Interview with New York Based Children's Musician Patricia Shih, Part 1/4

1. How long have you been performing children's music?

I started writing and performing for kids when my baby daughter was coming, and she's 24 now!  So, 25 years.  Back then there were few artists doing this.  Raffi, Sharon, Lois and Bram, Tom Chapin, Fred Penner and a few others were all there were.  Hard to believe.  It seems having children of one's own is a great impetus for many artists to start careers in family music.

2. How does performing live make you feel?

Like nothing else in the world.  You know, I started my music career singing for adults when I was just a teenager, many years before I started with family music.  Performing songs that one has written to an appreciative audience is one of the greatest highs one can feel because you actually get to see and feel them "getting" what you struggle and strive so hard to express and then deliver.  The energy exchange between artist and audience is an amazing thing to be a part of.  It's one of the most valuable things about art, and it's what got me hooked on being a musician in the first place so long ago.

But when I first looked out over a sea of little faces, so open and accepting and eager to learn, I just knew I had found my heart and home.

3. What does it take to be a successful children's musician?

First and most importantly, it goes without saying that you have to love and understand children and want the best for them, however you interpret that.  It helps to remember what it's like to be a child, and to have that child-like quality in your own self.  

I believe that the original desire to go into children's music must have the purest intent.  Unfortunately I know there are some children's artists who are "successful" who don't necessarily have that foremost in their minds, who enter this business thinking it's an easy and fast way to make money as a musician.  They "use" children's music as a supplement for what they really want to do: make music for adults.  Thankfully there are very few.  So intent, love and understanding are bundled together first.

Second, I think it's crucial to actively engage the young audience.  Kids love to "do," not just be "sung at."  The more you can involve them somehow, the better they like it.  Of course it's nice to have songs that enhance their listening skills too.  Live concerts are good environments to teach how to be a good listener with proper audience behavior (no talking during the songs unless requested, clap at the end of songs, no cell phones!!!).  Kids need to know the difference between a live concert and watching videos. 

Third, fourth and onward I would say it helps to have a "business head" besides a "creative head" in order to not only stay afloat but to prosper.  Know all the aspects: booking, contracts, sound, publishing, insurance, etc.  Musicians in any genre need these in order to make it work and to protect yourself from what can be a very tough industry.  If you can't or don't want to run your career like a business you need to find and surround yourself with those who can.  

But again, love, understanding and respect for children has to be paramount.

Please visit www.patriciashih.com for more about Patricia and her music.