SONGS TO HOWL & SING

Indie folk band LITTLE COYOTES have just released their first album which is available now digitally on all major music platforms. SONGS TO HOWL & SING is full of tunes to inspire children to have a lifetime of love for the outdoors and to embrace having family adventures in wild places. Fronted by vocalist Becca Mohler and produced by her Grammy-nominated husband Billy, LITTLE COYOTES' SONGS TO HOWL & SING is a blend of nostalgic folk melodies reminiscent of Belle and Sebastian, Donovan, and Simon and Garfunkel providing an evocative listening experience. Each song is crafted with a nod to folk artists of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Becca and Billy Mohler own Cal Heights Music in Long Beach, California, a music school known for fostering creativity and musicality in students of all ages. Their popular caregiver-and-me class for children ages 0 - 4, which encourages a love for music and the outdoors from an early age, was an important inspiration for SONGS TO HOWL & SING. Their teaching roots provide a personal and authentic touch to the tunes performed in this album.

“Little Adventure” teaches colors by identifying natural elements like green moss and orange poppies, while “National Parks” takes families on a musical road trip through the wonders of America’s natural landscapes. The geometric “Shapes Are Everywhere” has an upbeat, ‘60s, “Mrs. Robinson” feel, while “Little Campfire” is all about cooperation and teamwork.

“Songs to Howl & Sing holds a special place in my heart, as it reflects my deep love for music, my passion for teaching children, and my desire to evoke the nostalgic essence of childhood,” Becca Mohler remarked to ageekdaddy.com. “My aim is to transport listeners back to that enchanting world, where every moment was infused with a sense of possibility and wonder.”

The album is aimed for an audience of children 1 - 8 years old has ten songs with a running time of twenty minutes. 

Track List

1. Little Adventure 

2. Looking Out My Window 

3. I Love All The Months 

4. Grow Wild And Free 

5. National Parks 

6. Shapes Are Everywhere 

7. AEIOU 

8. Sunny Day 

9. Rainy Day 

10. Little Campfire

WENDY AND DB BACK HOME

GRAMMY nominated in 2023 for their Chicago homestyle tribute to the blues, Into the Little Blue House, the multicultural, Chicago-based duo Wendy and DB revisits the blues genre with a deep dive into traditional acoustic styles on their newly released sixth family album, Back Home. The children's music album which captures the essence of traditional blues styles in a way to entice the ears of young listeners is available at major online music outlets and streaming platforms as well as at wendyanddb.com.

To ensure authenticity, the duo traveled to the original home of the blues, Memphis, Tennessee, to collaborate with Blues Music Award-winning guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Doug MacLeod, traditional Delta blues vocalist Libby Rae Watson, and multiple GRAMMY nominee Shardé Thomas and her Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band, which is devoted to preserving the vanishing Mississippi Hill Country fife and drum blues tradition and presenting it in combination with other blues, jazz, hip hop, and R&B stylings. Shardé Thomas ​​is the ​granddaughter of Otha Turner, one of the best-known exponents of the African American fife and drum tradition.

In Austin, Texas, Wendy and DB recorded with three-time GRAMMY nominee Ruthie Foster, whose work travels through a variety of genres: Texas blues, gospel, folk, soul, and jazz. When Wendy and DB returned to Chicago, many blues musicians from Into The Little Blue House contributed their talents to Back Home, including harmonica wizard Billy Branch, GRAMMY-winning drummer Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, and iconic guitarist Mike Wheeler.

Noteworthy tracks include “Back Home,” on which Ruthie Foster sings out the verses in her pure, honest voice, helping create a musical landscape that’s sure to make listeners think, “If this is what ‘home’ sounds like, I want to go there!” “Be You/Walk To Your Own Beat” highlights the African rhythms and and sounds of fife and drum of the Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band, with Wendy Morgan’s heartfelt vocals encouraging kids to celebrate the uniquely beautiful people they are. The exhilarating “Moving Mountains” and wistful “Reflection” are replete with stunning blues harp work from Billy Branch, while Memphis legend Doug MacLeod takes center stage on “Come To Your Senses” and “Move Them Bones.” 

“Watching the River Flow” and “Hum Away” are graced by gorgeous down-home vocals from Mississippi’s Libby Rae Watson. Darryl “DB” Boggs brings loads of personality to “Hemingway,” with his friendly, joyful style really lighting up this number about Wendy’s “Wonderdog.” Throughout Back Home, Wendy and DB celebrate traditional blues music through a rich variety of originally crafted songs for young souls and longtime blues enthusiasts alike.

In addition to being GRAMMY nominated, Wendy and DB are winners of the Parents’ Choice Gold, NAPPA, and Creative Child Awards. Previous albums include Into the Little Blue House (2022 release; 2023 GRAMMY nomination), Hey Big World (2020; NAPPA Award, Mom’s Choice Award, Creative Child Album of the Year), HomeEarth (2017; NAPPA Award), It’s A Doo Da Day (2015; Parents’ Choice Gold Award, NAPPA Award), and Pockets Seasons Rhymes & Reasons (2013). 

Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta SEASONS: Songs to Celebrate All Four Seasons

Available now is a new musical album Hunk-Ta-BUnk-Ta SEASONS: Songs to Celebrate All Four Seasons from children's music artist Katherine Dines that can be purchased through her website, at SongsforTeaching.com, and at major online outlets and streaming platforms, including Amazon, Pandora, Bandcamp, Spotify, and more.  This is Dines 13th album in a musical career focused on performing for youth that has seen her recognized with 39 national awards for her work. Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta SEASONS: Songs to Celebrate All Four Seasons is recommended for a listening audience of kids six months to six years old.

