Long Way To Gois a collection of original songs written by Katy and friends (Ted Lindsay, Noah Slater, Dave Ray), the album explores themes of the solo traveler longing for adventure and new horizons, the ups and downs of relationships and moving on. A rocking, upbeat country vibe featuring lots of electric guitar drives the music forward. Jack Miele leads production and his Dream Team form the backbone of musicianship. Check out the terrific review in OffBeat Magazine.
Long Way to Go was produced and engineered by Jack Miele and recorded at JMP Studios, New Orleans and Studio In The Country, Bogalusa, La. Additional Engineers: Kassie Netherland, Graham Robinson, Jay Wesley, John Fohl. Mixed by Jack Miele. Mastered by Joe Causey for Voyager Mastering.
Musicians
Jack Miele – Guitar, Bass, Piano, Percussion, Backing Vocals Kassie Netherland – Backing Vocals John Fohl – Guitars Graham Robinson – Guitars, Rhodes, Mandolin Sean Carey – Bass, Harmonica Jimmy Messa – Bass Doug Belote – Drums Woody Dantagnan – Drums Darrin Triay – Drums Emily Zeisler – Cello
My husband David Ray and I just released an album called I Dream of Water. I am so proud to say that we’ve been nominated for two “2019 Best of the Beat” Awards from OffBeat Magazine. I Dream of Water has been nominated for Best Country/Folk/Singer-Songwriter Album. And I’ve been nominated as Best Country/Folk/Singer-Songwriter Artist. I am absolutely blown away.
I’ve been reading OffBeat Magazine since I was teenager. I studied it like a musical bible and it’s as much a part of my musical edification as all the hours in the Hogan Jazz archives and all the sorting and listening through old 78s and LPs I’ve hoarded. Keeping up with contemporary Louisiana music and New Orleans music has been part of my life as long as I’ve been an adult….and there is no way to do that without OffBeat. This is a tremendous honor for me.
Over this past summer, when the streets in our neighborhood in New Orleans were flooding for the first time ever, and with the Mississippi River at flood stage constantly as hurricane season opened up, water was invading my dreams. I couldn’t stop writing the songs. We were compelled to make this album. (And taking a job in Memphis at St. Jude, and trying to make a life in two cities has also been inspirational… “Do you know what it means?”)
We recorded the album up at Fellowship Hall Sound in Little Rock (with some tracks at Marigny Studios in New Orleans) to work with wonderful Arkansan guitarist Greg Spradlin, who brought such creative ideas to every song as producer. While I was in Little Rock in June 2019 for a brainstorming session, Greg and I drove around talking about ideas and looking at the landscape. The Arkansas river was flooding downtown Little Rock and threatening to cave in a levee north of the city in Lollie Bottoms. The opening track of the album, “Lollie Bottoms,” was written based on the amazing true story of the Lollie levee.
Another song on this album called “Dirty Water” was written by my husband all the way back in October 2005, while we were evacuated from New Orleans after Katrina. I always thought someone with a giant voice should sing this song—Irma Thomas, for example. I finally recorded it for this album (and it’s still up for grabs, Irma!).
“Kings, Queens & Jesters” was written on the floor of my parents’ bathroom in Shreveport in July 2019. We happened to be visiting them when Hurricane Barry was bearing down on New Orleans while the river was at flood stage. That was terrifying…yet, at the same time, my people were doing what New Orleanians do—making the best of it. A line from this song was inspired by my friend Karen Konnerth, a wonderful puppeteer who lives in Algiers Point.
We’re all Kings, We’re all Queens,
We’re all Jesters on the edge of the knife
of joie de vivre and annihilation.
Let’s have a ball. Let’s celebrate this life.
The official summary of I Dream of Water is this: “Inspired by events in coastal regions and cities along the great rivers of the USA, the album is both social commentary and personal reflection on how increasingly intense storms and rising waters are affecting daily life, futures, hopes, and dreams.”
My summary: “This is something I have to get off my chest so that I can get back to writing songs about pirates, mermaids and the Roman Candy Man.”
I’m so grateful to Dave for his songwriting and his unwavering support of my ideas, and to Steve Howell, my longtime friend and musical collaborator, for putting this album on his label Out of the Past Music, and to Betsie Brown with Blind Raccoon for publicizing it. And of course… the musicians. The wonderful musicians who made this music and brought these songs to life!
