FIRST DAY IN THE STUDIO...

Well, my drummer Billy is amazing. He got me through 12 songs yesterday in a 7-hour marathon session at the GORGEOUS Markosa Studios. I mean really gorgeous! Mark Thies is a great engineer and bass dude.
My brother, Sean, was able to even cut one song last night and he comes in again today to play piano on several other tracks.
Enjoy the pics!

We start again today and go until next Thursday. It sounds great!

MOO JUICE RECORDING BEGINS!

Ok, the time is finally here for MOO JUICE!
I start recording the new CD tomorrow and can't wait. I've got some wonderful musicians working out of Markosa studios with Mark Thies producing. (Mark will also be playing bass for me. You may have seen him as part of the Hiccups--Jim Cosgrove's band.) I'll be in the studio for the next couple of weeks.
I'll be posting some new pics of the process soon.
Here's our musician list:
Funky Mama
Billy Brimblecom-Drums
Sean Tatschl-Piano
Joe Athon-Sax
Melissa Athon-Flute
Michael Foiles-Banjo
Tulsa Read-Harmonica
Ernest James- Zydeco Accordion
Mark Thies-Bass
Various family members forced to participate, too. :)
Also, we have OVER 200 reserved already for the CD release party in July! There's always room for more (at least, up until 300 folks).

Funky Mama updates! KC JIGGLE JAM, CD RELEASE PARTY

An update on the CD release party:
We have 130 reservations already! Woo hoo! Tell your playgroups, mom-friends, and preschool directors to get the Funky Mama word out.

ALSO: The Kansas City Jiggle Jam is ready to rock this summer at Crown Center Square! Jim and Jeni Cosgrove have organized the 1st KC kids and family music festival with some national and local names. Look at the website: www.kcjigglejam.com and plan on coming out! I'll be playing there on both weekend days!! I think I might be opening for Justin Roberts, but that's still TBA. The only way to get KC kids' artists out there is to promote, promote, promote. If you have relatives outside of KC, call them, email them and tell them about Jim Cosgrove, Funky Mama, Dino O'Dell and The Doo-Dads. If you want to see us on Noggin or the Disney Channel, we have to grassroots this thing! Support your local melodymakers!

Here's a video of two of my preschool students. They are rockin' out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVVv4v_JzuY

VIDEOS OF FUNKY MAMA IN ACTION!

"Grandma's House"

"C'mon Hear the Drum!"
Thanks so much to Maggie with andtheducksaid.blogspot.com for taking this snippets of some fun times!

"Grandma's House video"

"White House Easter Egg Roll 2007 Footage"

YEA CD RELEASE PARTY SPONSORS!

I have some wonderful sponsors on board for the CD release party on July 12:

BROOKRIDGE DAY SCHOOL
www.brookridgedayschool.com

AND...

HOCUS FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY
www.hocusfocusphoto.com


AND....



LR Creative
www.lrcreative.net


AND...

The Chestnut Fine Arts Center of Olathe, KS
www.chestnutfinearts.com

Thank you so much!

FUNKY MAMA CD RELEASE PARTY AND CONCERT!

I want to tell you more about my new CD--"Moo Juice."
It's going to be straight up rock n' roll (thanks to many great musicians and my new Gibson ES 135 Kick Bootie guitar!) and I can't wait to get started. We go into the studio in March and will be ready to release it at a party on July 12. It's at my church, Southminster Presbyterian, in Prairie Village, 6301 Roe Ave. Just email me at funkymamamusic@hotmail.com to reserve a spot.
It'll be so, so fun. Snacks for the kiddos and great music for all! $2.00 per child; $4 at the door without a reservation.We'll have some giveaways, too! Let me know if you need more info.
Now...about the songs on Moo Juice:
17 of them---rock out with your little ones. I think this one will be my favorite.
I've been asked, "Is the popcorn song on there? Is the down, down, baby one on there?" The answer to both questions is YES!! Most of what I play live now will be on this CD PLUS some fun new ones NO ONE except my family and a few patient friends have heard.

GRANDMA'S HOUSE VIDEO

I think we've deleted the Grandma's House video off our website, so here it is:

You can also find it on YouTube. Just search for Funky Mama Grandma's House.

Thoughts on places I play....

As Funky Mama, I get to visit many, many preschools, daycares, and schools. I think this is a great place to talk about them.
I get to have an interesting vantage point as a singer in front of a lot of educators and kids. I can immediately get a "vibe."
Here are some memorable places where I've seen a lot of love going from the careproviders to the kiddos. Remember, these are just my humble observations on a few places. I know there are wonderful childcare facilities all over the metro area:

1. Congregation Beth Shalom 14200 Lamar, OP, KS
I love this place. Let my bias be known. I teach music there and adore the teachers. They love kids--bottomline. Besides, the education they give as a preschool is second to none.
The director, Judy Jacks Berman, greets each kid by name and gives them a kiss on the head. The teachers take children into their laps and freely cuddle and seem to love it! It's funny how many places I visit where I see teachers look so tired and can't seem to muster energy for the kids.

2.Village Preschool (Village Presbyterian Church) Prairie Village, KS
Bias again. Patty Zender, the director, has to be one of the most kind-hearted, dynamic, and warm educators I know. Don't get me started! The teachers, too! Wow. Warm, loving and firm with the kids. And understanding. A well-respected preschool of which I love being a part.

3. Brookridge Day School 9555 Hadley, OP, KS
The director, Mary Beth Daley, who I think is awesome, was one of the first educators to give Funky Mama a shot and I will always appreciate that. (She also rides a girly scooter to and from work!) The place is fun and the folks are enthusiastic and caring.

I know everyone has their favorites. These are just a few of mine. We should talk librarians, too. They rock! What unsung heros for kiddos especially in the summertime.

(Thanks, Tina for the pic.)

Karate Mama

In my song, "Tomboy," there's a line that says: I like karate...
Well, it's absolutely true.
I not only like karate, I LOVE it. I've been involved with Bushidokan (now Hartley's American Karate) since I was a kid. And if any of you out there wonder how I got back into shape after both of my big boys, karate is the answer.
I'm going to post some pics and things when I get a moment about this, but I just wanted to share.
Karate is like putting your brain and body on recharge. I swear, it's my mommy-therapy.
If you want a great school to try out, let me know. I teach Thursdays at Hartley's American Karate at approx. 135th and Nieman (behind Planet Fitness). It's such a great workout for mind, body and spirit. (By the way, most of these pics were from my Shodan/black belt test in November. I swear, I thought a part of me died a bit. Never been so injured or sore, but proud, nonetheless. The man in the picture at left is Sensei Jim Harrison--the founder of Bushidokan in America. He's my instructor's instructor. A very scary dude. He bites.)