New music for children

Cool Music for Kids News
www.sugarmountainpr.com

Spring 2010 - Pop Pop Pop for Kids – and More
You can’t underestimate the allure of pop hooks for kids. It’s the reason that Kidz Bop records consistently make Billboard’s top album lists. But I doubt parents are keen on hearing their tots learn the lyrics to Lady Gaga’s songs before they hit puberty. Do we want boys whose voices haven't changed yet, showing off their vocal talents as they sing "I hit him hot, show him what I got," with the song “Poker Face” or “I’m gonna chase you down until you love me,” along with the song “Paparazzi?” (check out Christopher Healy’s astute review of this song, featured on Kidz Bop 17).

As Jennifer Gish of the Albany Times-Union says, “I’m starting to think Top 40 radio is definitely off-limits in my car.”

Some aspects of KGOY are fine, but not this one.

Luckily, you and your kids don’t have to abandon the pop genre entirely just to avoid inappropriate lyrics. Enter Debbie & Friends with their crisp and catchy tunes (check out their March 30th release More Story Songs & Sing Alongs for evidence). And Justin Roberts, who will soon deliver a playground full of power pop tunes about iconic childhood experiences with Jungle Gym, due out in June. And Sirius-XM Kids Place Live plays 24 hours of mostly pop flavored music that speaks to young children.

Don’t stop with pop. There’s a world of music out there with kid-friendly lyrics, whether you and your kids like rock, country, jazz or even string band style modern folk … which reminds us to remind you about our clients’ new music:

Everything’s coming up daisies
Ranky Tanky is generating rave responses wherever we send it. As Robbie Schaefer of Sirius-XM’s Kids Place Live notes, “Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem avoid the cardinal sin of today’s adult-turned-kid/family artists: playing down to their audience. These are really good, well-performed songs, played by very talented musicians.”


Uncle Rock has more than proved his talent with his previous three CDs and a music DVD. He’s about to celebrate the national release of The Big Picture, proving his thought-provoking lyrical skill and rockabilly influenced music. Uncle Rock enlisted the help of multi-instrumentalist Dean Jones, the man behind the acclaimed family music group Dog on Fleas, to produce it. The Big Picture is a socially conscious salute to Uncle Rocks’ musical heroes, offering sonic nods to David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Cat Stevens, the Ramones, Buddy Holly , Johnny Cash and Billy Idol. The humorous advice song, “Leave the Bees Be” is enjoying frequent rotation on Sirius-XM Satellite Radio.

If you like your funk played on a Hammond organ, complete with the funkiest drum kit ever to come out of Oklahoma City, be sure to check out The Sugar Free Allstars’ April 30th release, Funky Fresh & Sugar Free.This is the duo’s second family music release. They’ll perform at Kindiefest in New York, chosen from among hundreds of entrants to play the industry showcase there on May 2nd.

We just signed on with StarFish, a very fun group lifetime musicians from New Jersey who just happen to be dads. They will release their second family music CD in June: Enter Sandbox. While the rock vibe will entertain even the most jaded parent, the lyrics relate to important things in kids’ lives – treehouses, time outs, homework and parents who always say “No.”
Batter up! And Celebrate Earth Day

Debbie & Friends just launched a new animated video celebrating the joy of a kid’s first baseball triumph. Check out “Home Run Ronnie” now. It’s one of the fun songs on Debbie Cavalier’s next release More Story Songs & Sing Alongs. Through April 4th, Debbie is also running a Garageband Remix contest for her song “Willy Won’t.”

The aforementioned Uncle Rock offers a new song, “There Is No Away,” featuring the dreamy vocals of Smithsonian Folkways artist Elizabeth Mitchell, with lyrics to make us mindful of where our garbage goes. Earthworm Ensemble’s new self-titled CD has won national acclaim and tons of radio play nationwide. The song “That’s What the Earthworm’s For” is a great way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

A new Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD, He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands… and More Stories to Celebrate the Environment, features seven animated stories and a guide for parents and kids with tips on how to live green.

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