Kidz Music Blogopottamus

Some time ago I heard Bill Nye The Science Guy say we need more engineers, and it got me thinking about the impact of this statement in today’s world. At the same time, by coincidence, a good friend entered college to study civil engineering, a niece began her studies in microbiology and a cousin is majoring in computer science. These are three outstanding young women pursuing careers in areas dominated by men.

Considering that most of my work as an educator and singer/songwriter is directed toward elementary-age children, I decided to create a project supporting the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum. It is intended to use music, and specifically songs, to excite the kids into thinking about how much fun it could be to learn about these fields and, who knows, maybe think about STEM careers.

The songs became a CD and the CD is transforming into animated videos hosted by a young scientist we call Anny Dallshouse. All this is directed toward children and their families. The goal is to help create a new batch of inspired boy and (especially) girl STEMSTERS!

The challenge in producing this CD was to write songs with catchy lyrics and musical arrangements that are sophisticated and still kid friendly. Thanks in large part to a masterful arranger and producer, Jimmy Hammer, I think we succeeded.

This is truly a labor of love motivated by some exceptional young woman. So thank you girls, and everyone please enjoy our tuneful CONCOCTIONS!

As The Crow
Flies
Caw #23

Spent two weeks in Napoli
In Roma and Capri
A lovely time in Sicily
A place I love to be

In Naples I did several shows
And had good times with friends
The Eisele’s and de Luca’s
The meal never ends

You start with anti-pastas
Linguine then some fish
More pasta then some barbecue
And I love every dish

And though they speak Italian
My Spanish helped me some
We all love to laugh and sing
No matter where we’re from

Went to Mount Vesuvius
And the city of Pompeii
Volcanoes are so common there
Like Etna by the way

I saw Monte Cassino
Where a Dad was in the War
The gray Volturno River
And the Bay of Naples shore

I like Italian culture
The language and the food
But most of all I love my friends
They help my attitude

By: Dan Crow

A lovely time in England
Tracking where I am
With Miles, Me and Kristy
Punting on The Cam

The Cam’s a shallow river
It flows without a dam
In the town of Cambridge
Punting On The Cam

It runs right through the city
And green hills filled with lamb
Past The Colleges of Cambridge
Punting on The Cam

Punting is just floating
Into a boat you cram
It’s really quite relaxing
Punting on The Cam

The boats are long and narrow
And sometimes they go wham
But still it’s very peaceful
Punting on The Cam

My tour of Great Britain
With every guitar jam
I had such fun performing
And Punting on The Cam

I sure enjoy my tours
And acting like a ham
Especially the friends I make
Punting on The Cam

Now home at my computer
I cleared out all my spam
And let this travel blog describe
Punting on The Cam

By Dan Crow

On January 12, 2013, in the middle of a performing tour in Germany, I went to watch the Broncos vs. Ravens playoff game. I was sitting between a German and a Greek Raven fan watching American Football in an Irish Pub in Heidelberg, Germany on Armed Forces Network and this what I was inspired to write.

I’ve loved The Denver Broncos
Since I was just a kid
My Dad bought season tickets
And I’m so glad he did

Our seats were in “The South Stands”
A great view of the field
The stadium a Mile High
So keep your eyeballs peeled

I remember 1960 when
The Broncos came to town
The uniforms were hideous
In mustard gold and brown

They wore the most outrageous socks
The lines went up and down
For those who know, that’s vertical
Still mustard gold and brown

Tripucka was the quarterback
The fans would call him Frank
Cookie Gilchrist ran the ball
Just like a Sherman Tank

The team was in The AFL
The American Football League
The old established NFL
Thought they all were weak

After 1969
The leagues combined as one
And that is when the Bronco team
Started all the fun

They battled with The Seahawks
The Chargers and The Chiefs
The Raiders were the most despised
A team of thugs and thieves

We had so many stars to watch
Floyd Little was the best
Mecklenburg and Gradishar
The Orange Crush passed the test

The Broncos wore new uniforms
Navy blue and orange
I had a poster in my room
Right next to the door hinge

Then came 1983
A miracle from heaven
The great John Elway came to town
The famous number 7

He took us to 3 Super Bowls
Each of which we lost
The Redskins really broke my heart
My confidence the cost

But then came 98 and 9
All our dreams came true
Terrell Davis led the way
For Champion Orange and Blue

Then John Elway quit the field
And went to selling cars
Cutler came and Jake The Snake
But they aren’t really stars

Then Tim Tebow came to town
Providing many thrills
He gave us all the heart he had
But not so much the skills

Nowadays it’s Peyton Place
And Manning is The Man
The Raven loss was such a shock
How much more can we stand

That game was so hard to watch
I’m too dry for a tear
And I never liked that bad cliché
We always have next year!

Dan Crow

by: Dan Crow

Sidekicks and Saddlepals

I have always loved Western Movies and TV Shows. As a little boy I enjoyed watching Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Gene Autry, Rex Allen and Hopalong Cassidy. I especially got a kick out of their comical friends who provided laughs on the dangerous and exciting adventures they shared.

One of my favorites was actor Harry Carey Jr. who went to “The Last Roundup” this past year.

The following ditty is a tribute to all those “Sidekicks And Saddlepals” from my childhood days.

