My first exposure to Hot Peas ‘N Butter was on Noggin with their video Number One. I became an instant fan! They have a new CD that has recently been released, Hot Peas ‘N Butter Vol. 4: The Pod Squad, featuring the legendary cuatro player, Yomo Toro. This week we’re offering the chance for two families to win a copy of their newest CD.
Their song Different Spokes for Different Folks off of their new album has been getting a lot of attention. Tune in to the July 5th episode of HFVS to give it a listen.
HOW TO WIN:
Your chance to win free music is as easy as 1-2-3 (4)! To win simply
POST A COMMENT BELOW and be sure to tell us your
NAME and where you
LIVE (TOWN/STATE)PLEASE include your town and state to be eligible. We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment (along with their name and town/state) and contact the winner via email, so be sure to leave an
ACCURATE EMAIL (we never share your email address).
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 07/09/08 @ 7pm (EST).
on winning our previous contest. The will receive a CD from Dean Joans & Dog on Fleas (www.dogonfleas.com). Congratulations ladies! Thanks for participating.
Clearwater Music Festival: A Fun Family Experience
The Clearwater Music Festival happens next weekend on the Shores of the Hudson River at Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson, NY. Before my daughter was born I was a volunteer at the festival for years. Last year was the first year I took my daughter, and this year we’re volunteering in the children’s arts & craft area. I just love this festival, and it’s a great festival to take the family to - plus, we have FIVE FREE TICKETS to giveaway! To enter to win simply post us a comment below by 5pm Sunday (that’s tomorrow!).
“The Festival that Saved a River”–which has been at the forefront of the nation’s environmental movement in the struggle for clean waterways–is celebrating 40 years of environmental action, education and music. Inspired by a desire of singer/activist Pete Seeger to clean up the Hudson River, the Festival today attracts thousands of visitors for a weekend offering the best in family fun and children’s activities, crafts, and environmental education. Clearwater Revival is the most environmentally conscious outdoor event in the country, with five stages powered by solar, wind, and bio-diesel sustainable energy. In keeping with Clearwater’s environmental mission, the Festival features musicians, speakers, vendors, environmental exhibits, and grassroots activists advocating a sustainable lifestyle and social responsibility.
This year the Festival has significantly stepped up its efforts to reach its “Zero Waste” goal by arranging to collect all food waste for composing. Clearwater was the first major festival to develop the concept more than 42 years ago with the Litter Picking Committee, and today it is an integral part of our efforts to make our event a model for all other Festivals to follow.
Clearwater is also using recyclable products and encouraging visitors to bring their own water, minimizing the environmental impact on the site. The five performance stages are all powered with 100% sustainable energy that includes solar and bio-diesel.
The festival will also feature hands-on environmental education workshops and exhibits, including the GREEN LIVING EXPO, where companies, firms and organizations showcase green products or services, an the ACTIVIST AREA, where visitors can get information on many of the community’s important environmental groups.
Dog On Fleas: Cranberry Sauce Flotilla, When I Get Little & Napper’s Delight
THIS WEEKS CONTEST
Dog on Fleas were in town recently and stopped by the studio for a guest DJ appearance. Tune in this Saturday (06/14/08)* to 103.3FM (Northampton) from 9-10am to hear Dean, John & Persephone playing some crazy fun music, singing and having a good ole time. If you can’t get the signal, check back here for our archive show. *(Due to tech difficulties this show will air on June 21st.)
Dean generously left a mess of CD’s behind for our music giveaway. So we’re RICH in music this week to give to our loyal and new readers/listeners. Our collection includes:
Cranberry Sauce Flotilla (School Library Journa’ls #1 pick for “12 Kid’s Albums You Can’t Live Without!)
Napper’s Delight(Dean Jones’ solo album and featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered” Best of 2007)
When I Get Little(a couple of copies will be available)
HOW TO WIN:
Your chance to win free music is as easy as 1-2-3 (4)! To win simply
POST A COMMENT BELOW and be sure to tell us your
NAME and where you
LIVE (TOWN/STATE). We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment (along with their name and town/state) and contact the winner via email, so be sure to leave an
ACCURATE EMAIL.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 06/18/08 @ 7pm (EST). We’re extending our deadline to June 25th due to the tech difficulties mentioned above.
