Jack's Big Music Show
Encyclopedia
Jack's Big Music Show is a children's television program
currently airing on the Nick Jr. television network. The show premiered on the same network (then called Noggin) on September 12, 2005. Jack's Big Music Show was nominated for a 2008 Emmy award for Outstanding Pre-school Television Series.
The main characters are Jack, his best friend Mary, and his drum
-playing dog Mel, all of whom are puppet
s. The show takes place in Jack's backyard clubhouse, and centers on the characters' love for music
. Each episode runs without commercials for a duration of approximately 22 minutes. The characters play music in every episode, and are often accompanied by other puppets or human musicians. Each episode also features two music video
s by children's musical artists, except "Super Swell Sing-a-Long" where there was only one video.
According to Nick Jr.'s website:
The show is produced by Spiffy Pictures—David Rudman, Todd Hannert, and Adam Rudman. David Rudman, who also stars as Jack, is a veteran of the long-running public TV children's show Sesame Street
, playing such popular Muppets as Baby Bear, Cookie Monster
, and half of the Two-Headed Monster. Adam Rudman won six Emmys
for his writing on Sesame Street; Mary's Alice Dinnean
and Mel's John Kennedy
are also Sesame Street alums.
The popularity of the show makes the idea of appearing on it attractive to musicians. An executive from Noggin in 2006 said that they're "clamoring to get onto Jack's Big Music Show."
In May 2007, production was cancelled and it was announced that no new episodes would be produced with the last episode being aired on April 1, 2007
. Laurie appeared in all episodes except "Jack's Big Oops!". The music videos are produced by Snap Filmshttp://www.snapfilms.tv in New York.
Musician Cathy Richardson
joins the characters in the clubhouse in multiple episodes, and also provides the voice of Jack's mother, who speaks off-camera with Jack at the beginning of every and end of some episodes. When she appears in the clubhouse, she greets Mel with the catchphrase "What up, dawg?"
In one episode, Chicago blues
legend and guitarist Buddy Guy
appears as the "King of Swing," Jack's favorite musician. In another episode, violinist and vocalist Anne Harris
appears as "Prudence," the music genie who especially loves yodeling
.
Other musicians featured on the show, appearing either in videos or with the puppets, include:
The names Jack, Mary, Mel, and the "Schwartzman Quartet" are references to characters on The Jack Benny Program
(Jack Benny
, Mary Livingstone
, Mel Blanc
, and the Sportsmen Quartet). Other possible name references to Jack Benny Program regulars include the squirrels Sheldon and Leonard (Sheldon Leonard
), Phil the Coo-Coo Bird (Phil Harris
), and Gertrude the Groundhog (Bea Benaderet
's recurring character Gertrude Gearshift).
The ring around Mel's eye is an obvious homage to Pete the Pup
from The Little Rascals.
Hannert says that the music is influenced by Chuck Berry
and the whole history of rock and roll
.
Note: Originally, all songs on Noggin / Nick Jr. performed by Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals, including "Grumpy," "Taxi," "Splashing in the Tub," "Move Your Feet," "Race Ya to the Corner," and "Hello" were credited to David Weinstone. These credits have been updated for the Nick Jr. "Move to the Music" segments that have been produced since the end of "Jack's Big Music Show." Weinstone is the founder of Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals.
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
currently airing on the Nick Jr. television network. The show premiered on the same network (then called Noggin) on September 12, 2005. Jack's Big Music Show was nominated for a 2008 Emmy award for Outstanding Pre-school Television Series.
The main characters are Jack, his best friend Mary, and his drum
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
-playing dog Mel, all of whom are puppet
Puppet
A puppet is an inanimate object or representational figure animated or manipulated by an entertainer, who is called a puppeteer. It is used in puppetry, a play or a presentation that is a very ancient form of theatre....
s. The show takes place in Jack's backyard clubhouse, and centers on the characters' love for music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
. Each episode runs without commercials for a duration of approximately 22 minutes. The characters play music in every episode, and are often accompanied by other puppets or human musicians. Each episode also features two music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s by children's musical artists, except "Super Swell Sing-a-Long" where there was only one video.
