Eric Herman Brings the Party Animals to Life

Lots can happen in five years. Father Time is a tricky dude. The last time Eric Herman released a CD (2009's WHAT A RIDE!), our son Ben was eight years old. His brother Matt was... well, he wasn't even around in theory or concept.

A five-year recording gap opens Herman for a whole lot of questions, all of which get shut down in a heartbeat with the answer that his wife, Roseann, passed away in June 2013. Father Time can play some nasty tricks indeed.

The new CD, PARTY ANIMAL, lightly touches on the theme of mortality, through "Alive!" Herman's anthem for his departed spouse (although not conceived as such, since they wrote it together). And Roseann lives on through her contributions to many tracks on the CD that she either co-wrote or inspired. There's a dichotomy to having such a maudlin cloud hanging over a children's music CD. Perhaps that's why Herman sticks to business-as-usual, which involves deconstructing behavior and the simple joys of childhood.

Herman dives right in with "Up All Night," wherein the youthful vocalist strives to celebrate New Year's Eve (spoiler: He doesn't make it). The celebratory theme continues in "Party At My House," a cautionary tale for any parent attempting to save money by hosting a children's birthday event in their home. And where would you be without "A Million Ways to Play"?

Herman and his "Invisible Band" don't have many sharp edges. They're more interested in storytelling than double entendres. PARTY ANIMAL skews for younger audiences, with sparkly guitars and Partridge Family-esque keyboards.

Despite having to use a magnifying glass to examine the lyrics and liner notes on the CD case (they're not on the website as of publication), I am psyched to confirm the guest appearances of such West Coast recording artists as Recess Monkey, Caspar Babypants, and DidiPop. The first two enliven the surreal "Mime TV" and the latter harmonizes on "Can We Buy a New Car (So I Can Have a Balloon?" I somewhat reasonable request if you're under six years old:

I'll patiently wait 'til all the paperwork is done,
Then I'll hold that balloon until I'm 71.
A car is only for a while, balloons are forever.

The closet psychologist in me would infer that the balloon is a symbolic stand-in for something else.  But that's just me, I guess. PARTY ANIMAL literally flies by (in less than 30 minutes). It's almost like the CD is a summation of all that happened in the past five years and now Herman is regrouping to move forward. You can't beat Father Time, but Eric Herman has found a way to make him dance.

PARTY ANIMAL is available on June 3 through Herman's website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Here is the new video for Herman's song, "How Big":

Ben's Playlist - Monday, June 24, 2013

Heroes – Glee
I Wanna Party – Hot Wings
Chickens and Dinosaurs – The Ukulady
Good Dreams Come True – DidiPop
Can't Keep Johnny Down – They Might Be Giants
I Love Music (feat. Wordsmith) – Rhymezwell
Twirl! Twirl! Twirl! – Mr. Leebot
Mothership – Mr. Saxophone
Ice Cream Soup – Jambo
Yeah! – Cat Doorman

Ben's Playlist - Friday, June 14, 2013

Brilliance – The Underbirds
Good Dreams Come True – DidiPop
Zou bisou bisou – Gillian Hills
Superhero You – Steve Songs
Mr. Blue Sky – Billy Kelly & The Blah Blah Blahs
Kiss You – One Direction
I'm So Glad – Alex & The Kaleidoscope Band
Superman – Glee
Escalator – David Tobocman
Punkin' Patch – Andy Z
No Homework – The Bazillions

Ben's Playlist - Thursday, June 13, 2013

Tonight I'm Getting Over You – Carly Rae Jepsen
Turning Tables – Adele
eBay – Weird Al Yankovic
My Happiness – Chris Isaak
My Old Pajamas – DidiPop
BreakfastvRatboy Jr.
Fart Like a Pirate – Papa Crow
National Fossil Day – Jeff Wolin
The Science Fair – Ashley Albert
Begin Again – Taylor Swift
Stand Up – Kira Willey

