Young Enough for Nancy Stewart

From a conversation I had with Lucia yesterday evening:


Me: Nancy Stewart is coming to the Madrona Library on July 1. Do you want to go, or are you too old for Nancy concerts?

Lucia: I'm still young enough. [Pause.] I will never be too old for Nancy concerts. I will be one hundred and two.

Nancy Stewart: Two Videos

Today I'm sharing with you two videos taken from Nancy Stewart's concert at the Crossroads Shopping Center last night. The first one is Bee-Boppin' Bugs:



The second one is Sadie the Slimy Slug:

Nocturnal animals all about...

I made some felt-board animals to use with Nancy Stewart's song Nocturnal Animals:

On a moonlit night when the stars come out
There are nocturnal animals all about
Whoo, whoo, what do I see
A wise old owl looking at me.

Despite its legginess, I added a cricket, but left out other nocturnal animals like cuttlefish, tasmanian devils, tarantualas, skunks and vinegarroons. Did you know that crickets are nocturnal (active during the night) while grasshoppers are diurnal (active during the day)? I didn't. Also, there are animals that are neither strictly nocturnal nor diurnal, but crepuscular, i.e. primarily active during twilight. Platypus (or platypuses), coyotes, foxes and a lot of songbirds are crepuscular, though they're often called nocturnal in casual conversation. You do have casual conversations about such matters, right? If you're a Nerdfighter, you might.

Song of the Week: Dinosaurs in Cars

Since I just featured Nancy Stewart in yesterday's edition of Spinning Wheel, I thought it appropriate to feature one of Nancy's tunes for Song of the Week. I first heard a version of this song from my sister-in-law in 2001. She'd just had a baby eight months before and had learned "Dinosaurs in Cars" from the leader of her parent group. However, the song ended with one dinosaur and no resolution. My sister-in-law wondered where the song came from, and thought that perhaps it had been translated from another language. "It just stops in the middle and then goes on," she said.

A few years later, I bought Nancy's "Plant a Little Seed" cd and booklet set, which had the song my sister-in-law mentioned. Soon after, Nancy made it her song of the month, which you can listen to here and print out sheet music plus chords here. I sent it to my sister-in-law, who said, "No, this is not the song-- the tune was different." However, the words and music were indeed Nancy's compositions. Somewhere between Seattle, Washington, and Victoria, British Columbia, someone altered the tune and forgot the final verse.

Here are the lyrics:
There were five dinosaurs riding in cards
Havin a "wheely" good time
They said, "Step on the gas, we'll go really fast!"
And they did until one had a flat tire
Ca-chunk, ca-chunk, ca-chunk, ca-chunk
Whooosh---
And he said, "Go on without me!"

After counting down to one, the last dinosaur realizes that leaving his friends behind wasn't the only option after all. He fixes his car, picks up his friends, and they all go off having as much fun as before. However, now they are now a little bit the wiser for having figured out how to fix a flat tire. I am reminded of what Nancy told us in guitar clinic: Knowing how to change a tire on a car and a string on a guitar are two necessary life-skills.

Ahem. I have helped to change two flat-tires in my life, and one time I was the one holding the manual. As Bede lay on his back under the car, I said, "Now, the manual says to make sure you get the widget in the right place or the entire car will break into two parts."

If you need your guitar strings changed, I can definitely help you out with that project (and your guitar won't be at risk of breaking in half).

Spinning Wheel Part III: Nancy Stewart

Nancy Stewart leaps for joy

The singer, guitarist and songwriter Nancy Stewart and I had crossed paths a couple of times before we actually met. Nancy performed at a lot of libraries in both the King County Library System (where I worked) and the Seattle Public Library system. Also, we took the same storytelling workshop with Margaret Read MacDonald. In 2005, when I brought my two year old daughter to Nancy’s “Hooray For Washington!” program at our local library up the street, Nancy and I grinned at each other in recognition even though we had never formally met. That summer, my daughter and I became Nancy-groupies and attended five shows in two months. When I found out about Mother Goose Guitar, Nancy’s series of guitar lessons designed for grownups who work with children, I signed up.

Everyone who takes some version of the Mother Goose guitar course (there’s also an “advanced” class that focuses on strumming and finger-picking techniques) can attend her monthly guitar clinics to try out new songs, play old favorites, and get help changing guitar strings if needed. Nancy assures her students that the guitar clinic is a "no strings attached" affair, and that we can come even if we haven't picked up the guitar since the last clinic.