A treasure trove of gentle melodies ideally suited for fingerplays, “tickles,” and other fun movement activities for young children, Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta SEASONS takes little ones through the seasons of the year, connecting them to the simple wonders of childhood and creating a sense of peace, trust, joy, and stability. Several fingerplays and other activity ideas for Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta SEASONS came from educator Brigid Finucane, who, during the pandemic, invited Katherine to contribute one song a month to a Facebook page called “Lullabies, Tickles, and Fingerplays". Fingerplay, commonly seen in early childhood, is hand action or movement combined with singing or spoken-words to engage the child's interest. According to Dines, creating songs for this Facebook page was the motivation for her newest album and its heavy incorporation of fingerplays into its content.

Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta SEASONS kicks off with the lyrical imagery of “It’s Spring,” which speaks of new growth and the many wonders of springtime. Other highlights include “Summertime,” portraying such outdoor delights as baseball, picnics, Fourth of July, and camping. “Autumn” has a jazzy feel and paints a picture of beautiful leaves, back-to-school, and harvest time. There’s more jazz on the finger-snappin’, toe-tappin’ “Five Jack O’Lanterns,” which connects little learners with counting, fingerplays, the excitement of Halloween, pumpkin carving, and even pumpkin pie! Few things are more magical to a young child than snowflakes that simply melt and disappear, and “Snowflake Snowflake Where Did You Go?” is truly entrancing. This sweet seasonal album comes to a holiday postcard ending with “Sleigh Ride,” a bouncy lapsit that takes little ones on a joyful ride into a snowy forest.

Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta SEASONS is $9.99 for a digital download of the album and $15 for a physical media compact disc (CD price includes tax, shipping, and handling) from Katherine Dines website. The album has a runtime of 27 minutes. This album would make a thoughtful gift for a baby shower or early ages birthday present with its focus on parent interactions with children through fingerplay. Based upon its early childhood development value and the connectivity that fingerplay promotes between parents and children, Katherine Dines Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta SEASONS: Songs to Celebrate All Four Seasons gets a heartfelt Geek Daddy nod of approval.

STEVE ELCI: ALL TOGETHER NOW

Following his induction into the New England Music Hall of Fame this year, Steve Elci, who has made a name for himself for his musical performances for children, is releasing his sixth kindie rock album on July 19. ALL TOGETHER NOW is full of inspiring songs to encourage kids to imagine a world like never before and includes the contribution of special guests the Grammy-winning Alphabet Rockers.   

Steve Elci's ALL TOGETHER NOW covers topics as wide-ranging as saving the environment, working toward peace, fighting bias, loving yourself for who you are, chasing your dreams, and the fulfillment inherent in friendship, love, and hope. Growing up in the ‘80s, Steve witnessed music changing the world, especially through the Live Aid and Farm Aid benefit concerts and charity singles like “We Are the World.” Inspired by the powerful impact that music can have, Steve conceived ALL TOGETHER NOW as a vehicle for real change and connection.

Highlights of ALL TOGETHER NOW include “Puppy,” an alt-rock ode to love for a family pet, co-written and featuring the Alphabet Rockers, and the rollicking sea shanty, “Pirate Sails, Ginger Ales, And Tall Tales,” which showcases a crew of very friendly pirates! The joyful pop-rock “The Power Of The Sunflower” was inspired by a walk Steve Elci took through Harkness Park in his hometown of Waterford, Connecticut, where there is a garden of majestic sunflowers whose faces always point to the sun. 

The album can be purchased $12 as a digital download on most major online musical retail outlets. ALL TOGETHER NOW has a runtime of 33 minutes. Previous albums include Nutmegger (2022), Jump in the Puddles (2018; Parents’ Choice Award), Imagination Nation (2014; title track, Akademia Award), Crayons in a Box (2012; title track, John Lennon Songwriting Contest finalist), and Vowels (2009; Parents’ Choice Award).

HAIRLESS WEREWOLF BY PATRICK ADAMS

Award-winning children's musician Patrick Adams has just debuted the first single, "Hairless Werewolf", from his upcoming new kindie rock album, IMAGINATION TIME WITH PATRICK, which is being released June 14, 2024. “Hairless Werewolf," a kid-friendly blast of '80s-style hair metal, introduces listeners to to the amazing story of Harry, better known as the "Hairless Werewolf." They'll learn that Harry is very different from other werewolves, He can't grow hair but is, by all accounts, a most amiable werewolf!

   

Patrick's first children's album, the Hot Diggity Award-winning Amazing World was released in 2021. Seven more releases have followed, including The Friends EP, a single, “Meet Us in Brazil,” and the albums Travel Time with Patrick, Kindies Do the ‘80s Volumes One through Four, and Adventure Time with Patrick (2023 NAPPA Award). He is also an author who has won several awards for his children's literature works including a Maincrest Media Award and Independent Press Award. You can learn more about this artist and his new album IMAGINATION TIME WITH PATRICK at patrickadamsbooks.com.