“I Dream of Water” - Katy Hobgood Ray featuring Dave Ray
Out Of The Past Music, LLC
Musicians:
Chuck Dodson – piano, organs
Scott Frock – trumpet
Dave Hoffpauir – drums
Vikki McGee – background vocals
Katy Hobgood Ray – vocals
Dave Ray – vocals
Greg Spradlin – guitar, background vocals
Dylan Turner – percussion
Brad Walker – saxophone
Jason Weinheimer – bass, percussion
Produced by Greg Spradlin
Engineered by Zachariah Reeves and Jason Weinheimer at Fellowship Hall Sound, Little Rock, Arkansas
Horns recorded at Marigny Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana, by Paul McDonald
Mixed and Mastered by Jason Weinheimer at Fellowship Hall Sound, Little Rock, Arkansas
Executive Producer – Steve Howell
Photography: Sally Asher
Album Art and Layout: Isaac Alexander, Little Rock, Arkansas
Publicity and Radio Airplay: Blind Raccoon LLC, Memphis, Tennessee
Publishing Credits:
All songs published by Confetti Park except for “Little Children’s Blues” by Folkways Music Publishers Inc.
Folk Rock/Americana album is cowritten by Katy and husband Dave Ray.
I Dream of Water, a collection of original songs written by Katy Hobgood Ray and Dave Ray, is now available on the Out Of The Past Label. Inspired by events in coastal regions and cities along the great rivers of the USA, the album is both social commentary and personal reflection on how increasingly intense storms and rising waters are affecting daily life, futures, hopes, and dreams.
Produced by Greg Spradlin and recorded at Fellowship Hall Sound in Little Rock and Marigny Studios in New Orleans, the album incorporates elements from the Delta blues, gospel, country, and jazz.
Dave and Katy met in 2001 at a songwriter’s night in Shreveport, Louisiana—their hometown. Both write songs in the Americana/folk rock/country vein. In 2003, the couple moved to New Orleans, and over the years they’ve continued to perform at coffeeshops and small venues, collaborating in various bands.
Dave and Katy are members of Friends of Leadbelly, a group of musicians dedicated to promoting the legacy of north Louisiana songwriter Huddie Ledbetter. And over the last few years, Katy has become known for her work in children’s music with Confetti Park, and has performed at numerous festivals including French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest.
Katy also sings with Steve Howell & the Mighty Men out of the Ark-La-Tex area, who perform country blues and early jazz standards. This musical friendship was first established in 2002. (Both Dave and Katy sing on their album Good As I Been to You.) These are the musicians behind the new release, I Dream of Water.
In 2018, Dave and Katy took jobs based in Memphis, and are currently living between Memphis and New Orleans. They wrote this album with perspective and reflection on their experiences in their beloved Louisiana.
I Dream of Water is Katy & Dave’s first official release together.
About the Album
About the Album
Musicians: Chuck Dodson – piano, organs Scott Frock – trumpet Dave Hoffpauir – drums Vikki McGee – background vocals Katy Hobgood Ray – vocals Dave Ray – vocals Greg Spradlin – guitar, background vocals Dylan Turner – percussion Brad Walker – saxophone Jason Weinheimer – bass, percussion
Produced by Greg Spradlin
Engineered by Zachariah Reeves and Jason Weinheimer at Fellowship Hall Sound, Little Rock, Arkansas
Horns recorded at Marigny Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana,
by Paul McDonald
Mixed and Mastered by Jason Weinheimer at Fellowship Hall
Sound, Little Rock, Arkansas
In Algiers Point, we interact with the great river every day. We use the levee for exercise—biking, skating, walking our dogs. We use the ferry boats to cross to Canal Street on the other side-—every half hour it comes and goes. Our children grow up on batture when the water is low, playing with sticks and swinging on rope swings near the water’s edge. Collectively, we revere the great sunsets and honor the sweet life on the Mississippi River.
So we weren’t going to miss the sight of a houseboat parked along our bank. And I think that is how most of Algiers Point first discovered the story of Mr. Kelly. I wonder how he was discovered in other cities.
Mr. Kelly Phillips, who is originally from Wisconsin, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and given three months to live. Rather than enter hospice, Mr. Kelly chose to get a houseboat and live out his final days on the Mississippi River. This was in early 2016. From the AP And guess what? Three months went by… and he was still alive. So Mr. Kelly decided to move south along the river. He left Madison, Wisconsin, on March 15, 2017. From ABC News
His companion in his Mississippi journey is a first rate first mate named Sapphire, an adorable little black pug.