Nancy Stewart is more than a children’s performer. She is a continual source of ideas for teachers and librarians. Her website features a Song of the Month section complete with sheet music, activity ideas, and free mp3 downloads. If you’re looking for holiday music, you can find songs about Ramadan, Eid, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and other holidays, as well as secular holiday songs that celebrate snow and twinkling lights (not that Seattleites get much of the former). Nancy also offers lots of songs about science: if you want to incorporate musically into your lessons the ways to identify the parts of an insect, the different layers of the earth’s crust, and various nocturnal animals, Nancy is your resource. In addition, Nancy has recorded a number of albums for children, including Oodles of Animals, Sing a Song of Science, Singin' Sidesaddle, and Goodnight, Sleep Tight (which my daughter repeatedly asks for before she goes to bed). If you're interested in purchasing any of Nancy's albums, you can order them from her shop or from independent bookstores like Island Books or All For Kids Books and Music.

Nancy Stewart says, “Being an entertainer is different than being a musician. I was so lucky to have spent nine years as lead guitarist and vocalist with a nationally known show band. I worked for Randy Sparks, creator of the New Christy Minstrels popular group in the 1960’s, operated the band like a business, and we had “rules” to insure consistency and professionalism. We worked at the best nightclubs and showrooms in the United States, which meant the audience was there to hear the music and be entertained, not dance or talk. We honed our skills and learned our craft well. I continue to use all that I learned from that experience; it doesn’t matter who your audience is if you are a true professional. I am very proud of that.”

The Spinning Wheel Interview

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

Nancy Stewart: I write, perform and produce children’s music

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

NS: I’ve been a children’s songwriter and performer for 26 years. Before that, I sang in nightclubs. My first professional job was singing in convalescent homes for a talent agency when I was 16.

S&S: What prompted you to perform for children?

NS: My son found his way out of his crib and got into mischief, while my husband slept! That marked the end of my nightclub career! Like the saying goes, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join em!” As I now like to say, “My children led me into my passion.” [Editor’s note: Nancy Stewart used to perform up to six shows a night.]

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

NS: I continue to love it, and never run out of new ideas for songs to write or shows to create. Children keep me on my toes, and they appreciate every little thing you do. And adults who work with young children are the best!

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

NS: James Taylor, Sting, Bonnie Raitt. This may seem funny, since these are not children’s performers, but music that moves me as a musician is what motivates me, whether I’m writing songs for children or adults... I actually try not to listen to other children’s musicians, because I don’t want to unconsciously copy them.

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

NS: Spending time with my grown children, walking my dog, gardening, decorating, sewing

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

NS: When I was about 17, the professional group I sang with recorded the very first Mother Goose See’n Say toy for Mattell Toys. I never dreamed my life would come full circle with Mother Goose!

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

NS: Children constantly surprise me. That’s the fun of it! It usually happens with my volunteers from the audience. Last week I had a four-year old come up to help me, and after I had her in place she said, “I have to go to the bathroom!” So I called for her grownup to come and get her, asked for another volunteer, and continued on. You never know what will happen! Children are very “stream of consciousness,” so it constantly makes for entertaining exchanges!


October 2005 concert at Pottery Barn Kids

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

NS: Josh Groban and a compilation collection of songs called Acoustic Chill. I recently saw Josh Groban in concert, and he was amazing! His concert was professionally run in every way.

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

NS: My best friend and musical partner, Marylee Sunseri, Dennis and Lorraine of Tickle Tune Typhoon.


MaryLee and Nancy

S&S: What song for you never gets old?

NS: Sticky Sticky Bubblegum! I never get tired of it because children never get tired of it and ALWAYS request. It is the one song that ALWAYS works, no matter what kind of group I’m singing with. It seems almost to have a magic power! Of course it’s not a song I would ever sing without children around, but when you sing a song with children, the song becomes a vehicle that builds an instant relationship with you and them.

The Pivot Questionnaire is a set of questions popularized on “The Actor’s Studio" and introduced to me through Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. I pose the questions here:

What is your favorite word?
Excellent! – It’s just fun to say, and makes you happy to say it.

What is your least favorite word?
Stupid

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Music!

What turns you off?
People being mean to each other or animals

What is your favorite curse word? (optional)
Let’s not even go there!

What sound or noise do you love?
The sound of my family (my children and relatives) at bi-weekly family dinners

What sound or noise do you hate?
Big trucks in the middle of the night

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I wouldn’t do anything else, especially since I get to do so many different things in my business.

What profession would you not like to do?
Work in a factory doing the same thing over and over. I am SO grateful there are people willing to do that necessary work!

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Would you like to see you mom and dad again?

