So ten years ago this week, this humble little website was born (more on that a little bit later this week). And nine years ago earlier this month a humble little radio show, Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child, first aired. In that time, I've written hundreds of reviews and featured hundreds of reviews, while Bill Childs and his kids have played thousands of songs on air (and internet). We've done lots of other stuff separately and together, and we each have new and exciting projects in the works, but my site has always been at the heart of what I do, and I'm sure Bill feels the same way about his show.
I thought it might be fun to celebrate both this site's birthday as well as Spare the Rock starting its tenth year on the air, something that might span a year's worth of time. And, yes, Bill was very much onboard.
So we're pleased as punch to announce the first in a series of free kids music tracks for you to enjoy. Bill and I are talking to some of our favorite kids' musicians, both those making music for kids even before we hopped onto the Internet as well as newer artists continuing to shake up the genre, asking them if they'd be willing to write a song to give away.
But in the spirit of collaboration Bill and I have often shared, we're asking them to write and record those songs with another kindie musician.
Our first track is called "When I'm Ten" and it's from Seattle-area bands and friends Recess Monkey and The Not-Its. It's bit of a nod to the Not-Its' song "When I'm Five," but it's got a crunchiness (and slightly older perspective) all its own. Recess Monkey bassist Jack Forman reports that "writing the tune with Drew [Holloway from Recess Monkey], Sarah [Shannon] and Danny [Adamson, both from the Not-Its] was totally organic - like we'd all been in a band for years."
Play the song below or download it -- for the next month only -- here. [Sorry, the month has expired. Will the song ever resurface? Who knows????]
(Recess Monkey photo credit: Kevin Fry)