According to Nick Jr.'s website:
- The mission of Jack’s Big Music Show is to expose and foster an appreciation of music. Music and musical instruments help children expand their universe and develop memory, language, literacy, and reasoning skills as well as the cognitive, social, and motor skills that are needed to excel in school.
The show is produced by Spiffy Pictures—David Rudman, Todd Hannert, and Adam Rudman. David Rudman, who also stars as Jack, is a veteran of the long-running public TV children's show Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
, playing such popular Muppets as Baby Bear, Cookie Monster
Cookie Monster
Cookie Monster is a Muppet on the children's television show Sesame Street. He is best known for his voracious appetite and his famous eating phrases: "Me want cookie!", "Me eat cookie!", and "Om nom nom nom" . He often eats anything and everything, including danishes, donuts, lettuce, apples,...
, and half of the Two-Headed Monster. Adam Rudman won six Emmys
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for his writing on Sesame Street; Mary's Alice Dinnean
Alice Dinnean
Alice Dinnean-Vernon is a puppeteer and creative writer who works at The Jim Henson Company. Dinnean-Vernon has performed on many children's television shows such as Sesame Street, Bear in the Big Blue House, Cousin Skeeter, and Jack's Big Music Show...
and Mel's John Kennedy
John Kennedy (puppeteer)
John Kennedy is a puppeteer who has worked with The Jim Henson Company since 1990. From 1991 until 2003, Kennedy took over Jim Henson's role of Dr. Teeth, after which Bill Barretta took over in 2005. Kennedy has also voiced Kermit the Frog in Disney Cruise Lines.-Characters:* Dr. Teeth * Multiple...
are also Sesame Street alums.
The popularity of the show makes the idea of appearing on it attractive to musicians. An executive from Noggin in 2006 said that they're "clamoring to get onto Jack's Big Music Show."
In May 2007, production was cancelled and it was announced that no new episodes would be produced with the last episode being aired on April 1, 2007
Guest puppets
- The Little Bad Wolf (appeared in the episode of the same name and "Jack's Big Orchestra")
- The Bongo Birds (appeared in the episode of the same name and "Jack's Big Orchestra")
- The Bugs (appeared in "Bug Love" and "Jack's Big Orchestra")
- Sheldon the Grumpy Squirrel (appered in "The Grumpy Squirrel" and "Jack's Big Orchestra")
- Henry the Monster (appeared in the "Music Monster" and "Jack's Big Orchestra")
- Animal Music Camp (mentioned in "Scat Cat")
- The Squirrels (appeared in "Jack's Super Swell Sing-a-Long" and "Jack's Big Orchestra")
- M.C. Turtle (appeared in "Jack's Super Swell Sing-a-Long")
- Gertrude the Groundhog (appeared in "Groundhog Day")
- Scat Cat (appeared in the episode of the same name)
- Phil the Coo-Coo Bird (appeared in the episode of the same name)
- Leonard the Country Squirrel (appeared in the episode of the same name)
- Spunky the Alien (appeared in the episode of the same name)
- The Schwartzman Quartet (appeared in various episodes)
- The squirrel named Earl (appeared in "Mel's Super Swell Dance Party", "Silly Show", and "Snow Day")
Guest musicians
Most episodes feature a music video by popular children's musician Laurie BerknerLaurie Berkner
Laurie Berkner is an American musician best known for her work as a children's musical artist. Berkner plays guitar and sings in the Laurie Berkner Band, along with pianist Susie Lampert, bassist Adam Bernstein, and drummer Bobby Golden...
. Laurie appeared in all episodes except "Jack's Big Oops!". The music videos are produced by Snap Filmshttp://www.snapfilms.tv in New York.
