Note from the Grand Poobah:
As promised I’m going to be introducing a number of guest bloggers in the coming weeks, each with a specific area of expertise in the realms of kiddie culture and design. Today I’m excited to welcome Amy Trulock, creator of my favorite online kids music station HYP Radio, champion of independent tunes for the short set and now Junior Society resident music guru. (HYP, HYP Hurray!)

I’m insanely delighted to be a part of the Junior Society. I love to share my passion for the whimsical and quirky with not only the children in my life, but fellow adults as well. My inspiration for HYP Radio at hipyoungparent.com was to create a multi-generational freeform music experience. It is in this vein that I hope to assist you all in your quest for that coveted Musicology merit badge!

I was recently asked how I would start the perfect children’s music library. The quickest way is the modern day equivalent of by beloved mixed tape - the compilation CD. Nowadays, it’s exciting to see that a number of indie labels are using their roster of bands to produce albums that get as much play on college radio as they do in a minivan.

Of these, my current favorite is:
Play.
(DeSoto Records, 2007)

However, as much as I have a personal affinity for indie pop/rock, there are other genres that have been beautifully served by the various artist platform

A few of my favorites:

The Bottle Let Me Down: Songs for Bumpy Wagon Rides
(Bloodshot, 2002)

The quintessential kiddie primer to alt-country. TBLMD is the predicessor to two great albums by contributors: Asylum Street Spankers and Wee Hairy Beasties (a collective comprised of Kelly Hogan, Devil in a Woodpile et al.) In fact, the Spanker’s version of “I’m My Own Grandpa” and Hogan’s “Senor El Gato” are my favorite tracks on this fun album. A great bonus: this Bloodshot Records release is available on eMusic my favorite source for DRM free downloads.

Jazz for Kids: Sing, Clap, Wiggle and Shake
(Verve, 2004)

Since the genre’s inception jazz has provided some of the most exuberant kid-friendly tunes, and Verve masterfully gathers some of the best. There is no skippier tune than Ella Fitzgerald’s rendition of “The Muffin Man” and no ode to snack food as delicious as Slim Gaillard’s “Potato Chips”. When you’ve done your fair share of singing, clapping, wiggling and shaking the disc ends with Louis Armstrong’s daydream lullaby, “What a Wonderful World” – the perfect transition from playtime to naptime.

Dr. Demento Gooses Mother
(Kid Rhino, 1995)

Sadly, out of print, this album was released the year I hosted my first children’s radio show at my college training station, and quickly became my old standby. In tackling the theme of Mother Goose, Dr. Demento collected some of the best novelty songs throughout the years. From the bubbly enthusiasm of the 1910 Fruitgum Company’s “Simon Says” to the toe-tapping brilliance of Count Basie’s “London Bridge is Falling Down” we’re treated to some great gems interspersed with classic Demento banter. This is well worth a hunt on eBay to track this down.

About our guest blogger:

Junior Society member, godmother, honorary big sister and self-described ‘young Auntie Mame’ Amy Trulock is the long lost love child of Katherine Hepburn and Mister Rogers. “Ever since I was old enough to baby sit, I have helped raise some amazing kids with my whimsical and empathetic view of childhood.”

Holding fast to her principles of ‘No Barney, No Britney,’ Amy launched Hip Young Parents Radio in 2005. “There’s an overabundance of children’s music, and not all of it’s good. Because I don’t have my own kids, I have the freedom of time, and I hope I can help by wading through it.” HYP Radio streams kid-friendly music 24/7 from all generations and genres via Live365 – the world’s largest Internet radio network.

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