Kidsongs

Kidsongs

1989–98 logo with the ".com" added in 2002.
Genre Children's music sing-along
Developed by Warner Bros. Records (1985–95)
Together Again Video Productions (TAVP) (1985–95)
Together Again Productions (TAP) (1990 and 1995–98)
Written by Carol Rosenstein
Directed by Bruce Gowers
Composer(s) Michael Lloyd
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
Production
Producer(s) Carol Rosenstein and Bruce Gowers
Camera setup Multiple-camera setup
Distributor View-Master Video (1985–94)
Warner Reprise Video (1986–94)
KidVision (1995)
Sony Wonder (1997–98)
Image Entertainment (2002–current)
Release
Picture format 480i SD
Original release January or September 1, 1985 – July 1, 1998
External links
Website

Kidsongs is an American children's media franchise which includes Kidsongs Music Video Stories on DVD and video, The Kidsongs TV Show, CDs of favorite children’s songs, song books, sheet music, toys and an ecommerce website.[1] Kidsongs was created by producer/writer Carol Rosenstein and director Bruce Gowers of Together Again Video Productions (TAVP), both of whom are music video and television production veterans.[2][3][4] The duo had produced and directed over 100 music videos for Warner Brothers Records (WBR) and took their idea of music videos for children to the record label. Warner Brothers funded the first video, “A Day at Old MacDonald’s Farm”. Shortly thereafter, a three way partnership between TAVP, WBR and View-Master Video was formed with TAVP being responsible for production and WBR and View-Master responsible for distribution to video and music stores, and toy stores respectively.[5]

History

The home video series was launched with four Kidsongs Music Video Stories episodes at New York's Toy Fair on January 1, 1985. "A Day at Old MacDonald’s Farm” was one of those first four and has sold over 4 million copies [6] and won the Vira Award.[7] Each half-hour Music Video Stories episode features 10 to 15 songs, in a music video style production starring talented kids. They sing and dance their way through well known children's songs, nursery rhymes, and covers of pop hits from the '50s, '60s and '70s—all tied together by a simple story and theme.

The TAVP/WBR/View-Master Video (Viewmaster was acquired by Tyco in 1989–95) [8] partnership produced 16 Kidsongs episodes of the Music Video Stories. In 1995, WBR and TAVP bought out Tyco's distribution rights and produced three more View-Master videos called "Country Sing-Along", "Billy Biggle's Favorite Songs", and "Boppin' with the Biggles" and two KidVision videos called "Let's Put on a Show" and "Baby Animal Songs", as part of a new venture with another division of Warner Bros.--Warner Vision.[9] In 1997, TAVP acquired all rights from WBR/Warner Vision and became the sole owner of all Kidsongs properties.

Later in 1997, TAVP entered into a distribution/production agreement [10] with Sony Wonder which resulted in the production of four more titles called "I Can Dance!", "I Can Do It!", "Adventures in Biggleland: Billy's Birthday" and "Adventures in Biggleland: Meet the Biggles". That agreement ended in 1998 and in 2002 distribution rights were licensed by Image Entertainment who continues to distribute the videos.

