The Show Must Go On

I had two gigs last weekend. One was great, and one was not. Fortunately, the great one was on Sunday and the experience was the opposite of the one on Saturday in every way. I know it's unrealistic to expect every storytime to be wonderful, but I always strive to give my best performance possible despite factors beyond my control. The Sunday performance helped to take away some of the sting of the Saturday performance, and the commiseration of friends and fellow performers helped with the rest.

This morning, my "best performance possible" was put to the test when I slammed my left thumb into the car door trunk right before my monthly gig at Third Place Books. For a split-second, I just couldn't believe it. Fortunately, the car keys were still in the trunk door, and I got it open. As I looked over the damage, Lucia was yelling, "I don't want to see it! I don't want to see it!" I insisted she get out of the car while I ran indoors to get bandages for the thumb, but I didn't have time to put the hand in ice-water before the gig. I made it to the bookstore in time, and before I started, I explained to the audience what had happened. I said "Sometimes one has to smile through the pain, and I wanted to let you know what happened in case I grimaced during the program."

I was able to fret the chords, tell my stories and finish well. Afterward, I got to hang out for a bit with Eric Herman and his daughters, who were kind enough to make it to the storytime before Eric's evening performance at Crossroads Bellevue. Lucia, Bede and I attended that concert as well and had a good time (I got to be the "Local Celebrity Judge" for the dance contest again!). We all wish that we could see Eric and family more often, and may very well have to take a trip to the Tri-Cities area of Washington so that our visits aren't just once-a-year occurences.

It's been a hard week, and there have been moments that I wanted to crawl under the covers and sleep for weeks. Many thanks to all of my friends and family who helped the show to go on.

Eric Herman on Boing Boing

Eric Herman, children's musician and blogger of Cool Tunes for Kids, made the front page of Boing Boing. Congratulations, Eric!

The Moon in Her Pajamas

Eric Herman has a new video called "The Tale of the Sun and the Moon." It's a lullaby off of Herman's last album, "Snail's Pace," with lyrics from a poem by Ken Nesbitt. You can find the complete lyrics here, and the video right here:

Blackbeart, Bluebeard, and Redbeard

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day! To celebrate, Eric Herman has a new video for you:

My Sunday Kicks

Head on over to Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast to read everyone's weekly kicks as they roll in. Here are mine, written on Saturday night:

1) Thursday, we attended a wedding on the beach of the Golden Gardens, and then partook of a potluck dinner afterward. Years before I met Bede, I thought that if I ever got married, the Mennonite in me thought a potluck for the reception was a grand idea. Bede and I didn’t go that route, but I still think it’s a good way to go.

2) Friday, the House of Glee met up with Eric Herman and family for dinner, and then headed to Magnuson Park for a Recess Monkey concert. The three girls got to play with each other and I enjoyed watching them holding hands while they jumped up and down in the Recess Monkey mosh-pit. I’d love to see an Eric Herman/Recess Monkey double-billing show someday, or have even more local children’s musicians get together for an all-day festival. I didn't bring my camera, so if Eric posts photos, I'll add the link later. Update: here is the link.

3) At the recommendation of Eric Herman and other friends, I finally checked out the Arlo Guthrie-esque Randy Kaplan’s children’s music albums, “Five Cent Piece” and “Loquat Rooftop.” They’re new hits in our household. Lucia’s favorite song is “Shampoo Me,” a story-song about a shark that pops up in the bathtub and wants to get clean. My favorite lyrics:

I said, “Why can’t you shampoo yourself?"
He said, “I got no fingers, only fins
They’re second stringers…”

You can listen to “Shampoo Me” and other songs on the Randy Kaplan “junior” MySpace Page.

4) I’ve finally started my voice lessons. Right now, my homework is a series of stretching and vocal exercises plus steaming my respiratory system (towel over the head with the face above a steaming bowl of water) twice a day. I’m working up to the twice a day part, but I’m starting to notice a difference in my immunities at least. Knock on wood, I’ve not had a sore throat in weeks.

5) My sewing project, a two piece dress with a pattern I ended up creating and modifying, worked out rather well. The last dress I sewed ended up being a tent with princess seams. I'm wearing the dress in the above picture.

6) I’m not sure if this is a kick or not, but I’ve agreed to be a co-class parent this year for my daughter’s kindergarten. It’s a job that can seem like herding cats at times, but I’m hoping that I can implement my new motto, “As painless as possible,” for the tasks ahead.


