PBS KIDS' Mr. Steve to release new album

The long wait is over!  With exuberant anticipation, award-winning kids' musician SteveSongs -- known and loved by millions of families throughout the country as "Mr. Steve," co-host of the nationally broadcast PBS KIDS preschool destination -- has set a January 29 release for his eighth CD, Orangutan Van.

Orangutan Van --  the first new SteveSongs album of full-length songs in six years -- continues the SteveSongs tradition of great melodies, catchy lyrics, and playful humor, all wrapped up into what WERS-FM'sThe Playground called "a lovingly created concoction of fun and smart."

"Smart" captures the essence of the respect shown to Steve's work. Steve Roslonek, who performs as SteveSongs, is committed to entertaining while educating, laughing while learning.

Steve explains, "Laughter is important, and a lot of the songs onOrangutan Van are really fun.  There's a subtraction song about Dan, Stan, flanana flavored flan and an 11-seat orangutan van, and Silly Vanilli (from my album Marvelous Day) is back to explain why 'A is for Silly.'  But as hilarious as many of these songs are, they're imbued with lessons that I hope will resonate with kids, reinforcing similar messages that they hear from parents, teachers, or mentors."

A highlight of Orangutan Van is "All In This Together (MLK)," with lyrics inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and music driven by the masterful rhythm section of Paul Kochanski and Sturgis Cunningham, Anand Nayak's amazing, raw, wah-wah pedal guitar, and the sensational Matt Steckler on sax.  Special guest Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is heard on "Superhero You," which talks about how kids can be heroes in small but super ways if they make a point of looking out for others.  "Soaring with Reading" features a cameo from Glen "Big Baby" Davis of the Boston Celtics/Orlando Magic, who helps motivate young listeners to G-O anywhere they want to go -- through reading.

Since May 2008, Steve Roslonek, as "Mr. Steve," has co-hosted thePBS KIDS preschool destination that features the popular showsCurious George, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That, Dinosaur Train, Super WHY! and Martha Speaks.  Steve regularly makes appearances nationwide at PBS station events, and, along with other notable PBS KIDS characters, such as Hooper, he is a featured visitor at libraries across the country, encouraging kids to read through the JetBlue and PBS KIDScollaborative "Soar with Reading" program.



Check out Steve's website at www.stevesongs.com