Join Mr. David on Saturday, May 10th for a recorded sing–a–long

If you haven’t heard, Mr. David is recording a new song for kids and their families called Rainbow of Butterflies. For a limited time, we’ll be releasing the song as a single and all proceeds from sales will go to the Campbell Parent’s Participation Preschool here in the Bay Area.

If you’d like to sing with Mr. David on Rainbow of Butteflies (and your a kid between the ages of 3 to 9), please join him at X recording studios at 4:00PM this Saturday, May 10. We have limited room, so please email information(at)mrdavidmusicworks.com to confirm your space.

SATURDAY, MAY 10 @ 4:00PM
STEVE BLAZE RECORDING STUDIO
WITH MR. DAVID

Where: 190 Martha Street, San Jose 95112
(Near So. 5th St. & Virginia)

PRE–ORDER YOUR COPY OF
RAINBOW OF BUTTERFLIES
NOW FOR $10

As for the concert goes, we can only say one thing, "WOW!" What a rush it was to hold a family concert at Santana Row (the height of chic, urban shopping in Silicon Valley) and have an entire park filled with fans who were singing, dancing and just rock’n out. For us, it was vindication of what we’ve been working so hard on for more than four years. In this business of music, it can get disheartening to put yourself out there again and again and wonder if it’s ever going to pay off or if anybody is really getting what you’re trying to do. On this beautiful evening, we realized that they did. (Tears are welling up right now as I write this.)

What struck us most about the evening was the energy that was present, an indescribeable feeling of community and appreciation for what we were all sharing. And what was most beautiful was that families and friends, all ages, were sharing the experience together, devoid of any of the negative trappings of your traditioanlly rock concert. I’ve been to many concerts and music festivals, where people are "in the zone," but often get to that point only with the help of alcohol and drugs. Here, we had fathers and daughters dancing together like they were in the middle of Coechella, and they were doing it with a free spirit. When you watch these kids dance and enjoy the music with nothing more than the openess of their hearts and minds, it makes you wonder why as adults so many of us feel that we need to alter our state of mind in order to enjoy a concert.

Mr. David and I sat at breakfast in Santa Cruz the morning after the concert, and I asked him if he would ever change over to "adult music,"  the traditional, mainstream rock tour route, if given the opportunity. I said, "if someone came up to you and asked you to go on tour tomorrow, but then said that you would have to give up the music you’re doing right now, would you do it?" He said absolutely not. "What I’m trying to do with my music is something bigger than just one particular category or genre. I’m trying to make music that everyone will want to listen to, whether they’re four or 80. I really don’t think of my music as ‘just for kids.’ It’s for everyone."

When I thought about the audience the night before, I realized he was right, and it was working. Mr. David was reaching people, entertaining them and giving a rock concert they just had to stop and listen to, regardless of their age. I’m telling you, we had people dancing who had no kids at all among the dozens of children and moms and dads. That’s powerful!

I’d love to hear everyone else’s thoughts and comments about the concert. If you were there, let us know what you thought about it. If you have photos, please post them to Flickr and tag them with "Mr. David Concert at Santana Row." We’ll pull these into the blog so that we can share with everyone. And thank you all for coming to the concert and making it such a success!

Tawnya

When: Saturday, September 1 @ 7:00-8:00 p.m.
(Come early to get your seat.)

Where: Santana Row Park Valencia
(In front of Maggiano’s)

Here’s a direct link to the event listed on the San Jose Mercury News page:

Come early to get your seat–around 6:30 pm–we think this one is going to be full.

Everyone is invited to come, and its free. Bring a blanket or lawn chair (low ones please) and enjoy an outdoor concert in the Santana Row’s Park Valencia (in front of Maggiano’s). It’s going to be great fun.

We’ll be giving away prizes, including signed copies of the new CD, t-shirts, Mr. David balloons and more! We’re also donating 20 percent of all CD sales during the launch party to a local nonprofit for kids (we’re still finalizing the details on this, but will let you know).

Jump in the Jumpy House goes on sale August 25th at CD Baby, Amazon.com, MySpace, The Pokey Pup, and other retailers. Visit www.mrdavidmusicworks.com for a complete listing. We’re already starting to get reviews rolling in . . . and they’re great! Here’s the first from CD Baby . . . read more.

If Jonathan Richman were to make an album for kids, I imagine it would sound something like this. With a lyrical approach that is sharply stream-of-consciousness and keeps tongue planted firmly in cheek, these songs are bizarrely appealing, unassumingly witty, and never dull.