All along the way, Mr. Kelly’s journey has captured the hearts of people who live along the Mississippi River. And he has made many friends, and had many adventures.
From Michael DeMocker’s essay in the Times Picayune: “Phillips’s months on the Mississippi were frequently challenging. From an exploding can of chili to getting the boat stuck in ice to collisions with rock jetties and even a cargo ship at anchor, “Shameless” and its captain weathered many potentially disastrous trials.’” And from WREG: “While trying to dock in St. Louis in the winter Phillips said he stepped onto an icy dock and fell into the freezing water.
There were challenges–but most of all, there were inspirations. The stories Mr. Kelly shares are stories of the goodness of people.
Example, in Memphis, Tennessee, when Sapphire went missing, truly goodhearted people in Memphis helped them reunite. And once they heard his story, these same people bought Mr. Kelly a generator and a new phone. From WREG and another take from Little Things.
When he landed in Algiers Point, neighbors started sharing pics of Mr. Kelly’s houseboat, and it wasn’t long before his story was known across our little village and he was embraced into the fold of Point life, enjoying a pint at the Old Point Bar, coffee at One Stone, and trading stories with our people.
Last week, the Confetti Park Players were so honored to sing a song of joy to Mr. Kelly, at STEPFEST, a neighborhood concert fundraiser for a public art project celebrating Algiers Point’s tricentennial. Mr. Kelly and Sapphire were guests of honor. Greta and Tyler Hayes, whose daughters are both Confetti Park Players, coordinated the dedication.
And then, all of us, the whole room, sang “You Are My Sunshine” together with Mr. Kelly. It was truly a sweet afternoon.
A few days later, Mr. Kelly set out for his final destination: Venice, Louisiana. We are so thrilled that he made it!
Many of his “river friends” who he’d met along his journey attended a river party to celebrate him on Saturday (Jan. 26), including some Point Algerines. Among the guests were Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, who said: “We want to make sure we extend the Louisiana hospitality to anyone, especially a guy with a story like this, that given the remaining time he’s got left, he’s sees that he’s got friends.”
And here is the greatest lesson Mr. Kelly has shared from his adventure along the Mississippi River:
“People are good. Period. All over. My friends from New Jersey who helped me get this far, all the people down the river, it’s all about them…I did the journey but it’s about the Mississippi River people…..I hope heaven’s like this.”
“As New Orleans begins its next 300 years, we look forward to seeing the creative people it will continue to provide a setting for; people such as those in this year’s class of People to Watch,” write the editors of New Orleans Magazine. “We define a Person to Watch as someone doing something new and interesting. In some cases it might be someone who has already been watchable but that is moving in a new direction… Most of our selections achieve the greatness that we had anticipated, or greater. How will this class do? We’ll be watching.”
Katy is recognized among a class of fifteen stellar and creative people, including chefs, artists, dog lovers, designers, altruists, athletes, and more, all who combine their passion and energy with an entrepreneurial instinct. Read the article to learn who they are.
All of Katy’s work with children, music, and local culture under the umbrella of Confetti Park earned her a spot on this list… so the honor can be attributed to all the amazing fellow musicians and the children who participate in the Confetti Park Players chorus, as well as the families of Algiers Point and Confetti Kids volunteers who have all rallied around the adorable and inspirational heart of the neighborhood: the real Confetti Park.
Photo of Katy and the Confetti Park Players at Jazz Fest, by Sally Asher (those are her feet in the foreground)
Katy Hobgood Ray and the band and some of the Confetti Park Players will be performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival this year! We perform at the Kids Tent on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 3 p.m. SCHEDULE
This year Katy is leading a smaller troupe of Confetti Park Players in an interactive music set in the Kids Tent. We will do some of our favorites like “Roman Candy Man,” “Snoball,” “Watch Out for the Pirates,” and lots of Lead Belly songs. We will also do a special tribute to our dearly departed Mr. Okra. And of course you can expect a lively performance of our theme song, “We’re Going to Confetti Park!”
The Kids Area is a lovely zone where you can relax and enjoy a spacious safe area and special kid-oriented foods (still delicious and unique to Jazz Fest), arts & craft areas and discovery centers. and wonderful shade under the tents! There are some WONDERFUL people working and performing in the kids area on May 3!
