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.
4. What has been your biggest success as a children's musician?
Of course it depends on how you define "success." If you measure it by sheer numbers in an audience, I'd have to say singing for the Girl Scout organization, which I've been honored to do for going on 2 decades. Our biggest audience was 200,000 at the Washington Monument mall for their 95th anniversary sing-along; also 14,000 people at Madison Square Garden for their 90th. In both events we were part of their big celebration and so appeared with a few other acts. But both were insanely awesome! Unforgettable.
I've also been fortunate to have been the host of a twice-daily TV show here in the NY metro region for a year. That was enormously fun and had the odd and unexpected bonus of garnering a teen fan base!
Maybe you mean awards I've been honored to receive. My work has received a NAPPA Gold Award, two Parents' Choice Awards, a Seal of Excellence of Creative Child Magazine, and more. Awards and honors are really nice as it's validation from those in the industry who are knowledgeable and have heard and seen many, many acts in the business to which you are compared.
But for me, there is nothing more heart-lifting than when, after a show a young child runs up to me and throws his or her arms around me for a big hug. Or a 6th grader gives me a thumbs up and tells me, "Patricia, you ROCK!" Because then I know I've reached them, maybe moved them, maybe given them something of value. Sounds like a cliche, but there's a reason it's a cliche; because it's TRUE!!
Please visit www.patriciashih.com for more about Patricia and her music.
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