Boy Launches New Career >>> #5 in a series on Music Mentors

     I'd like to share the story of how I credit our firstborn with launching a new career.  Could I ever have imagined the powerful love and creative influence a child brings into one's world?  Or foreseen that a casual request from our progeny's preschool teacher would result in a treasured music collection---AND that I would still be singing---and having fun sharing---our toddlers' songs a couple generations later?!

Matthew, continuing to inspire us always

     Before Matthew Ben was born his dad Rick and I liked to think he was enjoying the music we were always playing, both from our rehearsals and performances, and from recordings.  Classical, folk, light rock, soulful guitar leads from Dad, and my song to him written shortly before birth, "Sweetest Dream Come True".

     After making his grand appearance, he inspired songs dredged up from our own childhoods plus brand new songs we'd pull out of thin air while he taught us how to be parents, cuddling, tending and transporting him everywhere.   ♫ "Oh, Matthew Ben, we knew him when, he only weighed 8 pounds and 10; Matthew Ben with eyes so blue, he knows just what he likes to do....."  This "anthem" was sung all during his babyhood and beyond, extra playful verses added as we grew together.

     Thanks to the suggestion of Matthew's preschool teacher/director, Merilee Owen, that I record the favorite songs sung daily at "circle time", I arranged and Rick recorded 33 songs and rhymes which became Circle Time---Songs and Rhymes for the Very Young.  This was our first family album, now in its 29th + year of being a children's music worldwide best seller.

     By the time his little sister, Genevieve, 5 years his junior, came along Matthew knew well all aspects of the recording studio, and added his charming child's voice to cuts on the subsequent albums.  Both all grown up now with established media careers of their own, they too carry on the family enthusiasm for singing and producing music videos,

     And to think that that happy launch into a 30-year career producing music for families all started with the joyful influence of one little boy.