Kidsongs

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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. 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. 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.

Video Kidsongs

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 and won the Vira Award. Each half-hour Music Video Stories episode features 10 to 15 songs, in a music video style production starring creepy children. 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) 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. 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 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 July 1, 1998, and in 2002, distribution rights were licensed by Image Entertainment, who continues to distribute the videos.

Maps Kidsongs

Members of Kidsongs Kids

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Home videos

From September 1, 1985 to July 1, 1998, 25 Kidsongs home video episodes encompassing 300 children's songs, nursery rhymes, and cover versions of pop hits from the '50s-'90s were produced, featuring a variety of subjects that are of interest to kids: animals, birthdays, the zoo, sports, summer camp, 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]

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. Old MacDonald Had a Farm
• 2. Shortenin' Bread
• 3. Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
• 4. Mary Had a Little Lamb
• 5. This Old Man
• 6. Skip to My Lou (also heard instrementally during the end credits of this video and Ride the Roller Coaster)
• 7. Take Me Out to the Ball Game
• 8. John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt
• 9. She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain
• 10. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

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

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (United States) (also used during the end credits)
• 2. Funiculi, Funicula (Italy)
• 3. Did You Ever See a Lassie? (Scotland)
• 4. London Bridge (England)
• 5. Frère Jacques/Are You Sleeping (France)
• 6. Kumbaya (Africa)
• 7. Waltzing Matilda (Australia)
• 8. Sakura, Sakura (Japan)
• 9. Los Pollitos (Mexico)
• 10. Day-O (Banana Boat Song) (Jamaica)

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

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. Ring a Ring o' Roses
• 2. Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man
• 3. A-Tisket, A-Tasket (also performed by Ian Kobb in the Icelandic/English TV series Rosa Middle School)
• 4. Let Us Dance, Let Us Play (Michael Lloyd)
• 5. Our House (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)
• 6. Tomorrow is a Dream Away (Michael Lloyd) (also used during the end credits)
• 7. The Unicorn
• 8. St. Judy's Comet (Paul Simon)
• 9. Hush, Little Baby (also used in A Day Full Of Songs)
• 10. Brahms Lullaby
• 11. All the Pretty Little Horses
• 12. Good Night

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

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. Car Car Song (Riding In My Car) (Woody Guthrie)
• 2. Daylight Train
• 3. Up and Down, Round and Round (Michael Lloyd)
• 4. Row, Row, Row Your Boat
• 5. I Got Wheels (Michael Lloyd) (also used during the end credits)
• 6. Up, Up and Away (The Fifth Dimension)
• 7. Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone? (S. Winner)
• 8. I Like Trucks (Michael Lloyd)
• 9. US Air Force (Wild Blue Yonder)
• 10. The Bus Song

Sing Out, America! (1986), Renamed "Home on the Range" in 1990, renamed "Deep in the Heart of Texas" in 1995, and renamed "Yankee Doodle Dandy" in 2001 [US: Platinum]

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. Yankee Doodle Boy
• 2. America's Heroes (Michael Lloyd) (also used during the end credits)
• 3. Home on the Range
• 4. I've Been Working on the Railroad
• 5. Oh Susanna
• 6. Deep in the Heart of Texas
• 7. There's a Hole in My Bucket
• 8. Turkey in the Straw
• 9. If I Had a Hammer
• 10. You're a Grand Old Flag
• 11. Living in the USA

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

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. BINGO
• 2. Do Your Ears Hang Low? (also used during the end credits)
• 3. Little Bo Peep
• 4. Why Don't You Write Me? (Simon and Garfunkel)
• 5. Rockin' Robin
• 6. Water World (Michael Lloyd)
• 7. The Wanderer (Dion)
• 8. Harmony (Michael Lloyd)
• 9. How Much is That Doggie in the Window? (the last portion of the song is used after Itsy Bitsy Spider)
• 10. Little Duckie Duddle
• 11. Hickory Dickory Dock
• 12. Itsy Bitsy Spider

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

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. What Do You Want to Be? (Michael Lloyd) (also used during the end credits)
• 2. Sea Cruise
• 3. Drivin' My Life Away
• 4. One, Two Buckle My Shoe
• 5. School Days
• 6. The Alphabet Song
• 7. I Want to Be a Fireman (Michael Lloyd) (also used during the end credits)
• 8. Candy Man
• 9. Them Bones (also used during the end credits)
• 10. Mr. Policeman (Michael Lloyd) (also used during the end credits)
• 11. Rodeo Rider (Michael Lloyd)
• 12. Act Naturally

The Wonderful World of Sports (1987) Renamed "Let's Play Ball" in 1990, and renamed "Sport Adventures" in the UK of 1994 [US/UK: Platinum]