Musician Cathy Richardson
Cathy Richardson
Catherine E. Richardson , who goes professionally by Cathy Richardson, is a singer and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois....
joins the characters in the clubhouse in multiple episodes, and also provides the voice of Jack's mother, who speaks off-camera with Jack at the beginning of every and end of some episodes. When she appears in the clubhouse, she greets Mel with the catchphrase "What up, dawg?"
In one episode, Chicago blues
Chicago blues
The Chicago blues is a form of blues music that developed in Chicago, Illinois, by taking the basic acoustic guitar and harmonica-based Delta blues, making the harmonica louder with a microphone and an instrument amplifier, and adding electrically amplified guitar, amplified bass guitar, drums,...
legend and guitarist Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy
George "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
appears as the "King of Swing," Jack's favorite musician. In another episode, violinist and vocalist Anne Harris
Anne Harris (musician)
Anne Harris is a singer/songwriter, violinist, recording artist and actor based in Chicago, Illinois. She has independently produced and released four studio albums on her record label, Rugged Road Records: Anne Harris , Open Your Doors , Wine and Poetry and Gravity and Faith . A live album, Live...
appears as "Prudence," the music genie who especially loves yodeling
Yodeling
Yodeling is a form of singing that involves singing an extended note which rapidly and repeatedly changes in pitch from the vocal or chest register to the falsetto/head register; making a high-low-high-low sound.The English word yodel is derived from a German word jodeln meaning "to...
.
Other musicians featured on the show, appearing either in videos or with the puppets, include:
- Yolanda AdamsYolanda AdamsYolanda Adams is an American Grammy- and Dove-award-winning Yolanda Adams is an American [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]]- and [[Dove Awards|Dove]]-award-winning...
- Angelique KidjoAngélique KidjoAngélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo, commonly known as Angélique Kidjo is a Grammy Award–winning Beninoise singer-songwriter and activist, noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos. Time Magazine has called her "Africa's premier diva". The BBC has...
- Andrew BirdAndrew BirdAndrew Bird is an American musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.- Early life and the Bowl of Fire :...
- Buddy GuyBuddy GuyGeorge "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
- Steve BurnsSteve BurnsSteven Michael "Steve" Burns is an American entertainer. He is best known as the original host of the long-running children's television program Blue's Clues.-Early career:...
(formerly of Blue's CluesBlue's CluesBlue's Clues is an American children's television show airing on the Nickelodeon family of channels. The show premiered on September 8, 1996 and airs on Nick Jr. and other channels, although production of new episodes ceased by 2006. Versions of the show have been produced in other countries,...
) & Steven DrozdSteven DrozdSteven Gregory Drozd is an American musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist and lead guitarist for The Flaming Lips.-Early life:...
(of the Flaming LipsThe Flaming LipsThe Flaming Lips are an American alternative rock band, formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1983.Melodically, their sound contains lush, multi-layered, psychedelic rock arrangements, but lyrically their compositions show elements of space rock, including unusual song and album titles—such as "What...
) - Comic Book Heroes
- Guy DavisGuy Davis (musician)Guy Davis is an American blues guitarist and banjo player, actor, and musician. He is the son of actors Ruby Dee and the late Ossie Davis.-Davis' roots:Davis says his blues music is inspired by the southern speech of his grandmother...
- Dirty Sock Funtime BandDirty Sock Funtime BandThe Dirty Sock Funtime Band is a multi-national New York City-based children's music band--"a rock band for kids that really rocks," in the words of Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors, who is a featured vocalist on the CD "Mr. Clown and the Day the Sun Got Wet"...
- Rebecca Frezza
- Hot Peas 'N ButterHot Peas 'N ButterHot Peas 'N Butter is a children's musical group founded by Danny Lapidus and Francisco Cotto, both professional musicians in New York City. Lapidus and Cotto have been best friends since childhood, both having grown up in New York...
