If you’ve ever come to a library show and heard me play a song called
3 Little Fishies, you know that the moral of the story is “LISTEN TO YOUR MAMA!” And then kids stand up and point their finger at me and yell, “YOU listen to YOUR mama!” Please rest assured that I do listen to my mama. Absolutely.

Included is a picture of my favorite mom in the whole world. My mom, Marion, is pictured with my son, John, about twenty years ago. She now lives in Minnesota and I call her every week. And when mom talks, I listen. And speaking of 3 Little Fishies, my mom used to sing it to me when I was a kid. And when I started singing with children, it was one of the first songs I learned. I still think of her when I sing it. My mom is where my musical talent came from. My mother is the one who introduced me to the Beatles, the Byrds, the Band, and most of the music I still love today. She’s the #1 influence in my life. And my #1 fan. I love my mom with all my heart. I could go on and on. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms. I hope it’s a beautiful day for you and your families. The End.

Happy Earth Day, everybody. I hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather and warm temperatures. It’s so nice to sit outside in the morning and relax with a cup of coffee while my cat chases all the bugs in the backyard. And what a relief after a couple of crazy weeks. That’s behind me now and while I love what I do with all the music, I appreciate a quiet moment or two with my favorite planet. April 22 is International Mother Earth Day and it’s observed in 175 countries each year. Started in 1970, this year marks the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day. So go outside, feel the dirt and grass between your toes, take a deep breath of springtime air, and say thank you to good ol’ Mother Earth. If you’d like a little music to go along with it, click the “Free Music” tab at the top of the page and sing along with the song “This World.” Oh yeah…

Please remember that I’ll be back at the Pocket-Greenhave Library this Tuesday, April 24, starting at 11:00 am. And later that same day, we can all get together at Belle Cooledge Library starting at 4:00 pm. Two on Tuesday. And then, Valley Hi Library on Thursday, April 26, starting at 4:00 pm. Thank you all for coming out to see me, saying hello, singing some songs, doing a little dance, and getting your hand stamped. Happy Earth Day and I hope to play your favorite song for you soon.

Spring break ended up being a restful week of finishing some new songs, meeting with my friend/producer/engineer, Scott, meeting with a new friend, Missy, getting some chores done around the house, and enjoying the start of another season of baseball (go Dodgers). I had a nice, long phone conversation with my brother on his birthday (April 6) and prepared myself for what is turning out to be a very busy two weeks for me. Here’s what’s coming up on the schedule…

It’s taken me a while, but I’ll be returning to the Land Park Preschool for some music time there on Monday morning. Later on, I begin one of my most favorite music residencies that I do with kids. Get ready 6th graders of Sutterville Elementary. It’s time to go “Back to the Notes.” This is a program where I link the musicians that the students are reading about in class to the music they wrote/performed in their prime. We’ll talk about Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington all the way up to current stars including B.B. King (pictured) and Eric Clapton. It’s going to be fantastic.

But that’s not all. Since it’s the 2nd Tuesday of April (4/10), I’ll be driving out to Fair Oaks Library for some singing and dancing fun starting at 11:30 am. It’s always a fabulous time when I visit there. Then off to Belle Cooledge Library (Tuesday at 4:00 pm) and on to Valley Hi Library later in the week (Thursday at 4:00 pm). Singing at the libraries is fun.

Also this week, I’ll be passing out application forms for my after-school Sing-A-Long Club program at Sutterville School. We’ll be meeting on Wednesday afternoons until our concluding concert during Open House festivities in the middle of May. Wow.

But wait, there’s more. Ending off the week on Sunday, April 15th, I’ll be back at Fairytale Town for another “Literacy Days – Read Around Fairytale Town” music extravaganza. Music sets will start at 12:00 pm noon and 2:00 pm on the Mother Goose stage. If you missed the Dr. Seuss birthday concert, here’s a chance to redeem yourself. If you were there then, come again. After that, on Sunday night, I’ll be making my way to Harlow’s to see one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Todd Snider.

Does that seem like there’s a lot going on? You betcha. But I wouldn’t miss any of it. Thanks for coming to the libraries and singing along. And I hope to see you at Fairytale Town on the 15th.

The End.

Spring has sprung and spring break is here. From now until Easter, I’ll be kicking back on vacation. There still will be music at Belle Cooledge Library on Tuesday, April 3, at 4:00 pm. And I’ll be singing songs at Valley Hi Library on Thursday, April 5, at 4:00 pm. But where I won’t be playing music is tomorrow, Saturday, March 31, at the Great Land Park Egg Hunt. Since it looks like rain, the live music, face painting, and carnival games have been CANCELLED. If you still want to look for (muddy) eggs, the egg hunt is being offered under canopies. And any kid who wears a festive hat will recieve a small gift bag for the effort. As Chicago Cub fans say, better luck next year…

Have a good spring break, a Happy Easter, an excellent first week of baseball, and I’ll see you all in April. Thanks.

Easter Sunday is April 8th. If you would like to begin early and find extra eggs this year, I know a great place to start. On Saturday, March 31, the Land Park Community Association and the City of Sacramento present another fabulous Great Land Park Egg Hunt and Hat Parade. You’ll find games, face painting, a visit from Mr. Cottontail, and music by you know who. The festivities start at 9:30 am with the Hat Parade at 10 am. Then the Egg Hunts begin at 10:30 am sharp. No fooling around. Set your alarm clock and don’t miss the fun.

Please bring a basket, your most fantastic hat or bonnet, and your beautiful sing-along voice. It all takes place near Riverside Blvd. between 12th and 13th Avenues. Make a wish for good weather. I hope to see (and hear) you all there at this wonderful event. And the best part… it’s FREE. For more, go to www.landpark.org.

In other news, the music continues at the 4 libraries where I currently sing. The Sing-Along Club at the Valley Hi Library meets every Thursday at 4:00 pm through the first week of August. Music time at the Pocket-Greenhaven Library keeps going until August 2013 (!) on the last Tuesday of each month starting at 11:00 am. Belle Cooledge Library holds their music time each Tuesday at 4:00 pm and attendance has been fantastic (thank you). Fair Oaks Library hosts the Sing-Along Club during the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 11:30 am until June 12. The next week, music time goes weekly on Fridays (starting on June 22) for the rest of the summer or until August 17 (whichever comes first). The libraries are a great place to get together and sing some songs. Thanks for your participation. And the kids seem to like the new “Mister Cooper” hand stamp, don’t they?

Another big “thank you” to everyone who came out to Fairytale Town to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday. What a beautiful day it was. I’ll be back for the same type of program on Sunday, April 15. 2 more sets of music starting at 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm. I plan on featuring some brand new songs at this show. A new kid CD is in the planning stages, so come on out and give a listen. I hope the weather will be as nice as it was the first week of March.

If there seems to be a lot of music going on now, it’s because there is! Check back here often and be sure to come to a show near you and say hello. Thanks again in advance…

Most of the music I make throughout the year involves kids who range in age between 3 and 7 years old. For all preschools, libraries, and most elementary schools, I sing “songs that teach” during my weekly visits for a 30 minute music program. It’s what I do and I love my work.

It’s a little different at Sutterville Elementary. Though I do sing with the preschool, kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade classes at this school, once they leave for the 3rd grade, I stop seeing them on a regular basis. I still say hello when I see them around the campus, but I miss the connections made during their earliest years at school.

This week, I start my “Gold Rush in Song” residency with the 4th graders at Sutterville. It’s one of my favorite programs that I present. The kids are back from Coloma, where they visited for a hands-on learning experience about the California Gold Rush. Then I go into each 4th grade classroom for 3 visits to sing authentic gold rush era songs, reinforcing what they’ve recently learned. There’s a writing prompt assigned and a concluding assembly for all students. It’s a fun and informative program. But the best part is that I get to reconnect with my fabulous 4th grade friends. I can’t wait. Eureka!

There is a BIG day coming up soon that keeps getting BIGGER each year. That day is March 2 and it’s Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Hooray! And as if that wasn’t enough, it’s also “Read Across America” Day, which calls on every child and family in every community to celebrate reading. This makes the month of March “Read Across America” as well as “Read Across California” month.

But wait, that’s not all. Friday is also the release date for the new Lorax movie. Based on the book written by Dr. Seuss, it’s the story of an industrialized society and the danger it poses to nature. I saw the trailer and it’s looks good.

There are many fabulous festivities planned across our great country, but I’d like to mention a few of them that are taking place right here in our backyard. On Friday, the Belle Cooledge Library (starting at 3:30pm) is having a big party (with cake). Also on Friday, the Fair Oaks Library (starting at 4:00pm) is having a birthday bash for my favorite doctor. What better place could there be to celebrate reading than your neighborhood library?

On Saturday, March 3, Fairytale Town is planning a fantastic celebration called “Read Across Fairytale Town” with a Dr. Seuss theme. Activities and crafts will be presented to all. The topic of music and literacy will be discussed during two musical performances by you know who. I’ve learned two authentic Dr. Seuss songs (written by him in 1967) for the occasion. I’ll be starting the songs at 12:00pm and 2:00pm. Hopefully, you can join in with the fun. And be sure to sing along…

In other news, I have been asked to perform the children’s music entertainment again this summer for the “Music In The Park” concert series. More information will be coming later, but be sure to circle Sundays, June 24 and August 26 on your calendar.

Please remember to check the “Live Performances” page for all dates and times. Just click the link at the top of this page. It’s all good. Thank you all for your continued support of my music. I hope to see you soon. Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Spring is right around the corner and the temperatures continue to rise each week. As much as I enjoy playing music indoors at a school or library, I really look forward to singing outside in the fresh air. So, I am pleased to announce some wonderful outdoor events coming up where you can join me for extra sing-along fun. I’ll have lots more information soon about each one. In the meantime, please mark your calendars now and get ready to pack up the kids for family entertainment under the sun. OK? OK.

Saturday, March 3 – “Read Around Fairytale Town” celebrates Dr. Seuss’ birthday (performances at 12 pm and 2 pm). Visit the Fairytale Town website for more info. I am in the process of learning a few authentic Dr. Seuss songs to sing. Wow.

Saturday, March 31 – Land Park Spring Egg Hunt (9:30 am – 11:00 am). Besides the Egg Hunt, there’s a fabulous Hat Contest, face painting, and music by guess who.

Sunday, April 15 – “Fairytale Town Literacy Days” (performances at 12 pm and 2 pm). Two more performances on the Mother Goose Stage. Songs about learning through music.

Friday, June 8 – Belle Cooledge Library Ice Cream Social (6:30 pm – 7 pm). I’ve been waiting all my life to play at this fantastic event. Join me for a triple scoop of fun.

I hope to see you at one, more, or all of these shows. Much more is being planned. Thanks and stay tuned…

One of the best things about music time at the library is that it’s free to everybody. Anyone can come to Belle Cooledge Library on Tuesdays at 4 pm, or Valley Hi Library on Thursdays at 4 pm, and join in with the Sing-Along Club. And you can come to Fair Oaks Library on the second Tuesday of every month at 11:30 am or the Pocket Greenhaven Library on the last Tuesday of each month starting at 11:00 am and do some Freeze Dance with me.

This music program was created and designed for all preschoolers, older siblings and their grown-ups. Kids can get used to playing around other kids and make new friends. Parents and grandparents can ask each other questions about all things children. It warms my heart to see a little community growing at your community library. And it’s FREE.

If you are enjoying the music or any of the other fabulous programs presented at the library, the best way to say so is by becoming a “Friend of the Library.” Simply click here and fill out the online application. You can choose which library you’d like to support. It’s easy and very much appreciated. Tell ‘em Mister Cooper sent you. Thank you for everything…

Schools get two weeks off for winter break. This year, because of the way the calendar worked out, I was still singing with kids right up to Friday, December 23. Inside, it seemed like I should’ve been on vacation or shopping. And then, since Monday, January 2 was a national holiday, I had all of last week off with nothing much to do. I wanted to sing with everybody all week long. It was very unsettling.

Today, all of that ends. It’s back to school. No more Christmas songs (too bad, my favorite part of Christmas is the music). Instead, it’s more “songs that teach.” Kindergartners will be singing the “Days of the Week” song both forwards and backwards along with the “B A Bay” song popularized by the 3 Stooges. And I’ll be starting two songs about Martin Luther King with all students. And many more that reinforce what they are learning in the classroom. It’s a fun and exciting time of year for me at the schools and preschools.

Thanks to everyone who comes out to their local library to sing along. Tomorrow (Tuesday, January 10), I’ll be at both the Fair Oaks Library (starting at 11:30 am) and later at Belle Cooledge Library (starting at 4 pm). This Thursday (January 12), I’ll be back at Valley Hi Library (4 pm start time) and on Tuesday, January 31, I’ll be singing at the Pocket Greenhaven Library (new start time – 11 am!!!). Please be sure to request a song if you have a favorite you’d like to hear. I’d be happy to sing it for you.

I hope we all have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012. See you soon…