I don't know much about the International Songwriting Competition. Their judges include Black Francis from the Pixies etc., Darryl McDonald from Run-DMC, and "Weird Al" Yankovic, so that's a plus in my book. There's an entry fee for folks to participate, so that's a demerit. But there's a children's music category. (I could dream that the folks above judge this category, but I'm guessing it's the Music for Little People CEO and the Senior VP at Nickelodeon.)
Anyway, they've named the 2008 finalists, and there are few familiar names on the list -- Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Leeny and Steve, Babaloo, and Rock Daddy Rock. If you would like to demonstrate the power of the internet in action, you can go here to sign up and vote for the finalists.
Alternately, you could just click through and see the list of finalists (songs and artists). Up to you.
Post-Grammy Thoughts on the Genre
I already posted some thoughts -- mostly from other people -- about the 2009 Grammys. And, yeah, I was glad They Might Be Giants won -- it was my favorite of the five nominated albums, and one of my favorites of the year, period. I'm glad Brady Rymer got nominated, and I wouldn't have been sad to see Trout Fishing in America to win as sort of a "career achievement" award. And Bill Harley is, well, Bill Harley. Hard to argue with that win for Best Spoken Word Album for Kids.
But the weekend of the Grammys also saw a group of kids music folks get together for a brunch to talk about the genre and ways in which the children's music community can work together to foster awareness of the genre.
Karen Rappaport McHugh at Muddy Girl Productions sent me a summary of the event, which included more than 30 artists, managers, media, marketing and PR consultants. I've posted most of that summary below for your perusal and thought. These aren't the answers, but they're some thoughts of folks who've spent a lot of time thinking about the genre. While the first point deals with more Grammy-related issues, the stuff after the jump is relevant to musicians regardless of their interest in the Academy.
Reactions to the summary are welcome in the comments below.
Or, if you'd like, you can go to the very end and see some Grammy trivia put together by Cathy Fink. Quincy Jones - who knew?
*****
1. RECORDING ACADEMY
As a result of our initial meeting in 2008, the first GRAMMY Children’s Music Showcase at the Grammy Museum was established to build excitement around the category... To continue this process, we will work to have this event included as an “official” Grammy event in 2010 such as other categories receive including Grammy Salute to Classical and Grammy Salute to Jazz.
In addition, it was recommended that individual artists become active in their local chapters and approach them about hosting children's music events in several of the top markets for its membership: Nashville, Austin, Chicago, New York and San Francisco were mentioned as possible locations as members from each of these chapters were present at the meeting. Creating local events on a chapter level during the year would really help artists reach into their own membership, which is tremendously helpful during award nominations. Cathy Fink and/or Karen Rappaport are available to artists who are interested in working on this project to expand it beyond the one Grammy week concert. Although the Recording Academy is unlikely to sponsor concerts, recommended events might include:
A Children's Music Listening Party and Meet & Greet Workshop/Seminars, such as:
1) The elements of an excellent recording for children
2) Call for all genres to discuss children's music
3) "Get Up To Date" in the Children's Music Field
For workshops like these, it may be best to bring in outside speaker(s) along with local folks. Contact your Chapter’s Director for a meeting and to discuss options.
Finally, it was noted that people who are not eligible to become voting members can join as associate members and still have a voice within their chapter – this would include MEDIA, MANAGERS, PUBLICISTS, etc. and would be extremely helpful to the children’s music community. As Cathy Fink noted, “the Recording Academy is a membership organization and is there to serve you. You have to let them know what’s important to you and the more members who are part of the children’s music community, the better.”
Phoenix Chorale FTW
Every now and then I'll post something just because I can. Friends going up on stage to accept a Grammy Award totally fits that criteria.
Here, then, is video of the Phoenix Chorale and artistic director and conductor Charles Bruffy accepting their Best Small Ensemble award at the 51st Annual Grammys for Spotless Rose: Hymns to the Virgin Mary.
Grammys 2009: A Follow-Up
I already mentioned the winners of the 2009 Grammys for kids audio. A couple follow-ups...
First, here is where you can watch the Grammy ceremony. The kids audio categories are about 42-43 minutes in. If you don't want to bother loading the video, I've embedded a copy of TMBG's comments below. Afterwards, backstage, John Linnell was quoted as saying
"The money is in children's music," he said. "Those kids are loaded... Even with music sales down for adult music, a lot of parents are willing to pay for songs for their kids," he said. "And maybe just to set a good example, they're less likely to steal it." There's also special joy, for him, he said, in making music for tots. "A lot of adults are walking rock critics. They always compare the music to what they've heard before. Kids don't do that. They're hearing it all for the first time."I plead guilty to the "walking rock critic" part. As for Bill Harley, a lot of these comments have been seen elsewhere, but it's nice to pass on. Harley notes that "no matter what you're thinking before ("I could win!", or "I should win!", or "There's no way I'll win!" ) - you're still surprised when someone calls your name. In this case, it was particularly pleasing to hear my two dear friends, Marcy Marxer and Cathy Fink, make the announcement... This was a very competitive category this year, and I know a lot of people had to vote for me. Thanks to them, and those who support me, and the couple generations of parents, kids and teachers who have put their trust in me." Harley also said he he hung out with Ezra and Keith of Trout Fishing in America -- the three of them introduced ourselves to Brenda Lee as her new band and she says she wants to make a kid's recording. And in one of the funnier lines of the week, Harley noted this e-mail from a fan: "My husband and I were discussing your nomination earlier today and Emma (5) overheard us talking. She said, "Doesn't Bill Harley already have a Grammy? Why does he need another one?" Video of TMBG after the jump.
And the Grammy Goes To...
They Might Be Giants for Here Come the 123s (Best Musical Album for Children) and Bill Harley for Yes To Running! (Best Spoken Word Album for Children). Congratulations to them both.
Now I'm on pins and needles waiting to see if my friends in the Phoenix Chorale won a Grammy for one of their four nominations... And they did! Best Small Ensemble! w00t!
Oh, pictures of TMBG and Bill picking up their awards after the jump, courtesy of Beth Blenz-Clucas
Fids and Kamily 2008 Is On Its Way!
Amidst all this talk of Grammys and Cybils, I have failed to mention that kids' music's first poll, the Fids and Kamily Awards are coming back for a third straight year.
That's right, the same folks who named Justin Roberts' Meltdown! as 2006's kids music album of the year and Gustafer Yellowgold's Have You Never Been Yellow? as 2007's best album are back again to weigh in on 2008's bumper crop of great kids music.
More details are forthcoming, but you should circle November 15 on your calendar as the announcement date on Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. Once again, Amy and Bill are my chief co-conspirators. And for those you on Facebook, please stop by F&K's Facebook page.
