Tis the Season!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Halloween! The leaves are changing, the days are getting shorter, and giant skeletons have popped up all around the neighborhood. This year brings a whole assortment of new music to celebrate the season. Here is just a sampling of the creepy, silly, haunted new treats just waiting to jump out at you. Have a song or video for Halloween that you would like to share? Pop it into the comments.
Let the Halloween hijinks begin with a jazzy number from New Zealand’s own Itty Bitty Beats, brought to life in this wonderfully witchy lyric video.
The ghoulishly good times continue with The Halloween EP from Patrick Adams. This collection of four songs includes one original fiendishly fun tune and three magical, mystical songs that answer the question, who are you going to call when somebody’s watching you??
What’s one activity that everyone looks forward to doing leading up to Halloween? Why, carving jack o’lanterns, of course. But what happens when you’re walking through the woods on Halloween night and you see “Jumping Jack-O’-Lanterns” and other startling sights? Listen to this slightly scary cumulative song from Esther Crow to find out.
Are your kids still trying to figure out what to be for Halloween? Check out Esther’s video from a couple of years ago for homemade costume inspiration.
Still looking for fall-themed songs to add to your storytimes or family listening playlists? Try out Little Miss Ann‘s version of the classic “Five Little Pumpkins” and the new video for Laurie Berkner‘s call and response song “Hayride.”
To celebrate CMN coming to Chicago, I thought now would be a good time to highlight two albums from the Windy City’s children’s music community. First up is 
The second album is 
Chicago’s Little Miss Ann kicks off spring 2022 with her new EP, Welcome Spring. Released through 8 Pound Gorilla Records and produced by Dean Jones, Welcome Spring is a joyous celebration that lifts the spirits. Featuring an array of special guests like Suzi Shelton, Uncle Jumbo, and Flor Bromley, each song is filled with lyrics that engage and delight listeners with repeating choruses that encourage singing along. Multi-layered instrumentation and top-notch production gives the pop tunes a fun edginess while highlighting themes such as the arrival of spring, the universal consumption of rice, and the fact that there are so many ways to be happy, smart, brave, etc. The title track, “Welcome Spring,” is out today and aptly captures all the emotions that come with finally being able to shed your boots and mittens and tell Old Man Winter that he’s no longer needed. The video features a brilliant color palette that paints the perfect springtime picture while an inclusive cast of diverse characters revel in the change of the seasons. Check out the video below. The full Welcome Spring EP is available on streaming services beginning April 1.
Be Mindful, Be Kind
Beautiful Beats
Regional Superstars You Should Know
Rockin’ Rhythms
Unique Musical Stylings
Visiting with Old Friends
With a Little Help From My Friends
I’m so excited to announce that Little Miss Ann’s sixth album of original songs for families is being released on May 7 (check out that fantastic album cover art at left from Pirata y Luna Estudio Creativo!). Available for pre-order beginning on April 23, this latest album promises a new and exciting sound. Based on what I’ve heard from the first single, that promise is being kept! Produced by Dean Jones and written and performed by Little Miss Ann, with an assist from Suzi Shelton, “Marshmallow Man” is powered by electric guitars and filled with groovy fun. Listeners will be entertained with the single all on its own (