Pandora Likes Kids, Rock, Kid Rock, But Not Kids Rock

Though I've been a Pandora member for many years now, I've never particularly listened much to the music there. Part of that may be that I have enough music to listen to, family and otherwise. The other part is that I know other folks love the often surprising song selections -- but that's not me. I want my radio experience to be more guided than Pandora's been.

'Til now. Late last week, Pandora announced the creation of genre stations, and it includes 4 "family" stations -- "Lullaby," "Toddler," "Tween," and "Children's Folk Songs." The good news is, well, that there are 4 family radio stations on the popular service. And from skimming 3 of the stations (I didn't feel the need to spend my time with "Tween"), they've done a good job picking out songs that match the category. And they do have a mix of big-name (Sesame Street, Disney, Raffi, etc.) and indie (Elizabeth Mitchell, Frances England, Dean Jones).

But what about those kids who need to rock? What about them, huh? Who'll think of the children?!

[Edit: Jeff points out that Pandora's had a series of pre-programmed kids' stations for a couple months. The basic point, though -- that there's no kids rock genre on Pandora's station -- still remains.]

Comments

[Peter]

I started a station with Justin Roberts for my kids. Added Dan Zanes, Laurie Berkner, Ralph's World, Beatles, Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, some other stuff. They dig it. They have a lot of fun using the thumbs up/down feature.

[Sheena's Mom]

I have a whole list of Pandora stations that I created for my daughter, Sheena. Rather than relying on their genre stations you should type in an artist's name and it will create a station (based on the information on that artist gathered from the human genome project and Allmusic.com). I have a station for Caspar Babypants, Karen O and The Kids (children) Mudhoney (Children) there's even a Ken Nordine (childrens) station and my favorite Yo Gabba Gabba. Its still hit or miss and if you listen long enough there are lots of repeats but if you reach your hourly limit of skips, just change stations or create a new one! Making your own mixtape is still the best way to hear what you want (I make one every month utilizing my emusic membership), but it is nice to learn about new things through Pandora. Maybe one day I will get to fulfill my dream of having a weekly podcast highlighting my favorite kids music... and it will ROCK!

[KWilde]

I set up an "Uncle Rock" station because I knew Robert was on there. Recess Monkey, Baby Grands and The Quiet Two - all bands I really like - were pretty heavy in the rotation. It was a good "kids rock" mix.But when Little Monster Records tried to get their artists on Pandora they wouldn't include us. Ignored numerous requests and all the music that was sent to them. After a year of trying we just gave up and I quit listening to Pandora.

[Natasha]

Pandora now seems have a "kids rock radio" as part of their Clorox Family Music Guide...