Our own Algiers Point-based Calliope Puppets and the International School of Louisiana Circus Arts Kids are all performing on the same day as the Confetti Park Players? How cool is that? Algiers Point represents!
We are thrilled that the local media has given us some wonderful coverage surrounding our Jazz Fest performance. Hopefully people will be curious about our music and check out the Confetti Park Players CD, which every kid should have!
Louisiana Oranges is a new digital album from Katy Hobgood Ray featuring eleven tracks of original compositions and a few country blues covers. Available on Amazon, iTunes, and other digital music services.
While Katy lately has been performing songs of joie de vivre in the genre of children’s music (as director of the Confetti Park Players in New Orleans), this album features compositions from Ray’s early singer-songwriter days. Never before released, the songs are somewhat confessional in nature, exploring themes of unrequited love, awkward relationships, loneliness, and existential wonder.
The recordings were made beginning in 2001 in Shreveport, La. and Little Rock, Ark., with various lineups of talented musicians all who hail from the Ark-La-Tex. Among them are Little Rock powerhouses Greg Spradlin (The Skeeterhawks, Imperials), Chris Michaels (Boondogs, The Cranks, Mighty Men) and David Hoffpauir (Ho Hum, Boondogs); East Texas country blues guitarist and singer Steve Howell; legendary Wrecking Crew bass player Joe Osborn; brothers David and Darren Osborn (owner of Sandbox Recording Studio in Shreveport), drummer Lane Bayliss and beloved Shreveport guitarist Danny Wilder. Ted Lindsay, a frequent collaborator on Confetti Park projects, plays bass on several tracks as well. Angela Russell, Katy’s childhood friend and bandmate (Star Eyed Stella), is featured on violin on three tracks.
Track information:
Louisiana Oranges (KD Hobgood Ray)
Cannon River (KD Hobgood Ray)
Followed You Down (KD Hobgood Ray)
I Had a Notion (Thomasina Winslow & Nick Katzman)
Hey Lawdy Papa (Son Reed)
Ragged Old Philosophy (KD Hobgood Ray)
Charlie (KD Hobgood Ray)
Balthazar (KD Hobgood Ray)
Music Carousel (KD Hobgood Ray)
Oh, CJ (KD Hobgood Ray)
Gold Rings (KD Hobgood Ray)
Musicians:
Lane Bayliss, drums (Tracks 1, 2, 7, 9)
Dave Hoffpauir, drums (Tracks 3, 6, 8, 10, 11)
Steve Howell, guitar (Tracks 4, 5)
Ted Lindsay, bass (Tracks 1, 2, 7, 9)
Chris Michaels, bass (Tracks 3, 6, 8, 10, 11)
Darren Osborn, keys (Tracks 4, 5)
David Osborn, drums (Tracks 4, 5)
Joe Osborn, bass (Tracks 4, 5)
Katy Hobgood Ray, vocals and guitar
Angela Russell, violin (Tracks 1, 2, 9)
Greg Spradlin, guitar and keys (Tracks 3, 6, 8, 10, 11)
Danny Wilder, guitar (Tracks 1-3, 6-11)
Article in ParkBench features the Confetti Park Players, a children’s singing group based in Algiers Point, New Orleans, Louisiana. The group is led by songwriter and Algiers Point resident, Katy Hobgood Ray.
The world lost a bright light this week with the passing of Louisiana children’s author and storyteller Dianne de Las Casas.
I first met Dianne at the studios of WHIV-FM in New Orleans, at a meet and greet of all the deejays. She, her daughter Eliana, and her boyfriend John Couret were all deejays with three back-to-back slots on Friday nights. It was great to finally meet this wonder team I’d heard of for so long. All of them were accomplished published authors, Dianne with over 20 credits to her name. She was the most prominent champion, along with her longtime friend Johnnette Downing, of Louisiana culture and folklore for children. And her daughter, Kid Chef Eliana, was already making a name for herself among culinary circles.
My first takeaway about Dianne was of her generous support and obvious love and affection for Eliana and John Couret, whom she always called “my sweetie,” and for her daughter Soleil Casas, who was a talented artist. She wanted to talk about their accomplishments more than her own. Their lifelong artistic collaborations and entrepreneurial endeavors speak volumes about the deep affection, trust, and loyalty of the family members.
