We think Billy Kelly is most hilarious. Not only is he hilariously witty, he’s also a do-gooder and we like do-gooders.

Check out BK’s newest EP, Dear Santa Claus and you guessed it…it’s an EP full of Christmas songs!

Here is a video for the song Glebells Jing! off of the EP:

Big deal, right? Well…YEAH! It IS a big deal, especially when you’re purchasing it for a good cause (I just bought my copy). Check it:

All proceeds from the sale of this 5-song EP will be donated to Camp Victory, a wonderful non-profit camp for wonderful kids who are chronically ill or physically challenged.

The EP consists of these five cheery, holidayish songs

1. That’s How You Know It’s Christmas
2. A Doozy of a Christmas Eve
3. Dear Santa Claus
4. Glebells Jing!
5. Let’s Make Christmas Last

Dear Santa Claus is available on iTunes and Amazon. All the ohwayoh!

Now, I like me some Josh Caterer songs all year round but more specifically, right now at Christmastime.  Josh just put out a new Christmas EP called The Heart of Christmas.  You should own it, like, now.  It’s perfect tree-trimming and gift-opening holiday music.  Another one of my favorite holiday albums also happens to be from Josh and his old band, Duvall.  I do highly recommend checking out that album, as well (O Holy Night).

Back to the brand new EP.  Love it.  Knew I would.  Know you will too.  It’s $4.95 via iTunes or $4.45 via Amazon – but if you’re really cool (like us), you’ll purchase it along with a t-shirt or ornament (or both) from Josh’s webstore.  Josh is cool, too.  Did you know that he’s the singer of the legendary Chicago punk band Smoking Popes?  So, yeah.  He’s also got that going for him.

While I completely dig all five songs on the EP, Conroy the Gingerbread Boy happens to be a personal favorite.  It’s about, you guessed it, a gingerbread boy.  It’s a cute and quirky song about a gingerbread cookie boy that comes to life – not because of a magic hat but because of red hots for his eyes!  Just listen to the song and you and your kids will get a laugh out of it, just like we do.

I am hoping to catch Josh on tour at his acoustic performance in Chicago this December.  If I do, I will be sure to share some video footage, as he puts on a great show.

*And, of course, I couldn’t think of a better time to shamelessly plug Eric’s Christmas songs.  It’s been a rough month, as he was just laid off from his job.  I, for one, am happy he took some time to record these festive songs for us.  We’re not going to let this bump in the road spoil our holiday.  These acoustic cover songs are a little traditional (think White Christmas and Silent Night), a little punky (think Alkaline Trio and Dear Landlord), and there’s also one original.  You can get them for free here.  Please show him some love, peeps.  He’s @cystsfts on Twitter.

Peace and go get Josh’s new EP!

Smile is Mike Park’s debut kid’s album.  Mike Park has been putting out music on his punk record label, Asian Man Records, for quite a while. He’s married, has kids and runs his business out of his parent’s garage. He had a vision and his vision became a big success.  I have been a huge fan of Mike Park, the person, for a long time.  I am now a huge fan of Mike Park, the guy who wrote a great kid’s album.

Smile is everything I want to listen to with my kids.  It’s my kind of music and is completely enjoyable for all of us.  If you like punk rock, indie, pop, and ska, you’re just gonna love the entire album. Here are a few of my favorite tracks: Turn Off the Lights, Everybody Loves to Jump and We All Live at Animal Park. The entire album of 12 songs is really fun and upbeat. We kinda can’t stop listening to it…ever.

Mike and I had a Skype interview the other day.  I babbled, rambled and stumbled, like always.  He was super friendly and it was such an honor to speak with someone I have admired for so many years.

Here is our interview, including all of my spectacular video editing skills. The interview stops abruptly and that is because we filled up an entire 8 gig SD card.  Hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did – oh – and when you’re finished watching the interview – you should totally order a copy of Smile.

PS: Make sure to watch the entire interview, as Mike makes a special announcement somewhere in the middle!

Mike performing “We All Live at Animal Park” for us via Skype:

Here is a stop-motion video that Mike’s friend put together for We All Live at Animal Park:

On their website, The Boogers claim to be “the world’s most dangerous kids band.” They don’t play death metal so that might not be 100% accurate, but The Boogers do play some of the finest punk rock for kids I’ve ever heard. The band’s 2nd album Let’s Go! is filled with 13 songs of fast and hard-driving Ramones-core that will appeal as much to punk rock parents as it will to the youngsters. In addition to their originals, the band tackles classics like “Pop Goes The Weasel,” “Big Rock Candy Mountain,” and “London Bridge” and transforms them into sing-a-long punk rock songs. But wait, there’s more…

The Boogers aren’t just your average punk rock band. The trio is the brainchild of musician and developmental psychologist Paul Crowe (aka Crusty Booger) who spent time touring with a punk band and shared the stage with both Dee Dee Ramone and Marky Ramone. The songs on Let’s Go are simple but totally fun and will have your kids dancing around the living room and asking for a leather jacket and some Chuck Taylor’s. Heck, I’ve even found myself humming the melody from “Otto” a time or two.

