Just found this clip of an old song of mine. Tom Pease recorded and probably rescued it, and then the Chenille Sisters did a nice version, and then, I see now, included it in some kind of tv show. I always liked the song, and here it pops up again.
As part of the residency mentioned in my previous post, we’ve now written the words and learned five songs about butterflies. One is Butterfly Wishes by Sarah Pirtle. I’m not including that here. One is adapted from Butterfly Dance by Joanie Calem. The other three are Butterflies, Long Way Down to Mexico, and Changes in …
Windsor Elementary School, 5 minutes from where I live, is embarking on an arts integrated residency exploring connections between monarch butterflies, journeys, metamorphosis in all of us, and creativity. My wife Heather Terrill Stotts did the sizable leg work to make this happen. She teaches second grade and is also a driving force in bringing …
I wrote this song as part of last year’s crop of kindergarten songs. Tom changed a crucial line to make it work, and in this video he has also made it zipper song with movement. He’s such a master. Today he and I are going into the studio to record some of these songs that …
Many years ago Laurie and I listened to elders in churches, nursing homes, nutrition sites, and activity rooms, gathering stories around various themes. I loved taking the time to sit and listen. These conversations led to lots of songs. I don’t remember exactly where this song came from, or who told it to me. But …
We talk a lot about love. What is it? What are the different kinds? Why does it come and go? What makes love last? What does it mean to have a partner? And who gets to decide? In part, I am outraged by the right wing’s continued assault on love. Just when you think that …
This song is for Peg West, Molly Rose, Sam Day, and Laurie Ellen Neustadt. Peg was a powerful advocate for children. She created a program called Protective Behaviors that influences my life to this day. She identified ways to empower kids to be their own advocates by relying on listening to their bodies when scared, …
This year the Magic Penny Ceremony of the Children’s Music Network honored Kim and Reggie Harris. KIm and Reggie have been friends of mine for many years. I met them through my affiliation with the Kennedy Center teaching artist roster, and we’ve talked many times. I deeply admire their artistry; they are fantastic singers, activists, teachers, …
Roy Acuff apparently once said, “I don’t sing songs, I sell them.” Whether he said it or not, it’s easy to judge him for commercialism and profit. Artists grapple with “selling out.” But I wondered about another way to look at it. As I watched Kim and Reggie Harris at the CMN Magic Penny Celebration, …
Barbara Tilsen and I drove to the Children’s Music Network conference last weekend. We talked almost the whole way – 7 hours and 7 hours back. We’ve been friends for many years, something like 35 and have sung, shared and organized together. Barb is a wonderful singer, songwriter, community activist and spirit. And when these …