8. What do you think about the current state of kid's music, as compared with 20-30 years ago?
Oh goodness, it has changed so much! I think it's thrilling that more people are discovering there is a separate world of children's music. It's wonderful that folks and organizations like the Grammys and others recognize that it is a unique genre. There are a gazillion more acts performing and writing for kids now, and that's a good thing.
Also it's become less "roots" based and has moved into more popular styles as well as grown more "commercial." I hope it doesn't lose what makes it so special; that it can encompass a lullaby a grandmother sings to a baby as well as the loud, high-key, danceable pop stuff. Children's music is not about style; it's about the target audience.
So it has certainly become more sophisticated and open to many styles. I don't think there is any kind of music that hasn't had some sort of rendering for kids. Back when I started children's music was mainly steeped in folk. Now, the sky is the limit; any style that exists has probably been expressed for kids. But at the same time I hope quality is kept high; again, it's not a genre that an artist can simply jump into thinking it's an easy market in which to make a fast buck. Those who are truly dedicated to moving the genre forward want to be respectful of the responsibility they have to influence young minds.
9. What is something you might like to change about the kid's music biz?
I just would hope that people involved stay mindful of that responsibility. Our culture has been, in my opinion, somewhat degraded; we are less civil, more willing to do and say and make ever more "shocking" content in order to "push the envelope." We are somewhat of a meaner society. As guardians and shapers of the future I would like all of us to try to steer the culture back to the best of what we want to teach our children and to live it ourselves. So I would love to see the children's music business be less about the commercial (tied to products), money and fame and more about the building of character and respect.
10. How are your shows for adults similar/different compared to the ones for kids?
They are similar in that they all consist of songs by me and other songwriters who deal with ideas and issues. Of course I do a few love songs in my adult shows too, but that is not my main focus. For both audiences I ask for a lot of participation from them. I guess I don't like to do all the work and have all the fun myself! As a songwriter what I try to do is put a "frame" around a topic. You want your audience to be engaged fully -- through sight, sound, feelings and intellect -- with the topic you want them to take a look at. You have them for those few minutes, shining a spotlight on what you want them to focus on, so make the most of it.
They are different only in the subject matter of the songs. Of course with adults they have a lifetime of experiences, reactions, behaviors and attitudes that you can tap into; with kids you have the opportunity to do some teaching. I can also be much more playful and goofy with the kids, which I just love! Although I am pretty goofy with the grown-ups, too...
11. Could you elaborate on what your Caring Kids program is all about?
I'm glad you asked. Long ago I wracked my brain trying to think of ways to become more community-involved and do more community service. I never feel like I'm doing enough with my time on earth. Then one day I realized I have access to literally thousands -- tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands! -- of kids, families, teachers, librarians, etc. through my concerts. I could multiply my tiny efforts by that many! So I came up with Caring Kids, a partnership program to teach children to give back.
Very briefly: I offer to schools, libraries, anyone who books me the chance to enhance the lessons of the songs in my concerts through Caring Kids. It's free and voluntary. I have 18 themed-concerts based on topics, plus more if someone doesn't find something that they need. I can custom-make a concert just for them. But we all know that children learn best by doing, not just having someone teach to them.
So once the theme has been chosen, the sponsor can pick a nonprofit organization working on that topic in their community. Sometimes it's a food bank, or a homeless shelter, an animal shelter, an environmental group, a literacy-based organization, whatever. That organization tells us what they would like done that would benefit their mission and that children can accomplish; it could be an action like a clean-up or planting, or a collection of something specific like cans of food, coats, toys, etc. It can be almost anything as long as it relates to the topic. The action usually begins or ends with my concert, so that I can award the sponsor (the school, library, whatever) my CK award at the end. It's a win-win program; the kids feel so proud they've helped win an award and they've learned more about the topic and they've done something wonderful for the community. And the nonprofit wins of course, too. More info is on my website at www.patriciashih.com .
Close to 100 actions have been completed since CK's inception. A LOT of good has come from it.
12. If you were an animal what animal would you be an why?
What a fun question! I guess it would have to be some sort of songbird because I don't think I could go through life without music and singing. Plus birds are very fast; I am kind of a high-energy, quick person and going slow feels unnatural to me. I would be a very poor snail.
I also love the freedom of having wings and no limits. It's what being an artist is all about, isn't it?
Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts about kids' music.
Please visit www.patriciashih.com for more about Patricia and her music.
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