By: Eric

*Cross-posted from Can You See The Sunset?

(Feature photo from The Boogers Facebook Fan Page)

In the Nick of Time is Nick Deysher, aka: “The Toddler Whisperer” and he has compiled an album of music geared toward little listeners that will have them rocking, hopping, swaying, and bopping to the music.  Nick does a great job combining an array of different genres in his fifth and newest release, “Making Silly Faces”.

I can dig this album because I grew up listening to music from the ’60s right on up to today’s current hits.  I’m an underground music lover at heart, but I can still appreciate what artists in all the different genres are doing.  It’s all a form of art, and I like art.  I like Nick’s style and his approach to kid’s music.  He’s got the right idea.  The idea is, you don’t have to dumb-down music for kids.  He’s exploratory with different styles of music and I like that about him.  I personally really like his “Punk Rocks” song.

Making Silly Faces can be found and purchased at Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes and here on the In the Nick of Time Music website.

We’ve been listening to the above two albums all summer.  Kids World Party sort of became our album of the summer.  Whenever we’d fill up the baby pool in the backyard, we would play it and pretend we were having a summer beach party (which, we pretty much were).  The music on this compilation is eclectic, performed by artists from across the ponds.  It’s super upbeat and the kids really enjoy it.

The artists appearing on Kids World Party are:

• Pakita (France)
• Solana (Hawaii)
• Famara (Switzerland)
• PALO! (Cuba/USA)
• Asheba (Trinidad)
• Sharon Katz & The Peace Train (South Africa)
• Tom Freund and Friends (USA)
• Lucky Ali (India)
• Will Stroet (Canada)
• Monedita de Oro (Mexico)
• Balentes (Italy)
• Eric Bibb (USA)

Then there is Acoustic Dreamland.  This lullaby album may be marketed toward kids but I’ll have you know, this adult can’t get enough of it.  A couple of my favorite artists who appear on this compilation album are, Liz Mitchell and Frances England.  Then there is the awesome cover of Wilco’s, My Darling, by Mark Erelli.  A very pleasant album, perfect for downtime.  A highly recommended purchase.  Don’t pass this one up.

The artists appearing on Acoustic Dreamland are:

• Lucy Kaplansky
• Victor Johnson
• Elizabeth Mitchell
• William Fitzsimmons
• Kesang Marstrand
• Frances England
• Mark Erelli
• Rosie Thomas
• Daniel Martin Moore
• Hem
• Rick Scott

Putumayo puts out lots of great kid’s music compilation albums.  Check out their catalog and see for yourself.

I should start out by telling you that I’m a bit biased about this band.  I met Drew, Daron and Jack (Recess Monkey) last year at Kidzapalooza, where I fell in love with their animated personalities, charm, and above all, their music.

The Recess Monkey guys pound out album after great album.  Their music and lyrics don’t sound forced, as in, catchy songs just seem to come naturally to these three friends. Their musical chemistry is undeniable and as someone with children who often listens to family-friendly music, I fully appreciate that.

Flying is Recess Monkey’s follow-up to their 2010 hit album, The Final Funktier.  From pop to funk, there is something for everyone on Flying.  Tor Hyams (producer of the album) lends his kick-ass musical talents on multiple songs.  When asked if he used a real drill for the sound effect in “Toolbox”, Hyams’ reply was “Yup.” (a man of many words).  Kindie rockers Molly Ledford (Lunch Money), Chris Wiser (Sugar Free Allstars), Chris Ballew (Caspar Babypants), Justin Lansing (Okee Dokee Brothers) among others also make guest appearances throughout the new album.

Here’s the track listing:

1. Flying (I had a sneak peek of this one during a recording session.  You can listen/view that HERE.)
2. Day Job
3. Covered in Band Aids (Accident prone children for the win!)
4. Sidekick
5. My Valentine (I say, why wait for V-day?  You should profess your love for your pet fish 365 days a year!)
6. Bravest Kid in the World
7. Your Favorite Book
8. Toolbox
9. Grandmom’s house (We personally love the kid doing background vocals who screams “Grandma!” in a very high-pitched shrieking voice.)
10. Invisible friend (Guest vocalist: Molly Ledford of Lunch Money)
11. Flapjacks
12. Bunk Bed (Do wop!)
13. Super Stuffies (Anyone hear of Ted Leo? This song kinda reminds me of his music.)
14. Flying (Reprise)

The new album is totally worthy of owning.  You can trust me on that one.