- Jerry Lawson and the Talk of the Town
- Khalil Middleton
- The Mighty Weaklings
- MilkshakeMilkshake (band)Milkshake is a rock band that writes and performs songs for children. Milkshake was founded by Lisa Mathews and Mikel Gehl, both members of the rock group LOVE RiOT. After becoming new parents , they found themselves thinking up songs to entertain their toddlers, and consequently recorded an album...
- Elizabeth MitchellElizabeth Mitchell (musician)Elizabeth Mitchell, a Smithsonian Folkways Recording artist, has been recording and performing music for children since 1998. Elizabeth was the first new children's music artist signed to Smithsonian Folkways Recordings in the 21st century...
& Lisa LoebLisa LoebLisa Anne Loeb is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She launched her career in 1994 with the song, "Stay ". She was the first artist to have a number one single in the United States while not signed to a recording contract.Loeb's efforts now include music, film, television, voice-over...
(formerly Liz and LisaLiz and LisaLiz and Lisa was a band formed by Lisa Loeb and Elizabeth Mitchell while both were enrolled at Brown University in the late 1980s. Both women were in the class of 1990 at Brown, and by the spring of 1990 had developed a unique and sweet sound. Loeb wrote most of the lyrics and music, and was the...
) - Music for Aardvarks & Other Mammals
- Jamia Simone NashJamia Simone NashJamia Simone Nash , also known simply as Jamia, is an American child singer and actress.-Private life:Jamia was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia and she is African and West Indian descent. She attended Mason Elementary School, where she participated in a talent show and first discovered her fame...
- Nuttin But Stringz
- Cathy RichardsonCathy RichardsonCatherine E. Richardson , who goes professionally by Cathy Richardson, is a singer and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois....
- Audra Rox
- Sweet Honey in the RockSweet Honey in the RockSweet Honey in the Rock is an all-woman, African-American a cappella ensemble. They are an American Grammy Award-winning troupe who express their history as women of color through song, while entertaining their audience. They have together worked from four women to the difficult five-part harmony...
- Dan ZanesDan ZanesDan Zanes was a member of the popular 1980s band The Del Fuegos and is currently the front man of the Grammy-winning group Dan Zanes and Friends.-History:...
- Trachtenburg Family Slideshow PlayersTrachtenburg Family Slideshow PlayersThe Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players describe themselves as an "indie-vaudeville conceptual art-rock pop band", from the United States. Originally from Seattle, Washington, they are now based in New York, New York.-Overview:...
Influences
In an interview on the Nick Jr. website, Rudman says that The Jack Benny Show was an influence on Jack's Big Music Show (along with The Little Rascals).The names Jack, Mary, Mel, and the "Schwartzman Quartet" are references to characters on The Jack Benny Program
The Jack Benny Program
The Jack Benny Program, starring Jack Benny, is a radio-TV comedy series that ran for more than three decades and is generally regarded as a high-water mark in 20th-century American comedy.-Cast:*Jack Benny - Himself...
(Jack Benny
Jack Benny
Jack Benny was an American comedian, vaudevillian, and actor for radio, television, and film...
, Mary Livingstone
Mary Livingstone
Mary Livingstone , was an American radio comedienne and the wife and radio partner of comedy great Jack Benny . Enlisted almost entirely by accident to perform on her husband's popular program, she proved a talented comedienne...
, Mel Blanc
Mel Blanc
Melvin Jerome "Mel" Blanc was an American voice actor and comedian. Although he began his nearly six-decade-long career performing in radio commercials, Blanc is best remembered for his work with Warner Bros...
, and the Sportsmen Quartet). Other possible name references to Jack Benny Program regulars include the squirrels Sheldon and Leonard (Sheldon Leonard
Sheldon Leonard
Sheldon Leonard was a pioneering American film and television producer, director, writer, and actor.-Biography:...
), Phil the Coo-Coo Bird (Phil Harris
Phil Harris
Harris and Faye married in 1941; it was a second marriage for both and lasted 54 years, until Harris's death. Harris engaged in a fistfight at the Trocadero nightclub in 1938 with RKO studio mogul Bob Stevens; the cause was reported to be over Faye after Stevens and Faye had ended a romantic...
