Kid Kazooey: News

Dear folks and friends, what do you think? Too fancy? I'm trying out this new e-mail format... we'll see! Anyway, just wanted to let you know a few things:

1/ THANK YOU! For a fantastic New Year's Eve Dance Party! And for buying and enjoying the Lullabye Christmas CD! If you didn't get one, even though the Holidays are basically over (though not the 12 days of Christmas!), you can always still purchase a CD or mp3s directly from my web site.

2/ I'll be at Max's this Sunday, January 8, from 3-4:30p (and every second sunday of the month from 3-4:30pm!) doing my thang, which I like to call "Pizza Parlour Entertainment Extraordinaire"! perhaps you will join me?

3/ I'm now working hard on finishing and releasing The BallRoom Roustabouts CD, "Umpteen Moons" (Started over 9 years ago! I should have titled it "1.5 weeks", but no, I had to go and call it Umpteen Moons! Sheesh!). One of the tracks that I'm very proud of is The Three Eyed Dragon, and guess what? My picture book (a collaboration with artist Joe Lee) of the same name will also be finished and released very soon! I hope to have a BIG CD and Book release party sometime this spring. Stay tuned for more info on that.

4/ Mrs. Kazooey, aka Lara Lynn Weaver, will be singing with The Stardusters Swing Band at The Player's Pub Wednesday, January 11, 7:30-10:30p! You CAN bring kids to The Player's Pub, as long as you sit in the back, which still has a great view of the stage, and sounds good. The food there is yummy as well!

That's all for now. I hope you all know what to do to make the best out of 2012, because here we go!

Peace out homey's,

The Kid

Dear Friends,

with the help of some very talented expediters, I'm thrilled to announce that the recording project I wasn't even planning for, will be in me grubby little hands in time for dissemination at my show this Sunday, 12/11, at Max's, 3-4:30p!



The project is called "Kid Kazooey's Lullaby Christmas Carols". Some of you have already had a listen to the sneak peaks on the web site under the music tab, but if YOU haven't, please check 'em out! They're really sweet. to fill in the gaps a bit, here is the text from my press release on the recording:



"With every music store offering affordable ukulele’s, Eddie Vedder’s “Ukulele Songs” making such a big splash, and a national ukulele festival in Bean Blossom, the ukulele renaissance is perfectly poised to make an impact on our Christmas this year.

Riding the wave of this Hawaiian instrument’s popularity, Kid Kazooey (a.k.a. Kevin MacDowell) purchased a handmade ukulele form the luthier Mickey Sussman while visiting the island of Kauai this summer. “I knew I would have to use it for a Kid Kazooey recording soon, but I couldn’t have guessed then that recording would be lullaby versions of traditional Christmas carols!” says Kazooey. Surely the recording is a bit of a departure from the high energy, low volume rock-n-roll that he has become well known for. “This recording will NOT induce a pre-school mosh pit like what we see at my monthly concerts at Max’s Place!” Kazooey says parents have been asking for a lullaby recording for some time, and he is happy to oblige. The recording goes a long way in illustrating the artist’s musical sensitivity and diversity. MacDowell also plays guitar, accordion and bass, while keeping the ukulele front and center. His wife, Lara Weaver, also contributes flute, and the vocals on the one and only track that is not fully instrumental.

The tracks are like a listing of Christma Carols Greatest Hits, including Joy to the World, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and Silent Night. But there is at least one song that the artist hopes will be brand new to most listeners. “My grandpa taught me a song that he said was his favorite Christmas carol, ‘In the Sky the Stars are Shining’. He dug out an old mimeographed copy of the music for the song that was clearly written out by hand and a very old typewriter. The melody is just beautiful, and I’ve always wondered why I’ve never heard the carol before. I spent a lot of time searching the internet for any mention of this tune and found nothing. Grandpa Schoenle says they sang it every year at Saint Andrews, up in Fort Wayne!”