NEW LAURIE BERKNER HALLOWEEN TUNE: WHICH WITCH

With Labor Day having passed it is now officially Halloween Season! If you have little tots around the house, check out the new kindie rock tune for preschoolers by musician Laurie Berkner for Halloween. Recognized as “the queen of kids’ music” by People magazine, Laurie Berkner is a singer, songwriter, performer, author, and founder of Two Tomatoes Records, LLC.

The song is about two little friends who decide to dress like witches. But which witch is which? Laurie wonders as they cast their spells, stir their potions, and wave their magic wands. She can’t tell! Can you?

"Once I got into the studio and started to record the song, I also realized I wanted to make it into a larger production and really give the listener a feeling of being transported to a world of magic, playfulness, and mystery,” Laurie commented to ageekdaddy.com. “I hope the harmonies and soaring quality of the chorus, along with the addition of a theremin toward the climax of the song, really help lift listeners up and take them flying in the sky in their imaginations along with the little witches. I also hope it will inspire kids to play their own version of ‘Which Witch?’ at home!”

For more information about the artist and this Halloween tune, visit laurieberkner.com

CHARLIE FAYE AND THE FANIMALS

Being from Detroit, I have a fondness for the Motown sound; so Charlie Faye & The Fanimals caught my ear with the ‘60s-tinged soul/pop sounds of their self-titled debut album which is set for release July 21, 2023. Their kindie music provides a nice introduction for children to the tones and musical vibes that classic Motown Records performers like Martha and the Vandellas, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and The Supremes made popular. Charlie Faye & The Fanimals provide a modern take by kindie rocking these throwback sounds.

“The thing that’s cool about this project is that it has a throwback sound, but the themes of the songs are very modern,” Charlie Faye remarked to ageekdaddy.com. “You wouldn’t have a Motown song in the ’60s about a little boy who wears a tutu. But on this album, you do.”

The album features nine tracks that are not just entertaining but provide life lessons to the kids listening to thes tunes. “7 Days of Fun” bounces through the days of the week with a classic ‘60s Motown groove. “Me & My Family” feels more like something from the early ‘70s but showcases a modern exploration of how different kinds of families might look from a kid's perspective. “Snack Time” sounds like a classic Stax number – if Stax were to put out a song about snacks. “Milo Wears a Tutu” tells the story of one kid bucking convention and wearing what he wants to, set to a playful backbeat reminiscent of a Temptations record.

Faye is a collaborator by nature, so she brought in many of her musical friends to take part in this kindie album. She co-wrote songs with Sara Hickman, Joe McDermott, Suzanna Choffel, Bill Demain, and others. Pete Thomas (of Elvis Costello fame) not only played drums on the whole record, but also co-wrote “Cookie Tree,” the one song on the album with a distinct reggae influence. Other musicians on the record include Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas), Scott Davis, Trevor Nealon, and Jim Brunberg (Wonderly), who took a co-production role on “7 Days of Fun” and a few other tracks. Faye also brought in her former girl group bandmates BettySoo and Akina Adderley to add some classic ‘60s background vocals to the mix.

Charlie Faye & The Fanimals will be available on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Bandcamp. The album has a runtime of 22 minutes and a price tag of $9.99 for its digital edition. Faye though has generously provided me with some download codes so a few lucky people can sample her album for FREE! 

For a chance to be one of the randomly selected winners of this Charlie Faye & The Fanimals giveaway, just complete the Rafflecopter entries below before 11:59 pm ET on July 31, 2023. Must be a United States resident over 18 years old to participate. Faye's publicist is responsible for delivery of the download codes to the selected recipients. Good luck!

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NEW ALBUM FROM JESSA CAMPBELL AND THE SAPLINGS

Bringing a funky flair to dynamic music that celebrates the rich biodiversity of the forest, FOREST FLOW, the second album for families from Parents’ Choice Award-winning Jessa Campbell & the Saplings, was released today. Forest Flow is available on all major music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Bandcamp. This new album from Jessa Campbell and the Saplings incorporates elements of hip-hop, pop, dance, and folk to create a fun, engaging kindie music experience that kids will love.

From her home in Portland, Oregon, Jessa Campbell writes upbeat, danceable, STEM- and ecology-based songs that are inspired by the musical tastes of her own children and informed by the styles of the adult bands with which she regularly performs. Forest Flow is a collaborative album, weaving together contributions from some of Jessa’s favorite artists and friends: GRAMMY-nominated hip-hop musician SaulPaul, LDW (Portland’s Talking Heads tribute and new wave/funk band), TravisT of Eastern Sunz (multi-award-winning hip-hop duo), Palo-Mah (Mexican-American folk songstress), and Native hip-hop artist 2 8 Tha Native.

While its focus is on ecology and STEM-related topics, FOREST FLOW avoids feeling preachy or didactic. Instead, the songs are playful and imaginative, encouraging kids to explore the natural world, discover its wonders for themselves, and get up and move their bodies. Age-appropriate and easy-to-sing-along-with lyrics make Forest Flow wonderful for family car rides or dance parties at home.

The album kicks off with “Rainbow Flow,” which features two-time GRAMMY-nominated Saul Paul and is already receiving airplay on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live. “Movement is Chemistry,” a Talking Heads-inspired synth-pop number that is also receiving airplay on Kids Place Live, was written with and features LDW. On “Vuela, Vuela, Fly,” Palo-Mah and Campbell sing a bilingual story about monarch butterflies who start out as eggs on milkweed plants in the United States and end up traveling all the way to Mexico, where the song’s lyrics change to Spanish.