Refrain
Sidekicks and Saddlepals
The western hero’s friends
Sidekicks and Saddlepals
The laughter never ends
For Sidekicks and Saddlepals
Each with their own style
Sidekicks and Saddlepals
The memories bring a smile

Roy and Dale rode the trail with Nelly Belle and Pat

By crackie there was Gabby Hayes, consarn Jehoshaphat
And Pancho always brought a grin to Cisco’s fancy ride
And the Heigh Ho Silver Ranger needed Tonto by his side

Refrain

There was Walter Brennan and The Duke
And Smiley sang with Gene
Then Pat Buttram came along
To steal every scene
There was Chill Wills and Fuzzy Knight
Of course Andy Devine
And Harry Carey Jr.
Was a favorite pal of mine

Refrain

I remember Raymond Hatton
And I remember Andy Clyde
I remember Big Ben Johnson
That cowboy sure could ride
I remember Little Beaver
And I remember Max Terhune
And his little dummy Elmer
Outside the old saloon

Sidekicks and Saddlepals
They never got the girl
Sidekicks and Saddlepals
In a double feature world
Sidekicks and Saddlepals
Make the bad guys pay
Sidekicks and Saddlepals
At the cowboy matinee

By: Dan Crow

AURORA

Fulton Elementary School
And then West Junior High
My home on 7th Avenue
And Aurora Central High

Places that I went to school
Each with their own aura
All are in a memory bank
Of my hometown of Aurora

Yes it is the one you know
Touched by tragedy
A city feeling depths of pain
That was so good to me

The love of family and friends
And girlfriends that I kissed
A place where all my dreams were born
Where nightmares now exist

My memories of playing ball
Tag and hide and seek
The pancake days at City Park
A life not so unique

Aurora is community
I’m proud it was my home
It always is a part of me
No matter where I roam

When this horror took it’s hold
And all those lives were lost
I thought this can’t be my hometown
And what’s the future cost?

I just want all the world to know
This wounded town’s alive
And Aurora, Colorado
Always will survive

By Dan Crow

It’s Spargel time in Germany
I’m here to do some shows
Spargel is asparagus
That stays white as it grows

Spargel can be used in soup
And as a salad base
It’s also good with hollandaise
And I could eat a case

Asparagus is often green
And that is only right
But never let it feel the sun
And that’s how it grows white

I also like the strawberries
They grow them everywhere
Very plump and very sweet
The German word erdbeer (like bear)

One place I have sung a lot
Is one I liked the most
It’s sad that it is closing down
It’s Mannheim Army Post

Used since 1946
After World War Two
The USA will let it go
And the history that it knew

I am so honored to be asked
To do a final show
2,000 students, now just a few
It’s sad to see it go

I’ve been there for the final days
Of more than just one Post
La Maddelena, Kitzingen
And Iceland I miss most

Oh so many changes
And be that as it should
I have always held the belief
That any change is good

By Dan Crow

Performed this Easter weekend
At the LA Zoo
It’s called Big Bunny Spring Fling
And it’s 10 shows that we do

I had my good friend Dennis
He joined me on the bass
The kids can meet Big Bunny
And get a painted face

Sang Friday, Saturday and Sunday

For 50,000 ears
We’ve done this celebration
For 27 years

We met some happy creatures
Like Mario The Goose
And the alligator Reggie
Just last year he got loose

We saw the pink flamingos
And Zebras in a pair
Elephants and rhinos
The Meer cats love to stare

Watched the bears and tigers
The gorilla and his mate
We saw the hippopotamus
And watched him while he ate

The seals were so happy
Swimming in their pool
Giraffes were munching on some leaves
They really like to drool

The people were so happy
While the children sing and laugh
There was lots of dancing
And I learned to speak giraffe

By: Dan Crow

I am back from South Korea
And the great big city of Seoul
Sang at the American School
Some blues and rock and roll

I flew across Siberia
And landed at Incheon
The money that you earn and spend
Is called Korean Won

The people were so friendly
They greet you with a smile
Everyone was dressed so nice
They wore the latest style

I love Korean language
An-yong-ha-se-yo means hi!
Kam-sa-ha-ni-da, thank you
An-nyong-hi-ga-se-yo, bye!

The food was very tasty
They even like Kim-chee
That’s fermented cabbage
And it’s alright with me

I visited a Palace
That’s called Gyeongbokgung
We saw the changing of the guard
And had a lot of fun

So a special thanks to Katie
To Amy and Diane
Karen, Michael and Jenny
My new friends in that land

The last night we had pizza
At a restaurant named Crow’s Nest
I really love Korea
My time one of the best!

By Dan Crow

Another trip to Germany
A favorite place to visit
They say the folks don’t smile much
But that’s not true now is it?

They’re actually quite caring
And willing to assist
But if you’re bad or make a mess

They’ll slap you on the wrist

I love the signs that make you laugh
Because they’re kinda silly
I love to walk in Heidelberg
It’s beautiful and hilly

I often go to Ramstein
And Mannheim and Baumholder
I hope to go for years to come
Of course while getting older

I like the taste of gulashsuppe
And now and then some schnitzel
Brotchen is the word for bread
And bretzel just means pretzel

The German word for vegetables
Is the funny word gemuse
Gemooose is what Deutsche cows eat
That’s one joke you can use a

I did some shows in Schweinfurt
In German that means pigtown
It really is a lovely place
And not a very bigtown

The music is so classical
Like Bach who played the organ
And Beethoven at morning time
That makes a guten morgen

So all and all the Deutsche are fine
And the opposite of awful
And if you like potato salad
It’s salat mit kartoffel