This past weekend, the family and I joined the huge downtown party that was the J&R Jr. Grand Opening Kidstravaganza! The girls were able to watch live performances from Laurie Berkner (!!), The Little Maestros (!!) Farmer Jason (!!), The Dirty Socks Funtime Band (!!!), plus meet Dora & Diego (!!). The girls were so happy and tired once we brought them home, especially with their bag full of J&R Jr. books, puzzles and toys that we also picked up during the afternoon. Check out the pics below and scroll down to read my interview with Farmer Jason and my giveaway of his new CD “Nature Jams”, which released February 7th.
At the end of Farmer Jason’s live performance, I had a few minutes to catch up with him before he left to kick-off his family concert tour across North America and Europe to promote his new CD, “Nature Jams”, which you’ll have a chance to win. Details below.
You’re a Dad to three girls, right?
Yes, they are 22, 14 and 11 years old.
Back in the day, you were part of a band where your audience was made up adults. What was the transition to kids music?
I had two young daughters ten years ago and I wanted to make a record for them. What started it was singing [to them] at night and [when I was] at home.
How do you balance being a Dad and being a performer?
It’s hard to be on the road when kids are growing up, but I love doing it and it keeps the mortgage paid, so you motivate yourself. I try to balance things the best I can. When they were younger [they traveled with me] but they’re in school now.
What’s the difference between writing songs for adults and writing songs for kids?
You have to be catchier with kids; have to drive that hook home. Can’t be too literary, has to be real direct.
What’s next for Farmer Jason?
We are going to start touring, getting in the trenches and showing the record to the people. We start off in Monroe, Michigan – [the tour] starts Tuesday 2/14.
For more tour dates and information, check out Farmer Jason’s website.
{GIVEAWAY}:
One lucky reader will win Farmer Jason’s new CD, “Nature Jams”.
{HOW TO ENTER}:
Mandatory Entry: Visit Farmer Jason’s Facebook page and “Like” it. Come back to leave a comment saying that you did it.
Extra Entries:
- 1 extra entry for visiting J&R Jr.’s Facebook page and “Like” it. Come back to leave a comment saying that you did it.
- 1 extra entry for answering the following question correctly: Which rock music band does Farmer Jason (real name Jason Ringenberg) also play for? Write your answer in a comment below.
You must be at least 18-years-old to enter the giveaway. Open to U.S. residents only. One (1) winner will be chosen at random. The winner will receive one (1) copy of Farmer Jason’s CD, “Nature Jams.” Deadline for the drawing will be on Friday, March 2, 2012 at 11:59PM EST. Winner will be notified via email and must respond within 24 hours to claim the prize.
Good Luck!
For more information on Farmer Jason and his upcoming tour dates, click HERE. To purchase his new CD, “Nature Jams” click HERE.
“Nature Jams” is a kid-friendly album with 16 original songs and four music videos. Farmer Jason collaborates with guest artists such as Brandi Carlisle, Mike Mills (of R.E.M.), Hank William III, Tommy Ramones (of The Ramones), Tom Petersson (of Cheap Trick), Todd Snider and more! The song styles range from rock and roll to jazz to folk.
J&R Jr. is located at 1 Park Row, 2nd floor, in the Financial District, NYC.