The Lost Planet

Headline: Pluto loses status as planet

I should've realized this IAU resolution was coming. A couple of weeks ago, when Lucia and I went to see Nancy Stewart at Pottery Barn Kids, I noticed a planet-mobile on display. "Hurrah!" I said. "Here's a fine addition for Lucia's room. Never mind that it costs $39.00 USD. We can skimp on the caviar bill, after all. But wait a minute..."




I counted eight planets plus the Sun.

"Where's Pluto?" I ranted. "And why is there no attempt to represent the planets to scale? Jupiter is 3/4 the size of the Sun, and the gas giants are all the size of Jupiter." In a rage, I ripped the planet-mobile from the ceiling. The security guards had to drag me away to a quiet room where I could sip weak tea and gather my senses together. No one pressed charges, but in an ironic twist of circumstances, Brad the Gorilla was the one who had to come and make sure I had a safe ride home. Meanwhile, Lucia was still enjoying the Nancy Stewart concert, oblivious to my planet-induced meltdown.

Thus, when I read the headlines this morning, I had already worked through my freak-out phase and arrived at a quiet acceptance of eight planets in the Solar System. My song will be shorter. So much for "Planet Hoppers: The Opera."

Just between you and me, I'm relieved.

rough and tumble

It's been a long week. I'm sorry I have not been answering comments. It's been rough with Lucia. Yes, my best girl, my dear, sweet (and highly-spiced) child, has been running me through my paces. We both had a meltdown yesterday. The day started pleasantly enough at the library where I used to work. We saw a rock and roll pirate show called Captain Bogg and Salty. Lucia was a bit ambivalent about the boistrousness of the show, but rallied enough to raise a hooked finger toward the end. She wanted to stay for Lunchtime Stories afterward. Why not, I thought. She drank her milk and ate her salty snacks while we listened to stories. (Some of the children in the audience used to be in my young toddler programs. Wow, they got big.)

Leaving the library was the problem. After attempts at persuasion and negotation, I carried 38 pounds of kicking, bellowing toddler out of the library. I struggled to get her into the car-seat, but she thrashed so much we were both in a sweat after 5 minutes. She would not keep the car-seat straps on. The last time this happened, we pulled over and said we couldn't go until she was strapped in again. The last time, though, Bede was with me, and I could sit in the back seat to hold her hands down while he drove home. This time, I was on my own. I drove 10 miles and prayed fervently that we would make it home safely. She screamed the whole way.

I was exhausted for the rest of the afternoon. Bede was able to come home and take over for awhile, bless him. Bedtime was hard, but Lucia did give me a big hug before I read her stories. Today was better. Somewhat difficult, but still better. We went to the Day Out With Thomas (TM) festival, even though we're not Thomas the Tank Engine fans, because Nancy Stewart was playing. (Brad the Gorilla said that his band, The Deadbeat Crawdads, were supposed to open for her, but later he grumbled something about getting kicked out for popping 2 crates' worth of Thomas (TM) balloons.) We got to ride on an old train through Snoqualmie, which was lovely, despite the incessant Thomas (TM) soundtrack.


Nancy Stewart in concert

This evening, I practiced guitar for 90 minutes before my developing callouses started to hurt. It was a good session. I practiced "Greensleeves," "Shady Grove" and "Cockles and Muscles". There's a tricky chord change in "Cockles and Muscles" involving D minor. I must say, I don't quite have it yet. Still, concentrating on the guitar lifted my spirits considerably. When I ended my practice, I felt better than I had in days.

Lucia went down to bed early. Bede and I watched a couple of episodes of the first season of Buffy. It was a good night. Tomorrow will be better. Mazel tov.

Nancy Stewart, troubadour

Lucia is in her crib. She is supposed to be taking a nap. Instead, she is singing Sticky, Sticky Bubble Gum." This is all Nancy Stewart's fault. Yesterday, we went to Nancy Stewart's "Hooray for Washington!" program for our library's Summer Reading kick-off. Nancy played guitar and sang songs about tidepools, slugs, and various mollusks, as well as the aforementioned bubblegum song. The hit song of the day for Lucia, however, was the "Geoduck Song."

("What is a geoduck?" you ask.
Nancy Stewart replies, "It's a lot of clam chowder.")

On the way home, Lucia insisted upon songs about geoducks. Since I couldn't remember the words, I made up a few variants. Here is one such composition, sung to the tune of "The Lumberjack Song:"

I am a geoduck and I'm okay,
I dig all night and I sleep all day,
I'm a longish clam, I live in the sand,
I am a deli-cacy.

I have decided that I really will learn how to play guitar. Three chords is all I need for my purposes. Maybe Nancy will teach me.


This is not a geoduck. Trust me, you don't want to look at a real one.