Swingset Mama’s: Dancing Around the House & Music for the Whole Family
THIS WEEKS CONTEST
The Swingset Mama’s sent in TWO CD’s for our weekly giveaway! Have you heard of the Swingset Mamas? They are two rockin’ moms, Marlowe Bechmann (TX) and Lizzie Swan (CT), whose CDs have spawned an avid network of fans, including children, parents, educators, and government agencies! Dance Around the House won an iParenting Media Award, and the US EPA has selected their song “Sunscreen Dance” to use in its national Sunwise educational program. You’re sure to hear “Sunscreen Dance” this summer on HFVS.
HOW TO WIN:
Your chance to win free music is as easy as 1-2-3 (4)! To win both CD’s, simply
POST A COMMENT BELOW and be sure to tell us your
NAME and where you
LIVE (TOWN/STATE). We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment (along with their name and town/state) and contact the winner via email, so be sure to leave an
ACCURATE EMAIL.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 06/04/08 @ 7pm (EST).
DVD: Diary of a Spider … and more cute critter stories
THIS WEEKS CONTEST
As a general rule with our daughter we don’t encourage mindless television watching; however, a series of videos we do allow her to watch on occasion is the Scholastic/Weston Woods storybook DVD’s. They’re great, and far from mindless! This series is an absolute favorite of ours and can be a lovely way for kids to see their favorite award-winning storybooks come to life. Each story includes a read-along feature which highlights words as they’re read, encouraging my 5 year-old daughter to follow along and discover the fun of reading.
This week we’re offering a Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD. This particular DVD, Diary of a Spider … and more cute critter stories includes five different award winning stories. The title story, adapted from the best-selling picture book by Doreen Cronin, is a sequel to Diary of a Worm, but this time, spider is the star! Kids ages 3-9 will learn about the events in the life of a young arachnid: school (where they have vacuum drills, not fire drills), web-spinning and wind-catching lessons and sleepovers at worm’s house, where spider is concerned that he’ll have to eat leaves and rotten tomatoes. Of the book, Publishers Weekly noted that the story is “filled with verbal high jinks, deadpan humor and visual jokes that offer readers a whimsical glimpse of the world from a small creature’s point of view.” This zany, award-winning animated adaptation is narrated by Angus T. Jones and was directed by Weston Woods Studios’ acclaimed Gene Deitch, and includes a Read-Along option.
Three more cute critter stories feature the Read-Along option: Roberto the Insect Architect by Nina Laden (narrated by Sean Hayes), Norman the Doorman by Don Freeman (narrated by Owen Jordan) and The Mysterious Tadpole by Steven Kellogg (narrated by Neil Innes). The DVD also includes the bonus tale, The Story of the Dancing Frog by Quentin Blake (narrated by Amanda Plummer). Running time in nearly 70 minutes
HOW TO WIN:
Your chance to win free DVD of GREAT storytelling and illustrations is as easy as 1-2-3 (4)! Simply
POST A COMMENT BELOW and be sure to tell us your
NAME and where you
LIVE (TOWN/STATE). We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment (along with their name and town/state) and contact the winner via email, so be sure to leave an
ACCURATE EMAIL.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 05/28/08 @ 7pm (EST).
SOLAR POWERED & WORLDLY! I love the ecological awareness behind both the production of Ladybug One and the lyrics of the songs. This truly “green” recording was produced off the grid at their solar-powered studios on Marrowstone Island, Washington. That impressed me. What impresses Persephone is their songs about bugs, including fireflies, bumblebees, spiders and ladybugs. But it’s not just that the songs are about insects and spiders that makes it the most appealing, it’s their creative exploration of each song that leaves me wanting more. Their songs are truly unique, blending world-music with Americana, and quirky fun with serious issues. The blend of acoustic instruments played on Ladybug One gives the album a rich tapestry of unique sounds, including the didgeridoo, mbira, ukelele, harmonica, jaw harp, music saw, Japanese gong, sitar, tabla and even a hula hoop! The educational opportunities (cultural, ecology, science) a parent could take with this album are multifold! Ladybug One is a new favorite of mine! Visit them on-line at www.harmonicapocket.com and sample a few of their tunes.
