Zooglobble

After a furious day and a half of voting from more than 100 readers, we have a winner in our first (and probably not last) KidVid Tournament:

PIECES OF 8IGHT! from Captain Bogg & Salty

Frances England's "Tricycle" put up a good fight, but when you've got one of that video's stars, England's son Liam, voting for the competition, well, you know you're facing an unstoppable force.

So the heartiest of congratulations from this landlubber to Captain Bogg's crew and to all the artists whose videos have amused us here the past few weeks. You have acquitted yourself admirably. I cannot offer you pieces of 8ight, but I can offer you my admiration.

I will be randomly selecting a winner from the voters in the final and asking which CD they'd like to receive.

Now, for one last time, your KidVid Tournament 2007 champion, "Pieces of 8ight," from Captain Bogg & Salty:

(And because what tournament would be complete without "One Shining Moment"?)

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

If you haven't voted yet (and, frankly, with the number of times I've posted this, how could you not), go here and do so.

Lots of pirate talk, lots of tricycles, and a relative minimum of trash talk. (Heck, Frances and Captain Bogg voted for each other's videos, so, really, no put-downs needed.) Plus, you could win a free copy of one of the finalists' CDs.

Avoid scurvy, win the Tour de France in your underpants, and vote now.

Posted by SAShepherd at 01:53 PM | Permalink

Well, we're down to the final contest of KidVid Tournament 2007: "Pieces of 8ight" from Captain Bogg & Salty up against "Tricycle" from Frances England.

I'm really looking forward how these two fun (but completely different) videos do when pitted against one another.

Now, I'm expecting more than 100 comments below based on the response these videos generated previously. One of those lucky voters will get their choice of the CD from which these songs are drawn, courtesy of the artists themselves. (Thanks, artists themselves!) The randomly-selected voter will get to choose, and you're not restricted to the band you voted for -- perhaps you're a huge Captain Bogg & Salty fan and want to see what all the Frances England fuss is about.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Tuesday 11 PM-ish East Coast time.

And remember, this contest is for entertainment purposes only. Please -- no wagering.

"Pieces of 8ight" - Captain Bogg & Salty

This video, directed by Vince Malone, is from the band's fund second album, Pegleg Tango. It's got a sly sense of humor ("Go Bobcats.") and captures the band's energy and sense of play.

"Tricycle" - Frances England

This video is for a song off of England's fabulous debut CD, Fascinating Creatures. The video's director, Jane Holland, says that they "shot and produced the simple little video from a child's eye view." It's simple, but the approach fits the song quite well.

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (123)

Our second semi-final for KidVid Tournament 2007 is the underdog side of the bracket -- two artists that knocked off #1 seeds. We've got a #2 seed, "Tricycle" from Frances England, going against "I Hope My Mama Says YES!" - AudraRox, the #3 seed. These are both cute videos, but for completely different reasons. Another tough call.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Friday 11 PM-ish East Coast time.

[Note: As I've said before, sorry about just showing links instead of embedding the videos. I'm trying to keep the playing field relatively level here -- if I can't show both videos here (i.e., they're not both on YouTube and clearly placed there at the artists' request) I'm only going to show the links for both of 'em.]

"Tricycle" - Frances England

To view this video, click on the YouTubed version here.

"I Hope My Mama Says YES!" - AudraRox

To view this video, head to Jack's Big Music Show player. Roll over the picture of a red-hair-streaked Audra on the right, kid on the left.

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (40)

Well, we're down to the final four, and the first semifinal pits a couple of #1 seeds, both of whom cruised through their first two rounds, against each other. This matchup sees "Willy Was A Whale" from Justin Roberts competing against "Pieces of 8ight" from Captain Bogg & Salty. I'm really looking forward how these two fun (but completely different) videos do when pitted against one another.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Thursday 11 PM-ish East Coast time.

"Willy Was A Whale" - Justin Roberts

"Pieces of 8ight" - Captain Bogg & Salty

Posted by SAShepherd at 07:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (72)

The last quarterfinal in KidVid Tournament 2007 is here, and duking it out for bragging rights in the Pete Seeger Region are "Let's Shake" from Dan Zanes, the #1 seed, against "I Hope My Mama Says YES!" - AudraRox, the #3 seed.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Wednesday 11 PM-ish East Coast time.