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. It's Not If You Win or Lose (Michael Lloyd) (also used during the end credits)
• 2. Practice Makes Perfect (Michael Lloyd)
• 3. Bend Me, Shape Me
• 4. I Get Around
• 5. Over the River and Through the Wood
• 6. Footloose
• 7. Rah, Rah, Sis Boom Bah (Removed from the British version)
• 8. Catch a Wave
• 9. Centerfield
• 10. You Know That You Can Do It (Michael Lloyd)

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

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. The Circus is Coming to Town (Original lyrics to melody of The Caissons Go Rolling Along) (also used during the end credits)
• 2. Polly Wolly Doodle
• 3. Strolling Through the Park
• 4. The Sabre Dance (Instrumental)
• 5. Put on a Happy Face
• 6. The Ringmaster Song (Michael Lloyd)
• 7. The Man on the Flying Trapeze
• 8. The Lion Tamer (Michael Lloyd)
• 9. If You're Happy and You Know It
• 10. Entry of the Gladiators (Instrumental)

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

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. The More We Get Together (also used during the end credits)
• 2. The Army Goes Rolling Along
• 3. Fishing Blues
• 4. On Top of Spaghetti
• Campfire Songs
• 5. 99 Bottles of Beer
• 6. Pop Goes the Weasel
• 7. Found a Peanut
• 8. When Johnny Comes Marching Home
• 9. Boom Boom Ain't It Great To Be Crazy?
• Animal Medley
• 10. The Animal Fair
• 11. Little Bunny Foo Foo
• 12. Pussy Cat Pussy Cat
• 13. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
• 14. The Old Grey Mare
• 15. I Had a Little Rooster
• Sing Along Music Show Songs
• 16. Whistle While You Work
• 17. The Hokey Pokey
• 18. When the Saints Go Marching In

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

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. Let's Twist Again
• 2. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
• 3. Little Deuce Coupe (song)
• 4. Fast Food (Michael Lloyd)
• 5. Here We Go Loopty Loo (Traditional)
• 6. Anything You Can Do
• 7. Splish Splash
• 8. A Pirate's Life
• 9. We're Gonna Get Wet (Michael Lloyd)
• 10. 1812 Overture (Instrumental)

Very Silly Songs (1990) [US: Gold]

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. The Name Game
• 2. Down by the Bay
• 3. Rig-a-Jig-Jig (also used during the end credits)
• 4. Mail Myself to You (Guthrie)
• 5. Purple People Eater
• 6. Fiddle-I-Dee (from Kentucky)
• 7. The Thing
• 8. Jim Along Josie
• 9. Michael Finnegan
• 10. Do the Silly Willy (Michael Lloyd)

A Day of Fun (1991)

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. BINGO (from "A Day with the Animals")
• 2. I Got Wheels (from "Cars, Boats, Trains and Planes")
• 3. Old MacDonald Had a Farm (from "A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm")
• 4. Day-O (Banana Boat Song) (from "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing")
• 5. The Circus is Coming to Town (from "A Day at the Circus")
• 6. We're Gonna Get Wet (from "Ride the Roller Coaster")
• 7. Down by the Bay (from "Very Silly Songs")
• 8. Them Bones (from "What I Want to Be!")
• 9. I've Been Working on the Railroad (from "Home on the Range")
• 10. When the Saints Go Marching In (from "A Day at Camp")
• 11. The More We Get Together (Ending Credits Version) (from "A Day at Camp")

We Wish You a Merry Christmas (1992)

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. Deck the Halls
• 2. All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
• 3. Silent Night (Instrumental)
• 4. Frosty the Snowman
• 5. Jingle Bells (also used during the end credits)
• 6. Santa, Please Don't Forget Me (Original)
• 7. If I Had A Pony For Christmas (Original)
• 8. The Twelve Days Of Christmas
• 9. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
• 10. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
• 11. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Play Along Songs (1993)

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. Come On and Join in the Game
• 2. Fooba Wooba John
• 3. Down by the Station
• 4. Oh, Dear, What Should the Color Be?
• 5. Bumpin' Up and Down (in My Little Red Wagon)
• 6. Three Little Fishies
• 7. The Green Grass Grows All Around
• 8. Chickie Chickie Beat
• 9. Ten in the Bed
• 10. Come On and Join the Band (Michael Lloyd) (also used during at the end credits)

If We Could Talk to the Animals (1993)

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. Hound Dog
• 2. Talk to the Animals (also used during at the end credits)
• 3. Five Little Monkeys
• 4. Raccoon and Possum (Original)
• 5. Over in the Meadow
• 6. The Bear Went Over the Mountain
• 7. Farmer in The Dell
• 8. The Kickin' Mule
• 9. The Old Hen
• 10. See Ya Later, Alligator!