), and Gertrude the Groundhog (Bea Benaderet
Bea Benaderet
Bea Benaderet was an American actress born in New York City and raised in San Francisco, California. She is best remembered for her wide variety of television work, which included a starring role in the 1960s television series Petticoat Junction and Green Acres as Shady Rest Hotel owner Kate...
's recurring character Gertrude Gearshift).
The ring around Mel's eye is an obvious homage to Pete the Pup
Pete the Pup
Pete the Pup was a Pit Bull character in Hal Roach's Our Gang comedies during the 1920s and 1930s...
from The Little Rascals.
Hannert says that the music is influenced by Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
and the whole history of rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
.
Season one
First aired September 2005–February 2006| Episode title | Airdate | Guests | Songs performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Bad Wolf | September 12, 2005 | Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner is an American musician best known for her work as a children's musical artist. Berkner plays guitar and sings in the Laurie Berkner Band, along with pianist Susie Lampert, bassist Adam Bernstein, and drummer Bobby Golden... The Dirty Sock Funtime Band Dirty Sock Funtime Band The Dirty Sock Funtime Band is a multi-national New York City-based children's music band--"a rock band for kids that really rocks," in the words of Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors, who is a featured vocalist on the CD "Mr. Clown and the Day the Sun Got Wet"... |
"Mary Had an Accordion", "The Little Bad Wolf Had a Tuba", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Twinkle Twinkle Little Star "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is a popular English nursery rhyme. The lyrics are from an early nineteenth-century English poem, "The Star" by Jane Taylor. The poem, which is in couplet form, was first published in 1806 in Rhymes for the Nursery, a collection of poems by Taylor and her sister Ann... ", "My Energy", "Music Everywhere" |
| How Mel Got His Groove Back | September 13, 2005 | Cathy Richardson Cathy Richardson Catherine E. Richardson , who goes professionally by Cathy Richardson, is a singer and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois.... Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner is an American musician best known for her work as a children's musical artist. Berkner plays guitar and sings in the Laurie Berkner Band, along with pianist Susie Lampert, bassist Adam Bernstein, and drummer Bobby Golden... Sweet Honey in the Rock Sweet Honey in the Rock Sweet Honey in the Rock is an all-woman, African-American a cappella ensemble. They are an American Grammy Award-winning troupe who express their history as women of color through song, while entertaining their audience. They have together worked from four women to the difficult five-part harmony... |
"Listen to the Animals", "Every Animal Has Its Groove", "Mel the Meowing Dog", "Mister", "I Like It That Way" |
| The Music Genie | September 14, 2005 | Anne Harris Anne Harris (musician) Anne Harris is a singer/songwriter, violinist, recording artist and actor based in Chicago, Illinois. She has independently produced and released four studio albums on her record label, Rugged Road Records: Anne Harris , Open Your Doors , Wine and Poetry and Gravity and Faith . A live album, Live... Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner is an American musician best known for her work as a children's musical artist. Berkner plays guitar and sings in the Laurie Berkner Band, along with pianist Susie Lampert, bassist Adam Bernstein, and drummer Bobby Golden... Hot Peas 'N Butter Hot Peas 'N Butter Hot Peas 'N Butter is a children's musical group founded by Danny Lapidus and Francisco Cotto, both professional musicians in New York City. Lapidus and Cotto have been best friends since childhood, both having grown up in New York... |
"Mel's Musical Trunk", "Prudence", "Yodel", "Under a Shady Tree", "Number 1" |
