow?" - CD & DVD Set
A surprising amalgam of pictures and sound that has been described by The New York Times as "Dr. Seuss" meets "Yellow Submarine," this CD and DVD set is a combination of animated surprises and original songs by Morgan Taylor. It features a sound that is familiar and new at the same time and all tied together by a strange little yellow fellow who immigrated to planet earth from the sun. This package really is as interesting to listen to as it is to watch.
Johnette Downing - "Dixieland Jazz for Children" - CD
Nineteen original songs created to immerse youngsters in the true and unique flavors of Louisiana's own Dixieland Jazz. Johnette Downing teamed up with the legendary Original Dixieland Jazz Band to record songs featuring "gators," "skeeters," crawfish, a mythical loup garou, and a good old-fashioned stroll down on the bayou. It's a creative mix of New Orleans magic twinned with Johnette's desire to create a musical experience the kids can make their own.
Thaddeus Rex - "Shakin' in Chicago" - CD
With a sincere desire to increase children's interest in reading and writing, Thaddeus Rex ties in strong educational themes to some pretty cool and rocking tunes as he floats his way through the windy city in his latest recording. Recipient of the 2007 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, Thaddeus Rex makes music from such common experiences as being grounded, moving away, or even visiting the library. Plus, he has a name like a dinosaur. What's not to love?
Rebecca Frezza and Big Truck - "Special Kind of Day" - CD
Thirteen brand new songs featuring the light ensemble work of Rebecca Frezzer and the seven-piece band "Big Truck." This album showcases some excellent straight-ahead rock hooks mixed with, at times, an almost James Taylor-like softness that draws you and your little ones in. Blues harp, fiddles, and flutes all tied up with a strong lead guitar make a blend of sounds that will put a smile on everyone's face.
Don't Wait... Get Some New Music Now!
If you can convince the little ones to put "I love you, you love me" on pause long enough to slip a new CD into the rotation, you might find a whole new world of music to freshen up your daily life's soundtrack.
What is your little superstar's musical talent?
Author Resource:-
Michelle Brunetti from TheCuteKid.com, the most respected and fastest growing baby contest with 1.7 million members. TheCuteKid baby modeling contest is judged by Entertainment Industry Professionals and awards over $100,000 in prizes annually. Do You Have a CuteKid?
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