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). 

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.

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 

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.

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

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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THE STRAWBERRY BAND ALBUM

The Story Pirates, winner of the 2020 iHeartRadio Award for Best Kids & Family Podcast, is releasing a new musical album with songs from their show. The Strawberry Band is full of fan favorite songs from The Story Pirates podcast episodes. The first song "Fun Crazy Hair Store" is available to stream and purchase digitally now and the full album is being released on April 9, 2021.

Like much of the content in the popular podcast, the songs were all inspired by suggestions submitted to the show's producers from children in their listening audience. “Fun Crazy Weird Hair Store” is a song about silly options for hairstyles adapted from a story by 9-year-old Sylvia from New Jersey. All together The Strawberry Band has twelve songs with titles such as " I Have a Cookie," "The Case of the Musical Cinnamon Buns" and "The Night I Started Sharing a Room with my Sister" that focus on educational and entertaining themes for children to enjoy for a total of 42 minutes of kindie rock.

This dad blogger just so happens to have a few copies of The Strawberry Band to giveaway. Who wants them?! Randomly selected winners will have their choice of The Story Pirates' The Strawberry Band album via digital download or compact disc.

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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The Story Pirates Podcast features songs and sketches based on stories written by kids and often includes special celebrity guests.  Julie Andrews, Kristen Bell, Billy Eichner, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Dax Shepard, Bowen Yang, Paul Scheer, Claire Danes, John Oliver, David Schwimmer, and Lake Bell are some of the celebrities who have appeared on the podcast. Episodes of The Story Pirates Podcast have been downloaded more than 20 million times. Click here if you have a child who would like to submit a story or song idea for The Story Pirates Podcast.

 

SING OUT

If you have a preschooler at home, this dad blogger has a giveaway that you are sure to be geeked about! A Geek Daddy is giving away the children's musical album / picture book SING OUT featuring six timeless folk songs. She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain, Little Bingo, This Old Man, Pop Goes the Weasel, I’ve Been Working on the Railroad and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star are brought to life for a new generation of children through the illustrations of Sophie Casson and vocal talents of musical duo Sin & Swoon.

The SING OUT musical picture book highlights each song as a stand-alone story featuring zany characters including an acrobatic pink-haired roller-skater girl, a straw hat-wearing unshaven hillbilly astronaut, a banjo-playing cow-loving weasel and a hard-working monkey who happens to love dumplings. These are drawn by Casson who is an award-winning illustrator based in Montréal. Her illustrations have appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Financial Times, and The Globe and Mail and exhibits at World Design Capital events in Taipei and Paris, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

The SING OUT picture book is accompanied by musical renditions of these folk songs performed by Sin & Swoon. These folk artists have been profiled on the CBC and NPR radio networks. CLICK HERE to listen to some excerpts of their SING OUT performances and for more information about purchasing this children's musical album / picture book combo.

For a chance to win SING OUT just complete the Rafflecopter entries below by 11:59 pm ET on March 1, 2021. This blog giveaway is open to both United States and Canadian residents. Must be over 18 years old to participate in this promotion. If we get entries from both countries, I will randomly pick one winner from each nation. One winner per country. Good luck!

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MUSIC VIDEO ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO MASK ON

At the request of pediatricians, award-winning songwriter and educational researcher Erica Rabner wrote the upbeat song Mask On encouraging children to wear mask to protect themselves and others during the pandemic. Schools around the country now play the song as students arrive in the morning to encourage children to mask on during the day. Mask On is a cheery, catchy anthem for addressing an important COVID related issue through children's music. Check out this music video that is meant to spread the message to kids why it is important for them to wear a mask when around others. 

Mask On is one of eight songs in Rabner's upcoming THE COVID ALBUM. This children's music album is full of songs to help kids (and their grownups) survive and thrive during the continuing pandemic. The Covid Album features kid-friendly safety and health-oriented PSAs as well as songs that support children’s emotional well being. These original songs are interspersed with “Real Talk” vignettes with actual kids talking about their experiences in these challenging pandemic times.

If this album piques your interest, CLICK HERE for more info.

A MIND OF YOUR OWN

I'm sure you are familiar with the Smithsonian Institute's museums, but did you know they also have a music label with a focus on keeping the genre of folk songs alive. Earlier this week I shared with you some coloring books sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute and today here is some news about a new children's music album they've produced called A Mind of Your Own.

