It’s a Koo Koo Fall, and Artists Say ‘Thank You, Mister Rogers’

This fall, the comedic pop duo and YouTube sensation Koo Koo Kanga Roo are out on tour, making kids and parents shake their booties in dozens of cities. The September and October tour dates include opening for the Aquabats, plus appearances October 5 and 6 at Austin City Limits. This Twin Cities based duo is also planning a big hometown show at The Cedar Cultural Center in St. Paul, MN, over Thanksgiving weekend. Stay tuned for two new singles and music videos this fall, too!

Since we wrote the liner notes for the touching Songs from the Neighborhood tribute to Mister Rogers in 2005, and it went on to win the Best Children’s Album honors at the 2006 GRAMMY Awards, we are especially thrilled to announce the release of Thank You, Mister Rogers on October 25th. The rebirth of interest in Fred Rogers, which includes an upcoming Tom Hanks film, inspires a unique musical tribute that celebrates a special side of the man known as “America’s Favorite Neighbor.” This beautifully produced album features re-imagined renditions of Fred Rogers classics as well as uncovered gems from his 200-plus catalogue of songs. The cast includes Kellie Pickler, Vanessa Williams, Rita Wilson (Tom Hanks’ wife), Lee Greenwood, The Cowsills, Jaci Velasquez, Jim Brickman, Jon Secada, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., Micky Dolenz, Tom Bergeron, and Sandi Patty.  #ThankYouMisterRogers, indeed!

This busy fall also brings the launch of the Just Kidding family performance season at Symphony Space. Oran Etkin kicks it all off with his Timbalooloo concert (featuring songs from his new album Finding Friends Far from Home on Saturday, October 5th. Oran then travels to California for shows at McCabe’s Guitar Shop, Stanford University and Ashkenaz during October 6 to 13.

The Story Pirates will perform several shows this fall, and will soon announce the start of season 3 of their super popular podcast. Catch them in NYC every month at their Family Flagship shows, and at the Kennedy Center in DC on September 15th. They will soon announce the winner of the recent story contest for kids, co-sponsored with The Secret Life of Pets 2 on DVD and Blu-Ray.

The Secret Mountain, purveyors of gloriously illustrated picture books with music, publishes three new titles this fall, including Ana Gerhard’s newest child-friendly introduction to classical music, Little Creatures; the intriguing Animal Musicians; and Songs in the Shade of the Cashew and Coconut Trees: Lullabies and Nursery Rhymes from West Africa and the Caribbean. 

Finally, the holidays don’t just begin in the fall. Celebrations of faith and light occur around the year all around the world! Pioneering “kindie” artist Katherine Dines’ Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta HOLIDAYS provides a cornucopia of sounds and information to share with kids.