Grammy Nominees React

So after posting the nominees in the two kids' categories for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, what's left to do except wait for the awards on Feb. 10? Oh, well, maybe solicit reactions from selected nominees in the Best Musical Album category. (Note: now with Buck Howdy!) Peter Himmelman (My Green Kite): "Perhaps the recognition I've received through this Grammy nomination in the children's field is a signal to me that writing songs that work to reclaim a sense of wonder and innocence is a worthy artistic direction to be headed in." Don Sebesky & Janina Serden, producers (The Velveteen Rabbit - Love Can Make You Real): "Recording and producing The Velveteen Rabbit CD was a labor of love for me. When my daughters were little, I used to read the story to them and even made homemade tapes at their request... Let me say that finding our nomination on that GRAMMY web site was one of the most exciting moments of my life!" (Janina Serden) Bill Harley (I Wanna Play) : "I was where I often am when I heard about the Grammy – in an elementary school with a bunch of kids – this time in Texas. It means a lot to me that other recording artists thought enough to vote for me. I’m in there with some pretty heady company. I like a lot of the other recordings, and am heartened that independent artists manage to sneak into the mix in our category. I know there are other artists just as deserving." Buck Howdy (Chickens!): "BB and I were tickled to be nominated. I've always thought being nominated for such an honor would be life-changing. Unfortunately, the horses and other critters here at Buttercup Farm don't quite see it that way. Which means I'm still getting up at the crack of dawn to feed and water them - so much for life-changing!" The Muppets (A Green and Red Christmas): "Arraggrgagraghha rar gagghh! Grammy!" (Animal)

50th Grammy Award Nominations Announced

The 50th Annual Grammy Awards Nominations are out and there are actually some familiar names on the list, at least on the musical side... Best Musical Album For Children (For albums consisting of predominantly music or song vs. spoken word.) Chickens - Buck Howdy With BB [Prairie Dog Entertainment] Experience...101 - Sweet Honey In The Rock [Appleseed] A Green And Red Christmas - The Muppets (Ted Kryczko & Ed Mitchel, producers) [Walt Disney Records] I Wanna Play - Bill Harley [Round River Records] My Green Kite - Peter Himmelman [Rounder] The Velveteen Rabbit - Love Can Make You Real - Various Artists (Don Sebesky & Janina Serden, producers) [Brown Barn Records] I haven't heard the Muppets or Velveteen Rabbit disks, so I have no idea if those are inspired or mistaken choices, but the other 4 are not surprising choices. And while those 4 are all decent (or better) I have a clear favorite -- I think it's time Mr. Himmelman picked himself up a Grammy. As for the spoken word... Best Spoken Word Album For Children (For albums consisting of predominantly spoken word vs. music or song.) Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - Jim Dale [Listening Library] Making The Heart Whole Again: Stories For A Wounded World - Milbre Burch [Kind Crone Productions] The One And Only Shrek - Meryl Streep & Stanley Tucci [Audio Renaissance] Who's Got Game? The Ant Or The Grasshopper? The Lion Or The Mouse? Poppy Or The Snake? - Toni Morrison [Simon & Schuster Audio] Wickety Whack - Brer Rabbit Is Back - Diane Ferlatte [Diane Ferlatte]

Dan Zanes, Grammy Winner

The 49th Annual Grammy Awards are tonight and while I missed the Police reunion (I'm sure there will be 14 versions available on YouTube tomorrow), I am very happy that Dan Zanes won the award for Best Musical Album for Children for Catch That Train! (review here). Wow, I've interviewed a Grammy winner. See a smiling Zanes and Father Goose during the ceremony here. Congratulations also to Bill Harley, who won the award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children for his album Blah Blah Blah: Stories About Clams, Swamp Monsters, Pirates & Dogs.

49th Annual Grammy Nominations -- Children's Field

The nominations for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards were released today and, as always, they included two children's-related fields. Regular readers of the site will have a "one of these things is not like the other" moment.

News: Children's Grammy Noms Announced

The Grammy nominations were announced yesterday and the nods for the two children's categories are: Best Musical Album For Children (For albums consisting of predominantly music or song vs. spoken word.) > Beethoven's Wig 2: More Sing Along Symphonies - Beethoven's Wig [Rounder Kids] > cELLAbration! A Tribute To Ella Jenkins - Various Artists, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, producers [Smithsonian Folkways Recordings] > House Party - Dan Zanes And Friends [Festival Five Records] > Merry Fishes To All - Trout Fishing In America [Trout Records] > Sharing Cultures With Ella Jenkins - Ella Jenkins [Smithsonian Folkways Recordings] Best Spoken Word Album For Children (For albums consisting of predominantly spoken word vs. music or song.) > The Best Halloween Ever - Elaine Stritch [Harper Children's Audio] > Carnival Of The Animals - John Lithgow [Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers] > The Emperor's New Clothes - Peter Schickele [Newport Classic] > Green Eggs And Ham And Other Servings Of Dr. Seuss - Various Artists John McElroy, producer[Listening Library] > The Story Of Classical Music - Marin Alsop [Naxos Audio Books] > The Train They Call The City Of New Orleans - Tom Chapin [Live Oak Media] The Grammys will be televised Feb. 13, 2005, although I would be surprised to see either of these categories awarded during the broadcast.