Tag: johnette downing

  • Music Medley: Cows Go Moo

    Music Medley: Cows Go Moo

    cartoon cowWelcome to Confetti Park, a radio show out of New Orleans, Louisiana. We play lots of songs and stories from the Bayou State and from the Mississippi Delta region. This is a music medley of songs, poems, and jump rope jingles featured on a recent episode.

    This episode, “Cows Go Moo,” the show begins with a song showcasing the Louisiana state bird, the state insect, the state flower… and so on. This is “Louisiana’s Alphabet Song,” featuring Kristen Cole and Daniel Morgan. The old nursery rhyme favorite “Itsy Bitsy Spider” is performed by Jeremy Lyons, from his DeltaBilly style Silly Goose Music. And PhFred leads a group with Rock Paper Scissors. What a great song!

    Who doesn’t love a Silly Song performed by New Orleans kids’ favorite, Johnette Downing? Sing along and play along with “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” You’ll hear “Lovely Little Ladybug” performed by the Confetti Park Players, a kids chorus in New Orleans, and “Kukuriku, the Rooster’s Song,” sung by Judy Caplan Gibsburgh of Alexandria, La. Rabbi Judy has been performing music for kids since the 1980s! Check out her website at judymusic.com

    Other songs featured: a hand-clapping version of the Sunday school classic “This Little Light of Mine,” by New Orleans trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and his children; the Imagination Movers with “Warehouse Mouse” and “When You’re in Love, You’ll Understand” featuring Jim Cummings, who played Ray, the lightning bug of the Princess & the Frog…. a beautiful Disney movie set in the swamps of Louisiana.

    Sprinkled throughout are many terrific poems by Louisiana creators, of all ages. Also featured on this episode is a Music Memory from trombonist David Phy and a folk tale called the Beaver’s Tale of Greed, narrated by Iran Martin of Bossier City.

    The Confetti Park radio show streams online and airs in cities across the United States, made available to all community radio stations on the Pacifica Network. Check to see if your local community radio station carries it, and ask!  Support for Confetti Park comes from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

     

  • Music Medley of Kids Music: Grizzly & Harp

    Music Medley of Kids Music: Grizzly & Harp

    Welcome to Confetti Park,  a magical show featuring stories and music for children of all ages.  I’ve been gathering songs from across my home state of Louisiana and from places around the Mississippi Delta. I just love the variety or music—blues, jazz, country, rock n roll, rap and church music and Cajun, and brass band… there’s a lot to learn and I am still listening and learning every day. I hope you like what I share with you.

    This is a music medley of songs featured on the show this week.

    • Arkansas Tongue Twister – Sunpie Barnes
    • Joke of the Day: Grizzly Bear & Harp
    • Salmon Song – Jazzy Ash
    • Avocado Woo Woo – Tin Men
    • Daycare – Ph Fred
    • Days of the Week – Jason & Layla
    • Louis Ray – ABCs
    • Five Little Butterflies – Johnette Downing
    • Curious George Main Theme Song –  Dr. John
    • We’ve Got Each Other –  Imagination Movers

    We begin with a game song from Arkansas, by Arkansas born New Orleans resident Bruce Sunpie Barnes. He is a real forest ranger, and a great musician. You will also hear the wonderful Tin Men of New Orleans, L.A. based Jazzy Ash (who has deep Louisiana roots), and Louisiana pied piper Johnette Downing. There is also a famous song by the famous Dr. John, all  about the most famous monkey in the world. And I know you will enjoy brother and sister duo Jason & Layla, who are wonderful artists on their own, and together. (Jason Rhein plays music in Rotary Downs and is one of the owners of Marigny Recording Studio. Layla is a professional belly dancer in NYC. They are originally from Baton Rouge.) And we have a terrific parody song by Ph Fred“They tried to make me go to daycare, I said ‘No, No, No!’” 

    We end with a song by the Imagination Movers all about a hurricane evacuation. These are the times when you realize what are truly the most important things in life… HINT: it’s not houses nor possessions. The guys know what’s up in “We’ve Got Each Other.” This song leads us into our storytime feature, Fairweather Friend, by New Orleans poet and storyteller Marcus Page. It is the story of young friends separated because of a hurricane evacuation.

    You can listen to all the stories you hear on this radio show on our free Confetti Park podcast.The Confetti Park radio show and podcast is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Thanks for listening. Remember to look for the magic in every day!

  • Music Melody of Kids Songs from Louisiana: Ice Cream Scream

    Music Melody of Kids Songs from Louisiana: Ice Cream Scream

    Ice Cream

    This is Confetti Park,  a magical playground of music and stories for kids everywhere. What’s unique about these songs, and these stories, is that they all come from Louisiana.

    Today you’re going to hear songs from all corners of the state, and across a century of time. This is music that has touched generations of children…. I’m talking about songs that were popular when your grandparents were kids, that are sung by children today. Like “Skip to My Lou,” a song that has stood the test of time and is sung for you by Johnette Downing. And “Bye Bye Blackbird,” by the great New Orleans’ banjoist Danny Barker.

    And there is new stuff, too… “King of the Sea” is a rap written and performed by New Orleans school kids through the Young Audiences of Louisiana arts and education network. Thanks to their teacher, Michael Patrick Welch, for recording it!

    Featured in this episode:

    Also featured in this episode is a childhood music memory by guitarist and music producer CC Adcock, and the Louisiana folktale, The Girl Who Danced with the Devil, narrated by Catherine Golden.

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. We are in states from Alaska to Maine. Look for the full broadcast schedule here.

    Support for Confetti Park comes from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

     

  • Music Medley: Okra Man

    Music Medley: Okra Man

    Photo of Mr. Okra by Miranda H., via Flickr Creative Commons
    Photo of Mr. Okra by Miranda H., via Flickr Creative Commonsok

    Hi everyone,

    Here is another music medley from Confetti Park. And in this episode, you will hear lots of songs about fresh fruits and vegetables. In the radio version of this program, we listen to a story about our recently departed dear Mr. Okra. (You can listen to the story here: Mr. Okra Sells Fresh Fruits and Vegetables by Lashon Daley)

    Mr. Okra passed away this week, and he was one of the last of the New Orleans street vendors. Mr. Okra sold fresh fruits and vegetables from a brightly painted pickup truck that traveled slowly throughout New Orleans’ neighborhoods. His voice rang out over his loudspeaker affixed to the roof of the truck: “I have oranges! I have bananas!” When people heard him coming, they could step out their door and buy their fresh produce for the week.

    The Confetti Park Players are so fortunate and grateful to have had Mr. Okra sing with us on our first album. He recorded a special song with us. You can listen to the entire track.

    Now for the full playlist of this episode:

    First up is one of my favorite tunes, that first came out in 1984 and is surely as classic a Louisiana song as any. I tell you what, I defy anyone of any age, kids or adult, to listen to the song and not feel like a kid when the chorus comes on. This particular version features two patriarchs of Louisiana culture……Doug Kershaw and Fats Domino. This song is Don’t Mess with My Toot Toot.

    We will also here Satisfied ‘n Tickled Too, by Jeremy Lyons from his Silly Goose Music CD, which features more beautiful Americana classics created with children in mind. There is a beautiful Cajun lullaby called Raisins & Almonds sung by Nancy Tabb Marcantel, and Watermelon Time, by Ted Lindsay of Mooringsport, La., leading the Confetti Park Players in an homage to ripe summer fruit.

    Then we hear a trio of songs about bananas……

    • Oh Dego – Leroy Etienne of St. Martinville as featured on the National Park Service’s Songs Of The Lower Mississippi Delta.
    • Anna Banana – Johnette Downing of New Orleans, pied piper of Louisiana
    • Yes We Have No Bananas – the fabulous Louis Prima

    Kids, go check out Mr. Louis Prima on YouTube… he is a jazz trumpeter from New Orleans who had the energy of a kid, and a style like no one else.

    Well, we’ve talked about banana, watermelon and other fruits. And so now We play Mr. Okra, singing a song in his own voice. Mr. Okra…. we love you. We will miss your call. Thank you for sharing your voice with us, for sharing good food with us, and for making the world a better place.

    Support for Confetti Park comes from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Mr. Okra and Katy Ray.
    Mr. Okra and Katy Ray.

     

  • Music Medley: Milk Dud

    Music Medley: Milk Dud

    Hi kids! Welcome to another episode of Confetti Park, a radio show featuring songs and stories from Louisiana.

