How Many Minutes of Fame Do I Have Left?

Welcome to those of you finding your way here due to my interview with Melissa Block on Wednesday's All Things Considered, her post on her family's favorite recent kids music, my post on my favorite recent kids music, or because you accidentally typed "Zooglobble" instead of, say, "Aniston and Vaughn break up" into your favorite search engine.

Whatever the reason, I'm glad you're here. There's lots of great music for kids and families being released these days, and it's easier than ever to find out about it. I'd like to think this site's played a small role in that -- this site's been active since 2004, and since that time I've reviewed more than 140 CDs, conducted several interviews, and generally spread the word about kids music and musicians.

You can find reviews under the artist links on the right-hand side sidebar. If you're looking for the cream of the (recent) crop, here's my list of the year's 20 best albums, with links. For an even more broad-based approach, check out the 2006 Fids & Kamily Poll, a collection of Top 10 lists from a whole bunch of people who've spent a fair amount of time listening to kids and family music. (My reviews of the winning albums are here, but you should definitely check out the F&K site.)

You might also be interested in the following links:
-- Reviews of the Wee Hairy Beasties' Animal Crackers, Johnny Bregar's Hootenanny, the Jellydots' Hey You Kids!, and Sam Hinton's Whoever Shall Have Some Good Peanuts, all mentioned in the interview. Also, another fall album worth checking out is the Sippy Cups' Electric Storyland.
-- Links to my reviews of albums mentioned by Melissa Block in her listing of her family's favorite kids CDs.
-- Interviews with Dan Zanes, Justin Roberts, and others.
-- My beliefs as they relate to kids music, both for a slightly younger and slightly older crowd.
-- Some Frequently Asked Questions

I have a Myspace page, too. No, I'm still not quite sure why, but if you want to be my "friend," drop me a line.

If you're an artist and are interested in submitting an album for review, I'd love to hear it. Find more details on how to go about this here.

Finally, there are some dedicated writers on kids and family music included in the sidebar there to the right, and I encourage you to check 'em out, but I want to highlight sites run by my fellow Fids & Kamily organizers Amy Davis and Bill Childs, The Lovely Mrs. Davis Tells You What To Think and Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. Amy reviews a lot of the same music I do here, but also pays attention to other kid-pop cultural stuff with a breezy writing style. And Bill and his 7-year-old daughter Ella have a great kids radio show that's available via podcast every Saturday (with fun updates during the week).

If you've made it this far, I'm amazed. Have fun exploring and thanks for stopping by.

Comments

[mitchell kriegman]

hi! i heard you on npr. do you track tv shows? like bear in the big blue house? book of pooh? and now on pbs it's a big big world?

i do these shows and i'm crying crocodile tears! have you seen our shows? heard our music? parents and kids love it! hi hope you'll listen! and i hope you like it. i'd be glad to give you a personal tour and listening session. repsectfully, mitchell

[Craig]

I did reach your blog today by way of your interview on NPR. My daugther (17 month old Madison) and I were on our way home listening to the radio as we always do. She invariably prefers not listening to the interviews, but Wednesdays are for me...Anyway, I (We) heard your interview and began nodding to the rhythm of several snippets of songs and I couldn't wait to find your site for more of the same. Thank you for your introduction, From Madison and her father, Craig.

[Chag]

Congrats on being on All Things Considered! You definitely deserve it.

[Katrina]

Sat in my driveway listening to your interview! Thanks for expanding our listening options!

[DevonT]

Congrats on another great interview. I wish they'd have you on monthly!

[GBK Gwyneth]

Last night I had a couple of people come up to me to say they enjoyed the interview ...

[jose]

really great interview, i also had to sit and listen to the end of it. now that i found your really awesome blog, i have to subscribe to the feed. i've been telling every parent i know about your useful, great site. thanks for all of your hard work, keep on rockin.

[Jamie]

I heard your interview on NPR last night. It was great. I had no idea that children's music had such varied and wide ranging styles.

One question though. What is the name of the man you said had been a director of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and a children's musician?

[Jennifer]

Your interview is the top emailed story on the NPR website. Congratulations! I can't help but wonder why your site doesn't even mention my 4-year-old's favorite children's artists: Jim Copp and Ed Brown.

[Eric Herman]

Great job, Stefan! And wow, I've got to check out that Sam Hinton CD. Crazy sounds he can make. Very cool.

[Stefan]

Thanks, everyone, for your kind comments.

Jamie, the person you're looking for is Sam Hinton.

Jennifer, I've heard of, but actually heard, Jim Copp and Ed Brown. I'll try to track down some of their stuff. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Jaycie]

I heard you on NPR and loved the exposure to other options. Jellybots sold an album to me and I added your site to me blog on raising triplets.

Thanks!Jaycie, www.kneedeepindiapers.com

[Katy L]

Yay for you! I finally had a moment to listen to the interview. Dare I say this is becoming a regular gig? We should all be so lucky if it is.I also sent a congratulatory note to Johny Bregar, just up the road a piece from our home in Seattle. So happy about all the national exposure you're giving him. Now I have to go check out those Jellydots. Do they sound fun!