Mary Poppins umbrella (the one that belonged to P.L. Travers) and other memorabilia on display at the Donnell Library Central Children's Room in 2006


7) I’m reading aloud Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers to my daughter, and we are both enjoying it very much. I read the books years ago (with the original version of the infamous “Bad Tuesday” chapter, later rewritten by Travers herself). I showed Lucia the movie this summer, and while certain aspects of the film are firmly rooted in her brain, she has gone on in her imaginative play to incorporate the baby twins, John and Barbara, and adventures that didn’t make it into the film. Lucia is fascinated by how Mary Poppins always sniffs with disapproval. We just read aloud one of my favorite chapters, “John and Barbara’s Story,” where the twins can’t comprehend why grownups don’t seem to understand the speech of the sun, wind, and birds or the twins themselves. When they find out that everyone starts out understanding but soon forgets after their teeth come in, the twins are determined that they won’t. Of course, there is one grownup who has never forgotten....

Eric Herman's Cool Bug Tunes for Kids

The House of Glee attended Eric Herman's Cool Bug Tunes for Kids concert as part of King County Library System's summer reading program, "Catch the Reading Bug!" Bede took photos for Eric, and I got to judge the dance contest for the compact disc giveaway. Afterward, we had dinner at the food court and caught up on music, gaming and storytelling gab. Here's a photo:



And here's a video I put together and then ran by Eric before posting on YouTube:



One of the songs that's not in the video because it ha yet been released is the funny, catchy "Stink Bug" ditty, due to be released on Eric's next album. Ever since the concert, Lucia has been singing the chorus. Once you hear it, you will too. "Stink Bug" is definitely an earworm.

Children's Bands on Tour

Recess Monkey is going on a cross-country tour!

More good news: Elizabeth Mitchell is finally coming to the West Coast in August and September.

Eric Herman has been on tour for a few months now. We plan to see him and visit with his family in August when he comes to Bellevue, Washington, but in the meantime, if you live in certain parts of Missouri, Kansas, Montana, Colorado, Utah, or Idaho, you will have a chance to see him in concert.

Are you excited about any upcoming children's music concerts in your area? Please feel welcome to kvell in the comments section....

Your lucky day

Eric Herman has a new video out called "Lucky Day." It's animated by Eric's wife, Rosanne Endres, and the song is co-written by Herman, Endres and "Smilin' Eric" Ode. Watch through the end of the credits for a surprise. While you're at it, take a look at this shameless piece of advertising! I don't know about you, but I suspect nepotism.

The Herman-mobile is headed your way

Hey! Eric Herman may be coming to your city. If he does, don't you want him to come to your school? Your library? Your coffee-karaoke bar? You'll be able to see his cute, cute kids and meet his brilliant wife. You might even get the entire Invisible Band to fit into your living room for a concert. I'm thinking of trying out for the Invisible Band just so I can go on the tour. Sure, the pay is stinkin' lousy, but the dress code is informal and I don't have to show up for sound-checks. Really, though, I can barely imagine all of the energy and focus it's going to take to organize this tour. Any contacts for booking performances and song writing workshops would be a big help. (I need to take one of those song-writing workshops myself, as most of my songs sound so sad, even the ones with major chords.)

I am wondering... is this venture going to be the Snail's Pace Tour? Because that would be funny.

Spinning Wheel, part I: Interview with Eric Herman

Welcome to Spinning Wheel, a new Saints and Spinners interview series. Spinning Wheel features musicians, storytellers, children's librarians and other people who work with children in some performance capacity. I have blatantly borrowed the interview format from Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast including the Pivot questionaire. "But Alkelda, why not just start completely from scratch and be completely original?" you might ask. The answer is threefold: 1) It's hard to improve on something that's already excellent (2) I am a magpie, and prone to "borrowing" shiny objects and (3) Jules and Eisha said I could use their format. If you know of performers who might like to be interviewed (especially those in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States), please let me know.

I'm pleased to kick off this series with Eric Herman, the preeminent performer and songwriter from Richland, Washington. I discovered Eric Herman after I downloaded "Magic Toast" by The Sippy Cups and curiosity prompted me to search the internet for articles about the band. I found Eric's Cool Tunes for Kids blog, and a review of The Sippy Cups' album Electric Storyland. When Eric wrote, I do have to blast them outright for dissing The Wiggles in their press release, claiming that, "We're not in Wiggles land anymore," I had to follow the link to his post in defense of The Wiggles. Even though I'm still not a fan of The Wiggles, I was impressed by how Eric poked holes in my assumptions about what what worked for kids as opposed to what adults think should work for kids.