“For this album with the newer pop/dance/hip-hop sound that I’m bringing to the table, my band is made up of musicians who play with LDW,” Campbell commented to ageekdaddy.com. “These fabulous musicians are top notch players who really take the show to the next level for families. LDW’s lead singer, Lawrence Orleck, and I have been performing together for 8 years in that ensemble! Since we both have 7-year-olds, we decided it was time to write some funky music for our kids, whose musical tastes have expanded since the 2019 release of my previous kids’ album, the folk-oriented Can You Feel It?”

Make learning fun by incorporating STEM into fun things like music has been one of my parenting mantras. So, I'm GEEKED that Jessica Campbell has provided me with some free digital download codes for FOREST FLOW to giveaway. If you have a preschool or elementary school aged child in your life don't miss out on this blog giveaway!

Just complete the rafflecopter entries below before 11:59pm ET on June 18, 2023 for a chance to get FOREST FLOW for free. Winners will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. Must be a United States resident 18 years or older to participate in this promotion. Good luck!

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Jessa Campbell bridges the worlds of music and ecology, enchanting young audiences with the wonders of nature through her songs. With a background that includes performing in the national touring production of the hit television show Dragon Tales, Jessa is no stranger to children’s entertainment. She has traveled the world as lead singer/dancer on Holland America world cruises, sung backup for Wayne Newton, and headlined many festivals with Portland-based LDW (Talking Heads tribute and original funk band) and Taken by the Sky (Fleetwood Mac tribute band, in which Jessa performs as “Stevie Nicks”). Jessa has studied with Lorna Luft, Barry Manilowe, and Doug Hallenbeck, and she has also been privileged to learn from several world-renowned vocal teachers during time spent performing at the Chautauqua Opera House.

She began writing ecology-based songs with her young students in a “Wonders of Nature” class at a local learning center. Together, they explored simple science concepts through music, which ultimately led to the creation of Jessa’s first family album, Can You Feel It? released in 2019. Can You Feel It? landed a Parents’ Choice Silver Award, was featured on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live channel, and enjoyed the "High Five Album of the Week" spotlight on Australia’s Kinderling Kids Radio.

BABY NINJA KINDIE ROCK ALBUM

Take a little bit of pop, a pinch of Americana, and a dash of African rhythm. Add in a taste of Cajun flavor, a touch of country and western with a Japanese flair, (and some dirty socks), and you have what fans have come to expect from Kelli Welli: originality, personality, a dose of the ridiculous, and lots and lots of love. The 16 tracks on the upcoming kindie rock album BABY NINJA explode with Kelli Welli’s creativity and include contributions from fellow family music artists and talented friends Uncle Jumbo, Claudia Robin Gunn, Nanny Nikki, Stacey Peasley, and the album’s co-producer and multi-instrumentalist, Bryan Daste. BABY NINJA, the fourth album for families from John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize winner Kelli Welli, is being released June 16, 2023 on Amazon, Bandcamp, kelliwelli.com and streaming on all major platforms.

If you are geeked about kindie rock then you'll love this giveaway. This geek daddy has prize packs that include the album and a 40-page comic book inspired by BABY NINJA. I'll randomly pick a few winners from all the eligible entries. To toss your name in the hat for a chance to get a FREE prize pack courtesy of Kelli Welli, just complete the rafflecopter entries before 11:59 pm on June 18, 2023. Must be United State resident over 18 years old to participate in this promotion. Good luck!

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BABY NINJA bursts out of the gate with the album’s title track, infused with a Southwestern, retro-martial-arts spy vibe underscored by this takeaway: never underestimate the very real power of a baby! Other highlights include an unabashed ode to joy, “You’re a Sunny Day,” featuring Uncle Jumbo, and “When You Dance,” a chant performed by Kelli Welli with Nanny Nikki, Claudia Robin Gunn, and Stacey Peasley. “Water Baby,” written for and about Kelli’s daughter, Kira, who absolutely loves being in the water, features a great vocal harmony background and a dazzling organ solo by Jenny Conlee of the well-known Portland-based band, The Decembrists. Kelli’s son, Ryan, is heard on “Ryan the Lion,” which he co-wrote with Kelli when he was seven years old.

The traditional “Frère Jacques” is sung in five languages, each paired with an instrument that represents the language’s native country. “Dirty Socks” is a sibling song to Kelli Welli’s popular “Stinky Shoe” from her 2022 album, Robots Don’t Tell Jokes. Kelli swears that “Dirty Socks” was written by her dog, Piper Peach.

In collaboration with illustrator Belén Toscano, Kelli has created an accompanying 40-page comic book based on BABY NINJA'S title track. A bold statement about the amazing and powerful things babies do every day, the comic book will be released alongside the BABY NINJA album.

“We’re having a great time making this music, but we also try really hard to make even the silliest of our songs smart, respecting kids’ brains and hoping the parents enjoy them just as much,” Kelli Welli communicated to ageekdaddy.com. “We have been so excited to create and share BABY NINJA! The title track trumpets from the album’s onset that we’re continuing to stretch the ways we present songs for kids and the people who love them.”

Kelli Caldwell, who performs for kids as Kelli Welli, is an active songwriter in both the children’s and singer-songwriter/Americana (“grown-up”) music arenas. She has released three award-winning children’s albums and was the Grand Prize Winner in the children’s category of the 2021 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. All three of her children’s albums won the prestigious National Parenting Products Award. She is a three-time winner of the West Coast Songwriters International Song Contest and was a finalist in the Great American Song Contest. Kelli is currently a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition, where she also reached the finals in 2019, 2020, and 2022. 