The recording is set to be released December 10. “I know it’s a last minute offering to the Christmas Music buying public, but I didn’t even intend to make this recording. It just spilled out of me through several all nighters in my home recording studio, and I’m rushing to make it available as soon before the 25th as possible!” The recording will be made available locally at Landlocked Music and The Green Nursery, as well as online at Kidkazooey.com, CDBaby.com and iTunes."



That about says it all! Any questions? See you Sunday!

Happy Holidays!

da Kid

Dear folks and friends,

first let me say THANK YOU! I feel I have been the fortunate recipient of much support and love from you all, especially recently. I don't know if it was that Click Clack Moo thang, or just the fact that I haven't stopped doing this Kid Kazooey thing for the last 16 years! What ever it is, I'm very appreciative and I acknowledge that it is YOU GUYS who are making this so much fun!



OK, nothing wrong with a little sentimentality, right? Moving on to business:



First of all, after doing a little market research, we have brought down the price for the popular program "Band Practice". New and improved price is $5 per kid, or $10 per family. Sorry to say, for now we have no flexibility on the day and time, but hopefully this lower price will bring some more kids out of their nap times! "Band Practice" is my pre-school aged take on programs like 'music together' and 'kindermusic'. It is held at The Green Nursery on Wednesdays at 11-11:30am. you can register online, or pay when you arrive! Here is the link: http://thegreennursery.com/kid-kazooey-s-it-s-time-to-have-band-practice.html


Next, Max's Place and I have finally come around to normalizing my Max's appearances! The Second Sunday of Every Month! 3-4:30pm. Pizza Parlour Entertainment Extraordinaire! Specifically, those dates for the next 4 months are: December 11, January 8, February 12, and March 11 (suggested donation of $5 per family).



Isn't Brown County a pretty place in the winter! Well then come see Kid Kazooey & The BallRoom Roustabouts join forces with the Melchior Marionettes at "The Brown County Play House Children's Christmas Show" on Sunday, December 18, at 2pm! Tickets are $10 per adult and $6 per student. This is a benefit to keep the Brown County Play House open! I have been on the same stage as Melchior Marionettes before, but never at the same time. I always thought it would be great to have the band provide their musical accompaniment instead of the back track CDs they regularly use. Now we have the chance! This will be a GREAT show!



Last thing to mention this time around is Kid Kazooey & The BallRoom Roustabouts celebrate New Year's Eve! Every year we play an early show for families with a simulated (and stimulated!) countdown to mid-nite before it's too late to get the kids to the sitters for the adults late nite out. Join us at Max's Place on Saturday, December 31, 3-4:30pm (suggested donation of $5 per family).



Whew! That's a lot. Usually I have much less to say... time to relax the fingers.

Oh, By The Way, ANY QUESTIONS?!

peace out,

da Kid

Well Gang, Click Clack Moo is over and all of a sudden it feels like I have all the free time in the world! So what will I do with it? Here's what's coming up!



First of all, I'm very much enjoying "Its Time To Have Band Practice" at The Green Nursery, Wednesdays at 11am! Though attendance has been mellow, practice has been rockin'! If you have access to a pre-schooler at that time, you should come and join the band! Check it out! http://thegreennursery.com/kid-kazooey-s-it-s-time-to-have-band-practice.html


Next up, Halloween is coming up, Monday, October 31, which means that Kid Kazooey's All Hallow's Eve Eve Ruckus is also coming up! Sunday, October 30, 2-3:30pm at Max's Place! Though it has been several years since we've done this annual show as an over the top multi media show at The John Waldron Arts Center, we have continued playing a costumed halloween show through the years. I think this year will be the 12th annual!



Beyond that, Max's Place and I are looking at our calendars and will be making my Max's shows more regular. We are leaning towards the 2nd Sunday of every month, 4-5:30p, for Kid kazooey @ Max's. Stay tuned for more news on that!



One last note about FREE KID KAZOOEY MUSIC! I am going to be taking down the free downloads at www.kidkazooey.com by the end of this month! If you haven't already checked 'em out, now is the time to do so! There's alot of fun stuff there right now!