Eric is the front-man for the Invisible Band. Eric's stage manager is his "nearly-identical twin brother named Zeke," who always dresses like Eric and makes sure the two are never actually viewed together. However, a recent post on Cool Tunes for Kids revealed that the true stage-manager (as well as co-songwriter, stage-managing, video-director, graphic designer and all around superwoman) is Rosann Endres, Eric's wife. But see, I already knew that. The House of Glee got to meet Eric's wife and daughters last July at a local library gig in Shoreline, Washington.


You can check out Eric Herman's website for song samples, album purchases as well as videos for The Elephant Song (an infinitely flexible song that never gets old), Crazy Over Vegetables, and Snow Day. You can even book him for shows. However, don't ask him to do anything remotely dangerous like shave or move your barbecue grill. When it comes to safety precautions, Eric is a wretched role-model for today's youth.

For more biographical information, click here. And now, without further ado, here's Errrrrrrrric Herman (and yes, you do have to say his name exactly like that or he'll correct your pronunciation):

Saints and Spinners: What exactly do you do for a living?

Eric Herman: I create and perform music for kids, elementary school students and families. So in one sense, I provide a means for kids to go completely bonkers in front of their parents or teachers, and not get in trouble for it. And in the case of school assemblies, they even learn some cool things and get motivated to take on the world in the process.

S&S: How long have you been working in your chosen profession?

EH: I played my first show for kids on December 29, 2002, and have been doing this full-time since about September of 2004.

S&S: What prompted you to work with/ perform for children?

If you'd asked me early in 2002 if I'd ever be doing music for kids at all, much less as a career, I'd probably have laughed at the idea. But there seemed to be a convergence of several different people suggesting I do music for kids, all around the same time that year. So I gave it some thought and checked out a lot of the kids' music that was out there and realized, hey, this could be fun stuff to create and perform and I think I could add my own unique take on the genre.

S&S: Why do you continue to do it?

EH: Because it's fun stuff to create and perform and I like to add my own unique take on the genre. And it's not just writing and performing music in the traditional sense, but also writing comedy and creating theatrical and interactive performances, all of which I really enjoy. I'd been working with several different things over the years including singer/songwriter material, progressive and jam rock bands, musical theatre, orchestral arrangements, film scoring, etc. I enjoyed all of that, but never really gave enough focus to one thing, which makes it hard to really break out in any one area. At the time I started doing kids' music, it was really just one more thing to add to the list, but then it kind of took off and also felt like something where I could combine a lot of the different things that I like to do with music and theater. It was also something that really clicked between my wife and I, as far as working and producing together. Roseann had always wanted to work in some capacity with children's entertainment, and though she never pushed me to do so, once I became interested on my own, then it was easy for us to turn that into the family business and focus our energies collectively on that.

S&S: Which performers are your inspirations for your work?

EH: Gosh, too many to name here, that's for sure. Musically, some of the big influences would include The Beatles, Paul Simon, Kate Bush, Frank Zappa, The Tragically Hip and Rush. For comedy, it would be things like Monty Python, Bill Cosby, The Umbilical Brothers and Weird Al. Some of the kids' acts that inspired me early on to do this include Trout Fishing in America, Ralph's World, Justin Roberts, John Lithgow, Sesame Street and Schoolhouse Rock!

S&S: What are some of the things you enjoy doing outside of your profession?

EH: I don't seem to have too much time to do things other than spending time on my work and with my family, and that's okay with me. I love my family and my work, so there's not a great need to do much else. As Frank Zappa once said, "As long as you're absorbed in something, you're not missing anything." I guess that depends on what you're absorbed in, but I think that safely applies in this case. I do like to play computer games and board games to unwind, usually strategy games of some type, and I watch movies and TV shows like Lost and Scrubs. I like to read and write and meditate, but again, time constraints don't always allow for too much of that.

S&S: What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?

EH: I was engaged to my wife two days after we met. We had met online prior to that, so we had actually known each other for several months before meeting in person. And for something like that, you never really know how it might go until you do meet in person. We definitely hit it off, though.

S&S: Was there ever a time when your audience surprised you? What happened?

EH: My audience surprises me all the time. I'm still learning and laughing from things they do and say at almost every show. The other day I asked a few kids to come up to play some highly crafted, precision musical instruments... which were really bicycle horns and bells. When I offered for one little boy to play the Stradivarius bicycle bell, he said, "No, I want to play your guitar!" Sometimes an entire audience will surprise me by being a relatively quiet group which doesn't seem to be as enthusiastic as other crowds, but then afterward they're all lined up to get CDs and meet me and really excited about how the show went. Different towns and venues sometimes have different types of audiences, and I'm learning to not assume that a particular show isn't going over well just because the audience decibel level is a little lower than I'm used to. [Editor's note: check out Eric's post on how Kids Make the Darnedest Audience.]