Members of Kidsongs Kids

  • Meredith Bishop (1985)
  • Sung Nam Chang (1985)
  • Janelle Keith (1985)
  • Kimberly "Kim" Kuhn (1985)
  • Edward "Eddie" Ramos (1985)
  • Ryan Schultz (1985)
  • David/Jennifer Winchell (1985)
  • Elissa/Hillary Mather (1985)
  • April Hong (1985–86)
  • Amanda "Mandie"/Bradley Dean Fox (1985–87)
  • Alanna "Alana" Mulhern (1985–86)
  • Steven Brooks (1985–87)
  • Paul Smith (1985–86)
  • Sander Byfuglin (1985–86)
  • Donetta/H.B. Charles (1985–86)
  • Rachael Holly (1985–86)
  • Jeremy Brown (1985)
  • Gregory Harrison (1985)
  • Bonnie/Molly Morgan (1985)
  • David Klingenberger (1985)
  • Courtney Kettenburg (1985)
  • Marccus Mendoza (1985)
  • Adanelly Camacho (1985)
  • Gabriel Diaz (1985)
  • Leonard "Leo" Magnus (1985)
  • Angela Levine (1985)
  • Dakeisha Payne (1985)
  • Christopher "Chris" Finch (1986–87)
  • Amanda Miller (1986)
  • Elizabeth/Thomas "Tommy" Flaherty (1986)
  • Erin/Ian Prinn (1986)
  • Mairi Morrison (1986)
  • Tameka Claybrook (1986)
  • Robert "Robby" Rosellen (1986–88)
  • Shawn Harrison (1986)
  • Nicole Mandich (1986–88 and 1990)
  • Shanika Washington (1986)
  • Carla Martyn (1986)
  • Karli Supera (1986)
  • Heather Green (1986–87)
  • Sh'Vaughn Heath (1986–87 and 1989–90)
  • Tina Marie Espinoza (1986–88)
  • Kristy Lynn Espinoza (1986 and 1990)
  • Ashande Gravenberg (1986)
  • Devyn "Poochie Puet" Puett (1986–87)
  • Amaris "Ingrid" Dupree (1986–87 and 1989)
  • Coleman Saucier (1986)
  • Ryan Dorin (1986)
  • Ryan Kirk (1986)
  • Ryan Bollman (1986)
  • Fabby Brown (1986)
  • David Chan (1986–90)
  • Kristy Chan (1986)
  • Ann "Annie"/Christina "Christine" Gibbons (1986 and 1990)
  • Kelly/Kimberly Pinn (1986)
  • Miriam "Mimi" Gilbert (1986)
  • Wendy Yumi (1986)
  • Paul Burrell (1986)
  • Rebecca Lee Martinez (1986)
  • Steven Nelson (1986)
  • Julie Ann Gourson (1986–88)
  • Kiki Scott (1986)
  • Jamie Weins (1987)
  • Scott Trent (1987–88)
  • Todd Alyn Durboraw (1987–88)
  • Tiffany Bailey (1987)
  • Tiffany Johnson (1987–88)
  • Hillary Hollingsworth (1987–90)
  • Christopher "Chris" Lytton (1987–89)
  • Divita Wright (1987)
  • Brandon Marsh (1987)
  • Derek Gregory (1987)
  • Kelly Chan (1987)
  • Elizabeth "Bettina" Briggs (1987)
  • Tajh Abdul-Samad (1987)
  • Tarrish Potter (1987 and 1989–90)
  • Tucker "Tuhk" Potter (1987 and 1990)
  • Triskin Potter (1987–88 and 1990)
  • Katharine "Katie" Polk (1989–90 and 1992–95)
  • Nicole "Nicki/Niki" Bell (1989–90)
  • Nicholas Matus (1989–90)
  • Chloe Matus (1989)
  • Katinka Chun (1989–90)
  • Andrea Schuette (1989–90)
  • Raquel Alessi (1989–90)
  • Suzanne Aoki (1989–90)
  • Terrence "T." Williams (1989–90)
  • Catherine Przybylska (Przybylski) (1989–90)
  • Ernestina Taylor (1989)
  • Vladimir Triaca (1989)
  • Olivier Mercier (1989)
  • Ryan Olson (Olsen) (1989–90)
  • Myisha Jackson (1989–90)
  • Jensen Karp (1989–90)
  • Travis Briggs (1989)
  • Joshua "Josh" Weiner (Wiener) (1989–90)
  • Dannon Bryant (1989–90)
  • Sean Gowers (1990 and 1992)
  • Malcolm Loungway (1990)
  • Jenna Dickman (1990 and 1993)
  • Ori Blumenfeld (1990)
  • Daniell Bosette (1990)
  • Ninette Kohley (1990)
  • Andres McKenzie (1990)
