photo: C. Taylor Crothers
Today, Keller Williams releases his sixteenth album — and first-ever album for kids and families — appropriately titled Kids. With Kids, Keller once again breaks new ground, staking out his next conquest: the absolute adoration of the under-10 crowd and their parents, caregivers, and relatives.
Kids has already been warmly embraced by such kids’ music tastemakers as Stefan Shepherd (Zooglobble), Amber Bobnar (Boston Children’s Music), Pamela Brill (Rockabye Baby Music), and syndicated columnist Lee Littlewood (Kids Home Library). Stefan Shepherd wrote that Kids “immediately shoots to near the top of my most-anticipated albums list.” Declared Amber Bobnar, “It almost sounds like something from Stomp or Blue Man Group that just builds and builds on itself. It’s really a trip!” Lee Littlewood included Kids in an “Incredible New Music for Kids” column, writing, “Williams’ high musical standards make Kids a superb CD for all ages.” Enthused Pamela Brill, “This CD blends Williams’ love of bluegrass and rock to create a unique sound that will resonate with listeners of all ages. What we like is that his music really gets it … he knows how to capture his listeners’ attention—and how to hold on to it.”
When Keller Williams addresses kids in song or words, it’s with extreme sincerity, respect, and more than a dash of his famous quirky, tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. Every song on Kids clicks into a kid’s world, from the bouncy, two-beat “Taking a Bath” to the compellingly hip speak-singing of “Horseback Rider” and “Grandma’s Feather Bed” to the catchy, rhythmic, danceable “Keep It on the Paper.” Keller’s infectious good humor and the compelling joyfulness of his songs invite young listeners to freely sing, dance, and play along, becoming true partners with his legendary creativity.
In conjunction with the release of Kids, Keller Williams is releasing his first children’s book, Because I Said So. Based on Keller’s song by the same name (included on Kids), the story is told through the eyes of “L’il Keller,” who learns that you can’t always get what you want, and there isn’t always a good reason why! Enhanced by the cleverly drawn illustrations of Fredericksburg, Virginia artist Bill Harris, Because I Said So is humorous, colorful, and wise. Included with the book is a CD containing the song “Because I Said So.” Because I Said So is available at www.kellerwilliamskids.net.
Also this fall, Keller expands his touring horizons to include kids and families, joining the Yo Gabba Gabba Tour as a “Super Music Friend” at select shows in the Pacific Northwest and California. Keller is one of many acclaimed artists joining Yo Gabba Gabba’s fall tour; also confirmed are Pretty Lights, Steel Train, Kid Koala, Big Head Todd and The Monsters, The Saltines, and others. Keller’s list of Yo Gabba Gabba tour dates is included below.
Keller Williams’current list of tour dates is as follows:
Friday, November 5 Rick’s Cafe Starkville MS
Saturday, November 6 Rock For Hunger Orlando FL
Wednesday, November 10 WOW Hall Eugene OR
Thursday, November 11 Wild Buffalo Bellingham WA
Friday, November 12 INB Performing Arts Center Spokane WA Yo Gabba Gabba! Live
Friday, November 12 Knitting Factory Concert House Spokane WA Keller Solo
Saturday, November 13 Tacoma Dome Tacoma WA Yo Gabba Gabba! Live
Saturday, November 13 Neumo’s Crystal Ball Reading Room Seattle WA Keller Solo
Sunday, November 14 Memorial Coliseum Portland OR Yo Gabba Gabba! Live
Sunday, November 14 Aladdin Theatre Portland OR Keller Solo
Monday, November 15 Hult Center for the Performing Arts Eugene OR Yo Gabba Gabba! Live
Wednesday, November 17 Humboldt Brews Arcata CA Keller Solo
Thursday, November 18 Memorial Sacramento CA Yo Gabba Gabba! Live
Thursday, November 18 Harlow’s Sacramento CA Keller Solo
Friday, November 19 Blu Nightclub – Montbleu Resort Lake Tahoe NV
Saturday, November 20 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA
Sunday, November 21 Bill Graham Civic Auditorium San Francisco CA Yo Gabba Gabba! Live
Saturday, November 27 State Theater Falls Church VA
Thursday, December 2 Avalon Theatre Easton MD Keller Williams Kids Show
Saturday, December 4 Stage One Fairfield CT
Sunday, December 26 Fredericksburg Field House Fredericksburg VA SPCA Benefit
Wednesday, December 29 The Norva Norfolk VA
Thursday, December 30 The National Richmond VA
Friday, December 31 Neighborhood Theatre Charlotte NC
www.kellerwilliams.net
