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Meet...the Boogers (yeah, I didn't pick the name, either!). These Chicago-based rockers are big fan of The Ramones...so they bring an energetic punkish sensibility to their music. Their energy is undeniable, and they've brought us two songs from their album Real Rock and Roll for Kids: I Don't Need to Be Worried and This Song's About Transportation. You'll find both songs on the Music A-B page.

Dave Taylor got started early, putting on musical/theatrical shows with his older brother Rick, utilizing Legos and household items as props. At 8, he started guitar lessons, but eventually drifted away from playing music until high school. Then, Dave and Rick reunited musically to collaborate once again. They formed a heavy metal outfit consisting of friends from school. In college, he played bass guitar in his brother’s Christian death metal band...but focused mainly on writing comedic songs. In his late 20s, he realized how much he loved playing music for kids...his nephews and nieces in particular. This was also when Dave realized that in a way, he had been writing and performing kids’ music all along. His new album is called Big Kids Up Front, and he's sharing his song Big Brown Package with us. You'll find it on the Music T page.

Mr Chris and The Gassy Bubbles are a children's/family rock & roll group from Toronto, Canada. Over the years, Mr Chris began to realize that more and more parents weren't relating to the music their children were listening to. Many parents began complaining that their children's music was 'too cheesy' to listen to on a regular basis...so he, as a children’s educator, decided that something had to be done. Along with the Gassy Bubbles, Mr Chris decided to create a different kind of children's album...one that both parents and children could equally enjoy. The album is called Dance, Shake, Rattle & Roll, and they're sharing Spider Song with us. You'll find it on the Music M-N page.

Mr. Willy (aka Willy Welch) is a children's entertainer, picture book author and recording artist who brings his songs and stories (and sometimes puppets) to schools, churches, child care centers, preschools, hospitals, arts festivals, birthday parties, bookstores and store openings. He has written over 35 songs for Barney and Friends to sing, and is a songwriter for the new "Boz the Green Bear Next Door" DVD series. A graduate of the Boston University School for the Arts, Willy is probably best known for penning "Playing Right Field," the heart-warming tale of an inept little-leaguer, which has been recorded and performed by over a dozen recording artists, most notably Peter, Paul & Mary...who recorded it for the third time in 1998. Willy's new CD is called My Backyard, and he's brought us his song It Comes Naturally. You'll find it on the Music M-N page as well.

The Musical Zoo hails from Chicago, and offers interactive music & dance classes for boys and girls aged 18 months to 7 years. They also celebrate birthdays and produce music and apparel for children. So, for today's "show and tell" time in class...they've brought us the delightful Musical Zoo Theme from their Musical Zoo EP. You'll find it on the Music M-N page as well (a very popular page this at the moment!).

Last, but certainly not least...children's singer/songwriter Shad Weathersby and children's book author/illustrator Mike Artell have created a wonderful new album of music based around the rich traditions of Mardi Gras. They started writing songs for this project a couple years back, but then a lady named Katrina came to New Orleans and knocked things off track for a bit. Finally, last summer, they made it back to the studio to finish it up. The album is called Calling All Children to the Mardi Gras, and they're sharing with us the title song and King Cake. You'll find them both on the Music U-Z page.

Sonia Hardie is the creative force behind YellowKat. She's been musically-inclined most of her life and began writing songs while studying for her degree in Primary Education at Sydney University. After the birth of her son Linten, she found music becoming one of her favorite ways of relating to him...and teamed up with her brother Matt to release her first CD of songs for children, called Clap Your Hands. She's brought us the delightful tune, "Ants in the Kitchen". You'll find it on the Music U-Z page.

Debbie and Friends have brought us another of their delightful songs. "Opposite" is from their forthcoming album, Story Songs and Sing Alongs. Find that one on the Music C-D page.

Oren Pfefferman holds a doctorate in child psychology, and he incorporates current research about the way kids learn in his songwriting. He's the leader of a California-based band called Oren and the Hiccups, and this time they share with us the energetic title song from their new album, Turn Around The Sun. Find it the Music O-R page.

David Rovics is a folkie...normally singing to adult audiences about passion and his politics. But he's also written a bunch of easily-digestable songs for kids in a collection called Pirate Songs for Kids, and he's made them all available for free download from his web site. We're sharing three of them here this time: "If I Was a Dog", "Roller Coaster Train" and "Tired of Sitting in the Car". You'll find those on the Music O-R page as well.

Dennis "D. Jay" King works as a public school special ed teacher in New Jersey, and has a unique take on melody and especially harmonies. He's sharing with us the title song from his album Buggy Baloo. You'll find that one on the Music C-D page.

And finally, Adam and The Couch Potatoes have a song for us that will (trust me!)...I say WILL get stuck in your head. It's called "Never Gonna Be Bored!", and it's from their new album, Live at Centennial Pre-School. You'll find that one on the Music A-B page.

Meet the lovely Jen Gould. She's been a performer most of her life...and in recent years has taken on some new roles: mom, educator and now, children's music artist. She's sharing two songs with us: "Gina Meana" and "Yummy in my Tummy". You'll find 'em on the Music E-H page.

