Elephants in the Outfield?: Justin Roberts' "Pop Fly" Album Cover

PopFlyPromo.gifYou know, why stop at showing album art from one eagerly anticipated 2008 release when you can show two. This is from Pop Fly, the sixth kids album from Justin Roberts. Sarajo Frieden, who did the artwork for Roberts' masterful Meltdown! CD (and, yes, I did use the word "masterful," it is and I won't brook an argument), does the honors once more. I see elephants standing out in what would appear to be right field. Not sure if there are some imaginary rhinos there. And, yes, I did take the cover from Justin's website. Was it the "New CD" sign that gave it away? Pop Fly is out on Carpet Square Records April 15.

New Justin Roberts Album "Pop Fly" Due in 2008

Neither of Chicago's baseball squads are still playing, but Justin Roberts has baseball on the brain. In his latest e-mail blast, Roberts announced plans to release his next CD, titled Pop Fly, in "early 2008." (There were also a bunch of baseball-themed metaphors that kinda stretched things pretty far, so I'm choosing to omit those here.) I'd heard about the release plans before, but this was the first I've heard the album title (which, frankly, could be totally not about baseball, but rather about a paternal unit with unusual transportation capabilities). Having a title somehow makes it real, which means I can begin to get excited about it. Seeing as it was one of my Top 3 family albums of 2006, and the #1 release in 2006's "Fids & Kamily" poll, I think it's safe to say I'm looking forward to it. Even if it's barely on the on-deck circle.

Nine Days of Great Kids Music in Chicago

Now, Kidzapalooza will rock Chicago August 3 through 5 (for more details, see here). But the previous weekend is, well, pretty darn good in its own right if you'd rather fight local neighborhood throngs than fight the Pearl Jam and Ben Harper-obsessed throngs in Grant Park. I've been waiting to post about the Summer on Southport festival on the 28th and 29th because I wanted to know the times, and I'm glad I did... check out the lineup. Not only does it include Lunch Money... and ScribbleMonster... and Justin Roberts, it also includes, well, see for yourself: Saturday Lunch Money 10:00 am Seussical the Musical 11:00 am Scribble Monster noon Little Nashville 12.30 pm Girl Authority 2:00 pm Justin Roberts 2:00 pm Sunday School of ROCK 11:30 am Ralph’s World 2:00 pm Girl Authority and Justin Roberts will be playing on different stages Saturday, though the '80s references on Roberts' classic Meltdown! might be a little bit up their alley. Hey, Chicago, did I miss anybody?

KidVid Tournament 2007 Semifinals: "Willy Was A Whale" (1) vs. "Pieces of 8ight" (1)

Well, we're down to the final four, and the first semifinal pits a couple of #1 seeds, both of whom cruised through their first two rounds, against each other. This matchup sees "Willy Was A Whale" from Justin Roberts competing against "Pieces of 8ight" from Captain Bogg & Salty. I'm really looking forward how these two fun (but completely different) videos do when pitted against one another. Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Thursday 11 PM-ish East Coast time. "Willy Was A Whale" - Justin Roberts "Pieces of 8ight" - Captain Bogg & Salty

KidVid Tournament 2007 Quarterfinals: "Willy Was A Whale" (1) vs. "Toenail Moon" (3)

The third quarterfinal matchups sees "Willy Was A Whale" from Justin Roberts, the #1 seed in the Woody Guthrie Region against "Toenail Moon" - Wee Hairy Beasties, the #3 seed. Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Tuesday 11 PM-ish East Coast time. "Willy Was A Whale" - Justin Roberts "Toenail Moon" - Wee Hairy Beasties

KidVid Tournament 2007: "Willy Was A Whale" (1) vs. "Polar Bear" (4)

Final day of first-round competition and final matchup pits "Willy Was A Whale" from Justin Roberts, the #1 seed in the Woody Guthrie Region against "Polar Bear" from The Quiet Two, the #4 seed. Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Wednesday 9 PM-ish East Coast time. "Willy Was A Whale" - Justin Roberts Watch the video on YouTube here. "Polar Bear" - The Quiet Two To view this video, head to Jack's Big Music Show player and click on the right arrow. Roll over the picture of a kid in a polar bear costume.