Dandelion performed by Greg Lato

Greg Lato Dandelion album coverOn the surface, Greg Lato‘s latest album, Dandelion: Songs Inspired by Military Kids and Families is a concept album. Created following conversations Lato (himself a Navy veteran) had with military families, each song is written with the experiences of military kids in mind. However, once you start listening, you realize that calling Dandelion a concept album doesn’t even begin to do it justice. Dandelion is in fact a love letter. A love letter to the families, and especially the kids, who give up everything in support of their loved ones and our country. 

With the 13 tracks on Dandelion, Lato balances songs that speak directly to the military experience with those that will have universal appeal. Throughout the collection, he partners with those who can relate to these experiences. Lato is joined on the title track by the kids choir from CAMMO (Center for American Military Music Opportunities) to sing about what it’s like to be a “dandelion,” a term I didn’t know stood for a military kid. As listeners learn from the song, children of service members are called dandelions because just like the flower, they are strong and resilient and grow wherever they are planted. To learn more about the experience from a former military kid’s perspective, read the blog post “Dandelion Children” by Spc. Gabriella Sullivan.

Additional songs that speak to the military life of kids include “Home” that emphasizes that home is family and “it’s not a place, it’s a feeling,” “Brats” which highlights the fact that being a military brat is actually a good thing (and on which Lato is joined by the Portsmouth Rhode Island School Military Kids), and “Helping Out,” where Lato gets an assist from fellow children’s music artist and Iraq War veteran Mr. Pete’s Playhouse, in describing all the ways that military kids have to step up and help out when a parent is deployed. 

Songs with more universal appeal include the opening track, “Hi! I’m New Here,” a duet with 14-year-old military kid Kaleyana Ludwig about being the new kid in school and “Dippin’ Chicken” and “Gotta Eat a Pizza” which take listeners on a walk on the silly side of life. Lato also incorporates a beautiful song just for parents called, “Before I Had Kids,” and closes out the album with a song every child and adult should listen to, “To Be a Veteran,” which provides the rarely illustrated point of view of a new veteran, just returning to civilian life. 

Dandelion will touch your heart, make you smile and laugh, and leave you with a better understanding of the lives of the thousands of military children around the world. Thank you for your service Greg and thank you for giving us this music!

Here’s a look at a song from Dandelion that many of us can relate to, “Old School, New School.”

2022 Children’s Music Round Up

Welcome to Kids Rhythm and Rock’s annual Children’s Music Round Up! For those of you new to the site, at the end of each year, rather than doing a “Top 10” or a “Best of” list, I compile a list of albums that have come to my attention during the last 12 months and separate them into fun categories. The total number of albums that are included varies from year-to-year. This year 45 albums make an appearance in the list below.

The richness and depth that is family music just keeps growing. 2022 saw the introduction of new artists, established acts returning after creative hiatuses, and veteran performers taking risks and trying something new. Let’s say hello to 2023 by taking a look back at the “year that was” in children’s music. All albums are available online. Don’t see your favorites? Please add them in the comments.

Be Mindful, Be Kind

Music to guide our everyday lives.

  • For Children of All Ages performed by You and Us
  • Happy Day performed by Jenn Cleary
  • Just a Minute performed by Jesse Jukebox
  • Mosaic performed by Jumpin’ Jamie
  • Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times performed by Raffi and Lindsay Monroe
  • Your Voice is Magic performed by Again Again

Dynamic Duos

Sometimes it’s just more fun to sing with a friend.

  • Best Day Ever performed by Stacey & Athena
  • Dear Heart performed by Martin and Rose
  • The Greats performed by Louis & Dan and the Invisible Band
  • Smith & Yarn performed by Aaron Nigel Smith and Red Yarn

Festival de Música

Music in Spanish and English for the whole family to enjoy.

  • Los Fabulosos performed by Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band
  • Mi Colores performed by Nathalia
  • Musiquita performed by Musiquita

Oh, to be Young

Perfect tunes for the preschool crowd

  • Let’s Move performed by Katie Dwyer
  • Echo Songs, Vol. 2 performed by Noodle Loaf
  • Forgot My Oars performed by Tim Seston
  • Rain Rain Go Away performed by Adam Steele
  • Wondering performed by Music with Gina

Our Friends to the South

2022 was the year when music from Australia and New Zealand arrived on the scene.

Potpourri

This was always my favorite category on Jeopardy! 

Rockin’ Rhythms

I’m a little bit rock ‘n’ roll!

Sweet Home, Chicago

All of these artists call Chicagoland home.

The Children Are Our Future

These groups put young people front and center in creating and performing music that educates, entertains, and uplifts all those who listen to it.

  • The Movement performed by Alphabet Rockers
  • Multiply performed by The Wise Channel

Unique Musical Stylings

There was nothing else quite like these albums this year.

  • Adults These Days performed by Greg Lato
  • Dark Side of the Banana performed by Go Banana Go!
  • Dinosaurs and Monsters performed by Howdytoons
  • Mammal Music performed by Marko Polo

Unstoppable Beats

Music to get you moving and grooving.