There are heaps of songs we didn’t get to play on this week’s episode that would have fit our theme perfectly, including “7, 8, 9″ off of the new album Snacktime by Barenaked Ladies and a favorite from my childhood, “Figure Eight” from the Schoolhouse Rock episodes. Here are their videos below. Check ‘em out.
The BummKinn Band - “I Wanna Be a Tree” [Rockin' the Yee Haw]
Harmonica Pocket - “One Tree Said” [Ladybug One]
The Hollow Tree - “Ted the Talking Tree” [Welcome to Nelsonville]
They Might Be Giants - “The House at the Top of the Tree” [No!]
Dog on Fleas - “Trees” [When I Get Little]
Kevin Kammerad - “White Pine: State Tree of Michigan” [A Curious Glimpse of Michigan]
Farmer Jason - “The Old Oak Tree” [Rocking in the Forest]
ARBOR DAY
Arbor Day in Massachusetts is celebrated on Thursday, April 25th. It’s celebrated the third Thursday of every April in MA. HotChalk has lesson plans for Arbor Day, and the Arbor Day Foundation offers a multitude of resources, including educational resources, tree guides, a poster contest, and more!
CROSS-OVER APPEAL! Frances England never intended to be an award-winning indie-pop star with an international listening audience, but her dharma has snuck up and bit her on the tushie! She has just released her second CD, Family Tree, following her debut award-winning (2007 Oppenheim Platinum Music Award and Fids & Kamily Awards) CD, Fascinating Creatures. Fascinating Creatures was created as a fund-raising album for her son’s preschool, intended to be heard only by local neighbors and families. But when you’ve got a gift that shines so bright, it doesn’t matter what your intentions are (nor how shy you might be ) - a girl’s gotta shine. Her new CD has fast become one of our favorites; issued a “Repeat-Button Award” by our five year old backseat reviewer, Persephone.
COWBOYS & WESTERN WEAR! Maybe you first heard about The Bummkinn Band here on Hilltown Families when HF Contributing Writer Bill Child’s wrote about their performance at Kidzapalooza. Finally all those unreleased songs they performed at Kidzapalooza in Austin, TX, have been released on their new album, Rockin’ the YeeHaw. Blending the sounds of rock-a billy, southern rock and the traditional country influences of Hank Williams ad Loretta Lynn, this is the kind of album I wish was around when I was growing up in Texas. With songs like “You Broke My Heart on the Swingset” and “I Dropped My Ice Cream on the Ground,” The Bummkinn Band has put together a collection of unique country songs for kids. It’s sure to get you two-steppin’.
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!
FOLK MUSIC FOR FAMILIES! Upbeat acoustic Americana music 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. If you love bluegrass you’ll like Welcome to Nelsonville. Click here to discover how you can win this new CD on Hilltown Families.
Parker Bent - “Spaceman Steve/Farewell” [Charlie Davidson’s Tricycle Club]
Ernie & Neal - “Pluto” [Rock the House]
Bill Harley - “Milky Way” [Down in the Backpack]
Daddy A Go-Go - “Guitars from Mars” [Big Rock Rooster]
Rebecca Frezza - “Space Dog” [Road Trip]
Justin Roberts - “Backyard Spaceship” [Way Out]
Buckwheat Zydeco - “Space Zydeco” [On a Night Like This]
Mr. David - “The Stars are Grains of Sugar” [Jump in the Jumpy House]
Milkshake - “Space Song” [Bottle of Sunshine]
Rocknocerous - “Pluto” [Dark Side of the Moon Bounce]
The Sippy Cups - “I Am a Robot” [Electric Storyland”
The B-52’s - “Planet Claire” [The B-52’s]
Interplanet Janet
Remember Interplanet Janet, a School House Rock video that aired in the 70’s between Saturday morning cartoons; back before Pluto was declassified as a planet?
What is Pluto?
Persephone asked what is Pluto now that it is no longer classified as a planet. I did a little poking around and discovered that it’s now considered to be a dwarf planet.
International Astronomy Week
We’ve included a few astronomy links we’ve previously featured in our “Links We Recommend” column on the lower left-hand side of our web site. If you have any other’s to suggest, please post them below in our comment box.
The Sippy Cups - “Springtime Fantastic” [Electric Storyland]
Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck - “Come On Out” [Special Kind of Day]
Elizabeth Mitchell - “Winter’s Come & Gone” [You Are My Little Bird]
Dan Zanes - “Hey Little Red Bird” [House Party]
Milkshake - “Bluebird” [Bottle of Sunshine]
Mr. Ray - “When the Spring Comes” [Family Ride]
Ben Rudnick & Friends - “Coming of Spring (Instrumental)” [Grace's Bell]
This week’s episode is a celebration of SPRING! It finally feels like winter’s death grip has loosened here in the hilltowns, and the birds, buds and flip flops are finally starting to appear. Enjoy! We love this photo taken by Kevin Law, the perfect photo for this episode.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Week of the Young Child will be celebrated April 13 - 19, 2008. Throughout the week, there will be events and activities in the community that highlight the importance of quality, affordable, and accessible early learning experiences for all children, including events in Easthampton, Northampton and Monson, MA. As part of the National Week of the Young Child, the Easthampton Family Center and the Easthampton Community Partnership for Children is honoring young children and all those who make a difference the lives of children this weekend. Click here for more details.
Vernal Pools are coming to life this week! Click here to read more about vernal pools, see a video of a year in the life of a vernal pool, and to discover upcoming events your family may be able to participate in.
We’re Moving! HFVS is moving & expanding! On May 3rd, the Hilltown Family Variety Show will moving to Saturday mornings, and expanding to a full hour!Tune in between 9am-10am to 103.3FM (Northampton) to hear great family music and storytelling every Saturday! Our weekly podcast will be following suit, expanding to a full hour. Click here to subscribe to our free podcast.
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).
Imagination Movers - “I’d Eat It Anyway” [Good Ideas]
Kevin Kammeraad - “Dinner” [The Tomato Collection]
Jamie Broza - “Snacks” [My Daddy is Scratchy]
Scott Flory - “Go Ask You Dad” [Soundzania]
Cab Calloway & His Orchestra - “Everybody Eats When They Come to My House” [Nicky's Jazz for Kids]
The Jimmies - “Googlie Mooglie” [Make Your Own Someday]
Laurie Berkner - “The Valley of Vegetables” [Buzz Buzz]
Uncle Rock - “There is Love in My Food” [Uncle Rock U]
The Sippy Cups - “Give Peas a Chance” [Kids Rock for Peas]
EXTRA EXTRA!!
HFVS is moving & expanding! On May 3rd, the Hilltown Family Variety Show will moving to Saturday mornings, and expanding to a full hour!Tune in between 9am-10am to 103.3FM (Northampton) to hear great family music and storytelling every Saturday! Our weekly podcast will be following suit, expanding to a full hour. Click here to subscribe to our free podcast.
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).
The Hilltown Family Variety Show is Moving & Expanding!
On May 3rd, the Hilltown Family Variety Show will moving to Saturday mornings, and expanding to a full hour!Tune in between 9am-10am to 103.3FM (Northampton) to hear great family music and storytelling every Saturday! Our weekly podcast will be following suit, expanding to a full hour. Click here to subscribe to our free podcast.
But we’re not the only ones moving, our friends over at Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child will be moving up an hour from 7am-9am on Saturday’s too! - It’s a party!
So get your kids to exercise their groove-thang by turning off the Saturday morning, commercial-laced, cartoons on the boob-tube, and tune-in to WXOJ-LP 103.3 FM from 7-10am for three full hours of back-to-back, commercial-free, local family programing. It’ll be a rockin’ good time!
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.
Brady Rymer toured and recorded with the RCA roots/rock band From Good Homes for thirteen years — sharing the stage with the likes of Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews, and the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir — before parenthood broadened the scope of his music. Five albums and countless live shows later, this veteran performer has established himself as one of the country’s most captivating creators of music for kids and families. Combining a feel-good R&B foundation with traditional acoustic arrangements and a scoop of sunny 70’s optimism, Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could have created a distinctive, modern American roots sound for families raised on rock ‘n’ roll. Every generation connects to this band’s strong, straight-ahead grooves, catchy choruses and irresistibly down-home, hip-shakin’ vibe.
Presenting music with the whole family in mind, Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could are sure to play some of their songs about the joys of eating (“Cookin’ Saturday,” “Look at My Belly,” “Eatin’ Animal Crackers,” and more). They’ll also showcase rollicking, roots-y new tunes like “Road Trip,” a boogie-woogie piano-driven rocker about piling into the car and driving through the heartland on a family adventure, and “Jump Up (It’s A Good Day),” whose percolating groove and rich harmonies are as uplifting as they are infectious, bringing audiences to their feet – and some into the air!
Brady Rymer draws on his folk, country, pop and blues roots in songs for pint-size fans and their parents. Rymer and his Little Band That Could get the whole family groovin’. - The NY Daily News
In an era of character-driven entertainment for children, Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could are the real deal, a soulful and spirited band bringing great musicianship, superb songwriting and pure joy to their performances for kids and all generations.
Lest anyone think this is musical Pablum, think again. His music has a rock ‘n’ roll heart. – The New York Times
Princess Katie & Racer Steve were a blast on Saturday during their afternoon costume performance at Lyman Hall in Northampton, MA. We had a terrific turn-out despite the rain, and Princess Katie had the kids rockin’ out and doing the tango, with the parents laughing and joining in. Big thanks to everyone who came out (and for dressing-up!). Click here to see photos.
P. Katie is a royal card, playing up the roll as a princess in caricature! The few weeks leading up to their performance she wrote several entries for Hilltown Families. Click here to read her entries. Hopefully she’ll continue to send us her updates from her Kingdom in NY.
The most memorable moment of the performance for me (albeit embarrassing) was having her sing Happy Birthday to me (and Liam of Spare the Rock fame). I kept shouting to Persephone (dressed in character as a cheetah), “Look honey, Princess Katie is singing Mommy Happy Birthday!” I felt like a little kid! It was great. But Persephone was too busy crawling around on the floor picking up confetti and streamers to be bothered. — I turned the big four-zero on Sunday (Liam turned six a few days earlier) and having the witty Princess Katie sing Happy Birthday was a memorable present. Thanks Katie!
Below is a low-fi video I took during the performance of their funky song, “Hey Claire!” off of their new CD Fast & Feisty. Click here if you didn’t get a chance to pick up a copy at the concert or couldn’t make it out. And be sure to check out their fun and interactive website at www.princessracer.com. BTW, our next music promo for the Hilltown Family Variety Show will be to win their Songs for the Coolest Kids CD along with the t-shirts they submitted to the HFVS T-Shirt Review. So be sure to check back!
There’s a lot of great music and there are many musicians that Persephone and I have become very fond of since we started our musical exploration together. Living out in the rural hilltowns of Western Mass, we do a lot of driving around - giving music we’ve received for review our undivided attention as we travel from Chesterfield to Northampton, Hadley, Amherst and back. When we come across a song Persephone especially likes, she (being my focus group of one) clues me in with a simple request from the backseat of the car, “Mommy, can you put that on repeat?” That’s the indication from the peanut gallery that we’ve got a winner, adding it to our song list of “must play” for an upcoming episode of the Hilltown Family Variety Show.
But the real litmus test of quality family music comes when we’re traveling as a family. The day we drove to Springfield and back we played The Dragonfly Races by Ellis Paul, and not once did Persephone’s dad turn it down. He even made faces of agreement and pleasure while listening. But the moment of truth came when HE put on the repeat button. Ladies and gentlemen … we have a WINNER!
Ellis Paul’s newest CD, and first family album, The Dragonfly Races is an album of discoveries and adventures that lead the listener through fantasy and fun, masked in allegories with threads of social commentary. So while we listen as a family, our 5 year old is enjoying the fable of a fair madien and a misunderstood monster in “Abioloa” while we’re reflecting on the underlying social commentary the story is revealing. As Persephone listens to the songs more and more, questions slowly arise as she searches for more of an understanding.
With The Dragonfly Races, Ellis Paul, the father of two girls, wanted to craft an album that was representative of the morals he wanted to impart to his children. Songs that might inspire getting involved and taking action while bringing about peace. To follow is an interview with Ellis that takes a look at the challengs of being a father of two young girls, including how his music becomes that vehicle that imparts the morals he looks to share with his children.
INTERVIEW
SW: Your newest album, The Dragonfly Races has become a favorite with my family. Everyone enjoys listening, and appreciates your songs on different levels. What inspired you to put together a family album and how does this differ from albums you’ve previously produced?
Ellis: I wanted a recording for my kids to grow up with that represented the kinds of things I wanted them to hear in songs. I also want them to know the difference between a trite, silly song and a thoughtful one.
SW: As they’ve been described, your songs offer a “unique sensibility about life and the possibilities of childhood.” What do you think it was about your childhood and life experience that makes your sensibility unique?
Ellis: Well, I come from a small town in Maine, and I think small towns give birth to big dreamers, and big optimism. I was around a lot of farmland and nature, and I think that’s why so much of it seeps into the songs.
SW: I understand that you have a pretty extensive performance schedule with nearly 150 shows a year in North America and Europe. How do you manage your family life while on the road?
Ellis:It’s difficult, and I am always looking for ways to do it more gracefully. Adding kids shows should help a lot, because the matinees are added without adding days away from home. Then maybe I can take some weekends completely off! The challenge is keeping everyone happy. My wife does the vast majority of the care taking. I am in lifelong debt to her for that.
SW: Throughout The Dragonfly Races you joyfully take the listener on several journeys and adventures, sometimes with a destination, other times not. In “Because Its There” you sing of historic adventures: of traveling to the moon, the bottom of the sea, and mountain tops, just because they’re there. In “Pinwheel” a young boy is lifted off the ground to drift magically through the sky as he explores the world below. And in “Road Trip” you and your buddy Flynn sing about all the wonderful destinations in America that make a road trip through the U.S. so unique. What is it about the “journey” we experience in life that inspires you to celebrate it through your songs in this album?
Ellis: Exploration is how we learn. From the moment we are crawling on the floor in a bedroom looking at all the nooks and crannies a room has to offer. Exploration leads to the discovery of cool things and interesting places, but mostly, by exploring, we discover something about ourselves and our relationship to our world.
SW: Hands down, my 5-year old daughter’s favorite song on The Dragonfly Races is “Abiola.” She often asks me to explain the story following the song, which opens a dialogue between us about how she can be brave and kind to others, while exploring her own personal truth and following it through. I think you’ve down a lovely service to young girls by crafting a song of fantasy underscored with social commentary. Can you share how you developed this story and how you hope your own daughters may be influenced by its underlying message?
EllisI wrote the song with Antje Duvekot, who brought the genesis of the idea to me. We were looking for a female heroine for the album, and the story unfolded and gave me a beautiful one. I want each of my girls to be an Abiola, to question authority, to come to their own conclusions, and then to act and participate in positive change.
Long before “going green” became popular buzzwords, the Clearwater Music and Environmental Festival founder, folk singer/peace activist Pete Seeger sang and protested tirelessly in support of the environment, particularly the Hudson River in New York. His extraordinary legacy is documented in the upcoming film, American Masters Pete Seeger: The Power of Song, a new film scheduled to premier nationwide on PBS on 02/27/08 at 9pm (EST). The documentary explores how Seeger’s music inspires everyday people to get involved and make a difference. He continues to gain popularity and recognition for his achievements, with a petition recently launched to nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Come to the Festival in June, and join the thousands of people of all ages who carry on Seeger’s legacy through art, music, dance and education.
Becoming a Volunteer at the Festival
Volunteering for the Clearwater Festival is easy, with applications available online at: www.clearwaterfestival.org. Volunteers are granted full Festival access and receive an
official volunteer T-shirt, on-site camping, and all meals and snacks from Friday evening to Sunday evening. They are also invited to the exclusive volunteer party, featuring
food, dancing and a live band.
Some of the headliners last year included the Cowboy Junkies, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Bruce Cockburn. And on the Family Stage last year was a great line-up of fine talent:
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.
Art Garfunkel - “I Only Have Eyes For You” [Break Away]
Uncle Rock - “Everyday” (by Buddy Holly) [Live in Studio]
Dan Zanes and Friends - “Jump Up” [Family Dance]
Van Morrison - “Have I Told You Lately” [The Best of Van Morrison]
Woody Gutherie - “My Dolly” [Nursery Days]
Uncle Rock - “You Look Good in the Rain” [Live in Studio]
Dog on Fleas - “Honey Baby” [When I Get Little]
Uncle Rock - “Love in My Food” [Live in Studio]
Beatles - “Because” [Love]
Following his performance last weekend at the Florence Civic Center, Uncle Rock (www.UncleRock.com) came on down to the radio station to do a Valentine’s Day Episode with Persephone. They had a great time and Uncle Rock performed three songs live in the studio. It’s always fun having Uncle Rock on as our guest! Click here to listen to the last time he was our guest (back in July when it was 110-degrees in the production studio!).
If you’re looking to pick up a copy of Uncle Rock U, stop by Cup & Top in Florence, MA, or click here to order a copy from CD Baby. Or you can win it …
THIS WEEK’S CONTEST
This week we’re offering the chance to win Uncle Rock’s newest album Uncle Rock U, along with the t-shirt he submitted to the HFVS T-shirt Review:
“Heavy duty.” wrote Rae (mom). “Subversive & nasty. Way cool!” commented Bill (dad). Not the reaction I would assume Uncle Rock was looking for when he decided to use a drawing his son made of his daddy for a t-shirt design. But his local fans still loved it simply because it was an Uncle Rock t-shirt. “I love Uncle Rock!” beamed Persephone (age 5). “I have this shirt at home!” said Kiah (age 4) of Ashfield, MA.
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. IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 02/19/08 @ 7pm (EST).
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Ellen Ferris from Hadley, MA, for winning last weeks contest. She will receive Steve Week’s latest CD,Alphabet Songs Volume III (Rabbit Run), and the original, one-of-kind t-shirt SW’s submitted to the HFVS T-Shirt Review.
Hilltown Families is now welcoming individuals and businesses to become sponsors. Click here to inquire how you can support the work of Hilltown Families by becoming a sponsor.
A big thank you goes out to our most recent sponsors. Please visit them and let them know how much you appreciate their support of community networking for families in Western Massachusetts through Hilltown Families.
THIS WEEKS CONTEST 
THIS WEEKS CONTEST 
HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW
Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could are cookin’ up a rock ‘n’ roll casserole for their Northampton debut: a musical potluck supper!
Presenting music with the whole family in mind, Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could are sure to play some of their songs about the joys of eating (“Cookin’ Saturday,” “Look at My Belly,” “Eatin’ Animal Crackers,” and more). They’ll also showcase rollicking, roots-y new tunes like “Road Trip,” a boogie-woogie piano-driven rocker about piling into the car and driving through the heartland on a family adventure, and “Jump Up (It’s A Good Day),” whose percolating groove and rich harmonies are as uplifting as they are infectious, bringing audiences to their feet – and some into the air!
SW: Your newest album, The Dragonfly Races has become a favorite with my family. Everyone enjoys listening, and appreciates your songs on different levels. What inspired you to put together a family album and how does this differ from albums you’ve previously produced?
Volunteering for the Clearwater Festival is easy, with applications available online at: 
HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW
HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW
