Mom's Singing Influence

My 86 year-old mom has been recuperating from some health issues, and while spending time together, we've been remembering some family stories.  I told her (for the umpteenth time) she should write her memoirs, and that when she's gone, who will answer all my questions about our shared history?

Brings to mind a song I used to do about "carrying on...when you're gone.." and how "we'll sing your songs..."  I haven't found that one yet, but did come across another called "We'll Carry On" by William Elliott Whitmore.

My mom sang lullabies to us and she sang passionate Latin songs while washing the dishes.  I'll always be grateful to my mom for encouraging me to sing and to share my music and for buying my first guitar for me the year we lived in Argentina.

Summer is just around the corner, and we were delighted to see our children's music CDs showcased in the world-class Holly Yashi Store's recommended treats for children.


We've always known that high-quality children's music albums make the perfect gift for the whole family----they entertain, educate, inspire, make wonderful company at home and school and on the road, and they last for years! 


Thanks, Holly Yashi, for promoting great music for families!

"Grow it At Home"

"Grow it at Home" is another gem from the prolific singer/songwriter, Peter Alsop. Peter's latest album is ripe with family fun and bursting with tunes about relationships, sustainable food and resources, animal rights, and social issues. As with all of Peter's projects the emphasis is on healthy families.

Peter's irreverent humor and openness to any topic under the sun get kids thinking with subjects like asking questions on "Ask Away", who not to trust on "Strangers" and parents' admonishment to do what I say, not what I do on "No, No, No!". Like the giraffe who tells us to be vegetarians----even the lions----in "Stick my Neck Out", Peter gently aspires to save the world through songs about recycling, "Use it Again" and the title song about growing our own food.

He balances these with the tender messages and heart-lifting melodies in "Wish", "Dragon Who Flies By My Window", and "Use It Again".

There are spoken intros and outros woven throughout the album, so listeners who like dialog mixed in with the songs will enjoy the exchanges between the kids and grownups. This CD will make a great companion on the next road trip.

Whatever he's sharing, Peter's big heart and courageous spirit shine through.

A Big Thank You to Public Libraries

I dedicate this post to our local libraries. I am enormously grateful to have a lovely place where I can go regularly and get things for free. Besides the time-honored and beloved books, there’s a whole array of different genres of music on CDs to check out: Classical, Jazz, Showtunes, Rock, Country, Blues, Experimental, Spiritual, Latin, Popular, Reggae, Rap—to name a few—and of course, music especially for Kids & Families.

Car trips are a great way to try out some new sounds you may have never considered before. And those of you with children can treat the family to a steady stream of new and different sounds. A big huge Thank You to our public libraries!!!