Dianne’s generous spirit translated to Confetti Park. Though I wanted to interview her and Kid Chef Eliana, she wanted to interview me. She invited me to be on their Friday radio shows, and it was a pleasure participating in a very special three-hour episode celebrating Kid Chef Eliana’s recent glorious win on Chopped teen tournament. I was witness to their incredible enthusiasm, joy, and unbridled optimism about the future.
Dianne at the radio station
Dianne believed in her loved ones’ capacities for greatness, and she gifted them with that view of themselves, too. The sky is the limit for a child whose parent believes in them, and nurtures their interests and talents. Dianne proved that. (Eliana and Soleil, we all believe in you, too.)
Dianne was a friend to Confetti Park, always giving of her talent, time, and stories. She and John Couret were passionate about anti-bullying advocacy for children, and both talked openly about how they themselves were bullied as kids. They co-wrote a book called Captain Deadeye: The Bully Shark, a chapter book for young readers, and they regularly visited schools and libraries around the region to read and promote the story of little John with the lazy eye, who learned who to navigate school bullies. (The book was inspired by John Couret’s own experiences; he was teased as a child because of his lazy eyes and called “Deadeye John.”)
I was so delighted when John and Dianne spent the day in Algiers Point at our Family Pyrate Day earlier this year. They gamely dressed as pirates, sold books, and read and sang pirate songs with the children.
Dianne & John at the Family Pyrate Day in Algiers Point
Dianne with her loved one.
Dianne & John regale families with stories at the Family Pyrate Day in Algiers Point
Dianne & John sing with children at the Family Pyrate Day in Algiers Point
Dianne’s legacy will live on, through her beautiful canon of children’s books, and through the lives and accomplishments of her wonderful children. She certainly made the world a brighter and better place.
Dianne was known to say, “Life is too short not to sparkle!” Dianne, you sparkled here on earth. Your spirit will continue to sparkle among the stars.
Exciting news from the Confetti Park workshop! The Confetti Park Players have just released their brand new single, “Riding on the Mississippi River.” The track is available on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, Google Play, and other digital music services.
“A song inspired by life along the Mississippi River, where beautiful riverboats & big ships rule, & the merry sound of calliopes fills the air. This fun song by Katy Hobgood Ray & the Confetti Park Players features a Dixieland jazz band from New Orleans.”
The song is performed by Katy Hobgood Ray and the Confetti Park Players children’s chorus. Musicians include: Jim Thornton, trumpet; Owen Callahan, clarinet; David Phy, trombone; Tim Stambaugh, tuba; Brandon Brunious; banjo; and Cale Pellick, drums. It was recorded at Word of Mouth Recording Studio, Algiers Point in New Orleans, Louisiana.
“Let’s Go Riding on the Mississippi River” was written by Ted Lindsay, from Mooringsport, Louisiana, who was inspired to write the song when visiting Katy and her family in Algiers Point in New Orleans. Ted was a principal songwriter on We’re Going to Confetti Park!, the first full-length album from the Confetti Park Players and winner of a Parents’ Choice Award.
Let’s go riding on the Mississippi River from St. Paul to New Orleans It’s 2000 miles all the way down the middle of the USA!
Confetti Park Players Luna, Louis, and Lily call out to a freighter on the Mississippi River in Algiers Point.
Tim Stambaugh and Confetti Park Players at Word of Mouth recording studio
Confetti Park Players at Word of Mouth recording studio
David Phy, Owen Callahan, and Jim Thornton at Word of Mouth recording studio
Cale Pellick at Word of Mouth recording studio
Brandon Brunious at Word of Mouth recording studio
About Katy Hobgood Ray & the Confetti Park Players
Katy leads a fun mashup of a kids choir and fabulous, well-established adult New Orleans musicians. They perform catchy originals and familiar folk songs, jump rope jingles and clapping chants, and a few rock ‘n roll surprises.
The Confetti Park Players have collaborated with such musical talents as world-renowned jazz drummer Johnny Vidacovich, flutist Patti Adams of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, internationally lauded clarinetist Evan Christopher, Lincoln Center-affiliated jazz trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso, Dirty Dozen Brass Band saxophonist Roger Lewis, beloved New Orleans piano players Tom McDermott and AJ Loria.
They’ve performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, French Quarter Fest, the Folk Art Fest, Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo, Beignet Fest, Creole Tomato Fest, Fête Française, and numerous venues around New Orleans. They are regularly featured on the Confetti Park radio program.