"Let's Shake" - Dan Zanes

Watch the video on Zanes' website by going here and clicking on "Let's Shake."

"I Hope My Mama Says YES!" - AudraRox

To view this video, head to Jack's Big Music Show player. Roll over the picture of a red-hair-streaked Audra on the right, kid on the left.

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

The third quarterfinal matchups sees "Willy Was A Whale" from Justin Roberts, the #1 seed in the Woody Guthrie Region against "Toenail Moon" - Wee Hairy Beasties, the #3 seed.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Tuesday 11 PM-ish East Coast time.

"Willy Was A Whale" - Justin Roberts

"Toenail Moon" - Wee Hairy Beasties

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)

The second quarterfinal matchup of KidVid Tournament 2007 features the final in the Ella Jenkins Region, pitting the #1 seed "Pieces of 8ight" from Captain Bogg & Salty against the #3 seed, "Ya Gotta Have Pep" from John Lithgow.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Friday 11 PM-ish East Coast time.

"Pieces of 8ight" - Captain Bogg & Salty

"Ya Gotta Have Pep" - John Lithgow
Click here here to choose the format you want to watch on Razor & Tie's website or click below:

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (33)

Round 1 wasn't enough -- now the popular videos start going head-to-head.

Round 2 of KidVid Tournament 2007 kicks off with the final in the Lead Belly Region, pitting the #1 seed "I Hog The Ground (Groundhog Song)" from Steve Burns and Steven Drozd against the #2 seed, "Tricycle" from Frances England.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Thursday 11 PM-ish East Coast time.

[Note: As always, sorry about just showing links instead of embedding the videos. I'm trying to keep the playing field relatively level here -- if I can't show both videos here (i.e., they're not both on YouTube and clearly placed there at the artists' request) I'm only going to show the links for both of 'em.]

"I Hog The Ground (Groundhog Song)" - Steve Burns and Steven Drozd
When the more-accessible version inevitably gets removed (again), go to Jack's Big Music Show player to watch. Currently it's the video that plays whenever you go to the page, but if it's not the case later, just roll over the picture of a balding guy with the "I [Heart] Ground" shirt and click.

"Tricycle" - Frances England
To view this video, click on the YouTubed version here.

Posted by SAShepherd at 07:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

Final day of first-round competition and final matchup pits "Willy Was A Whale" from Justin Roberts, the #1 seed in the Woody Guthrie Region against "Polar Bear" from The Quiet Two, the #4 seed.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Wednesday 9 PM-ish East Coast time.

"Willy Was A Whale" - Justin Roberts

Watch the video on YouTube here.

"Polar Bear" - The Quiet Two

To view this video, head to Jack's Big Music Show player and click on the right arrow. Roll over the picture of a kid in a polar bear costume.

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Final day of competition pits "Let's Shake" from Dan Zanes, the #1 seed in the Pete Seeger Region against "Wigglin' Blues" from Pam Blanchard and the Sunny-Side Up Band, the reader-nominated #4 seed.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Wednesday 9 PM-ish East Coast time.

"Let's Shake" from Dan Zanes

Watch the video on Zanes' website by going here and clicking on "Let's Shake."

"Wigglin' Blues" - Pam Blanchard and the Sunny-Side Up Band

Watch the video here (direct YouTube link here).

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)

Our other matchup on Day Three of the KidVid Tournament 2007 pits the #1 seed in the Ella Jenkins Region, "Pieces of 8ight" (or "Pieces of Eight," for those of you not paying attention) from Captain Bogg & Salty against the #4 seed, "Picnic in the Graveyard" from Uncle Rock.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Tuesday 6 PM-ish East Coast time.

[Note: Hey, I can embed both videos here, too! Thanks once again, Internet-friendly kids' musicians and labels!]

"Pieces of 8ight" - Captain Bogg & Salty

"Picnic in the Graveyard" - Uncle Rock

Posted by SAShepherd at 05:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (29)

Our first matchup on the third day of KidVid Tournament 2007 pits the #2 seed in the Woody Guthrie Region, "I Found It!" from Brady Rymer against the #3 seed, "Toenail Moon" from Wee Hairy Beasties.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Tuesday 6 PM-ish East Coast time.