HOW TO WIN:
Your chance to win free music is as easy as 1-2-3 (4)! Simply
POST A COMMENT BELOW and be sure to tell us your
NAME and where you
LIVE (TOWN/STATE). We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment (along with their name and town/state) and contact the winner via email, so be sure to leave an
ACCURATE EMAIL.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 05/21/08 @ 7pm (EST).
This past weekend we were in Brooklyn for Stink, a musical showcase of music for families (we’ll post more about that later). At StinkRandy Kaplan performend “No Nothing” off of his new album Loquat Rooftop. Loved it. Love the album too, listening to it all the way back home to Western Mass. - This week we’re offering it up to one lucky family to win. To hear samples off his new album visit Randy’s myspace page at www.myspace.com/randykaplanjunior.
Here’s what Zooglobble has to say about Loquat Rooftop:
“It is possible that Brooklyn-based Randy Kaplan could become, if he wanted to, the next Dan Zanes, playing for the moms and dads a mixture of blues and rock that works well for both the kids and adults … his love of storytelling puts him more in the camp of Pete Seeger or Trout Fishing in America perhaps (not bad company there, either). But it would be nice to see a bit of Zanes’ popularity rub off on Kaplan, because Loquat Rooftop’s mixture of blues and folk-rock, laced with good humor and heart, will appeal to many kids and their adults. Definitely recommended.”
HOW TO WIN:
Your chance to win free music is as easy as 1-2-3 (4)! Simply
POST A COMMENT BELOW and be sure to tell us your
NAME and where you
LIVE (TOWN/STATE). We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment (along with their name and town/state) and contact the winner via email, so be sure to leave an
ACCURATE EMAIL.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 05/14/08 @ 7pm (EST).
“This CD is flat-out gorgeous. This duo provides the best lullabies and mellowing-out songs of the year, hands down.” - Bill Childs
Here’s your chance to win Renee & Jeremy’s first CD release, It’s a Big World! put out last April by accomplished musicians Renee Stahl and Jeremy Toback. This album is self described as “a treasure chest of luminous harmonies and sophisticated lullabies that are unlike any children’s music you’ve ever heard.”
HOW TO WIN:
Your chance to win free music is as easy as 1-2-3 (4)! Simply
POST A COMMENT BELOW and be sure to tell us your
NAME and where you
LIVE (TOWN/STATE). We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment and contact the winner via email, so be sure to leave an
ACCURATE EMAIL.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 05/07/08 @ 7pm (EST).
on winning last weeks contest. She will receive The Hollow Tree’s newest release, Welcome to Nelsonville and a HFVS T-Shirt Review (limited edition) T-Shirt (adult sized).
Brand new music by The Hollow Trees. Folk Music for Families. Upbeat acoustic Americana for everyone with great mix of old-time chestnuts, obscure gems, and fun new original songs. Inspired by bluegrass, country, and folk music from days gone by, The Hollow Trees perform versions of many well known and obscure old classics, as well as originals music which help explain some of The Hollow Trees’ mythology.
The Hollow Trees’ universe revolves around the Hollow Tree and it’s resident nelson. The Hollow Tree grows in themiddle of a magic meadow, hidden inside an enchanted forest which is located on the outskirts of the town of Nelsonville. Many of the Trees’ original songs tell stories about Nelson and his friends and fellow residents of Nelsonville.
If you love bluegrass you’ll like Welcome to Nelsonville.
HOW TO WIN:
Your chance to win is as easy as 1-2-3 (4)! Simply
POST A COMMENT BELOW and be sure to tell us your
NAME and where you
LIVE (TOWN/STATE). We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment and contact the winner via email, so be sure to leave an
ACCURATE EMAIL.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 04/28/08 @ 7pm (EST).
on winning last weeks contest. They will receive Justin Robert’s newest release, Pop Fly and a HFVS T-Shirt Review (limited edition) T-Shirt (adult sized).