WHAT IS KINDIE ROCK

Musical artists who focus on content meant for children have developed their own niche that has become known as KINDIE ROCK. Many of these performers started off performing to adult audiences and have transitioned their styles to be suitable to youthful listeners. Dan Zanes (lead singer for the Del Fuegos), The Verve Pipe, and They Might Be Giants from performing at bars and stadiums to playing at libraries and community events as they've become leading artists in kindie rock.

Kindie rock artists don't necessarily alter their music style but instead the content so it is family friendly and in addition to being entertaining often incorporate educational aspects into their tunes. Kindie rock, also known as "kindie", is a style of children's music that melds the sensibility of a singer-songwriter with themes aimed at kids. Often times kindie rock is aimed at preschoolers; but some artists fine tune their performances for elementary school or junior high aged kids. Kindie Rock niche though tends to be mainly children aged 2 through 8 years old. 

I found my kids learned a lot while having fun listening to kindie rock songs when they were preschool and elementary school aged. Listening to songs at home and going to see performers provided good times and bonding opportunities. The best kindie rock artists are those whose music not only entertains children, but the moms and dads who are also in the audience. There is a reason kindie rock is referred to as not just children's music but "family music." 

My own kids' current appreciation of music goes back to us enjoying kindie rock as a family. They were exposed to various types of music by different kindie rock artists including the blues, jazz, folk tunes, country, latin music and more. Listening to music became engrained with them as something enjoyable to do. So, I regularly share information about kindie artists on this blog as a way to share the enjoyment my family has had with others. I hope you tune into these posts. Rock on! 

BRING ON SUMMER

Soon school will be out for summer and kindie rock artist Dana has recorded an anthem that will energize kids to get outside and have a good time during the break from their studies. She will be releasing on June 2 her upbeat new single BRING ON SUMMER which is meant to inspire children to partake in all the outdoor activities that are fun to do in the warm weather. The song will be released with an accompanying music video. This kindie rock tune, BRING ON SUMMER, will be available on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Bandcamp.

"I hope this song becomes part of the summer music soundtracks that they sing and dance to while engaging in joyful activities like swimming, picnics, and camping," singer/songwriter Dana remarked to ageekdaddy.com. “It would be great if listening to this song could be a source of motivation for families to make time to get out there and make some precious memories together!”

BRING ON SUMMER is sure to be a hit with families as they bop along to its catchy melody and driving rhythm. So, I'm geeked that Dana has provided some download codes of the digital release of BRING ON SUMMER for this daddi-o to giveaway. Complete the Rafflecopter entries below before 11:59 pm ET on June 4, 2023 and this Geek Daddy will randomly pick a few winners from the eligible entries.

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Dana has been writing and recording music for children and entertaining families across America for over two decades. CHILD magazine called her energy and enthusiasm “contagious” and named her as one of the “Top Five Kids’ Singers You Should Know.” Dana’s seven recordings have earned 27 national awards and wide critical acclaim. She has engaged thousands of young audiences with her live performances, music videos, livestreams, and Dana’s Music Playground video series, which streams on her YouTube channel and the Kidoodle and Sensical streaming platforms. Dana hosts her own award-winning radio show/podcast every weekday on children’s radio station JUMP 105.3. For 11 years, she served as a storyteller for her county library system, and since 2014, Dana has been teaching her popular “Music Playground” music and movement classes for little ones in Bellingham, Washington, near her home.

GARBAGE MONSTER MUSIC VIDEO

Just in time for Halloween, children's musician and puppeteer Tom Knight has released a music video on YouTube for his song THE GARBAGE MONSTER to promote the November 18th of his 6th album for kids titled Look Both Ways. Since 1988, Tom has delighted children and their grown-ups with his interactive, musical puppet shows featuring hand-made puppets and catchy songs. Look Both Ways is targeted to children between 3 and 8 years old and will be available at all major digital retailers where music is sold.

The Garbage Monster which is included in the song list for Look Booth Ways is an updated fan favorite song Knight has performed in the past. This new version of The Garbage Monster retains everything that first made the song a hit, including its rousing call-and-response chorus, but Tom has updated the number with a funky rhythm section to replace the original folk guitar and piano. The musician relayed to ageekdaddy.com he hopes that those who loved the original The Garbage Monster will find much to enjoy in the new version, and those who are discovering the song for the first time will delight in the shout-along excitement of the story and its environmental message promoting recycling.

"I wrote 'The Garbage Monster' in 1987 or 1988," Tom Knight told ageekdaddy.com. "I had been hired by the Cayuga Nature Center in Ithaca, New York to create a puppet show about recycling. I had a story idea about a monster made of garbage who could be recycled, and the song practically wrote itself. I've been singing it ever since, to the delight of audiences for over 30 years."

