Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Introducing Ragtime and Blues to Children: Randy Kaplan’s Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie CD (GIVEAWAY!)

· by · 27 Comments

As adults, we know that it is healthy to break out of your comfort zone. Try a new workout (or try working out at all!), give a new type of cuisine a shot, or even make some new friends and not just stick to the friends you have known since high school. These are all good things to do!

Expanding your musical horizons is another great thing to do, but most of us don’t. I personally never listen to country music, even though I can objectively state that there is some excellent stuff out there. It’s just out of my personal comfort zone, so I avoid it. It occurred to me a few weeks ago that if I want Darah to have an adventurous and curious spirit, I’ve got to start doing a better job of role-modeling that behavior. And I need to do so not just with big things, but also with small, everyday things.

So I switched off the Glee Pandora channel (go ahead and judge if you are embarrassed by that statement…I’m totally NOT embarrassed and am super comfy in my teen pop Gleek skin). And I put on some ragtime and blues-inspired tunes, courtesy of children’s artist Randy Kaplan.

I wouldn’t even have known where to find something like this without his newest cd, Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie. And I certainly wouldn’t have gone out looking for it on my own. So what a blessing it was to get to listen to it, anyway. Because despite my preconceived notions about the type of music I do and don’t like, I thought this cd was a great deal of fun.

Will it be on constant repeat in my house? No. But will it get a regular turn? Absolutely! Darah likes it because it is just so different, and I think that’s why I like it, too.

If you happen to be a blues and ragtime fan, already, this cd won’t be out of your comfort zone, but it will still be a fun way for your children to have their own songs in the same style as what mom and dad listen to. Either way, I think it is a really great addition to a music collection, and certainly a fine way to give a genre that might be unfamiliar to your children a chance. You can pick up Mr Diddie Wah Diddie for just $11.68 at Amazon right now.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a copy of Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Farmer Jason CD Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

· by · 37 Comments

Today I’m featuring a children’s artist named Farmer Jason. The “farmer” part of his title isn’t just for fun, folks. Jason really does operate a farm outside of Nashville, TN! He’s also a father of 3! And as if that weren’t enough, he’s also an American Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award winner!

Jason Ringeberg created Farmer Jason in 2002 to help educate children about farm life and the wonders of nature. This is his third album to date. Previous works have won him an Emmy and a spot on the Los Angeles Times’ Childrens’ Record of the Year list!

If you’d like to check out some of Farmer Jason’s music in video form, you can find a variety of songs at MyKaZoo TV (and lots of other great children’s music videos, too!). I think you’ll find his style to be easy on the ears and a whole lot of fun. Give him a listen!

Nature Jams is currently available for purchase through his website for $12.98. We have certainly enjoyed listening to this cd, and I bet you will, too!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a copy of Nature Jams by Farmer Jason!

 

[Read more…]

Hunk Ta Bunk Ta Greatest Hits cd (GIVEAWAY!!!)

· by · 21 Comments

Today I’m featuring a children’s artist who is new to me, but she’s been cranking out award-winning music since 1992! Her name is Katherine Dines and her band is called Hunk Ta Bunk Ta. If you are also new to this band, I’ve got great news…there’s a new cd that can help you get to know the band by featuring the very best hits from their albums! It’s called Hunk Ta Bunk Ta Hits and it has 15 songs that fans over the years have treasured the very most. That means that every song on the album is toe-tapping, very catchy and just plain delightful!

I think the sound of this group is a bit folksy, with lyrics that are easy to follow and sing along with, which I really appreciate for younger kids. I would definitely recommend it as a great cd that is stuffed with fun music your little one is likely to love!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a copy of Hunk Ta Bunk Ta Hits!

[Read more…]

DidiPop’s Latest CD: Everyday Adventures Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

· by · 30 Comments

DidiPop is a delightful children’s music artist, and I’m not the only one who thinks so. Her last album that I reviewed, DidiPop Goes to Hawaii, has a song on it called, “Hawaiian Alphabet Song,” and it just won the grand prize in the children’s category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. That, my friends, is a REALLY big deal! Additionally, it has been submitted for Grammy consideration for 2012. Good luck, DidiPop!

Her new album is every bit as fabulous as her last, and I’m sure it will pick up awards left and right in the next year, too! It’s called Everyday Adventures, and it launches TODAY! It’s got one of Darah’s all-time favorite songs on it (one that is features a YouTube video that has gone completely viral!). Check out The Cool Alphabet Song…you are sure to like it, and your kids will, too!

DidiPop’s vibe is chill and laid-back, but still jam-packed with lots of fun and laughs. She’s an artist I highly recommend because the whole family will enjoy listening to her songs, not just the kids.

Buy it!: If you are looking for a great holiday gift, I recommend the gift of music, and you absolutely can’t go wrong with DidiPop. Everyday Adventures is available for $14.99 or you can buy all the mp3s for just $9.99!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is about a win a copy of DidiPop’s latest album! Hooray!!!