OK, enough is enough. I've bored myself with the click clack of my laptop keyboard and am ready to clean the studio for after-school lessons. Please take care of yourselves, and your wonderful children and families! And as usual:



Any Questions??

Peace and love,

Kid K

Friends, I've just been told that the episode I appeared on for The Friday Zone will air on Friday, October 7, 4:30pm on WFIU, and 4pm on Indy's WFYI! Coincidentally, that is also the opening night for Cardinal Stage's Click Clack Moo production, for which I am the musical director and one man pit band!

Kid Kazooey's "It's Time to Have Band Practice!"
Kid Kazooey’s popular pre-school music program, "It's Time to Have Band Practice!" is being offered for the first time at The Green Nursery! Children and parents/caregivers will learn many traditional children’s songs, explore dynamics, rhythm, and movement. A limited number of children's instruments (Shakers, tambourines, wood blocks, etc...) will be available, but families are encouraged to bring their own if they have them. The Green Nursery has a nice selection of pre-school appropriate instruments. Parents are expected to be present and involved! Classes will be held on Wednesdays from 11-11:30am at The Green Nursery, and cost $10 per kid per class. Pre-register online and save $5 a month by signing up for one month at a time!
Just Follow This Link: http://thegreennursery.com/kid-kazooey-s-it-s-time-to-have-band-practice.html

Kid Kazooey, A.K.A. Kevin MacDowell, is happy to announce that this year his teaching studio will be offering 3 morning workshops during the first 3 weeks and last 3 weeks of summer break! Read on…

Its Time To Have Band Practice! I
Kid Kazooey’s popular pre-school music program is being offered for the first time at Kid Kazooey Studios! Children will learn many traditional children’s songs, explore dynamics, rhythm, and movement. They will also participate with Kid Kazooey & The Ballroom Roustabouts in a performance at People’s Park on Tuesday, June 28 at 11:30am! (Performance is optional)
Ages: 18mos- 4yrs. Parental supervision is required!
Dates: Tuesdays, choose between 9:30-10:15am, or 11:00-11:45am, June 14, 21. Optional performance is 11:30-1pm on June 28
Cost: $20 per child for two 45 minute sessions. (Must pay for all sessions, regardless of attendance! Please try to make all sessions.)
Materials: One or more instruments for you and your child(ren), such as shakers, tambourines, wood blocks, etc…

Its Time To Have Band Practice! II
Same as first session. The optional ‘end of the session group performance’ will likely be a Sunday afternoon at Max’s Place!
Ages: 18mos- 4yrs. Parental supervision is required.
Dates: Tuesdays, choose between 9:30-10:15am, or 11:00-11:45am, July 26, August 2, 9
Cost: $30 per child for three 45 minute sessions. (Must pay for all sessions, regardless of attendance! Please try to make all sessions.)
Materials: One or more instruments for you and your child(ren), such as shakers, tambourines, wood blocks, etc…

Music Theory for Beginners
Children will learn about how scales and chords are made: the nuts & bolts of music theory. They will go over the language of beginning theory as well.
Ages: 10-16.
Dates: Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30am, June 15, 22, 29
Cost: $60 per child. (Must pay for all sessions, regardless of attendance! Please try to make all sessions.)
Materials: One book of empty manuscript paper and pencil required.

Music Theory/ Intermediate
Students will learn about different chord changes in different genres, using the Nashville Number System to analyze them. Participation in Music Theory for Beginners is required unless Kevin says so!
Ages: 10-16.
Dates: Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30am, July 27, August 3, August 10
Cost: $60 per child. (Must pay for all sessions, regardless of attendance! Please try to make all sessions.)
Materials: One book of empty manuscript paper and pencil required.

Audio Theatre I
Children will review different recorded books for effective use of music, sound effects, and dialogue to communicate story. Children will then make their own recorded book, doing all dialogue, music and sound effects themselves!
Ages: 6-15.
Dates: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30am, June 16, 23, 30.
Cost: $60 per child. (Must pay for all sessions, regardless of attendance! Please try to make all sessions.)
Materials: One blank disc required to take home recording.