For more information about this kindie rock artist, visit tomknight.com 

HALLOWEEN TRAIN MUSIC VIDEO

Parents of preschoolers can have some Halloween fun with their children enjoying kindie rock artist Laurie Berkner's new music video HALLOWEEN TRAIN. Laurie is known for her tunes that combine educational elements within entertaining music for young audiences. Business Insider dubbed Laurie “the gold standard of the children’s music world.” As a leader and innovator in children’s music and entertainment for more than 25 years, Laurie has released 14 bestselling, award-winning albums (with a 15th album, Another Laurie Berkner Christmas, set for release on October 28), was the first recording artist to ever appear in music videos on Nick Jr., appeared regularly on the network’s Jack’s Big Music Show, and helped develop the short form animated musical preschool series Sing It, Laurie! on Sprout TV.

In her YouTube video, kids can help Laurie count spooky creatures as they ride into October on this very special train. The Halloween Train is a place where bats, cats, spiders, and ghosts ride, where kids get to be the conductor ("All aboard!"), pull the train whistle (choo-choo!), and move their bodies, all while celebrating one of their favorite holidays with a song they can't help but sing along with. As the song says, "Let's get on the Halloween Train!"

For more information about her albums, concerts and videos head over to laurieberkner.com

PUPPETEER RETURNS TO KINDIE ROCK ROOTS

From 1989 - 2003, Tom Knight released five popular kindie rock albums that delighted children and their grown-ups. For the last twenty years though instead of recording music he focused on a passion for puppetry. Knight hadn't totally given up on music but incorporated it into puppet shows. He has been traveling the country performing interactive, musical puppet shows featuring hand-made puppets, catchy songs, and lots of audience participation. In addition to his in-person presentations, the artist with a focus on family-friendly entertainment has also created a YouTube show that utilizes puppets and music to get kids enthused about education by making learning fun.

By blending elements of Mister Rogers’ gentle spirit with the boundless creativity of Jim Henson, Tom Knight has become an authentic lyrical storyteller in song, engaging listeners through his evocative music, warm vocal presence, creative use of puppetry in performance and video, and easy sense of humor. Now Tom Knight has produced an album of new content aimed at kids aged 3 to 8 years old. His sixth kindie rock album, LOOK BOTH WAYS, is being released on November 18, 2022. Available at tomknight.com you can purchase a CD for $10 or digital download of the album for $8.

Through the years since the release of his last album, The Classroom Boogie, Tom Knight has continued to perform and write new songs. During the COVID pandemic, however, Tom shifted gears to online performances and even created an original YouTube kids’ series. Adapting to this new way of performing and interacting with kids proved to open the door of opportunity for Tom to create a fresh batch of brand-new material for Look Both Ways. 

Look Both Ways' “Alligator Jump/¡Salta Caima´n!” really “jumps” out to the listener with its infectious Latin spirit. This new version of Tom Knight’s popular “Alligator Jump” has been most appropriately fitted with a salsa groove, rounding out its evolution as a vibrant Spanish/English bilingual number with vocals by the supremely gifted Argentinian singer Mica Farias Gomez and Latin percussion by her equally gifted partner, Manu Uriona, who brings a smile to every shake of the maracas. 

“Wiggly Tooth” celebrates a universal rite of passage by combining country rock with a honky-tonk piano by Frank Shelton. On Look Both Ways, Tom’s acoustic folk song, “The Garbage Monster,” has transitioned to an R&B bop, showcasing some fantastic bass guitar playing from Daniel Yoong along with Tom Knight’s charming story-song performance. “Stone Soup,” inspired by the traditional folk tale, emerges with new lyrics highlighting community building and mutual aid, voiced as a country-folk bit of Americana featuring fiddle and banjo. 

Set to the lovely elegance of authentic Latin rhythm, “Museum Mambo” is the tale of a mouse who visits an art museum, making friends with each painting. In Tom Knight’s version of “Five Snow People,” inspired by a Susan Salidor counting song, “snowmen” become “snow people” and each snow person leaves the group because of a sensory experience: sleepiness, hunger, being cold, or feeling the urge to dance. Look Both Ways comes to a gentle close with a gem of rare purity, “Hot Air Balloon.”

Tom Knight's Look Both Ways earns a Geek Daddy nod of approval. Share the gift of music with children in your life. Pick up a copy of Tom Knight's new album Look Both Ways.

CHICAGO BLUES DUET RELEASING NEW KINDIE ROCK ALBUM

Equipped with two guitars, a ukulele, and their voices, the multicultural, award-winning, Chicago-based children’s music duo, Wendy and DB, are committed to introducing the Blues to children. They blend traditional Blues tones with catchy lyrics that focus on inclusion, diversity, love, kindness, and family values. Their kindie rock style introduces children to Blues music infused with entertaining and educational themes. Wendy and DB's fifth album, INTO THE LITTLE BLUE HOUSE, is coming out soon with a release date of September 23, 2022.

INTO THE LITTLE BLUE HOUSE provides listeners with a Chicago blues band experience.  The album's similarly named opening track, “Little Blue House,” is full of Blues vibes with lyrics which extol sharing and mutual respect for all. This number is grounded by Wendy and DB’s heartfelt vocals and embellished by remarkable bursts of blues harp joy and an improvisation of sustained intensity from Billy Branch, heir apparent to the Chicago blues harmonica throne. “Going to the City” rolls out with a gorgeous, hard-driving backbeat from the drum set of the one and only Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith. Wendy and DB are thoroughly in charge of the energy, with their powerful voices accompanied by “shout chorus” interjections from a group of children. The theme is one of wide-eyed amazement as travelers are embraced by the excitement of urban bustle, enhanced by guitar and piano solos of effortless, fluid virtuosity by Mike Wheeler and Johnny Iguana.