About Confetti Park
Confetti Park is a children’s media workshop, weekly radio program and podcast based out of New Orleans. We work with children to build community by sharing stories, music, and culture. The name for Confetti Park comes from a small playground in the heart of Algiers Point, a charming and historical neighborhood on the West bank of the Mississippi River. Learn More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 2, 2017 Contact: Kathryn Hobgood, (504) 650-1238, kathryn@bienvilleray.com
Westward, ho! Kids radio show “Confetti Park” brings Louisiana music and stories to California, New Mexico, Pacific Northwest
Kids variety show and podcast from Louisiana airs on weekend mornings
Several new states on the West Coast can now enjoy a weekly half-hour children’s radio show called “Confetti Park.” The show, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray of New Orleans, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. There are skits, poems, jokes, clapping songs, brief interviews, children’s voices, and a weekly story time. All shows are evergreen, and can be played throughout the year.
The West Coast community radio stations currently carrying Confetti Park are all members of the Pacifica Network, and include:
KCEI 90.1 FM Red River/Taos, NM every Saturday between 7-8 a.m.
KFZR 93.3 FM in Frazier Park, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m.
KLQS 96.7 FM in Agua Dulce, CA every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m.
“I hope, through Confetti Park, to showcase the diversity, depth and universal appeal of Louisiana culture, and also, to show that kids music can be really good,” says host Katy Ray. “May the families across the nation be filled with joie de vivre and a little appreciation for the bayou state as they listen to the stories and songs.”
Background of Katy Hobgood Ray
Ray, who works in communications at Tulane University in New Orleans, has a master’s degree in musicology from Tulane and is a former producer and host for Red River Radio, an NPR-affiliated public radio network in north Louisiana. She directs a children’s choir in New Orleans called the Confetti Park Players who won a Parents’ Choice Award for their first album.
With support from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University, Katy traverses her home state to unearth music and folktales, local legends and spooky stories, colorful family memories and overlooked histories.
For the weekly segment Confetti Park Storytime, she features published children’s authors as well as interviews and encounters with everyday people on the street. Children’s voices are often used to share poems, contemporary jump rope jingles, hand-clapping games and other playground chants.
A podcast version of the show featuring shorter clips, storytime segments, and interviews is available on iTunes, iHeartRadio, and other major podcasting networks.
Community radio stations interested in carrying Confetti Park should contact confettipark@gmail.com.
CONFETTI PARK Confetti Park is a children’s media workshop in New Orleans. We create books, mobile apps, music, videos, and special events geared toward celebrating and growing the wonder and magic of childhood. For more information, visit https://confettipark.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | April 11, 2017 Contact: Kathryn Hobgood, (504) 650-1238, kathryn@bienvilleray.com
Kids radio show “Confetti Park” debuts on WRFA-LP 107.9 FM on Saturday, April 15 Kids variety show and podcast out of New Orleans features children’s music and stories
On Saturday, April 15 at 8 a.m., a weekly half-hour children’s radio show called “Confetti Park” will debut in Jamestown, NY on WRFA-LP 107.9 FM.
“Confetti Park,” hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray of New Orleans, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. There are skits, poems, jokes, clapping songs, brief interviews, children’s voices, and a weekly story time.
“I hope, through Confetti Park, to showcase the diversity, depth and universal appeal of Louisiana culture, and also, to show that kids music can be really good,” says host Katy Ray. “May the families in New York be filled with joie de vivre as they listen to the stories and songs.”
Ray, who works in communications at Tulane University in New Orleans, has a master’s degree in musicology from Tulane and is a former producer and host for Red River Radio, an NPR-affiliated public radio network in north Louisiana. She directs a children’s choir in New Orleans called the Confetti Park Players who won a Parents’ Choice Award for their first album.
With support from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University, Katy traverses her state to unearth music and folktales, local legends and spooky stories, colorful family memories and overlooked histories.
For the weekly segment Confetti Park Storytime, she features published children’s authors as well as interviews and encounters with everyday people on the street. Children’s voices are often used to share poems, contemporary jump rope jingles, hand-clapping games and other playground chants.
A podcast version of the show is available on iTunes.
CONFETTI PARK Confetti Park is a children’s media workshop in New Orleans. We create books, mobile apps, music, videos, and special events geared toward celebrating and growing the wonder and magic of childhood. For more information, visit https://confettipark.com
