Tonight, as we cheer on the nominees for the 59th Grammy Awards whose music plays in our car when our kids aren’t in it, we’ll also be rooting for the nominees whose music often is — and with good reason. This year’s Grammy nominees for Best Children’s Album are nothing short of awesome.
We don’t envy the voting members of the Recording Academy — how can you pick just one of these? — but the good news for us is that we don’t have to.
Here’s a look at who’s up for a Grammy this year in the children’s music category. They’re all winners to us.
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Related: Our absolute favorite kids’ music of 2016
Explorer of the World by Frances England
We declared our love for Frances England’s newest album just last month, but we’ve been fans of her hands-down unique folk-indie music since the beginning. Her songs are lyrically beautiful, musically interesting, and universally appreciated by all family members.
Infinity Plus One by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
There was no way we couldn’t include this album on our list of best kids’ music of 2016; the group’s music is decidedly funky and beat-heavy. But the songs go deeper than typical children’s tunes, with lyrically entrancing songs that explore topics such as the intergalactic journey of Carl Sagan’s golden record.
Novelties by Recess Monkey
The picture of Recess Monkey (at top) is pretty much a dead giveaway as to the kind of silly fun and upbeat music you can expect from this Seattle kindie band. In this album, the trio plays lively, dance music with funny lyrics that we dare anyone of any age not to adore.
Press Play by Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could
Here’s another one of our fave kids’ music picks from 2016, but — real talk — we’ve been raving about Brady and the band since at least 2009. The songs strike us as catchy, old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll that appeals to kids and parents alike. Like what could happen if Bruce Springsteen met up with Bob Dylan for a jam session.
Saddle Up by The Okee Dokee Brothers
We singled out this album for its potential as the perfect road music, and we still stand by that. The Grammy-winning duo spent a month traveling westward — on horseback, no less — writing bluegrass and folk songs for the album along the way. The result is a banjo, guitar, fiddle-filled fun.
I am an independent artist, husband, father of 3, and dentist that really wants people to hear the kids music I produced. The album is called kidsBeat. It is very different than most kids music. The songs are nursery rhymes, but set to styles of adult music. Please take a listen. My sampler youtube video link is as follows:
https://youtu.be/hF0Hk8cqa4Y
Please let me know what you and others think. Yiir feedback would be appreciated. Thank you!
Hi! This is such a great post. I am making a kids album that is fresh and original ? I am hoping parents will love it as much as kiddos.
Check it out!!!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1878885008/in-the-eye-of-the-owl-kat-white