[Note: Hey, I can embed both videos here! Thanks, Internet-friendly kids' musicians and labels!]

"I Found It!" - Brady Rymer

"Toenail Moon" - Wee Hairy Beasties

Posted by SAShepherd at 05:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Well, Day 2 of Zooglobble's KidVid Tournament 2007 is also in the books. Frances England's "Tricycle" (#2 seed) beat out Sir Jerry's "Bees, Butterflies and Bugs" (#3 seed), while in a small upset (a phrase I'd use with caution considering the relative lack of thought that went into the these) #3 seed AudraRox with "I Hope My Mama Says YES!" trumped Gustafer Yellowgold's "I'm From the Sun."

Thanks to everyone who's voted so far. The next set of matchups will be posted Monday midday.

And if you haven't yet voted for the as-yet-unfilled 16th video slot, go here and do so before Monday night. The competition is heating up.

Posted by SAShepherd at 01:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, Day 1 of Zooglobble's KidVid Tournament 2007 is in the books and while there was no equivalent of the VCU upset over Duke, we already have a slight upset -- John Lithgow's #3 "Ya Gotta Have Pep" winning out over Laurie Berkner's "Farm Song". In the other matchup, #1 seed Steve Burns and Steven Drozd's "I Hog the Ground" handily beat a #4 seed, Farmer Jason's "Forest Rhymes."

Today's contests are a pair of 2-vs-3 matchups: Frances England's "Tricycle" going up against Sir Jerry's "Bees, Butterflies and Bugs" and Gustafer Yellowgold's "I'm From the Sun" against AudraRox's "I Hope My Mama Says YES!". Go forth and vote there by Saturday noon-ish East Coast time.

And if you haven't yet voted for the as-yet-unfilled 16th video slot, go here and do so. (And, yes, "Pieces of 8ight" is already in the other 15 videos.)

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The other matchup on the second day of KidVid Tournament 2007 pits the #2 seed in the Lead BellyRegion, "Tricycle" from Frances England against the #3 seed, "Bees, Butterflies and Bugs" from Sir Jerry.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Saturday noon-ish East Coast time.

[Note: Sorry about just showing links instead of embedding the videos. I'm trying to keep the playing field relatively level here -- if I can't show both videos here (i.e., they're not both on YouTube and clearly placed there at the artists' request) I'm only going to show the links for both of 'em.]

"Tricycle" - Frances England
To view this video, click on the YouTubed version here.

"Bees, Butterflies and Bugs" - Sir Jerry
To view this video, head to Sir Jerry's website. After clicking to "Enter the Website" and the website loads, click on the blue-skied landscape in the lower-right-hand corner. You want the video, not the live clip.

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Moving on to the second day of KidVid Tournament 2007, this matchup pits the #2 seed in the Pete Seeger Region, "I'm From The Sun" from Gustafer Yellowgold against the #3 seed, "I Hope My Mama Says YES!" from AudraRox.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Saturday noon-ish East Coast time.

[Note: Sorry about just showing links instead of embedding the videos. I'm trying to keep the playing field relatively level here -- if I can't show both videos here (i.e., they're not both on YouTube and clearly placed there at the artists' request) I'm only going to show the links for both of 'em.]

"I'm From the Sun" - Gustafer Yellowgold
To view this video, click on the YouTubed version here.

"I Hope My Mama Says YES!" - AudraRox
To view this video, head to Jack's Big Music Show player. Roll over the picture of a red-hair-streaked Audra on the right, kid on the left.

Posted by SAShepherd at 07:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

The second competition in KidVid Tournament 2007 pits the #2 seed in the Ella Jenkins Region, "Farm Song" from Laurie Berkner against the #3 seed, "Ya Gotta Have Pep" from John Lithgow.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Friday noon-ish East Coast time.

"Farm Song" - Laurie Berkner
To view this video, go to Jack's Big Music Show player. Click on the right-facing triangle, roll over the picture of Laurie in a yellow shirt and click.

"Ya Gotta Have Pep" - John Lithgow
Click here here to choose the format you want to watch on Razor & Tie's website or, if you prefer, on YouTube.