Another highlight of the album is “Women of the Blues,” which opens with guest powerhouse singer Ivy Fords’s gospel style recitative calling for names of women who have given voice to the feminine expression of the blues. “Women of the Blues” is an up-tempo, eight-to-the-bar, hard-driving number, with Ivy joined by Wendy Morgan and the big bold sound of Anne Harris’s violin, to render tribute to female blues legends, from the great Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith to the indefatigable singer/guitarist Sister Rosetta Tharp, Memphis Minnie, Koko Taylor, and more.

INTO THE LITTLE BLUE HOUSE will be available at Amazon, iTunes, and CDBaby. 10% of proceeds from album sales will go to The Pinetop Perkins Foundation. For more information about the album or band go to wendyanddb.com

BRIGHTER LIGHT BRIGADE TRAVELING TOGETHER

Families who enjoy adventurous road trips will appreciate the newest album from "Traveling Together" by Brighter Light Brigade for listening to during their car rides. Featuring vocalists Amyliza de Jesus and Marla Vannucci along with multi-instrumentalist Dean Jones, "Traveling Together" from Nashville-based Brighter Light Brigade is being released by 8 Pound Gorilla Records on October 7, 2022. 

This kindie rock album is recommended for ages 4 - 10 and their parents with a runtime of 21 minutes. Kindie rock is a style of children's music that melds the adult sensibilities and styles of singer-songwriters with themes aimed at kids providing family friendly educational and entertainment experiences. "Traveling Together" will be available upon release for $8.99 as a digital download or $10 for an "old fashioned" CD. Being that compact discs were brand new technology when I was in high school it makes me feel old to call them old fashioned but they are also playing '80s music on the "Oldies Music" radio station here in Detroit so I guess that speaks for itself. 

Throughout "Traveling Together", the words to the songs are more like poetry than song lyrics, giving them an uncommon depth of meaning and emotional expression. Highlights include Goodbye Summer, a song with a ‘90s indie rock/punk feel about summer coming to an end. The Wilco-inspired Don’t Judge a Box, with its engaging mix of country, folk, and pop, encourages looking beyond differences to see commonalities. The lyrics are inspired by de Jeus and Vannicci's "day jobs" as licensed mental health professionals. 

My Favorite Song is all about that song that gets stuck in your head, and there is a good chance this one will. Favorite elements include a terrific organ interlude by Dean Jones and the way that Marla Vannucci’s vocals reflect the tune’s uncomplicated joy. A storytelling number, Rufus the Rooster, was co-written with a 90-year-old music therapy client of Amyliza de Jesus. The client even contributed some grand production ideas like having a fiddle in the mix. This led to Nashville’s esteemed fiddling maestro, Aaron Till, being given the job of personifying the rooster! The gently honest Different was a collaboration, through the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Words & Music Program, between Amyliza de Jesus and a local elementary school student. The student sings on the track, as part of the BLB Kids Choir.

For more information about this musical group, visit teambrighterlightbrigade.com 

DINOSAURS AND MONSTERS

Based upon their kindie rock with a metal edge and YouTube channel with animated dinosaur themed music videos, Howdytoons has cultivated a continuously growing fanbase of kids. The videos from their last album "Dinostory" are closing in on a billion YouTube streams! Now the band is releasing a new "dinosaur rock" album coming out in September.

"Dinosaurs & Monsters" is being released on September 30, 2022. It will be available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube Music, YouTube (video), and other streaming services. "Dinosaurs & Monsters" has a runtime of 30 minutes and is recommended for all ages, but especially for kids aged 5 - 12. For more information, head over to howdytoons.com. 

Howdytoons, famous in the kids’ world for its heavy metal-inspired dinosaur songs, digs even deeper into the genre with "Dinosaurs & Monsters", unearthing tunes about super-fantastic creatures, both real and imagined. There is still a healthy serving of music for dino-crazed fans, but the album also includes songs about Pterosaurs (“I’m a Pterodactyl”), synapsids (“Dimetrodon,” listen to the song to find out what a synapsid is), and Pliosaurs (“Kronosaurus”), plus an eponymous number about a legendary Scandinavian sea monster, The Kraken. Even when telling a great tale, Howdytoons keeps thing scientifically accurate, packing statistics and facts into every song.

Offering something a cut above inconsequential, autotuned kids’ music, Howdytoons songs fire the imagination with amusing complexities that require the full attention of the listener, regardless of age. The stellar musicianship of "Dinosaurs & Monsters" is commanded by the searing guitar riffs and blazing vocals of Mike Whitla and Jimmy Reid and bombastic drumming, provided by Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Joe Satriani, Alex Lifeson, and more). Compositionally, the music is an exotic mixed bag that combines elements of not only rock, reggae, ska, and metal, but also South Indian classical (Carnatic) music, courtesy of Mike Whitla, who became fluent in this musical language while studying at Toronto’s York University. Whitla’s Carnatic guru, the acclaimed virtuoso Trichy Sankaran, is featured playing mridangam on two of the album’s Carnatic-influenced songs.

ROBOTS DON'T TELL JOKES

The first single and music video from Kelli Welli's upcoming album Robots Don't Tell Jokes was just released. I love the title of the album and "Rainbow Love Song" is a catchy kindie rock tune that will surely delight kids toddler aged through elementary school but also have parents enjoying the song's harmony as well. The upbeat “Rainbow Love Song” is an empowering anthem about all the colors of love and joy that come with living a life filled with abundant variety, acceptance, and gratitude.