Next up? Eric Herman returns with his amazing Invisible Band. He's freshened up the recording of "There's a Monster in My House" and added "No Big Deal" and "The Monkeys". You'll find him on the Music E-H page as well.

Debbie Cavalier has been involved with kids music for over 20 years...first as a classroom music teacher, and more recently as the leader of Debbie and Friends, where she writes, performs and records for children and their families. She's brought us "Three Pigs and a Wolf", from her album, due this summer. Find her song on our Music C-D page.

Michael McKinnon is the driving force behind Jam Toast. He's a longtime punk music fan who believes that punk can deliver important messages for kids, like "think for yourself" and "stand up for what you believe in". He's written and produced a CD (with the help of his two young boys), and is sharing two songs with us: "ABC" and "Make Some Noise". Find them on the Music I-L page.

And finally, we have a cute song from Jordan Cooper. He's not a children's music artist, per se...but when his sister had a baby and was in the process of moving to the other side of the world, he sat down and wrote a bunch of songs and produced an album for the baby to grow up with. You'll enjoy the gentle groove of "Things We Do". And you'll find it on the Music C-D page as well.

Meet The SqueeGees, a fun-filled, bubbly acoustic duo that provide an irresistibly playful musical adventure for the entire family. While you would think that this delicious experience would be candy- coated, this package comes in a recyclable wrapper... with songs that emphasize earth-friendly themes, positive messages, and good clean fun. Samantha Tobey and Roman Bluem are the kids-at-heart behind this grassroots musical journey. Both professional singer/songwriters, the couple have created a truly magical experience featuring clear, clean instrumentation and tasty vocal harmonies. They've brought us two wonderful songs: "Apples, Oranges and Peaches" and "Nala the Chihuahua". You'll find their music on the Music S page.

Wee Rock! is comprised of husband and wife team Greg and Erin Paxton. Greg is a freelance drummer, and Erin is a music therapist. The birth of their son, Jonathan, inspired them to put their teaching and music skills together to make music for the hearts of children. They've contributed a delightfully smooth little island-flavored pop piece called "Bubbles". You'll find it on the Music U-Z page.

Eric Ode (pronounced Oh-dee) is a national award-winning children's singer, songwriter, poet, and entertainer. His upbeat, high-participation programs are bubbling over with fun, interactive music and poetry and include stories, skits, costumes, props and puppets. A former elementary teacher of 12 years with a Masters Degree in Educational Technology, Eric has shared music and poetry performances with schools, community festivals, libraries, and churches all around and outside the Pacific Northwest. And this time, he's offering us a bouncy, bubbly tune called "How Bout You?". You'll find it on the Music O-R page.

Joshua Rich brings us two terrific songs this time. His piano-and-voice recordings and his sense of melody remind us of a slightly sweeter Randy Newman with a more pleasant voice. Check out "Trying Vegetables" and "Gonna Get a Haircut" on the Music O-R page.

Here's something you just might find interesting. As an eighth grade student, Keri Schmidt wrote a cute (and award-winning) story called "Shelby the Unique Sheep". She's all grown up now and works as a speech pathologist in Illinois, but her story continues to live on. Wayne from Maine offers his version of the story in a song called "Shelby" on our site, and if you're interested, you can also listen to radio funnyman Gary Burbank reading the story on our sister site, Light Up Your Brain. Listen to the song here on the Music U-Z page.

Alex Mitnick and The Kaleidoscope Band have shared many of their Kaleidoscope Songs with us, and we've got a new one this time, too! "I'm So Glad" features the Yaruban prayer from Nigeria: "Funga Alafia", which translates as "Give us peace". This one's got a great groove! Check it out on the Music I-L page.

Maryann "Mar." Harman is a music teacher/recording artist from Pinellas County Florida.  Maryann has her BA in Music Education, her Masters in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood and is certified in Level I Orff.  She is the founder of Music w/ Mar., a class where toddlers and caregivers participate together in music and movement activities. She's brought us a couple of very energetic songs this time around: "Gonna Name Our States" and "Can You Predict It?", found on the Music M-N page. The Sunshine Road is an award-winning musical group that has performed such places as Sesame Place, Six Flags New England and the Hartford Civic Center. David Verdosci is the lead singer and songwriter, while his sister-in-law Rhonda Mesenbourg handles background vocals and percussion. They've brought us two of their most popular pieces: "The Ice Cream Song" and "Rockin' on Down the Road".

Chip Richter is an Ohio-based singer, songwriter and guitarist. And he's teamed up with another Ohio native... legendary guitarist/singer Phil Keaggy, to create a musical allegory that talks about kids trying on their parents' clothing, and relating that to a relationship with another Dad. By the way, Chip is donating all profits from his CD sales thru this link to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts for the next couple months, so check it out.

Ally Arnold says her two favorites in the whole world are children and music. She has enjoyed working with preschoolers for years, teaching Sunday school class, day care classes and nannying. And she's offering a gift...a musical opportunity to put a Pep in My Step. You'll find that one on this page.

Sue Schnitzer is a former FBI Special Agent who traded in her badge for a guitar and began singing music for children and their families. She's back with music from her latest album, asking the musical question, Can You Clap?. You can listen (and maybe even find the answer to that question here).