Posted by SAShepherd at 07:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

The first competition in KidVid Tournament 2007 pits the #1 seed in the Lead Belly Region, "I Hog The Ground (Groundhog Song)" from Steve Burns and Steven Drozd against the #4 seed, "Forest Rhymes" from Farmer Jason.

Vote in the comments below. Rules: Video with most votes wins. One vote per e-mail address, please. Votes due by Friday noon-ish East Coast time.

"I Hog The Ground (Groundhog Song)" - Steve Burns and Steven Drozd
In spite of the Viacom-YouTube lawsuit, the video is still available there if you know where to look. When that inevitably gets removed (again), just go to Jack's Big Music Show player. Currently it's the video that plays whenever you go to the page, but if it's not the case later, just roll over the picture of a balding guy with the "I [Heart] Ground" shirt and click.

"Forest Rhymes" - Farmer Jason
Click here to view on Rhino's website or on the larger YouTube screen.

Posted by SAShepherd at 07:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

It's mid-March, which means it's almost time for our nation to ignore work, significant others, and child-rearing responsibilities in lieu of watching people running and jumping around with orange balls in their hands on large televisions.

Well, here at Zooglobble, we'd like to bring families together. By watching people running and jumping around with variously-colored guitars in their hands on small computer screens.

So I'm happy to announce Zooglobble's first (and maybe last, depending on how well this goes) KidVid Tournament. That's right, over the next 2+ weeks, we'll be pitting 16 of the best kids' music videos from the past year or so head-to-head with readers voting to determine the best video of the year.

Who was the selection committee which decided the 16 best? Well, it's a committee of one -- me. I picked videos that showed some level of production value and had a decent song. I stayed away from live cuts. I also was limited to picking videos whose complete versions are available on the Internet (so you Ralph's World fans can blame Disney for Mr. Covert's absence here).

Here, then, are the seedings:

Lead Belly Region:
1. "I Hog the Ground (Groundhog Song)" - Steve Burns / Steven Drozd
2. "Tricycle" - Frances England
3. "Bees, Butterflies, and Bugs" - Sir Jerry
4. "Forest Rhymes" - Farmer Jason

Pete Seeger Region:
1. "Let's Shake" - Dan Zanes
2. "I'm From the Sun" - Gustafer Yellowgold
3. "I Hope My Mama Says YES!" - AudraRox
4. ????

Woody Guthrie Region:
1. "Willy Was A Whale" - Justin Roberts
2. "I Found It!" - Brady Rymer
3. "Toenail Moon" - Wee Hairy Beasties
4. "Polar Bear" - The Quiet Two

Ella Jenkins Region:
1. "Pieces of 8ight" - Captain Bogg & Salty
2. "Farm Song" - Laurie Berkner
3. "Ya Gotta Have Pep" - John Lithgow
4. "Picnic in the Graveyard" - Uncle Rock

Sharp readers will notice that I've listed just 15 videos. Well, in addition to you voting on the videos in general, I've left room for a "play-in" game for the #4 seed in the Pete Seeger Region. Who will be this tournament's Niagara? Well, that's up to you, too. To nominate videos, click here.

The first two matchups will be posted later today. Come back and vote for your favorites.

Posted by SAShepherd at 08:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

As I discuss elsewhere, we're running Zooglobble's first KidVid Tournament over the next couple weeks or so. I'm looking to readers to pick the 16th video. (It's a play-in game!)

Nominate your favorite(s) in the comments below. The video with the most comments will be picked, as long as the video conforms to the following rules (there are always rules, aren't there... it's a parenting thing):

1. The video has to be publicly accessible on the internet -- sites requiring registration to view the whole video will not be accepted.
2. The whole video has to be available (I call this the "Ralph's World" rule because the Disney website only includes 1-minute selections of his videos).
3. The video has to be from the past year or so. The song doesn't have to be, though.
4. Artists with a video already in the tournament (see list here) are ineligible for this final slot.

I reserve the right to modify the rules above to account for things I'm not bright enough to anticipate.

Deadline for nominations/votes: 8 PM West Coast time / 11 PM East Coast time Monday, March 19.

Power to the people! (Or something like that.) Show me what I've missed.

Posted by SAShepherd at 07:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (32)