| The Bongo Bird | September 19, 2005 | Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner is an American musician best known for her work as a children's musical artist. Berkner plays guitar and sings in the Laurie Berkner Band, along with pianist Susie Lampert, bassist Adam Bernstein, and drummer Bobby Golden... Jamia Jamia Simone Nash Jamia Simone Nash , also known simply as Jamia, is an American child singer and actress.-Private life:Jamia was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia and she is African and West Indian descent. She attended Mason Elementary School, where she participated in a talent show and first discovered her fame... |
"Yeah Yeah Yeah" "The Song of the Bongo Bird", "Bongo Bird Beat", "Bongo Bird Lullaby", "I Know a Chicken", "Bongo Bird" |
| Marching Band | September 26, 2005 | Cathy Richardson Cathy Richardson Catherine E. Richardson , who goes professionally by Cathy Richardson, is a singer and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois.... Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner is an American musician best known for her work as a children's musical artist. Berkner plays guitar and sings in the Laurie Berkner Band, along with pianist Susie Lampert, bassist Adam Bernstein, and drummer Bobby Golden... Milkshake Milkshake (band) Milkshake is a rock band that writes and performs songs for children. Milkshake was founded by Lisa Mathews and Mikel Gehl, both members of the rock group LOVE RiOT. After becoming new parents , they found themselves thinking up songs to entertain their toddlers, and consequently recorded an album... |
"Marching Song", "Rain Rain Go Away Rain Rain Go Away "Rain Rain Go Away" is a popular English language nursery rhyme. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 19096.-Lyrics:There are many versions and variations of this rhyming couplet. The most common modern version of is:-Origins:... ", "Rhythms Around You", "Boots", "Bottle of Sunshine" |
| Bug Love | October 3, 2005 | Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner is an American musician best known for her work as a children's musical artist. Berkner plays guitar and sings in the Laurie Berkner Band, along with pianist Susie Lampert, bassist Adam Bernstein, and drummer Bobby Golden... Rebecca Frezza |
"Loud Sound/Soft Sound", "A Pretty Good Bug", "Bugs Are Really Swell", "I'm Me and You're You", "B3" |
| Mel's Super Swell Dance Party | October 10, 2005 | Tracey Ellert Cathy Richardson Cathy Richardson Catherine E. Richardson , who goes professionally by Cathy Richardson, is a singer and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois.... Yolanda Adams Yolanda Adams Yolanda Adams is an American Grammy- and Dove-award-winning Yolanda Adams is an American [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]]- and [[Dove Awards|Dove]]-award-winning... Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner is an American musician best known for her work as a children's musical artist. Berkner plays guitar and sings in the Laurie Berkner Band, along with pianist Susie Lampert, bassist Adam Bernstein, and drummer Bobby Golden... The Dirty Sock Funtime Band |
"Dance How You Like", "The Mel Polka", "Rock and Roll Freeze Dance", "The Me Dance", "I Really Love to Dance", "Dino-Sauring" |
| Space Opera | October 17, 2005 | Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner is an American musician best known for her work as a children's musical artist. Berkner plays guitar and sings in the Laurie Berkner Band, along with pianist Susie Lampert, bassist Adam Bernstein, and drummer Bobby Golden... Jerry Lawson Jerry Lawson Jerry Lawson is a lead singer, producer, musical arranger, performer, best known as the original lead singer of The Persuasions.Born as Jerome E. Lawson in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, he was raised in Apopka, Florida... and the Talk of the Town |
"Mary's Opera", "Space Explorer", "Space Opera", "What Are They Gonna Do About That?", "I'm Not Perfect", "I'm Glad" |
| Grow Daddio | October 24, 2005 | Cathy Richardson Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner is an American musician best known for her work as a children's musical artist. Berkner plays guitar and sings in the Laurie Berkner Band, along with pianist Susie Lampert, bassist Adam Bernstein, and drummer Bobby Golden... Rebecca Frezza |