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Bunny in the Moon – DidiPop
Last First Kiss – One Direction
National Fossil Day – Jeff Wolin
Bag of Dreams – Steven Courtney 
Burning Coffee – They Might Be Giants
Grumpy Boy – Steve Songs 
Sacagawea – The Deedle Deedle Dees 
I Knew You Were Trouble – Taylor Swift
Candy Shop – Ethan Rossiter And The Jamberries  
El Jefe – Mexican Institute of Sound

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Little Little Baby – The Harmonica Pocket 
My Old Pajamas – DidiPop
Sunny Christmas – Renee & Jeremy
The Scientist  – Glee 
Chasing Pavements – Glee
Try it – Milkshake
Worms – Dog On Fleas
Burning Coffee – They Might Be Giants
Stand Up – Kira Willey    
Talkin' Bout Love – The Little Rockers Band      
This Is the New Year – Ian Axel

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Winter Wonderland – Renee & Jeremy
My Old Pajamas – DidiPop   
Sunshine – Vered
count them as they go  – Justin Roberts 
Water – Ozomatli 
Anything Could Happen – Ellie Goulding   
Superman – Glee   
Mammal – They Might Be Giants
Worms – Dog On Fleas   
Love Song – Sara Bareilles

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Turning Tables  – Adele
Good Dreams Come True  – DidiPop      
Are You a Mirror (...Or a Window?)  – Quiet Company
Let 'em Know  – Milkshake 
Pizza pie  – Nick Cope
Let's Go  – Matt & Kim
Just Not Me  – The Hipwaders 
Celebration  – They Might Be Giants
Chloe  – Grouplove

Ben's Playlist - Monday, March 11, 2013

a wild one – Justin Roberts
Set Fire To The Rain – Adele
Bunny in the Moon – DidiPop     
Ride In My Little Red Wagon – Willie & The Wheel
Come To California – The Hipwaders  
Electricity Man – Karlee Dean and Bill Goffrier
Groovy Day – Jambo  
They're Red Hot – Randy Kaplan 
Junior Ranger – Kirshel Augustine
Fart Like a Pirate – Papa Crow  

DidiPop Says Goonight, Bunny in the Moon

There's got to be something in the water.

First Justin Roberts records a CD of lullabies. Then Caspar Babypants announces that his next recording will be lullabies. And now, DidiPop (Deborah Poppink) has released BUNNY IN THE MOON, her collection of original childrens night-time songs.

Scratch that, there's probably nothing in the water. But there's got to be something in the warm milk.

Los Angeles-based musician/music instructor Deborah Poppink headed into childrens' music after the birth of her two daughters (both of whom appear on this CD). The motivation for the recording came from her family's evening routine, which involves letting the kids naturally "wind down" until they are relaxed enough to go to bed, if not immediately to sleep.

BUNNY's Act One moves children through the bedtime routines – "Bathtime," "My Old Pajamas," "Brush Brush," "I Love You Mommy," and the response, "Good Night My Love."

Act Two gently lifts listeners into bed, for a series of acoustic and classically-twinged tunes with influences of Bach, Chopin, and Mozart. The title track assures youngsters that their parents are always with them, even when they can't see them. For instance, in the moon or the sky:

Honey I'm the twinkle in the stars
When you're lonely, and want to hold me.
Just make a little wish and I'll be right where you are.
Honey, I'm the twinkle in the stars.

BUNNY IN THE MOON is the perfect antidote to every post-dinner period when adults are two steps ahead of children (i.e., nearly asleep) and need to flip the script. The innocent question, "Want to hear some music?" now has a delightfully narcoleptic solution. And you never thought that was possible, did you?

BUNNY IN THE MOON is available from DidiPop's website, Amazon, CDBABY, and iTunes.

Here is the video for her song, "The Cool Alphabet Song":

Every Day Is A Good Day to Dream

Ah, the glory of childhood. When you can truly believe that "any dream is possible."

Then again, when you're five, all it takes to become a cowboy is a hat, a badge, and a bandana.

To become a doctor, you need one of dad's long, white shirts and a tongue depressor.

And to become a musician, all you need is an instrument.

DidiPop (Deborah Poppink) wants to help kids perpetuate their dreams.