Audio Theatre II
Same as first session. Participation in session I is not required!
Ages: 6-15.
Dates: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30am, July 28, August 4, 11
Cost: $60 per child. (Must pay for all sessions, regardless of attendance! Please try to make all sessions.)
Materials: One bla

Dear Gang, don't know if I mentioned it, but I've given the nebulous Kazooey Enterprises more intentional clarity, less neb! If you see a show produced by Sylvanus Entertainment, that's me! It's the new umbrella organization I've created in an attempt to draw all that I do under one roof.

This includes not only bands that I lead (BallRoom Roustabouts, Pirate Flags, The Klezmorchestra, The Hoagy Hullabaloos), but also groups that I'm a member of that don't mind if I get them a gig or two on my own (Salaam, PanUSA, The Bufoonski Brother's Polka Ensemble).

Dearest Folk and Friends,

IT'S MARCH! IT'S NO LONGER FEBRUARY! There... had to express myself.



Now, the upcoming gigs: 1/This Sunday, 3/6, 2-3:30p, Max's, solo show.



2/This Tuesday, 3/8, 4-5p, Player's Pub, Kid Kazooey & The BallRoom Roustabouts celebrate Mardi Gras with The Monkey Heads Social Aid and Pleasure Club.



Next, my thoughts on said gigs: So, Saturday nite I'm playing bass with the group PanUSA. It is a private function y'all aren't invited to, which we will be playing Calypso music. However, this is not a party where folks will be shaking a tail feather to our ultimate groovy grooves. Au contraire, mon frere. This is a "Wallpaper Gig"! One where we are like a glorified iPod music player. Some musicians hate these type of gigs. If it was all I ever played, I'd hate 'em too! However, being Kid Kazooey, I rarely have the luxury of no one paying much attention to me! I'm usually doing something very interactive and talking back and forth with the crowd as we all egg each other on towards having a good time! So, this Saturday nite I'm looking forward to doing something for just the three of us musicians on the gig. At least the 3 of us will be happy to be there jamming out some Lord Kitchener.



Segue to my Max's gig this Sunday at 2pm. I sort of kind of don't care if a lot of you are too busy to come! If there are few "Kazooey Heads" there, I can do my very own Kid Kazooey Solo Wallpaper gig! I can play whatever I want and not care who is listening. I can play jazz standards the whole time! I can make a 2 measure loop and wank away to my heart's desire. I can play songs of mine that kids wouldn't "get"... you get the picture. So, its OK if you stay home this Sunday afternoon! Especially if you...



...come to Player's Pub this Tuesday at 4pm to celebrate Mardi Gras with Kid Kazooey & The BallRoom Roustabouts! That's right, you can bring your kids to the player's pub! The Monkey Heads Social Aid and Pleasure Club are once again hosting Bloomington's own Fat Tuesday party and we're opening the thang from 4 to 5! We'll play some Professor Longhair, some Calypso, and some Guy Lombardo! I'm very excited about this one!



Are there any questions for kid kazooey?

#1 The Impossible Shapes is a band with little need for introduction (http://www.theimpossibleshapes.com/index10.html) for many of you. Many of you know of the lead singer/songwriter's passionate and commited role as a pre-school educator? ...

So, my buddy Chris Barth is BDLC's (http://www.bdlc.org/) best kept secret. He's well informed about child development and he loves a silly thoughtful kid's song. When he & I play music together, he reminds of Dr. Seuss's character, Bartholomew Cubbins... ( The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins )

He & I will be performing together at Max's This Sunday 2-3:30p! Bartholomew & The Kid!



And he's from Indy... which is close to Carmel... which is where my old neighbor- honorary member of the family- now lives... which leads me to my next point!



#2 I'll do that solo thing ( "So low!" Let's Limbo! ) at Carmel City Parks & Rec's Monon Community Center next week! Wednesday, 2/23/2011, 10-11AM. If you can tell me who my old neighbor is, I'll play "Limbo Rock" into "Baja", which is a great Calypso Medley! Shall I bring my Looper???