"Where Is Mary?", "What Will Arthur Grow Up to Be?", "Playin' Jazz", "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary" is a popular English nursery rhyme. The rhyme has been seen as having religious and historical significance, but its origins and meaning are disputed... ", "Running Down the Hill", "H2O + O2 + Sun" |
| The Grumpy Squirrel | October 31, 2005 | Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner is an American musician best known for her work as a children's musical artist. Berkner plays guitar and sings in the Laurie Berkner Band, along with pianist Susie Lampert, bassist Adam Bernstein, and drummer Bobby Golden... Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals (see Note below) |
"It's Fun to Invent Your Own Instrument", "Clap Your Hands", "Lullaby", "Music Is the Best", "I'm Gonna Catch You", "Grumpy" |
| King of Swing | February 6, 2006 | Buddy Guy Buddy Guy George "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation... Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner Laurie Berkner is an American musician best known for her work as a children's musical artist. Berkner plays guitar and sings in the Laurie Berkner Band, along with pianist Susie Lampert, bassist Adam Bernstein, and drummer Bobby Golden... Guy Davis Guy Davis (musician) Guy Davis is an American blues guitarist and banjo player, actor, and musician. He is the son of actors Ruby Dee and the late Ossie Davis.-Davis' roots:Davis says his blues music is inspired by the southern speech of his grandmother... |
"The Welcome Song", "List", "Shama-Lama", "Clean It Up", "New Shoes" |
| The Music Monster | February 7, 2006 | Laurie Berkner Milkshake |
"This Song", "If You're Scary and You Know It", "Monster Boogie", "Scared" |
| Silly Show | February 8, 2006 | Laurie Berkner Hot Peas 'n Butter |
"Twinkle Twankle", "Baloney Sandwich", "We Feel Silly", "Googleheads", "Deep Down" |
Note: Originally, all songs on Noggin / Nick Jr. performed by Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals, including "Grumpy," "Taxi," "Splashing in the Tub," "Move Your Feet," "Race Ya to the Corner," and "Hello" were credited to David Weinstone. These credits have been updated for the Nick Jr. "Move to the Music" segments that have been produced since the end of "Jack's Big Music Show." Weinstone is the founder of Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals.
Season two
First aired January 2007–April 2007| Episode title | Airdate | Guests | Songs performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow Day | January 1, 2007 | Anne Harris Anne Harris (musician) Anne Harris is a singer/songwriter, violinist, recording artist and actor based in Chicago, Illinois. She has independently produced and released four studio albums on her record label, Rugged Road Records: Anne Harris , Open Your Doors , Wine and Poetry and Gravity and Faith . A live album, Live... Laurie Berkner The Quiet Two |
"Beach Party", "Wiki Wiki Hele", "Sing a Winter Song", "Mahalo", "Polar Bear" |
| Leonard the Country Squirrel | January 2, 2007 | Laurie Berkner The Dirty Sock Funtime Band |
"Found Sounds", "We're a Jugband", "Jugband Jamboree", "I Am a Sad Squirrel", "I Am a Happy Squirrel", "Farm Song", "No Good Reason Party" |
| Spunky the Alien | January 3, 2007 | Laurie Berkner The Mighty Weaklings |
"Yo Yo Yo", "Gotta Power Up", "Spunky's Lament", "Fleeber", "Rocketship Run", "Rocketship" |
| Jack Bunny | Anne Harris Anne Harris (musician) Anne Harris is a singer/songwriter, violinist, recording artist and actor based in Chicago, Illinois. She has independently produced and released four studio albums on her record label, Rugged Road Records: Anne Harris , Open Your Doors , Wine and Poetry and Gravity and Faith . A live album, Live... Laurie Berkner Angélique Kidjo Angélique Kidjo Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo, commonly known as Angélique Kidjo is a Grammy Award–winning Beninoise singer-songwriter and activist, noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos. Time Magazine has called her "Africa's premier diva". The BBC has... |
