A band I knew in college (as in made up of fraternity brothers, I'm in a professional music fraternity) has a Kickstarter campaign going to make a kids' album. They are a New Orleans styled brass band (horns, sax, drums, tuba, bass and guitar) that play some raucous bar tunes on a normal night. But as they've gotten to be my age and have had kids and have friends/fans who have kids, they've been asked to tone it down for some family events. So this led to the often heralded turn to a kids' album. I think it's great. What could a couple preschool boys like better than loud brass blaring a heavy beat? and for me, it's some of the best jazz musicians I've ever heard. so I'm supporting this project because I want the album and they're pre-selling it. But I'm also supporting the idea of bringing that kind of music into the kid genre.

Obviously, they're not the first, last or even noteworthy on the big stage of XM Kids Place Live. Let's name some others. Ziggy Marley's Family time. They Might Be Giants has a few, including the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Hot Dog Song. Barenaked Ladies Snack Time. and my favorite, Asylum Street Spankers put out Mommy Says No. All great albums from great artists. Even Jonathon Coulton put out that great tune The Princess Who Saved Herself.

What crossover artists are we missing and who should do a kids' album who hasn't yet?

I was reminded of this by Daddy Brad's recent music rant on the DL blog. One problem of putting something I like in, say Californication by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is that often times the words aren't something I want my kids experiencing and figuring out just yet. So it's good to have screened or kid targeted albums handy.

The band recorded last weekend and I'm excited about getting this CD again. This video from the recording session and I think it shows the spirit of the venture. I imagine it was difficult keeping the language clean enough.