A Mind of Your Own is the debut release from The Bright Siders, the duo of acclaimed songwriter and musician Kristin Andreassen and NYC child psychiatrist Kari Groff, MD. Brimming with uplifting and empowering songs, the album invites its listeners to think deeply on feelings and emotions that come with growing up, while focusing on resilience and mindset. 

Along with a slew of all-star guests including Ed Helms, The War and Treaty, Oh Pep!, The Hokes (a.k.a. Punch Brothers), Gaby Moreno, and more, The Bright Siders bring profound sensitivity and vivacity to songs about friendship, bullying, anger, acceptance of others, and coping with sadness and change. 

This music is sure to spark meaningful conversations and bring families closer as The Bright Siders explore the beauty and complexity of their emotional lives together. This dad blogger appreciates these musical themes and to help get the word out about these splendid songs, I'm hosting a CD giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive a CD of A Mind of Your Own by The Bright Siders courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Just complete the Rafflecopter entries below by 11:59pm on February 15, 2021 for a chance to win. Must be a U.S. resident over 18 years old to participate. Good luck!

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TALES OF TAILS

A visit to the library was always an exciting experience for me as a kid. I loved scouring the book shelves looking for a new adventure to immerse myself in. From Roald Dahl children's novels like James and the Giant Beach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to teen mysteries like Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators and The Hardy Boys, reading was the primary source of entertainment during my youth. I'm dating myself but this was a time before video games were common place, you had to go to a theater to watch a movie, there were really only four or five tv channels to watch, and the Internet hadn't even been imagined yet. So libraries were the place to go if you wanted to experience some amazing adventures!

Libraries hold a special place in my heart. They are also in a tough spot as digital resources have people going to computers, mobile devices and televisions for their media instead of pulling books from the physical shelves at a library. Yet in my opinion there is still value to libraries in my opinion because they provide a sense of place and community that you can't get sitting around your own home or looking at a mobile device when traveling about. 

My kids love going to the library for the experiences they've had ... summer programs where they've earned rewards and participated in themed parties, reading to therapy dogs to build up their literacy skills, singing along to kindie rock performances, participating in a LEGO building camp are just a few examples of the fun times my son and daughter have had. 

Their library experiences are different than mine but yet just like me I am sure when they are adults both of them will have wonderful childhood memories of visiting this special place. That is why while it seems that libraries are archaic it is not time to give up on them yet. 

They aren't places just filled with book shelves anymore, libraries are multi-dimensional resources that get us out of sheltering at home and engaging in educational and entertaining experiences. We are in a time when librarians aren't shooshing people but rather encouraging interactions and discussions. With all the divisiveness in society right now the sense of community a library provides may never have been in greater need.

With that in mind, I was geeked to learn that one of my favorite kindie rock artists, Sean McCollough, has created an anthem in support of libraries. His new single "Tales of Tails" is a salute to libraries and an encouragement of reading. If you love libraries like my family does check out this music video and pass it on!

Sean McCollough has made a career of making music for kids and their grown-ups. He provides sophisticated musical tones that are also sensible and relatable tunes for young audiences making his songs appreciable for the whole family. Sean tosses in educational insights that compliment the entertaining vibe of his family-friendly performances making him a stand out kindie rock artist that both parents and children can appreciate. That is why he has a Geek Daddy nod of approval. You can learn more about and experience his music at seanmccollough.com

TUNES WITH TIM

Chicago-based children's musicians Tunes with Tim has just released a brand new kindie rock album and it has already been awarded a 2021 National Parenting Products Award. Kindie rock is a style of children's music that  merges the adult sensibilities of a musician with themes focused towards children. These songs are meant to be educational as well as entertaining for young audiences while also carrying a tune that adult listeners can appreciate. Tim Bredrup (aka Tunes with Tim) has been blending pop/rock/jazz/hip-hop since 2013 in energetic kids concerts.

After a tumultuous 2020, Tim wants to share with families some great tunes to get 2021 off to an upbeat start. So the new Tunes with Tim album, WE'RE ALL HUMAN, is available on bandcamp.com for whatever you can afford to pay. Whether it is tossing a penny or an Andrew Jackson a a tip into Tunes with Tim's virtual guitar case you can name your own price to purchase a download of this digital album through bandcamp. There is no minimum price because Tim knows money is tight for many families right now and he wants to inspire as many kids as possible with his tunes right now.