    I am so excited that Confetti Park is available in states from Alaska to Maine. Thank you to all the stations carrying the show, and I hope you all enjoy the music and stories. Don’t forget you can download the free podcast and listen to stories, interviews and music medleys anytime!


    cow cartoonSongs included in this episode:

    Holy Cow – Tin Men
    Joke of the Day – Milk Dud
    Big Brown Cow – Ph Fred
    Bushel and a Peck – Vivi Melody & Friends
    Choctaw Choo Choo – Confetti Park Players
    Ham & Eggs – Danny Barker
    Jambalaya- Fats Domino
    Mama Inez – Sunpie Barnes
    Cailette – Gerard Dole
    Feliciana LeRoux – Johnette Downing

    This episode also features JuJu, the Good VooDoo, by Michelle Hirstius, during Confetti Park Storytime.

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    Coming soon to KBOG 97.9 FM Bandon Community Radio in Bandon, OR. Stay tuned!

    SEE MAP

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

     

     

  • Music Medley: Of Mardi Gras Indians, Brass Bands, Piano Profs

    Music Medley: Of Mardi Gras Indians, Brass Bands, Piano Profs

    Confetti Park: Mardi Gras Indians, Brass Bands, Piano Profs!

    Hi kids! It’s Mardi Gras time in Louisiana! Confetti Park is a kids radio show out of New Orleans. In my city the kids are out of school while we celebrate the end of the Epiphany season with parades, lots of good food, and music. Brass bands, marching bands, Indian chants, and sweet rock n roll. I’d like to bring you along for the carnival ride today…

    Mardi Gras Indians
    Mardi Gras Indian in feathered glory on a Mardi Gras day, Central City, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2016. KDHRay

    Every city that celebrates Mardi Gras has its own special customs, and in New Orleans, we have a few unique aspects… such as the Mardi Gras Indians. Neighborhood tribes wear fabulous towering costumes made up of colorful feathers and beads…. the Big Chiefs battle for who is the most beautiful on a Mardi Gras Day.

    One of the songs I play today is famous across the world, but what you might not know is that it came from the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian tradition. This song “Iko Iko,” performed by the Dixie Cups, tells the story of two warring Indian tribes who have a confrontation in the street.

    I also play “My Indian Red,” a very famous Indian prayer, performed by the Baby Dodds Trio. On Fat Tuesday, we will hear that sung on the streets of New Orleans from sunup to sundown. And there are other songs sure to be played along the parade routes where families will be camped to catch beads.

    Songs included in this episode:

    Red White and Blue Got the Golden Band – Mardi Gras Indians
    Iko Iko – The Dixie Cups
    Joke of the Day – Ash Who?
    My Indian Red – Baby Dodds Trio
    Ooh Poo Pah Doo – Trombone Shorty
    Throw Me Something Mister – Johnette Downing & Jimmy LaRocca’s ODJB
    Aveine, Aveine, Aveine – Les Petits Amis
    Every Day is Mardi Gras – Schatzy
    3-6-9 (The Clapping Song) – Confetti Park Players
    Crawfish Fiesta – Professor Longhair
    Mardi Gras in New Orleans – Olympia Brass Band

    This episode also features The Cajun Cornbread Boy by Dianne De Las Casas at Storytime.

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    Coming soon to KBOG 97.9 FM Bandon Community Radio in Bandon, OR. Stay tuned!

    SEE MAP

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

     

     

  • Music Medley: Time Flies

    Music Medley: Time Flies

    Confetti Park: A music medley of children’s songs from Louisiana

    Happy New Year! Enjoy this new medley of family friendly songs created by Louisiana artists. This episode of Confetti Park, which airs in its entirety on the lucky radio stations listed below, has songs that appeal to children of all ages that reach back through generations. The music reflects the variety of sounds that come from our fertile Mississippi valley. Also featured in this episode, the storytime feature Swamp Kids: The Lost Chord, narrated by author by Leif Pedersen, and a music memory from Judy Caplan Ginsburgh of Alexandria.

    flying clockSongs featured in this episode, in order:

    Careless Love Blues – Danny Barker
    Joke of the Day – Time Flies
    Freight Train – Jeremy Lyons
    Lady With The Alligator Purse – Johnette Downing
    Gummy Bear – narrated by Louis Ray
    Arkansas Tongue Twister – Sun Pie Barnes
    You Gotta Sing – Judy Caplan Ginsburgh
    Jeepers Creepers – Louis Armstrong
    Deux Cocodries – Michael Doucet with Family & Friends

     

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

     

     

  • Music Medley: Candles Out

    Music Medley: Candles Out

    Confetti Park: A music medley of children’s songs from Louisiana

    Hi everybody! Enjoy this new medley of family friendly songs created by Louisianans (or transplants who will always call Louisiana home). This episode of Confetti Park, which airs in its entirety on the lucky radio stations listed below, has songs in the vein of Cajun, rock, blues, folk, jazz, and FUN! Listen up!