Brand new music by Justin Roberts! Robert’s newest release, Pop Fly, takes the events of childhood and puts them into play for both kids and adults with lyrics that are engaging and rhythms that are catchy and high-energy. This is Justin’s sixth family music CD. His last CD was the top winner of the Fids & Kamily Awards. Click here to read more. www.justinrobertsmusic.com
HOW TO WIN:
For your chance to win, simply post us a comment below and be sure to tell us where you live. We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment and contact the winner via email, so be sure to leave an accurate email. IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 04/21/08 @ 7pm (EST).
Did you guys hear the news? Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could is coming to NOHO for a Rock ‘n’ Roll Casserole Musical Potluck Performance! Click here to read more. And even more good news is that we have three (count ‘em, 1-2-3!) copies of his newest CD to give away, along with the t-shirts he submitted to theHFVS T-shirt Review which, by the way, are super cute!
Here’s what three different families can win:
CD: Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
T-Shirt: Youth Sized 7
HOW TO WIN:
For your chance to win, simply post us a comment below and be sure to tell us where you live. We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment and contact the winner via email, so be sure to leave an accurate email. IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 04/14/08 @ 7pm (EST).
If you didn’t get to catch Ralph’s World this past Sunday in Williamstown at the Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute, here’s your chance to check him out by winning his CD and Music Video DVD music along with the t-shirts he submitted to the HFVS T-shirt Review.
Here’s what you can win:
CD/Video DVD: Welcome to Ralph’s World
T-Shirt: Youth Sized 5/6, Black
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL YOU CAN WIN:
The winner of our last weekly contest with Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck unfortunately did not supply us with a valid email, so we are including that giveaway with this one. Click here to see the booty, post a comment below to enter to win.
HOW TO WIN:
For your chance to win, simply post us a comment below. We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment and contact the winner via email. IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 04/07/08 @ 7pm (EST).
Brady Rymer - “Road Trip” [Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could]
Charity and the JAMband - “Travelin’ [Rock Your Socks Off]
Suzi Shelton - “Goin’ on a Road Trip” [No Ordinary Day]
Rebecca Frezza - “Road Trip” [Road Trip]
Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck - “Clack-Ity-Clack” [Special Kind of Day]
Ellis Paul - “Road Trip” [The Dragonfly Races]
Terri Hendrix - “Car Car” [Celebrate the Difference]
ROAD TRIP
This week’s episode goes out to our listeners (and close friends) Tony(a) and her daughter Zoe who are on their own road trip in Europe. We’re waiting to hear all about their adventures and sharing them with you here on Hilltown Families. Until then, click here to read about their plans for traveling abroad.
FEATURED NEW MUSIC
This week we played a lot of great new music we’ve received recently from Justin Roberts, Brady Rymer, Suzi Shelton and Rebecca Frezza.
Justin Roberts - POP FLY Pop Fly takes the events of childhood and puts them into play for both kids and adults with lyrics that are engaging and rhythms that are catchy and high-energy. This is Justin’s sixth family music CD. His last CD was the top winner of the Fids & Kamily Awards. Click here to read more. www.justinrobertsmusic.com
Brady Rymer - BRADY RYMER & THE LITTLE BAND THAT COULD Brady Rymer & The Little Band that Could is a CD for and about families, filled with optimism and good vibes! The great news is Brady Rymer has a new CD, and the even greater news is he’s coming with his band for a performance in our area on April 25th. Click here for details. www.bradyrymer.com
Suzi Shelton - NO ORDINARY DAY No Ordinary Day brings to mind images of Sesame Street from my childhood with it’s clean and simple songs, and playful pop-rock tunes. Her lyrics are honest and sweet, yet sophisticated with rhythms that are upbeat and funky. www.suzishelton.com
Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck - SPECIAL KIND OF DAY Special Kind of Day celebrates the contrasts of the seasons with a spectrum of musical arrangements and songs that flow into one another. If your kids watch Noggin or PBS Kids I’m sure they’ve seen this band. Rebecca Frezza offers a lot of contrast in her newest album of thirteen brand new songs; songs that are for kids who are too old for pre-school tune but who aren’t yet ready for mainstream adult “pop” music. www.bigtruckmusic.com
We’ve been posting our promotional contest to win new music for great indie artists with our HFVS playlist. These contests will continue but they will be in a separate post so as to not get lost with any commentary we may offer from the week’s episode. For this week’s contest either click here or scroll down.