  • Miles Young (1990)
  • Patrick/Timothy Cool (1990)
  • Rashona/Shalana Miller (1990)
  • Gordon Mandich (1990)
  • Trek Potter (1990)
  • Noah Congelliere (1990)
  • Brian Rosenstein (1990)
  • Theodore "Teddy" Lee (1990)
  • Ariki "Arike" Rice (1990)
  • MacKenzie "Mac" May (1990 and 1993)
  • Garrett Quillin (1990)
  • Thomas W. Mattson (1990)
  • Veena Goel (1990)
  • Jason Haskel (1990)
  • Jamie Mutter (1990)
  • Kenneth "Kenny" Wesley Ford, Jr. (1990)
  • Richard Stuart (1990)
  • Janessa Ray (Beth) (1990 and 1992–94)
  • Portia Bowman (1990)
  • Darlene Garcia (1990)
  • Cara LeJuene (Lejeune) (1990)
  • Patricia Gonzalez (Gonzales) (1990 and 1993)
  • Shauna Steenhoek (1990)
  • Miyoko Chilombo (1990 and 1992–93)
  • Bre Seltzer (1990–93)
  • Jennifer Kanyer (1990)
  • Rebecca/Tyler Andreassen (1990 and 1993)
  • Jahi Chilombo (1992–93)
  • Ashley Nation (1992)
  • Neil Nicholson (1992)
  • Eric Stretch (1992–93)
  • Shira Roth (1992–95)
  • Christian Buenaventura (1992–95)
  • Michelle Montoya (1992–93)
  • Danielle Wiener (1992–95)
  • Briahnna Odom (1992–93)
  • Daniel "Danny" Zavatsky (1992–93)
  • Stephanie Koyano (1992–95 and 1997)
  • Lauren Jackson (1992–93)
  • Bermina Jackson (1993)
  • Marvin Walker (1993)
  • Mario "Boo" Bailey (1993)
  • Yvette Flores (1993)
  • Tino Michaels (Michael) (1993 and 1995)
  • Alexandra "Alex" Picatto (Palm) (1993–95)
  • Sabrina Wiener (1993)
  • Miyagi Chilombo (1993)
  • Tiffany Burton (1993 and 1997)
  • Megan Miyahira (1993–95 and 1997–98)
  • Matthew Bartilson (1993–94)
  • Chad Seltzer (1993)
  • Bianca Hall (1993)
  • Kyle Stanley (1993–95)
  • Tyler Harris (1993)
  • Michael Lubin (1993)
  • Timothy Alan Barber (1993)
  • Anabel T. Poblador (1993)
  • Michael Lloyd, Jr. (1993)
  • Nycole Koyano (1994)
  • Gustav "Gus" Carr (1994–95)
  • Enjoli Flynn (1994–95)
  • Hassan Nicholas (1994–95)
  • Casey Rion (1994–95)
  • Marcus "Mark" Humphrey (1994)
  • Kevin Williamson, Jr. (1994)
  • Janet Veyts (1994)
  • Melanee Ann Shale (1994)
  • Christopher "Chris" Aguilar (1994–95)
  • Galen Hooks (1994)
  • Landon Prairie (1994)
  • Bettina Reches (1994)
  • Alexie Agdeppa (1994)
  • Philip Jacobs (1994)
  • Michael Minden (1994 and 1997)
  • Damian Perez (1994)
  • Kari Floberg (1994–95)
  • Howard Harris (1995)
  • Amanda "Mandi" Ruiz (1995)
  • Maiya Norton (1995)
  • Aaron Harvey (1995 and 1997)
  • Brooke Garrett (1995)
  • Lynsey Bartilson (1995)
  • Francine Espiritu (1995)
  • Ryan McCutchan (1995)
  • Jessica Fried (1995 and 1997)
  • Dava Schatz (1995 and 1997)
  • Adam Beech (1995)
  • Valerie Ick (1995)
  • Justin Monnig (1995)
  • Lindsey Newhall (1995)
  • Brittany Burton (1997)
  • Kyle Largoza (1997)
  • Brieann Welch (1997)
  • Cheri Avalos (1997)
  • Sara Perks (1997–98)
  • Asa Karsten Bernstine (1997–98)
  • Krista Lea Coney (1997)
  • Brady Kimball (1997–98)
  • Cory Kotas (1997–98)
  • Marshea Kidd (1997)
  • Courtney Lollis (1997–98)
  • Carly Naples (1997–98)
  • Joshua Turley (1997)
  • Troy Mullins (1997)
  • Sergio Centeno (1997)
  • Evan "Corny Boul"/Miriam "Mimi/Juggles" Paley (1997)
  • Lana Richards (1997)
  • Kamran Kamjou (1997)
  • Angelica Ginn (1998)