    cartoon candleSongs featured in this episode, in order:

    Jambalaya (On The Bayou) – Papillon
    Joke of the Day – Candle Out
    Chicken Strut – The Meters
    Feliciana LeRoux – Johnette Downing
    Sunny & Norah Sing
    Toulouse the Crawfish Hunter – Ron “Black” Guidry
    I Want My Mommy – Imagination Movers
    Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – Lead Belly
    Backyard Camping- Jazzy Ash

    Also featured in this episode, a Music Memory from Ms. Chocolate and for Confetti Park Storytime, a reflective essay—”Coyotes at Night” by Katy Hobgood Ray.

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

     

     

  • Music Medley: Smelly Pup

    Music Medley: Smelly Pup

    Confetti Park: A music medley of children’s music from Louisiana… dogs!

    Smelly pup in a bath from Cartoon Animals Homepage.
    Smelly pup in a bath from Cartoon Animals Homepage.

    We love dogs! This medley of children’s songs showcases the diversity of Louisiana music. And today’s music medley features all songs about dogs! You know what that means…. These are also songs about faithful friends.

    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    Three Legged Dog – Imagination Movers
    Joke of the Day – Something Smells
    My Dog – Johnette Downing
    Best Friends – Zachary Richard
    BULLFROG – narrated by Louis Ray of the Confetti Park Players
    Ol Blue – Jimmy Cousins

     

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

  • Music Medley: Grandpa T-Rex

    Music Medley: Grandpa T-Rex

    T-Rex says Roar!Confetti Park: A music medley of children’s music from Louisiana… lots of variety!

    This medley of children’s songs showcases the diversity of Louisiana music. And today’s music medley features songs about lots of sea creatures and jokes about dinosaurs. Oysters, stingrays, seagulls, dolphins, submarines, rowboats, T-Rexes? What a variety!

    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    Oscar de la Oyster – Louisiana Pollywogs
    Joke of the Day – Grandpa T-Rex
    Yellow Submarine – Papa Grows Funk
    Stingray Shuffle – Johnette Downing
    Bah Bah Black Sheep – Louis Ray of the Confetti Park Players
    Row Row Row Your Boat – Dr. John
    Salty Seas Sings – Lynda Deniger

    Also included in this episode is a childhood Music Memory from Charlotte Hunter, and the Storytime feature, Adolpheaux the Adventurous Dolphin, by Tommie Townsley.

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

  • Music Medley: To Catch a Squirrel

    Music Medley: To Catch a Squirrel

    Confetti Park: A music medley of children’s music from Louisiana… lots of variety!

    This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. And today’s music medley features songs about raccoons, emus, animals at the aquarium, lullabies, irresistible dance tunes, and more. There are also sweet poems and jokes and jumprope jingles throughout.

     

    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    • Ooh Poo Pah Doo – Troy and James Andrews
    • Joke of the Day – Catch a Squirrel
    • Nobody Likes Fun More Than Me! – Don Hoffman and Bryan Wagar
    • Humpty Dumpty – Confetti Park Players
    • On the Bayou – a poem by Jaden Norris of Arden Cahill Academy
    • Don’t Mess with My Toot Toot – Fernest Arceneaux, The Zydeco All Stars & Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr.
    • Emus – The Lightnin’ Bugs
    • The Children’s Hour – Longfellow – Read by Magpie Baccinelli
    • I Went to the Aquarium – Johnette Downing
    • Stay Awake – Lori Carsillo
    • How is the House Cat – Greg Schatz

    Also included in this episode is a Music Memory from Darleen Ketchens, beloved New Orleans clarinet player and sometimes street busker, and the Story time feature, the “Camel and the Cat.”

    About Confetti Park

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    A full list of Confetti Park stations (and a map) is available at https://confettipark.com/podcast/

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.

  • Music Medley: Pink Carnation

    Music Medley: Pink Carnation

    Pink-Carnation-pink-colorConfetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, inspired by life here Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of our state sound.

    Songs featured in this episode, in order:

    Also featured in this episode, a music memory from Cameron Meshell and the storytime feature Little Laveau, a magical bedtime story by Erin Rovin.

    The Confetti Park hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!

    Subscribe on iTunes

    The radio program version launched on April 4, 2015 in New Orleans on WHIV FM and is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

    Current broadcast schedule:

    Community radio stations, interested in carrying Confetti Park? Contact Katy Ray.