Chapin, Tom
Dazzling instrumentalist and family-oriented entertainer. Fink, Cathy & Marcy Marxer
Their choice of children's songs is often on the homiletic side, but their recent recordings of traditional songs mark a better direction. Sweet voices and solid instrumental work.
Gemini
Twin brothers Sandor and Laszlo Slomovits play original and traditional folk music from around the world. Awards from the Parent's Choice Magazine, etc. Good lyrics for kids and adults. Harley, Bill
Irreverent and very funny, this sometime NPR correspondent delivers what kids want, not the moralizing, educational stuff most adults think they should listen to. Jennings & Ponder
Vermont duo, Tim Jennings and Leanne Ponder has a compelling storytelling CD called World Tales - folk tales recorded live at Bennington College, accompanied sparingly by harp and concertina. Jonas, Billy
Used to be half of the Billy's, now going solo with a wacky array of percussion instruments. Warm, thoughtful songs full of witty wordplay, though sometimes too intent on a message. Madsen, Gunnar
Madsen's been described as "cutting edge" in children's music and her recent CD, "Old Mr. Mackle Hackle" won the 1999 Parents' Choice Gold Award and an Amazon.com Editor's Choice. Polisar, Barry Louis
Irreverent humor that doesn't condescend to kids - very much in the vein of Shel Silverstein. Raffi
Canadian Website of Universal Music has a good site for performer and writer Raffi Cavoukian. If Raffi's universally known and loved children's songs are not folk music, nothing is. Rogers, Sally
Once a wonderful singer (and writer) of traditional and tradition-based songs for all ages, Sally is now mainly a young children's performer focusing on "educational" songs and songs co-written & performed with kids. Seeger, Pete
Pete generally writes and performs for adults, but has made some of the best kids albums - probably for that very reason. Get Abiyoyo. Silverstein, Shel
Nobody knew kids better than this late poet/songwriter, or better understood Twain's warning against moralists and pedants. Shel is irreverent, conspiratorial - though sometimes misogynistic. Nice site. Trout Fishing in America
This quirky pair are among the best songwriters and performers for kids, though they have a huge fanbase of adults too.
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