A former folk singer discovered that writing songs for children is just as challenging and rewarding as writing them for adults.
Singer-songwriter Red Grammer toured several years as a lead vocalist with the folk group The Limeliters. These days, he's still touring but his music is aimed at a different audience.
Instead of playing for adult-only crowds, his concerts today are family-oriented and carry messages about confidence building, hope, nonviolent conflict resolution and creating a sense of community.
"I always thought the same playfulness shows up for both," Grammer said of the commonalties between his folk and family concerts. "Most adults think writing songs for kids is a cute and simple-minded thing. But writing good songs for children is the same as writing good songs for adults. It's a similar process. The main requirement is being totally engaged in doing something valuable for your listeners."
Grammer was raised in Little Silver, N.J., and attended Rutgers University and then Beloit College in Wisconsin, where he met his wife and co-lyricist, Kathy, and studied music.
"But the reality is that most of what I do is self-taught," he said. "I was a music major in college but most of what I did there has no bearing on what I'm doing. In essence, I'm about community building and songwriting."
Grammer, a tenor who performs mostly with guitar, said his songwriting is influenced by The Beatles, Pete Seeger and Peter, Paul and Mary.
While The Beatles influenced him musically, the popular '60s folk group Peter, Paul and Mary was an inspiring example of musicians who could both entertain and deliver political and social messages.
And although his music doesn't resemble Seeger's, Grammer said the rock musician's commitment to his music and his ability to interact with audiences left a mark on his songwriting and performance style.
Grammer and his wife, who have two sons, started writing songs for children while he was still a Limeliter. They released their first album, "Can You Sound Just Like Me?" in 1983 and were tapped to be on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered."
In 1986, they released "Teaching Peace," which illustrated what families and children could do to bring peace to the world. The songs were lighthearted but carried messages about diversity, self-esteem and cooperation. The album was a critical success.
"I was doing two full-time jobs, and I had to make a decision," he said. "In 1988, I made the decision to work with kids."
Grammer plays about 175 concerts a year. During his shows, he likes to get children engaged in the music while putting their energy to work. He's discovered that's what appeals to adults, too.
"I find adults need as much participation and are hungry for participation," he said. " " I hope people's hearts would be lifted by my concerts. It's a place where it's safe to feel the oneness we have amongst ourselves and feel better about being on the planet."
While he enjoys doing the children's concerts, Grammer, who now lives in the Hudson Valley in New York, admits he is beginning to seek a balance in his musical life. In 1994, he released the adult-oriented CD "Free Falling" and is working on a second adult recording.
"For many years, I've just done the kid's stuff, but I've always written songs for adults," he said. " " I've just kept it on the back burner."
He is also in the studio recording an instrument-only CD mostly comprised of songs from "Teaching Peace."
"Teachers have no way to accompany (the kids' singing) so I'm recording a track in the keys that are good for kids," he said. "It will be available in the next six months."
-- Jan Biles' phone message number is 832-7146. Her e-mail address is jbiles@ljworld.com.
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