A children's piano teacher for more than 20 years, Deborah's passion for music turned a new corner after the birth of her daughter (at age 43). With 35 stamps on her passport, Deborah has played and taught music in such exotic locals as Bali, Montreal, Laos, Turkey, Belize, Tahiti, Morocco and Malaysia, in addition to performances in L.A. clubs like The House of Blues and McCabe's. A 2009 trip to Maui with family provided the inspiration and ambiance for most of the songs on her first CD, "DidiPop Goes to Hawaii."

On November 1, DidoPop releases her second CD, "Everyday Adventures," which presents 15 original songs for the junior set. I've yet to receive a childrens' CD from a California-based artist that does not include (at least) one Beach Boys-inspired song, and this one is no exception. "Feed the Pet" gives sweet, harmonic instructions about animal care. And kids get an amusing lesson in sitting still from "Tush on the Cush."

Deborah started writing childrens songs a decade ago for a TV project (The DidiPop Show) but didn't consider recording them until the birth of her daughter Delilah in 2005. Hannah followed two years later and the process developed organically. Now her kids provide background vocals and inspiration. Mostly, they provide the dreams, as children are wont to do.

And as her song insists on the new CD, "Any dream is possible." "Everyday Adventures" is a whimsical, fast-moving collection that's over way too soon.

At least while you're still a child.

New Holiday Music!

Renee & Jeremy are releasing a holiday single entitled "Sunny Christmas." You can stream this or one of their other songs through this link.


After springing onto the children's music scene in 2007, Renee & Jeremy gained an international following after their animated video for "It's A Big World" went viral.



To date, more than one million kids and their parents have watched the clip.

Renee & Jeremy now look to share own special brand of holiday cheer to their fans both young and old with "Sunny Christmas," the first holiday track they have ever released to radio.

For the more immediate holiday, John Jeffrey Hodges has released a song about the universal message of Halloween - I WANT MORE CANDY.

John released a kid’s album in late 2009, "KiddyDittys, A Kid’s Album for Adults," and is working on songs for upcoming CDs.

Listen to the song here:



DidiPop has released a video for her Halloween song, GOBLINS:

Mahalo to Maui from DidiPop

Songstress Shares Hawaiian Tunes

First, let me just say it was difficult to string a few sentences together the past few months that didn't include the words, "the baby." Matthew is home and doing well, and we're all looking forward to watching him grow and learn, especially about this thing called music that his older brother, Ben, loves so much.

Which brings me to DidiPop (recording artist Deborah Poppink) and her new CD, "DidiPop Goes to Hawaii." A prolific, award-winning songwriter/music teacher, Deborah started a second career as a children's recording artist - but the nickname preceded the career direction. While traveling around Asia (she has 28 stamps on her passport), the name "Deborah" was too difficult for some of the natives to prounce, so she became "Didi" with a side order of "Pop" from her last name.



Deborah's second CD takes listeners on a (short) trip to the islands of Hawaii, experiencing the language, culture, and musical stylings of the state. You get a "Keiki Hula," a ride of the "Sugar Cane Train," taste "Mango," and learn with the "Hawaiian Alphabet Song." Want a surf tune, styled circa Dick Dale? Try "Cowabunga."

Recording artist Eric Herman drops by for vocals on "Way Up High," about tropical birds and their melodies. Ben appreciated the appearance, as "The Elephant Song" is one of his favorite children's tunes from his single-digit years (he turns 10 on Monday, January 10).

Deborah started playing the electric organ (a gift from her aunt) at age 3. In addition to composing music for film and television, she circled the globe playing and has taught more than 10,000 piano lessons. Her interest in children's music is not surprising when you consider that Deborah was 40 and single - and then married with two girls and two stepsons at age 43.

Every vacation comes to an end, and DidiPop brings you home with "Going Home" (wouldn't you know it?) and the simple refrain that all children can learn:

I can't wait

To walk through the gate

Going home


If you want to share easy listening kid's tunes that will keep you warm this winter, spend some time with DidiPop and company.