Home videos

From 1985 to 1998, 25 Kidsongs home video episodes encompassing 300 children's songs, nursery rhymes, and cover versions of pop hits from the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s were produced featuring a variety of subjects that are of interest to kids: animals, birthdays, the zoo, the amusement park, camp adventure, fantasy, vehicles and general silliness. 14 have been certified platinum by the RIAA, with 5 of them having sold more than 2 million copies. As of now, the videos have sold over 19.5 million copies.

The following is a complete list of Kidsongs music video titles available on VHS:

A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm (1985) [US: 4x Platinum][11]

Featuring these music videos:

I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (1986) [US: 2x Platinum]

Featuring these music videos:

Good Night, Sleep Tight (1986) [US: Platinum]

Featuring these music videos:

Cars, Boats, Trains and Planes (1986) [US: 2x Platinum]

Featuring these music videos:

Sing Out, America! (1986) (Retitled "Home on the Range" in 1989 and later "Yankee Doodle Dandy" in 2002) [US: Platinum]

Featuring these music videos:

A Day with the Animals (1986) [US: 3x Platinum]

Featuring these music videos:

What I Want to Be! (1986) [US: Platinum]

Featuring these music videos:

The Wonderful World of Sports (1987) (Retitled "Let's Play Ball" in 1989) [US: Platinum]

Featuring these music videos:

A Day at the Circus (1987) [US: 2x Platinum]

Featuring these music videos:

A Day at Camp (1989) [US: Platinum]

Featuring these music videos:

Ride the Roller Coaster (1990) [US: Platinum]

Featuring these music videos:

Very Silly Songs (1990) [US: Gold]

Featuring these music videos:

A Day of Fun (VHS release only) (1991)

Featuring these music videos:

We Wish You A Merry Christmas (1992)

Featuring these music videos:

Play Along Songs (1993)

Featuring these music videos:

If We Could Talk To The Animals (1993)

Featuring these music videos:

Country Sing-Along (1994) (Retitled "I Can Go to the Country!" in 1997)

Featuring these music videos:

Billy Biggle's Favorite Songs (1994) (Retitled "My Favorite Songs" in 2002)

Featuring these music videos:

Boppin' with the Biggles (1994) (Retitled "I Can Bop with the Biggles!" in 1997)

Featuring these music videos:

Let's Put on a Show (1995) (Retitled "I Can Put on a Show!" in 1997)

Featuring these music videos:

Baby Animal Songs (1995) (Retitled "I Can Sing Baby Animal Songs!" in 1997)

Featuring these music videos:

I Can Dance! (1997)

Featuring these music videos:

I Can Do It! (1997)

Featuring these music videos:

Adventures in Biggleland: Billy's Birthday (1998)

Featuring these music videos:

Adventures in Biggleland: Meet the Biggles (1998)

Featuring these music videos:

