The Happy Crowd
9th Annual Children’s Song Nominee
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Genre: Children’s
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HOMEBASE/COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Ontario, California – USA
NAME OF BAND MEMBERS: Hai Muradian, Kenny McSpadden, Martie Echito (Professor Smartie Martie)
NAME OF ALBUM NOMINATED SONG IS ON: The new CD is not yet finished.
WHICH GENRES BEST DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC? Children’s Music (Music for Kids and their Parents)
DESCRIBE THE STORY BEHIND THIS SONG: We’re always writing about kids and what they do, and in this case, how their actions can affect others, especially family and friends. “You can make a difference how the world goes ’round.”
WHERE IS YOUR MUSIC AVAILABLE? CD’s, T-Shirts and our DVD are available on our Web site, www.happycrowd.com. CD’s are also available at CD Baby (www.cdbaby.com). Digital Downloads are available at iTunes, and lots of other download sites…like Rhapsody, MSN Music, Napster, Liquid Digital Media, Sony Connect, MusicMatch, Verizon, Amazon MP3, etc. We also have all the merchandise available at our live performances.
WHY DID YOU SELECT THIS TRACK TO SUBMIT TO THE IMAs? We loved the choral beginning of the song and the message that the song shares. Hopefully, it’s positive, without being preachy.
WHY DO YOU WRITE MUSIC FOR CHILDREN? It’s uplifting, engaging, and maybe- just maybe-they’ll enjoy it enough to remember it as they grow up.
WHAT IS THE SECRET TO CREATING APPEALING MUSIC FOR CHILDREN? First and foremost, we try not to talk down to the kids. We want to be positive, but not “syrupy” with the songs we write. We write from our life experiences, and try to reach children with memories of when we were their age.
DO YOU FACTOR IN HOW PARENTS WILL RESPOND TO IT? We always hope parents will enjoy our music, since they ultimately have to listen to it over and over. We often receive compliments from parents for writing music that they can enjoy along with their kids.
DO YOU ALSO RELEASE MUSIC FOR OLDER AUDIENCES? Not with this group, but we have another group called “The Ravelers” (www.ravelers.com) that has been together for 22 years playing old Rock ‘N’ Roll covers from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s.
WHERE HAVE YOU TOURED? We perform mainly in the Southern California area, but have played a few gigs in Central and Northern California as well.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY? There have been many; including Pearson Park Amphitheater in Anaheim, CA, Quakes Stadium in Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Performing Arts Theaters in Thousand Oaks, Glendora, and Orange County. When we first started the band, we hooked up with the only “kids music” radio station – Radio Aahs, and did several concerts for them, along with live interviews from their studios, Disneyland, and Universal City. We love doing concerts where you can hear a pin drop.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BANDS’ MOST EXCITING MOMENT TO DATE? It’s all been good. The fact that we’re still recording and performing Children’s music, and still enjoying it after 17 years, makes it a continuous moment!
WHAT’S IN THE WORKS FOR 2010?: Hopefully, we’ll be finishing a new CD that we started two years ago, and writing new songs for a new generation of kids and parents! The gigs are already starting to fill up the calendar, so we’re grateful for the opportunity to continue the journey.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS….. In turmoil because music can be downloaded so easily. It’s making the selling of CDs a very daunting task, but making digital downloads an appealing avenue for sales. The Music Industry has been-and still is – a delivery system for music. But, now they aren’t the only game in town. They will have to adapt to the new technology and new mediums for delivering the music. It’s still going to boil down to the musicians, producers, writers-and as always-the songs, to determine the importance of the “music business” in our always changing world.
WHAT IS YOUR DEFIINITION OF SUCCESS? Seeing the positive looks on the kids and parents faces when we perform the songs, being recognized by kids and parents and being able to share a big part of their lives, and being nominated in The 9th Independent Music Awards!
WHAT’S ON YOUR IPOD THAT WOULD SURPRISE YOUR FANS? Hai says he doesn’t own an iPod, but listens to Deep Tracks on XM radio: “They play obscure album cuts from classic 60s Rock bands.” Professor Smartie Martie says” “What’s an iPod?” Kenny won’t tell!