Robots Don't Tell Jokes is being released on April 15, 2022 on amazon.com, bandcamp and kelliwelli.com

SING YOUR SONG

As my kids have entered middle-school, we've had some tear jerking moments regarding bullying and peer pressure that have put them in some tough situations. The tween and teen-aged years are a time of finding self-identity and it can be hard for kids to stay true to their self nature as they feel compelled to fit in with the crowd. This can cause anxiety, misbehavior and other troubles as kids try to be who others want them to be. 

That is why establishing a good foundation of self worth and confidence with children in their preschool and elementary school years is so important. One way of doing that is exposing them to uplifting messaging while having an entertaining time by the family enjoying kindie rock together. With that in mind, I wanted to give a plug to the newest album from The Harmonica Pocket titled SING YOUR SONG which is filled with music that is not just fun to listen to but has content to promote the value of self-identity and being proud to be your own person with children.

The Harmonic Pocket is led by singer-songwriter Keeth Monta Apgar. He is joined by a number of musical artists in this album made for families to enjoy together. SING YOUR SONG revolves around the theme of "being yourself, in hopes of empowering young people," Apgar mentioned in pitching the album to a Geek Daddy. “The primary message could be summed up in this couplet from the title song: ‘You may not sound like everybody else/But you sound just like yourself.’ In other words, be yourself because you’re the only one who can sing the song that lives inside your heart.”

One of Apgar’s favorite vocalists, Renee Stahl, of Renee & Jeremy, sings harmony on the title track. Renee and Apgar are accompanied on electric bass by beloved children’s musician Johnny Bregar and by first-call Seattle drummer Eric Eagle. Check out a special solo acoustic performance of the title track Sing Your Song by Apgar that is a little bit unique from the song on the album:

Other highlights of the album include a giddy nonsense number, “Everything Is Everywhere,” sung as a duet by Apgar and his childhood friend Tom Gilhuley, backed by Johnny Bregar and Nashville percussionist Kevin Rapillo, who has, for nearly two decades, played drums for country music star Rodney Atkins. “I Can Be The Princess” challenges some of the outdated gender roles that people still tend to slip into, while celebrating the imaginative play of children. The lovely “Wee A Tilly” is so evocative of traditional Celtic folksong that it inspired Apgar’s collaboration with Russian illustrator Ekaterina Bogdan on a beautiful music video. The Harmonica Pocket’s version of “Stand By Me” is a masterful rendition of one of the most memorable songs of the sixties. Apgar noted, “I love this song’s simple message of sticking together despite – and because of – our differences.”

The Harmonica Pocket SING YOUR SONG is available on Amazon.com. Buy it with a Geek Daddy affiliate link and this dad blogger will receive a small commission at no additional expense to your purchase.

Courtesy of Keeth Monta Apgar, a Geek Daddy also has 3 copies of The Harmonica Pocket's SING YOUR SONG to giveaway. Our lucky winner's can choose to receive a digital download of the album r have Apgar's publicist mail you a compact disc of The Harmonica Pocket's SING YOUR SONG. Just complete the rafflecopter entries below before 11:59pm ET on November 7, 2021 for a chance to win. Must be a United States resident over 18 years old to participate in this promotion. Good luck!

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DJ SQUIRM-A-LOT ALBUM RELEASE PARTY

The Story Pirates are releasing their fourth full-length album, The Strawberry Band, on April 9th, and DJ Squirm-a-Lot is throwing a huge party on Zoom the night before, which is Thursday, April 8th at 7 pm EST, 6 pm CST, 4 pm PST to get the fun started. Admission is free for anyone who pre-saves the album on Spotify.

CLICK HERE for more information and the event registration link. Once fans save the new songs to Spotify, they will receive a link to RSVP and get the Zoom link for the event. The Strawberry Band album launch party will feature performances of several songs, games with DJ Squirm-a-Lot and the composers behind the album, plus a live Q&A with the performers and kid authors.

Every song on this Story Pirates musical album was inspired by a kid’s idea, and all these songs originally played on the top-rated Story Pirates Podcast. “The Strawberry Band” is a Beatles-esque song based on a story by Nathaniel, a 5-year-old Californian. The fictional British rock band has big dreams. Trouble is, they turn into strawberries whenever they perform. The seedy crew decides to create a concept album, and they reappear throughout the album to avoid a strawberry-eating shark, ending up in a psychedelic freakout before the final track, “I Have a Cookie” (performed by Broadway’s Eddie Cooper). Another recently released song and video is “Fun Crazy Weird Hair Store,” by a 9 year old named Sylvia from New Jersey.

Together, the songs tell compelling and hilarious stories about musical cinnamon buns, weird sisters, a wingless fairy, and a dreamy little hedgehog. The Strawberry Band features songwriting and performances by noted Broadway talent and upon its official release will be available wherever music is sold.

You can also get your hands on the album through this dad blogger's giveaway. Some lucky winners are sure to be geeked to get a free The Strawberry Band album through this blog giveaway. Have you entered yet? If not get your entries in!

For a chance to be one of our lucky winners in this Geek Daddy giveaway, you must be a United States or Canadian resident over 18 years old to participate. Just complete the rafflecopter entries below before 11:59pm on April 11, 2021 for a chance to win. Good luck to all our entrants!

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