This week we’re offering two chances to win a couple of CD’s by Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck , along with the t-shirts she submitted to the HFVS T-shirt Review.
Here’s what you can win:
CD: Road Trip
CD: Tall & Small
T-Shirt: Red Big Truck T-Shirt (Youth Small)
OR
CD: Road Trip
CD: Music in My Heart
T-Shirt: Limited Edition T (Youth Small)
HOW TO WIN: For your chance to win, simply post us a comment below (or click here). We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who leave a comment and contact the winner via email. IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 03/24/08 @ 7pm (EST).
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Tony Lemos from Shelburne Falls, MA, for winning our most recent contest. She will receive t-shirt submitted by Brady Rymer for the HFVS T-Shirt Review, along with Grammy Winner Bill Harley’s album, Blah, Blah, Blah. an excellent CD of Bill’s storytelling.
Kira Willey - “Midnight Moonlight” [Dance For The Sun]
Dog On Fleas - “The Moon Song” [When I Get Little]
Brady Rymer - “Full Moon Walk” [Every Day is a Birthday]
Dan Zanes & Friends - “Moonlit Town” [Catch that Train!]
Brady Rymer - “Hey, Mr. Moonlight” [I Found It]
Elizabeth Mitchell & Lisa Loeb - “Catch the Moon” [For The Kids Too]
Uncle Rock - “Baby Loves the Moon” [Uncle Rock U]
Bill Harley - “Moon and Me” [Play it Again]
Eric Herman - “The Tale of the Sun and the Moon” [Snail's Pace]
FEATURED VIDEO
This week’s featured video is an African folktale about the sun and the moon. We have a storybook of this folktale that used to be Persephone’s favorite book a few years ago. We must have read that story a gazillion times.
This week we’re offering a choice between two different t-shirt styles submitted by Brady Rymer for the HFVS T-Shirt Review, along with Grammy Winner Bill Harley’s album, Blah, Blah, Blah. an excellent CD of Bill’s storytelling.
A big thank you to >GRENDEL BOOKS, ABAA/ILAB for sponsoring our weekly promotional giveaways. Grendel Books, ABAA/ILAB is based out of the hilltowns of Western Mass and is an on-line out-of-print and rare book store selling quality books for over 20 years. www.GrendelBooks.com
Hilltown Families welcomes individuals and businesses to become a sponsor. Click here to inquire how you can support the work of Hilltown Families by becoming a sponsor. There are many different ways, both large and small, for you to support the work of Hilltown Families.
(c) 2006-2008 Hilltown Families, Sienna Wildfield, unless otherwise indicated. Reprint permission inquires may be sent to swildfield@juno.com or the corresponding author.
The Swingset Mama’s sent in TWO CD’s for our weekly giveaway! Have you heard of the Swingset Mamas? They are two rockin’ moms, Marlowe Bechmann (TX) and Lizzie Swan (CT), whose CDs have spawned an avid network of fans, including children, parents, educators, and government agencies! Dance Around the House won an iParenting Media Award, and the US EPA has selected their song “Sunscreen Dance” to use in its national Sunwise educational program. You’re sure to hear “Sunscreen Dance” this summer on HFVS.
As a general rule with our daughter we don’t encourage mindless television watching; however, a series of videos we do allow her to watch on occasion is the Scholastic/Weston Woods storybook DVD’s. They’re great, and far from mindless! This series is an absolute favorite of ours and can be a lovely way for kids to see their favorite award-winning storybooks come to life. Each story includes a read-along feature which highlights words as they’re read, encouraging my 5 year-old daughter to follow along and discover the fun of reading.
THIS WEEKS CONTEST 
THIS WEEKS CONTEST 
THIS WEEKS CONTEST 
HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW
HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW
