Music Collection Giveaway:
Top 11 Family Music CD Releases from 2012
We’re giving away an amazing CD collection of our top 11 family albums released this past year. Find out how you can enter to win this entire collection below. Deadline to enter is: Jan 19, 2013 by 11:59pm (EST).
Last month the winners of the Fids & Kamily Music Awards were announced, with a stellar list of new CDs released this past year!
Launched in 2006 and inspired by the Village Voice’s long-running “Pazz and Jop” music poll, the Fids & Kamily Music Awards poll is the first compilation of year-end kids and family music “best of” lists from critics, writers, radio programmers, and others involved in the music industry. Fifteen favorites are selected from outstanding releases, along with five honorable mentions, including kids and family albums from mainstream/adult artists, seasoned kindie artists and some fantastic newcomers!
For the sixth year in a row, Hilltown Families has participated as a judge for the Fids & Kamily Music Awards. Check out the winners at www.fidsandkamily.com and be sure to add some of these winners to your family music collection.
To start off the new year, Hilltown Families is giving away a collection of eleven CDs of family music released this past year. Several are winners of the Fids & Kamily Music Awards, and several others are releases we voted for and think are a must for your family music collection! Find out how you can enter to win this entire collection below. Deadline to enter is: Jan 19, 2013 by 11:59pm (EST).
Vote as the best family album of the year in the 2012 Fids & Kamily Music Awards, this album highlights a month-long journey Joe and Justin of The Okee Dokee Brothers spent traveling down the Mississippi River. During their trip they composed songs that make up this award-winning album. Special guests include Garth Hudson (The Band), Elizabeth Mitchell (Your Are My Flower) and Morgan Taylor & Rachel Loshak (Gustafer Yellowgold), and includes a DVD with music videos and footage from their trip. — Joe and Justin guest DJed the Hilltown Family Variety Show in June this past year. Listen to the podcast and check out a few cuts from their new album along with tunes from other artist they selected, and one of their videos: HFVS Guest DJ, Joe & Justin of The Okee Dokee Brothers Episode (Radio Show/Podcast)
Science Fair
— Spare the Rock Records
In 2010, in response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Spare the Rock Records put out the award winning compilation album, Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti, raising over $50,000 for Haitian relief! This past year they did it again with the amazing compilation CD, Science Fair, raising money for Girls Inc.’s work for science education for girls. Placing second in this year’s Fids & Kamily Music Awards, Science Fair features exclusive tracks from Mates of State, Laura Veirs, Elizabeth Mitchell, Frances England and many others!
Blue Clouds
— Elizabeth Mitchell & You Are My Flower
Released by Smithsonian Folkway Recordings, Blue Clouds placed fifth this year in the Fids & Kamily Music Awards. Putting a contemporary touch to traditional folk songs, and using simple arrangements to rework classic rock songs by Bowie, Hendrix, Morrison and others into folks songs, Mitchell has complied a new album that is already a classic!
This past summer Randy Kaplan guest DJed the Hilltown Family Variety Show, spinning songs by bluegrass, folk, calypso, and broadway masters, alongside cuts from his new country-blues and ragtime CD, Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie. Placing seventh in the Fids & Kamily Music Awards, Randy Kaplan’s newest CD, Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie, pays tribute to America’s blues masters on an album with rollicking lyrics the kids will love! Listen to the podcast and get a glimpse into Randy’s new album and check out his video, “Ice Cream Man Rag.”: HFVS Guest DJ, Randy Kaplan Episode (Radio Show/Podcast)
Ranging in style from Afro-pop to 60’s soul, Tin Pan Alley to bossa nova, Invisible Friends is an album the entire family can enjoy on road trips or Sunday morning PJ dance parties in the kitchen. Lead singer Dean Jones guest DJed the Hilltown Family Variety Show this summer, pulling together a show that featured a few cuts from Invisible Friends interlaced with music from other kindie and mainstream artists. Give a listen to the podcast to sample a few songs on this award winning album (ranking eighth on the Fids & Kamily Music Awards!): HFVS Guest DJ, Dean Jones Episode (Radio Show/Podcast)
We can’t speak highly enough of Charity & the Jamband! As Hilltown Families number one pick for the year, Family Values is a album that celebrates family and community. Understanding that all things peaceful must first start in our own hearts and homes before moving out into our community, Charity Kahn has crafted songs that are intelligent and from the heart. She tells stories set to music that is funky, with grooves and lyrics that talk up to kids and their grown ups! — Charity has guest DJed the Hilltown Family Variety Show many times. This past Thanksgiving, through music and story, Charity explored some of the many things we have to be grateful for in our lives, including songs from this new album. Give a listen to the podcast anytime: HFVS Thanksgiving Episode with Guest DJ, Charity Kahn (Radio Show/Podcast)
“Layered voices textured with Kwela flavored rhythms, up-beat melodies, a touch of Cape Town Jive and a hint of the blues,” is how Grenadilla describes their newest release, Can’t Wait. This past spring Debbie Lan from Grenadilla guest DJed the Hilltown Family Variety Show, putting together a show with music from South Africa, including songs off of this new CD. Get a glimpse by listening to the podcast: HFVS Music from South Africa with Guest DJ, Debbie Lan (Radio Show/Podcast)
Hilltown Families Contributing Writer, Mister G, put out another excellent CD this year, Chocolalala. This new collection of original bilingual songs spans musical genres… from bossa nova to ska, funk to folk, rap to pop. Songs that are educational teach young listeners basic concepts while engaging adults with captivating Latin rhythms. In his monthly vlog on Hilltown Families, “Under the Hat: Independent Music Education,” Mister G goes a step further with his music, taking viewers into the backstory of songs released on this award-winning CD, and insight to the process of music making. Check out his column to see his vlog: Under the Hat: Independent Music Education.
Known for his deeply felt and socially conscious songwriting, often about heroes, Ellis Paul was inspired by his two daughters to write about people who contributed something to their world. The result… The Hero in You. Heroes featured on this educational CD include both well known and little know heroes. “These people did amazing things, but they can also inspire young people today to go out and do something out of the ordinary to become the heroes of their own lives,” explains Ellis Paul about this new release. — Last winter Ellis guest DJed the Hilltown Family Variety Show, including songs from this new album. Check out the podcast to get a sample of songs: HFVS Guest DJ, Ellis Paul Episode (Radio Show/Podcast)
We’ve loved Ben Rudnick & Friends since the beginning! Hailed as a founding member of the modern family music scene, Ben Rudnick & Friends continues to be a beloved band all family members will enjoy with their tenth release of Love is a Superpower. The band is good, really good… carving out their own unique music style that blends neo-western swing, bluegrass, folk music and flavors of rock. High quality musicianship seeps out slowly and steadily with each song, mixed with catching lyrics to which Ben Rudnick’s vocals bring wit and charm. — In the late summer, Ben guest DJed the Hilltown Family Variety Show, bringing us a show all about love, including cuts off of this new album. Here’s the podcast and video to get a sample of this new CD: HFVS Love Episode with Guest DJ, Ben Rudnick (Radio Show/Podcast)
Receiving an honorable mention in the Fids and Kamily Music Awards, Elska is a newcomer to the kindie music scene. Elska is a fictional character living on a newly formed Arctic island where explorations are set against playful modern music and the delicate voice of Shelly Wollert. Songs like “Arctic Fox,” “Midnight Sun in the Arctic,” and “Winter Bear” tell stories of Elska on this new island and what she discovers.
HOW TO WIN
Hilltown Families has been serving Western MA since 2005 as a grassroots communication network! Being able to share community building events, community based educational opportunities, and community service experiences over the years, along with terrific music that brings families and the community together is song, has been a great honor! Share with us your wishes for the next year(s) and be entered to win this fantastic family music collection of 11 CD’s released this past year. To enter for a chance to win simply:
- POST YOUR WISHES FOR A NEW YEAR AS OUTLINED ABOVE IN THE FIELDS BELOW (one entry per household) and be sure to tell us your
- FULL NAME (first/last) and where you
- LIVE (TOWN/STATE) must include your town to be eligible.
- ACCURATE EMAIL (we never share your email address).
- PLEASE CONSIDER SHARING ON FACEBOOK by selecting the Facebook icon below.
- We’ll randomly draw a winner and will share the results below.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline to enter for a chance to win is: Jan 19, 2013 by 11:59pm.
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Hilltown Families 
— The Okee Dokee Brothers
— Randy Kaplan
— Dog on Fleas
— Grenadilla
— Mister G
— Ellis Paul
— Ben Rudnick & Friends
— Elska
Congratulations to Christine Curtis of South Hadley, MA! Christine has won fantastic family music collection of 11 CD’s released this past year. Several are winners of the Fids & Kamily Music Awards, and several others are releases we voted for and think are a must for your family music collection.
A wish for peace and more kindness and consideration in the world and much good health and happiness for everyone!
South Hadley, MA
Wish all humans time to lift their spirits with songs by listening to musicians and by singing to oneself in the shower and car. Happy Healthy New Year to everyone!!
Florence, MA
I wish for happiness and the ability to truly appreciate my family and friends. We’re so lucky and time goes so darn fast!
I wish for deeper connection to one another, and to all creatures of the earth. I also wish for to actualize my belief that simple pleasures and generosity yeild the deepest gratification. May all beings live in harmony!
Amy Cullen
Williamsburg, MA
Oops! I live in Northampton – (Tracey Levy). (How about the wish to follow directions?)
I wish for the end of the insanity (in my own life and in the world at large). I can do my part to make some of my wish true, but will need some help to make it all happen.
I wish for less distraction and more moments of pure joy with my kids.
Wothington, Ma
optimal health for all creatures great and small
I wish to make new friends and be a better friend.
Ben Lord, Fitzgerald, Georgia
My wish is for healing, peace, love, and true happiness in the world.
Liz Burnworth, Northampton, MA
Peace and kindness is an ongoing wish. This year especially. Oh- and a bunch of cds for all the babies entering my life in the next few months! Helene Leue, Ashfield,Ma.
Personally, I am wishing for deeper friendships this year and real appreciation for my world. Beyond me, I wish for better health and happiness for all, and greater peace in the world.
Patricia Loomis
Northampton, MA
With our first baby expected in May I’m wishing for happiness and healthiness in 2013!
Mary Wallingford,
Seattle, WA
Wishing myself and everyone else peace of mind and an understanding heart. A chance to connect to people and an opportunity to help when you can. From Becket MA.
my wish for 2013 is to become involved more with committees in my area and help when and where I can.
Wishing everyone a Hap
py,Healthy,Laughter-filled,music-filled,Adventurous,and above all Peaceful New Year from Fair Haven, NY
A wish for ongoing generosity and joy from my girls (age 7 and 10)…and the time to spend with them exploring the wonders of the unfolding universe! – Joshua Farber, Monson, MA
I wish for peace and love for all of my family, kindness in our communities, compassion in governments, and care for our beautiful planet.
We wish for a music filled year! Thanks for making our community so wonderful Sienna. Jessica Morris, Northampton MA
Wish for health and the wisdom not to sweat the small sstuff so we can enjoy what truly matters
Wish you the best and enjoy the new year with family and great music. Happy New Year!
I wish for lots of family dance parties and a healthy, safe 2013.
I wish for love, peace and happiness! Joy to the world!
I wish that our family will be able create the time and energy to renovate our nice house into a great family home this year and fill it with friends and family.
Bernardston, MA
I wish for lots if great music to listen to with my kids in 2013 and health and peace for my family and friends. Happy new year!
– Jessica (Northampton)