"Mel the Musical Magical Magician", "The Hop", "Bugle Bunnies", "Magic Box", "Wombo Lombo" | |
| Phil the Coo-Coo Bird | January 4, 2007 | Laurie Berkner Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals |
"The Twisty Twist", "The Dance", "Phil the Coo-Coo Bird", "The Coo-Coo Bird", "Who's That?", "Move Your Feet" |
| Jack's Big Oops! | January 5, 2007 | Andrew Bird Andrew Bird Andrew Bird is an American musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.- Early life and the Bowl of Fire :... J. Walter Hawkes Nuttin' But Stringz Nuttin' But Stringz Nuttin' But Stringz, also known as N.B.S., consists of brothers Damien and Tourie Escobar who both play violin. The musicians from Jamaica, Queens play a blend of classical music, hip-hop, jazz and R&B.-Biography:... |
"Strings", "Dr. Strings", "Just Tell the Truth", "What Have I Got to Lose?", "Thunder" |
| Jack's Big Orchestra | Laurie Berkner Dirty Sock Funtime Band |
"Being a Conductor Would Rock", "Sneaks", "Super Spies" | |
| Scat Cat | January 8, 2007 | Laurie Berkner The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players describe themselves as an "indie-vaudeville conceptual art-rock pop band", from the United States. Originally from Seattle, Washington, they are now based in New York, New York.-Overview:... |
"I Have A Friend (Super Swell Friends)", "Scat-Scat-a-Tat-Tat", "The Wiggle Dance", "The Cat Came Back", "You're the One Who's Made for Me and I Was Made for You" |
| Groundhog Day | February 2, 2007 | Laurie Berkner Steve Burns Steve Burns Steven Michael "Steve" Burns is an American entertainer. He is best known as the original host of the long-running children's television program Blue's Clues.-Early career:... and Steven Drozd Steven Drozd Steven Gregory Drozd is an American musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist and lead guitarist for The Flaming Lips.-Early life:... Jon Stewart Jon Stewart Jon Stewart is an American political satirist, writer, television host, actor, media critic and stand-up comedian... |
"Hip Hip Hooray For Groundhog Day", "First Day of Preschool", "When Will Spring Be Sprung?", "I Had a Friend", "I Hog the Ground" |
| Super Swell Sing-Along | March 5, 2007 | Laurie Berkner & Susie Lampert Rebekah Jordan Justin Roberts Justin Roberts (musician) Justin Roberts is a Chicago-based American singer-songwriter of children's music. He performs with the Not Ready for Naptime Players and often collaborates with producer-musician Liam Davis... Lisa Loeb Lisa Loeb Lisa Anne Loeb is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She launched her career in 1994 with the song, "Stay ". She was the first artist to have a number one single in the United States while not signed to a recording contract.Loeb's efforts now include music, film, television, voice-over... |
"Sing-Along Song", "Samba", "Just Stopped By", "Down at the Barbershop", "Green", "I Like to Rap", "This Is Zydeco", "Jenny Jenkins" |
| Laurie's Big Song | March 6, 2007 | Laurie Berkner Comic Book Heroes Leon Thomas |
"Get on the Train", "A Little Bitty Rhythm", "It's Hard to Call an Elephant Without an Elephant Call", "Purple People Eater Purple People Eater "Purple People Eater" is a novelty song, written and performed by Sheb Wooley, that reached #1 in the Billboard pop charts in 1958.-Composition:... ", "Duck 4" |
| Mel's Bath Day | March 7, 2007 | Cheryl Hines Cheryl Hines Cheryl Ruth Hines is an American actress and director, known for her role as Larry David's wife Cheryl on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm. She currently appears on the ABC sitcom Suburgatory... Laurie Berkner AudraRox |
"You Must Take a Bath", "Super Sudsy Bubblestein Bubbles", "I'm a Mess", "I Hope My Mama Says Yes" |
| Jack and the Beanstalk | April 1, 2007 | Tyler Bunch Tyler Bunch Tyler Bunch is a puppeteer, puppet designer, director and actor. In addition to his work for the Jim Henson Company, Mr. Bunch has created and performed puppets for PBS, Nickelodeon, and Disney. He has acted in a few Off Broadway productions and has made appearances on American television shows... Laurie Berkner David Pleasant |
"Up", "Sha-La-La", "Anyone Can Make a Song", "In the Clouds", "Deegah Joyah" |