It can take a lot to calm down a tired baby. Since the beginning of time parents have struggled to get their children to go to sleep. I’m tired. Really tired, and I was so lucky to have this conversation with Angela James to make my day better. Angela James‘ album “Quiet Night'”,which is a collection of lullabies made for weary parents by weary parents. It isa beautiful and carefully crafted album inspired by James‘ own experiences as a new mother and with battling postpartum depression.’
“What began with humming as a coping mechanism to calm both her daughter and herself in her postpartum fog, evolved into this collection of fully formed and arranged lullabies. The instrumentation on the album; voice, classical guitar, bass clarinet, bassoon and vibraphone, is unique and deliberately in the mid-to-low tonal range, creating a serene but captivating soundscape. The concept of the album is to help set the stage for a child’s restful sleep and to support and soothe parents during the demanding and exhausting first months with a new child.”
Lissa Schneckenburger has put out an incredibly personal and important record. It’s called ‘Thunder In My Arms’ and it tells a story of adoption and foster children. She uses her music to communicate her very real experience. I will admit that talking to Lissa was very emotional for me. I greatly admire her strength and dedication to her child and the time and care that went into her song writing process. Please support Lissa and other parents who give so much of themselves to help kids who need love, support, shelter, and care by visiting the National Foster Parent Association
Be sure to listen to the song ‘I Need Us Together’. You will be moved and you will understand.
What’s similar about the amazing combo of peanut butter and raisins on celery, and a science teacher and music therapist making music for kids? Well, both equations end up in something tasty! Ants on a Log!!!!!!!! As you know there was a Climate Change Walkout last week, and I know that my friends Julie and Anya are mega supporters of bringing awareness to that very important issue. In fact, their latest album, ‘Curious: Think Outside The Pipeline’, is a funny climate action musical for kids and parents! You’ll love this conversation. Stay tuned all the way to the end to hear the song ‘Curious’.
Skinnamarink! It was an honor to speak with Sharon & Bram on the occasion of, well, everything! There is so much depth and history to their story and I just loved listening to them share their wisdom and experiences. “Before there was Dora, Nickelodeon introduced the trio Sharon, Lois & Bram and their Elephant Show to American TV viewers, and, later on, even more families became fans by watching them on Skinnamarink TV on TLC. Decade after decade of enthusiastic live audiences and treasured recordings attest to the depth of love and joy generated by the simple power of the group’s music.”
They are still putting out singles, and a new book is on the way soon. Stay tuned all the way to the end of the show to hear Sharon & Bram’s brand new ‘The Colour Song’ which features Colin Mochrie (from Whose Line Is It Anyway)!
Earworms! Ya know, those songs that get stuck in your head? Well, Sean McCollough knows all about them! Sean is a radio host for the KidStuff Show on WDVX and you know what that means? He’s certified and bonafied! He knows his music and it was a blast to talk to him about all of his experiences in the music world. “Sean McCollough has been entertaining and educating families and school groups with his energetic shows since the mid-90s. He has been compared to Pete Seeger and John McCutcheon for his use of traditional music and storytelling as well as his charismatic performances.
Sean plays the guitar, banjo and mandolin and draws heavily on the music of the Appalachian Mountains, mixing world music, original songs, and other contemporary sounds into his performances that are built around audience participation”
If you’re a fan of music that’s great then you and your family will love Sean. You can hear the song ‘Earworm’ at the end of the show.