Putumayo Kids – Acoustic Dreamland

Putumayo Kids – Kids World Party

Recess Monkey – Flying!

The Dirty Sock Funtime Band – Sock-A-Delic

Hullabaloo – Road Trip

Beethoven’s Wig – Sing Along Piano Classics

Recess Music – Wild Child – Celebrate Earth Music Series

In the Nick of Time – Making Silly Faces

Ted Jacobs – Back to the Garden

Rocknoceros – Colonel Purple Turtle

Ben Rudnick & Friends – Live in Lexington

I’m sure we can all find a ton of reviews of the above albums elsewhere, which is cool, but I like to listen before I read those reviews and then give my own first-hand opinion of them here.  So, stay tuned…they’re coming!

I remember last year’s Lollapalooza festival like it was yesterday.  I remember when the weekend was over, how I couldn’t wait for this August to get here.  We made a ton of great memories and a bunch of new friends at Lollapalooza 2010.  It was most definitely an unforgettable experience.

I’m so happy that it’s finally here again!  Lolla is this weekend and celebrating its 20th anniversary to boot.  My favorite part of the festival is Kidzapalooza (year 7!), for obvious reasons.  We’re bringing both of the girls tomorrow and I hear the weather is supposed to be fantastic.

Hailey had a blast last year.  It will be fun to have both of the girls with us this year.  This is Teagan’s first Lolla and Hailey’s…third!  Lucky kids.  I love that they get to experience a music festival like this.  There are so many fun things for them to do in the Kidza area.  I’m sure both girls will have their hair punked up a bit, learn some hip hop with the Q Brothers and rock out to the awesome bands on the family stage.

In case you weren’t aware, I do quite a bit of the online social outreach for Kidza.  So, you’ll find me updating the Kidza Twitter account, Facebook page, blog, website, etc. all weekend long.  There are some great acts this year, like, Big Bang Boom, Kate Diaz, Ralph’s World, Northbrook Garage, etc.  I’m so excited to see them all!

So, whatever you’re doing this weekend, I hope it’s an inspiring one!  Hard to believe it’s August and the kiddos start school again soon.  Time flies…

Hailey in the VIP area of The National's set - Lollapalooza 2010

We’ve taken our oldest daughter to a dozen or so concerts, two of which were Lollapalooza.  As you may or may not know, I do some social media work for Kidzapalooza, the family stage at Chicago’s Lollapalooza festival.  I noticed at the festival last year that some of the kids had headphones on and I made a mental note to get some for my kids, since we love taking our girls to places like Ravinia, Schubas and The Beat Kitchen for their family-friendly concert series.

I made my mental note and immediately thought of Baby Banz.  The have great sun-protection products for kids, including; sunglasses, goggles, hats, etc.  I was stoked when they added the Banz Ear Muffs to their product line.  Anyone who enjoys going to things like, fireworks, races, concerts, movies, etc. with their kids should consider getting these noise-reduction headphones.  Our kids recently used them at a concert…

…and at our local fireworks display this past July 4th

The 2 year old sometimes wears them around the house and magically, she quiets down.  I kind of dig that about these headphones.  I’ve tried them on to see how my hearing was affected and they definitely reduce noise but not to the point where when wearing them, you cannot hear.  So, your children will still be able to hear you talking to them (even if they claim they can’t).  The background noise is reduced making the environment much more comfortable for their little ears.

WIN IT!

We have a pair of Baby Banz Ear Muffs up for grabs.  To enter, leave a comment on this post.  We’d love to hear what music festivals you’ve been to, even if it’s just a small fair in your home town.  What do you love most about outdoor concerts?  Maybe you haven’t been to one yet, which one(s) would you like to attend?

Second chance entry – “Like” Baby Banz on Facebook, so you can keep up-to-date on their ever-so-awesome sun-protection and hearing protection products.

Third chance entry – Leave a comment on Baby Banz Facebook page, linking to our ParentSphere page (to do so, you’ll have to “Like” ParentSphere on Facebook, too).  After you’ve liked both of us, you can leave a comment that you’ve entered to win a pair of earmuffs @parentsphere

This giveaway is valid within the continental U.S.  Enter until and through Thursday, July 28th.

*Congratulations to our winner, commenter number 26, Lacy!