Otherwise, see some of you at The Crazy Horse, Sunday 2/27/2011, 8-10p, with Joe Donnelly & The Indulgences! We have a new song called The Flautist's Daughter ! "Nobody told me..."



que?

Kid Kazue'

Halloween is around the corner and for those of you who like to play creepy music for your trick or treaters, how about this free download from Kid Kazooey!

It's Called Ruckus Rock and you can find it under my Music tab on this web site. Enjoy! It will not be available after Halloween, so act fast!

Stay tuned for more info on Kid Kazooey's All Hallow's Eve Eve Ruckus/family concert on Friday, October 30, 2009 (The night before Halloween)!

All new photos in the gallery of New Year's Eve!

The Ballroom Roustabouts and Bartholomew Cubbins (and 2 of his hats) had fun bringing in the New Year with Bloomington's hip families! [If you liked the new band (Bartholomew Cubbins...), check out the music tab, and listen to us rehearsing the set we played for New Years!]
We had a hand out and got these great responses as to what kids were resolving to do more and less of in the new year!

New Years’ Resolutions
…to do more… ”I want to go to Max’s Place more!”
…and less… “being silly”
-Colin Freeman-Day

…to do more… “Play with Pirates”
…and less… “Go to the Grocery Store”
-Alex Freeman-Day

…to do more… ”Play Tux Paint”
…and less… “Not do E.V. Nova”
-Audrey Freeman-Day

…to do more… ”Math”
…and less… ”Watch TV”
-Raya

…to do more… ”Concentrating @ School”
…and less… ”Talking to other people when I should be listening”
-Isabella Branson

…to do more… “Swimming”
…and less… “Eating Ice Cream”
-Mia Branson

…to do more… “Swim, play, learn an instrument”
…and less… “Times of feeling angry”
-Silas Bailey

…to do more… “I don’t know”, “Write on paper”
…and less… “Not”, “Not no drinks”
-Oliver Bailey

…to do more… “Be more silly”
…and less… “Listening to my Dad”
-Xander Piurek

…to do more… “Reading”
…and less… “TV”
-Jacob Lee

…to do more… “Free time”
…and less… “Eating”
-Brandon Lee

A Book This Nice (I Like Books Because…)
By Kid Kazooey, 11/04/08
First let me say, Go Out and Vote! Thank you! Now, moving right along…
It had been a while since I had written a new song. I went down to the studio and grabbed a guitar and the dry erase board. I had no idea what I was going to write about.
The first thought that popped into mind; I need to pick up the book I placed on hold at the library. Then I thought how much I’m enjoying the books I’m reading right now, particularly Jonathon Strange & Mr. Norrell, by Susanna Clarke. I find the 650’s of the Dewey Decimal System edfying too.
I thought I’d write a song about placing a hold on a book that you are excited to read. I wrote on the board “A Book This Nice…”, and proceeded to write a song that actually never mentions placing any holds on any books. But you gots’ta remember to read between the lines…
At the last Kid K show, Pizza Parlour Entertainment @ Max’s Place, after reading the audience’s responses to their kid k hand-out; “I Like Books Because…” , I debuted the tune. It was a blast. I loved that part of the show. The responses were cute and funny, everybody danced to the new tune, and I knew that we all had made some new friends (and e-mails)!
Of course you’re all eager to read the children’s responses and the new tune’s lyrics for yourselves, so here goes!
“I Like Books Because…”
…I am addicted, so very addicted to the written word(s).
-Katrina Perry. Your Max’s server. 20 something.
…it gives you something to do. They are interesting and fun.
-anon.
…I like them.
-Max. 3yrs old
…they rip.
-Izzy. 1 yr old(?)
…my mommy and daddy read them to me.
-Henry Orahood. 5 yrs old
…they are fun. I like someone to read to me.
-Franklin Orahood. 3 yrs old
…they’re fun to read and interesting.
-anon.
…I like to read it. I want to lay down.
-Owyn Smith. 3 yrs old
…I get to sit in Mommy’s lap.
-anon.
…I love to look at the pictures and hear parts of the story that involve bunnies, circles, stripes, and guys named Michael.
-Lula Borrero. 2 yrs old
…you can look at the pictures and discover what’s happening.
-Petite Dali. 6 yrs old(?)
…they teach me to say no no no.
…they’re hot & spicy.
-Gael. 2 yrs old(?)
Isn’t that rich!? And now the lyrics to the new tune;
A Book This Nice…
by Kid Kazooey 10/30/08

