Kids Music by Billy Jonas – a Funky Folk Sound

Cool Children's Music Kids and Grown-Ups Both Love to Listen to

Aug 22, 2009

Billy Jonas' newest CD release, "Happy Accidents" continues his tribal, re-percussive, danceable, family fun sounds.

Listening to music from Asheville, NC's Billy Jonas makes the audience of grown-ups and kids want to clap their hands, stomp their feet, sing right out, move to the music, shake their booties, and bang along on anything close at hand. He's a one-man funky folk party—accompanied by a band of many—making music parents and children love to hear.

Happy Accidents

Happy Accidents is Billy Jonas' second CD of music for children and families. His first family CD, What Kind Of Cat Are You?! garnered praise from all corners, winning a Parent's Choice Gold award among other accolades. Included on it is the title song "What Kind Of Cat Are You?!" a lyrical game of call and response all about "cat" words ("What kind of cat has a thousand legs? CATERPILLAR!"), as well as other favorites like "Some Houses" and "Watermelon".

On Happy Accidents, also a Parent's Choice Gold award-winner, Billy has crafted a song sequel to "What Kind Of Cat Are You?!" with "What Kind Of Dog Are You?!" which poses similar call and response questions and answers about not only "dog" words, but also "cow", "yak", "pig" and "bee" words — "What kind of bee rocks a lobster? B52s!"

Educational Music that Entertains, too

Billy's music for kids isn't merely fun and games, though. His tunes are also educational songs. On Happy Accidents he includes songs designed to teach children how to deal with tricky situations, like the inspirational "Eyes Wide Open"; a song that teaches Spanish with a hip-shaking Latin groove, "Cabeza"; and the "Vitamin Alphabet" that teaches letters. His songs also enlighten and enliven like the beautiful "Hollow Bamboo".

The music is sent airborne by Billy's found sound "industrial re-percussion" homemade instruments. He crafts many instruments out of recycled goods—water bottles, oil drums and other found objects—to create his tribal rhythms.

Also included in the mix of Happy Accidents are kalimbas, marimbas, tuba, banjo, accordion, body percussion, as well as the more traditional guitars, bass and piano.

A host of local and national musicians are featured on Happy Accidents including David Wilcox, Moira Smiley, and The Fire Cracker Jazz Band.

See Billy Jonas Live

If you have a chance to catch Billy Jonas in concert don't miss the opportunity. Audience participation is fundamental—to be in the audience at one of Billy's shows is to be a member of the band. Billy Jonas tours throughout the US, playing large festivals as well as smaller venues. Check the Billy Jonas website for his show schedule.

Buy Billy Jonas CDs and download songs through CDBaby, Amazon, and other online music sites.

Cool Music for Kids by Other Artists

Parents and other folks on the lookout for cool children's music might also like to check out articles about alternative rock legends They Might Be Giants' latest offering for kids, Here Comes Science, and the soundtrack to Spike Jonze's Where The Wild Things Are movie with music by Karen O of the Yeah. Yeah, Yeahs.

The copyright of the article Kids Music by Billy Jonas – a Funky Folk Sound in Children's Music is owned by Mary Robinson Crews. Permission to republish Kids Music by Billy Jonas – a Funky Folk Sound in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.