[Read more…]

The Jimmies: Children’s Music That Rocks My Socks Off! (GIVEAWAY!!!)

· by · Leave a Comment

As I learn more and more about children’s music, I have noticed that there are artists who like to stick to a particular sound, and there are also artists who like to show off all their varied musical influences by producing songs with very different sounds, all on one album.
Within that sub-group of musicians, I have also noticed that the majority of these artists do not necessarily excel when they try to be too many different things. They don’t necessarily fail, but rather, just produce ok music that seems a little wacky and all over the board.
The Jimmies, however, are a group that seems to have absolutely nailed this skill. If you were to randomly choose any song on their new cd, Practically Ridiculous, you would think that they were singing a song in their preferred style, and you would think that because they would be so good at it. Move to the next song, and you’ll be shocked to hear a completely different sound, though equally as good.
The Jimmies are a musical marvel, I think. And I’m not the only one who thinks so. They have been voted one of the Top 20 Best Kids Album of the Decade by AOL ParentDish, and The Jimmies find themselves on over 12 Best Album of the Year lists. Woo!
Practically Ridiculous will be available for purchase for $14.99 starting on September 20th. But I have a chance for you to win it right now! Woo hoo!
[Read more…]

Celebrating Children of All Abilities: Love Me for Who I Am (GIVEAWAY!!!)

· by · 19 Comments

I think one of the very best ways to teach children about differences that people may have is to celebrate them. There’s a new cd out called Love Me for Who I Am by Brady Rymer, and it is all about celebrating children of all abilities. From the website, “the songs will invite deeper understanding and appreciation of children with Autism and other disorders by shedding light on just how much we all have in common.”

As Darah gets a bit older, and makes more friends, I have no doubt that we will come to know a family affected by Autism, learning differences, or being differently-abled. Children are naturally curious, and I expect that Darah will ask questions. When she does, I hope that I’m able to frame differences such as these in ways that are more positive and uplifiting, and breaking out some of these songs will be a helpful resources as she learns that people are different in so many ways, yet also so very similar.

Buy it!: Love Me for Who I Am is an excellent choice to add to any child’s collection. It is currently available on Amazon for $14.73. Five percent of the proceeds from this album will benefit Autism Speaks.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win your own copy of Brady Rymer’s Love Me for Who I Am! The contest will run until May 3rd at 11:49pm EST when a winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to notification before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

Mandatory entry: Tell me which song on the cd appeals the most to you (samples can be listened tohere).

My answer: Keep Your Wiggle Alive is a really fun one that we are currently enjoying.

Additional entries:
1. Sponsor love: Like Brady Rymer on Facebook
2. Blogger love: Follow Stuff Parents Need on Google Friend Connect (found on my sidebar)

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my homepage.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary cd for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

DidiPop Goes to Hawaii, and You Can, Too

· by · 16 Comments

Oh the weather outside is frightful!

DidiPop I’m totally in love with the holiday season, and with the season where fall starts to give way to winter. I embrace the cold (probably because I live in a part of the country where winter is relatively mild). I love to bundle up in the covers, or take long hot baths and even go outside and just enjoy being cold for a little bit! Over time, it makes me a bit nostalgic for the warm days of summer (which is good, because I sort of don’t like summer…TOO hot!). Am I the only one who starts daydreaming about trips to Hawaii in November and December? Yes, I think sunny and a high of 76 sounds quite lovely, and I think I could go for a little bit of that right about now, but just for a few days!

Well, Darah recently got a new cd, and it is so much fun, because it takes you straight to Hawaii, no plane ticket or packed suitcase required! DidiPop Goes to Hawaii is just what the title suggests, a musical trip to the islands!

I’ve got a fun way to give you a preview of what DidiPop Goes to Hawaii is like! This video shows you a mango picker on Maui and gives you some glimpses into the recording of the song, “Mango.”

I love having a little splash of summer in November! It’s fun to embrace the holidays, but I also like to remember all the fun we have to look forward to when the weather warms back up again! And mangoes are my very favorite fruit, too. I always welcome their return to the stores!

Buy it!: DidiPop Goes to Hawaii will be released on Decmeber 14th, just in time to make it into the stockings of good little girls and boys! 🙂 You can pre-order the cd here for $15 or you can download all the mp3s for only $8.99!

Win it!: DidiPop wants to bring Hawaii to you! One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a copy of Didi Pop Goes to Hawaii! The contest will run until December 6th at 11:59pm EST when the winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

Mandatory entry: Tell me your favorite warm weather location! Do you wish you were there right now, or are you enjoying the cooler temperatures? My favorite spot to go is to Destin, Florida, though there’s plenty more beach in this world that I still need to see! And actually, I love going to the beach when it is cold, because I think the blue-gray skies and stormier weather are beautiful!

Additional entries:
1. Sponsor love: Sign up for the DidiPop Times, a monthly newsletter (that is super good!). Also, they give away a cd every month! (look in the bottom right corner of the linked page to sign up).

2. Blogger love: Subscriber to Stuff Parents Need by email or RSS

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.