Television series

The Kidsongs Television Show
Genre Children's music
Developed by Orbis Communications (Season 1 (1987–88))
Warner Bros. Records (Seasons 1–3 (1987–95))
Together Again Television Productions (TATVP) (Season 1 (1987–88))
Together Again Video Productions (TAVP) (Seasons 1, 3 and 4 (1987–88, 1995 and 1997))
Together Again Syndication Productions (TASP) (Season 2 (1994))
Together Again Productions (TAP) (Seasons 4–5 (1997–98))
Sony Wonder (Sony Wonder Television) (Seasons 4–5 (1997–98))
Written by Carol Rosenstein
Directed by Bruce Gowers
Opening theme "We Want Our Kidsongs" (based on "I Got Wheels")
Ending theme "We Want Our Kidsongs" (Reprise)
Composer(s) Michael Lloyd
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
Production
Executive producer(s) Carol Rosenstein
Bruce Gowers
Producer(s) Carol Rosenstein
Camera setup Multicamera setup
Release
Original network ABC (Season 1 (1987–88))
PTV (Seasons 2–5 (1994–98))
Picture format 480i SDTV
Original release September 19, 1987 – November 8, 1998
External links
Website

The Kidsongs Television Show debuted in September 19, 1987 with 26 half-hour episodes distributed by Orbis Entertainment.[12] The half-hour, live action episodes featured the Kidsongs Kids running their own TV show in a top 8 countdown style show featuring music videos from the Kidsongs home video series. The syndicated show ran on network affiliates primarily on Saturday mornings.[13] It garnered excellent ratings and ran for 2 years before moving to the Disney Channel for another four years. The show won the prestigious Excellence in Children's Programming Award from ACT. In 1987–88, in season 1, this show was called The Kidsongs TV Show.[14]

In 1994, a new version of the television series was developed by Rosenstein and produced in conjunction with Chicago public television station WTTW and distributed by American Public Television to PBS stations nationally. Airing as part of the PBS Kids, "Ready to Learn" block, "The Kidsongs Television Show" aired throughout the country and by 1998 reached 89 percent of households.[15] Many of the original Kidsongs videos were used in the public television series along with new educational content and in-studio guests. The kids are joined by the adorable fantasy characters Billy and Ruby Biggle and their magical friends from Biggleland. The Biggles help the children resolve their problems and concerns in a comforting, kind way. They address age-appropriate issues, such as not wanting to share, jealousy, friendship, telling the truth and patience.

Seasons two through five of The Kidsongs Television Show totalled 80 episodes. The series ran on Public Television for six years winning critical acclaim.[14][16] Currently, fifteen episodes of The Kidsongs Television Show are available on DVD,[1] and the series is also available in its entirety on digital download through iTunes and Amazon Video.

Cast

The Kidsongs Kids

Season 1 (1987–88)

Season 2 (1994)

Season 3 (1995)

Season 4 (1997)

Season 5 (1998)

Airing history

References

  1. 1 2 "About Us – Kidsongs".
  2. "Bruce Gowers". IMDb.
  3. "Carol Rosenstein". IMDb.
  4. "Together Again Productions [us]". IMDb.
  5. Home Video Publisher, Vol. 8 No. 32, 2/24/1986
  6. Bruce Haring, "Gold, Platinum...", Variety, Jan. 26, 1993
  7. "Video Review's Critics' Choice Awards", Video Review, April 1987,page 77
  8. Reuters, New York Times Business section, May 24, 1989
  9. Business Wire, "Warner Home Video to Distribute Warner Vision", February 5, 1996
  10. Scott Hettrick, "Sony Wonder Joins..." Hollywood Reporter, July 10, 1997, page 3
  11. "RIAA – Gold & Platinum Searchable Database – December 27, 2015". RIAA.
  12. Tom Bierbaum, "After Success In Homevideo, 'Kidsongs' Bouncing into NBC TV",Variety, July 8, 1987, page 20
  13. "The Kidsongs Television Show Launched", TV Facts Figures & Film, September 1987
  14. 1 2 Jeanne Spreier, "'Kidsongs' In Tune With Children", Dallas Morning News, March 23, 1998, page 51
  15. The Kidsongs TV Show, WTTW Chicago Carriage Report, February 1998
  16. Tim Kiska, "Great Kid TV Debate: Entertain or Educate?", Detroit News, July 1, 1998, page 1E

External links

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