S&S: What’s in heavy rotation on your stereo/iPod lately?

I'll have to invoke that Zappa quote again, because right now I'm very absorbed in the current mixes of songs for my next album and working on tweaking the lyrics and phrasing and arrangements for that. And otherwise I'm listening to whatever CDs have come in for my blog, of which I still have many to catch up on. Aside from the usual "daddy songs," my girls keep requesting "the lady songs," meaning Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang, so those two CDs get some pretty heavy rotation in the RV.

S&S: If you could headline a festival with three other performers, who would they be?

EH: If I'm headlining, that makes a difference... Obviously, I'd love to do a show with acts like John Lithgow and Trout Fishing, but I wouldn't stand a chance headlining after them. There are countless kids' performers that I'd love to share a bill with... any of them on my blog, for example... I think a great bill of artists that would work well for a theme of mixing kids' music and kid-friendly comedy would be something like Ginger Hendrix, Kenn Nesbitt, John Hadfield and then Eric Herman and the Invisible Band.

S&S:What is the song or story that never gets old for you?

EH:Any time I hear the Nylon's recording of "Lion Sleeps Tonight", it makes me feel really good. I've read Watership Down a few times over the years and always have a great adventure with that. I look forward to reading that again with my girls in a few years when they're old enough.

The Pivot Questionnaire:

What is your favorite word?

Plethora.

What is your least favorite word?

Ooops!

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Thinking about how incredibly BIG life is can have a good effect on putting things in perspective, which can lead to all sorts of creative, spiritual or emotional moments.

What turns you off?

The little switch at the back of my neck.

What is your favorite curse word? (optional)

Shazbot!

What sound or noise do you love?

My girls laughing when they play together or when we play together.

What sound or noise do you hate?

The scraping of a metal fork or knife on a plate. Auuugghh!

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I'd love to do more acting and theater again, as well as film/TV scoring, and hope to someday when I have more time (ha!). But as far as something I've never really attempted at all, I think I might have made a good trial lawyer.

What profession would you not like to do?

One of my favorite shows is Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel. Pretty much any of those...

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

I believe in Heaven, though I don't view it as an exclusive club. I imagine we'll all pick up where we left off here, for better or worse, so what God will say at that point might depend where I leave off. I hope he greets me like a good friend or father would and asks about my family and how they're doing. I would be interested to know the answers to some of the great mysteries of life, the universe and everything, but I imagine there'll be plenty of time to get into all of that.

Eric Herman and his Invisible Band

This evening, the House of Glee went to hear Eric Herman of Cool Tunes for Kids play at the Shoreline Library. Eric's wife and kids were there too, and Lucia enjoyed dancing with the two Herman girls. Afterward, the House of Glee and the RV of Herman all went out for frozen yogurt. The three girls all chose the rainbow frozen-yogurt and ended up with purple chins. It was pretty cool to hang out with a fellow blogger who happened to be a full-time musician. I picked up Eric's cds (some of them for free! How cool is that?) and for the first time, thought maybe I really should think about recording a cd of my own someday. (It would be a vanity cd of course, but finally the world a few curious blogger friends would be able to hear what "Superhero Teaparty" and "The Potty Train" actually sound like.) In the meantime, I'm looking forward to listening to Eric Herman's new album, Snail Pace. One of the songs on the album, "For the Beauty of the Earth," was a hymn Bede and I had at our wedding six years ago.

Cool Tunes for Kids by Eric Herman

Eric Herman visited my blog yesterday. Herman runs the Cool Tunes for Kids blog and is a performing musician based in Washington State. He's here in Seattle doing some shows, and I'm hoping to make it to at least one performance with the House of Glee. Um, Eric, you thanked me for posting your video of "The Elephant Song" awhile back. I can't find that post! Still, it's very silly of me that I would have not posted it before now (though I can hardly see you as the one pointing the Finger of Silliness), sooooooo....

Here is the animated video of "The Elephant Song." It's a bit evocative of the Lazy Jack motif of the fool who follows directions literally and bases every decision on the last piece of advice given by someone wiser than he (in this case, Eric Herman's somebody else's daughter):

Here is a live-action video of Herman juggling produce and going "Crazy Over Vegetables." I would've loved to have been a fly on the wall (or the zucchini) while Herman was filming this video:

Pssst... while you're at it, read some good advice about performing for children.