In collaboration with Bredrup, WE'RE ALL HUMAN was produced/engineered/mixed by Grammy-nominated Jamie Candiloro (R.E.M., The Eagles, Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson) and mastered by Grammy-winning Scott Hull (Sting, Steely Dan, Dave Matthews, John Mayer). Inspired by his own family, Tim's tunes in WE'RE ALL HUMAN are aimed at creating a refreshing music listening experience the whole family can enjoy together. Some great kid-friendly tunes parents can feel comfortable letting their children rock out to!

If you have young kids at home, WE'RE ALL HUMAN is a fun way for them to exhaust some energy while singing and dancing along to tunes that teach them music basics including rhythm, melody and harmony. Tunes with Tim gets a Geek Daddy nod of approval for providing jump around tunes that get children thinking while they bounce around to the music. Plus this dad blogger appreciates the spirit of togetherness instilled both through the lyrics of these tunes as well as the artist's name your own price download policy in this time where there is so much public anx among one another. 

Check out WE'RE ALL HUMAN from Tunes with Tim via Bandcamp.com. 

MY EARTH SONGS

It has been a tough year! And if you think it has been tough on the average American family having to isolate at home and keep kids away from school and day care just think how rough things have been for children living in impoverishment here and around the world. So in June a number of children's musical artists from around the globe participated in an online concert called My Earth Songs Virtual Live Concert to raise funds for UNICEF COVID-19 relief for children. Now to do more good, the soundtrack from that concert is being released as an album with all proceeds going to UNICEF!

My Earth Songs will be available to purchase via all major online outlets beginning August 28, 2020. Great for all ages but especially appropriate for ages 5-11. My Earth Songs will retail as a $9.99 digital download with a runtime of approximately of 45 minutes.

Artists represented on My Earth Songs include six Grammy winners from around the world: United Nations Global Humanitarian Artist Ricky Kej from India, legendary Senegalese singer Baaba Maal (voice of the Wakandan soundtrack for the Black Panther movie), U.S. family musicians Lucy Kalantari and Jon Samson, South African flutist Wouter Kellerman, and two-time Grammy winner Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea. Also featured are the Earth Band’s primary artist/frontman, Grammy-nominated American singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lonnie Park; Grammy-nominated Canadian flutist Ron Korb; and Global Music Award winning Indian bassist and composer Dominic D'Cruz.



My Earth Songs sets the pace with its sparkling, energetic opening track, “Shine Your Light,” which features the Mzansi Youth Choir, an ensemble that was established to provide opportunities for underprivileged South African children, particularly in Soweto. Other highlights include the multicultural “Born from the Land,” with lead singer Lonnie Park sharing the spotlight with famed Senegalese vocalist Baaba Maal, who presents soaring reflections in his native Fula language. “She Can Do,” a song that celebrates breaking down gender-based stereotypes, features Lucy Kalantari in a vocal performance loaded with verve. “In the Waterworld” showcases the jewel-like Mexican mariachi perfection of Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea. With his elegant phrasing, Jon Samson really illustrates the poetry within the relaxed ballad “Breathe Life,” which is beautifully complimented by Ron Korb’s Bansuri flute. “Bicycle Day” celebrates the world’s most efficient non-polluting mode of transportation through the artistry of famed flutist Wouter Kellerman and the clarity and storytelling confidence of Lonnie Park’s vocals.

Parents will appreciate My Earth Songs delivers complex topics in bite-sized chunks packed with meaning that children can effortlessly assimilate. Every one of these fun, positive, and super singalong-able songs has a catchy tune with simple, memorable lyrics. Focusing on what’s needed to ensure a clean, green world for generations to come, each track was inspired by one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.



Songs that inspire and help a good cause are sure to brighten a lot of days for children around the globe. That is why this My Earth Songs gets a Geek Daddy nod of approval and this dad blogger wanted to give you all a heads up about its release. My Earth Songs is kindie rock at its best educating and entertaining children through music while raising awareness and funding for a worthy cause in UNICEF COVID-19 relief for children.



To donate directly to UNICEF's Coronavirus Children's Crisis Appeal, please visit this page.