A book this nice, you wanna’ read twice,
And thrice, and four times, and again.
So you check it out and renew it about
Every week until they tell you that you can’t.
I want to open up to the book mark,
I want to smell the pages.
I want to be just like that character that breaks out of cages.
And when you get to the end and they’re rolling the dice,
To be more precise, its paradise, a book this nice.

A book this nice, take my advice,
Is well worth any risk of an overdue fine.
That black and white, its gives you second sight,
But don’t forget to read between the lines.
Chorus

A book this nice, like your favorite spice,
On your favorite day, sitting in your favorite chair,
You hold it in your hand, and you understand
The who and what and when and why and where.
Chorus

Thanks to the folks who made it this far! You must have really wanted to read all of that! God bless ya! Now tell ‘em what they’ve won, Johnny!

A lovely mp3 of the sketch recording for A Book This Nice!

I love and play many different instruments. My favorite is the guitar. The one I've played the longest (34 years) is the piano. The one I'm named after is the kazoo (no duh!). The one I'm having the most fun playing THESE DAYS? The electric bass guitar!

I started playing one 20 years ago when I first got a 4 track recorder. I was recording my songs and recording all the parts, so I taught myslef the bass. As some of you know, the bass is very similar to the guitar. The strings on a bass are just one octave lower than the lowest 4 strings on a guitar. It wasn't hard to learn at all.

Through the years, I've always had a bass around for recording, but I never performed on one. Until last year. My friends in the band Salaam knew that I read music quite well (if I don't mind saying so myself!) and then found out I was a closet bassist. They asked me to play a gig with them, and it went so well that I became a regular member of the band.

Through Salaam, I got the bass gig in a salsa band, Orquesta Son. And due to a busy schedule, the Pirate Flags' regular bassist, Dr. Allen, had to bow out of our Talk Like a Pirate Day gig, and I took the helm and have decided to stay there! I love playing the bass!

Having played 6 string guitar for so many years, switching to an instrument with only 4 strings and only playing One Note At a Time (!), is like being "On Deck" in baseball, warming up swinging 2 bats, then dropping the extra as you go up to bat for real. It's so much easier. AND the bass really helps set the groove with the drums, so you can direct the music more than you can with a guitar.

Check out Orquesta Son, Salaam, or The Pirate Flags to see Kid Kazooey play bass (and sometimes kazoo!).

If you count middle school and high school, it has been over 20 years since I've been in a band that practices every week day! Now, The Pirate Flags do just that. We've been practicing Monday through Friday at high noon in order to learn 25 tunes to play on Friday, September 19, International talk-like-a-pirate-day! While its not EXACTLY a kid's gig, nothing's stopping you from getting a baby sitter!

Been having fun throwing a few videos up on Youtube here and there. Check out Kid Kazooey on youtube! Subscribe to my channel and be the first to new when I post something new!

I've been having a little bit of fun with my new Facebook page. Want to be my friend? First you need to know Kid Kazooey's alias! Sign up for the fan e-mail list and I'll tell you, then we can be FB friends!

I attended a conference called Indie Buzz Bootcamp, put on by the author of the book, Guerilla Music Marketing, this past June in St. Louis. Not only did I meet a lot of motivated and talented musicians, but I also learned alot about promoting, marketing and networking as an independent musician. Now all I need is 1000 fans! That's where YOU come in, eh?