Country Sing-Along (1994)

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. Swingin' (John Anderson)
• 2. On the Road Again (Willie Nelson)
• 3. Oats Peas Beans and Barley Grow
• 4. Chisholm Trail
• 5. Born to Be a Cowboy (Michael Lloyd) (also used at the end credits)
• 6. Buffalo Gals
• 7. Nashville Cats
• 8. Achy Breaky Heart
• 9. Country Kid (Michael Lloyd)
• 10. Happy Trails to You

Billy Biggle's Favorite Songs (1994)

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. Down by the Bay (from "Very Silly Songs")
• 2. Jim Along Josie (from "Very Silly Songs")
• 3. Five Little Monkeys (from "If We Could Talk to the Animals") (also used during the end credits)
• 4. BINGO (from "A Day with the Animals")
• 5. Michael Finnegan (from "Very Silly Songs")
• 6. We're Gonna Get Wet (from "Ride the Roller Coaster")
• 7. Take Me Out to the Ball Game (from "A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm")
• 8. Down by the Station (from "Play Along Songs")
• 9. I've Been Working on the Railroad (from "Home on the Range")
• 10. Raccoon and Possum (from "If We Could Talk to the Animals")
• 11. The Farmer in the Dell (from "If We Could Talk to the Animals")
• 12. Old MacDonald Had a Farm (from "A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm)

Boppin' with the Biggles (1994)

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. Walkin' the Dog
• 2. Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
• 3. Alley Cat
• 4. La Bamba
• 5. Put Your Little Foot Right There
• 6. Loco-Motion
• 7. Little Red Caboose (also heard as an instrumental version during the end credits)
• 8. Peppermint Twist
• 9. Rock Around the Clock
• 10. Paw Paw Patch

Let's Put on a Show (1995)

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. We'll Put on a Show (Michael Lloyd) (also used during the end credits)
• 2. Personality
• 3. It's Magic (Michael Lloyd)
• 4. Blue Suede Shoes
• 5. Mr. Bass Man
• 6. By the Light of the Silvery Moon
• 7. Me and My Shadow
• 8. The Best Dog in the World (Michael Lloyd)
• 9. It's Time for the Show (Michael Lloyd)
• 10. Give My Regards to Broadway

Baby Animal Songs (1995)

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. The Petting Zoo (also used during the end credits)
• 2. Wooly Bully
• 3. A You're Adorable
• 4. Jeepers Creepers
• 5. Yes! We Have No Bananas
• 6. Side by Side
• 7. Oh, You Beautiful Doll
• 8. Five Little Ducks
• 9. Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (On the Bedpost Overnight?)
• 10. The Way You Walk

I Can Dance! (1997)

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. I Can Dance! (Original) (also used during the end credits)
• 2. Dancing in the Street
• 3. Charleston
• 4. Twist and Shout
• 5. Jarabe Tapatío
• 6. The Yellow Rose of Texas
• 7. Come On And Conga (Original)
• 8. Barefootin'
• 9. Mashed Potato Time
• 10. At the Hop

I Can Do It! (1997)

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. I Can Do It! (also used during the end credits)
• 2. Look What I Can Do
• 3. How Does Your Garden Grow?
• 4. All Shook Up
• 5. C'mon and Swim
• 6. Peanut Butter and Jelly
• 7. Button Up Your Overcoat!
• 8. Bicycle Built for Two
• 9. In the Good Old Summertime
• 10. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
• 11. The Best Sandcastle

Adventures in Biggleland: Billy's Birthday (1998)

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. Adventures in Biggleland (Original) (also used during the end credits)
• 2. I'm a Big Boy Now (Original)
• 3. Playmate
• 4. Pat-a-Cake
• 5. Go In and Out the Window
• 6. Jump-Jump, Turn Around, Start Again (Original)
• 7. Simon Says
• 8. Limbo Rock
• 9. Happy Birthday to You
• 10. You Can't Sit Down

Adventures in Biggleland: Meet the Biggles (1998)

Featuring these music videos:

• 1. Adventures in Biggleland (Original) (also used during the end credits)
• 2. Consider Yourself
• 3. The Sidewalks of New York
• 4. Alouette
• 5. Alexander's Ragtime Band
• 6. Let's Rock It Up (Original)
• 7. The Muffin Man
• 8. Harrigan
• 9. Let's Be Silly (Original)
• 10. Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-Dee-A

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Television series

The Kidsongs Television Show debuted on September 19, 1987, with 26 half-hour episodes for 30 minutes distributed by Orbis Entertainment. 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. 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, this show was called The Kidsongs TV Show.

In 1994, a new version of the television series was developed by Rosenstein and produced in conjunction with Chicago public television station WTTW for 30 minutes 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. 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 one through four of The Kidsongs Television Show totalled 80 episodes. The series ran on Public Television for six years, winning critical acclaim. Currently, fifteen episodes of The Kidsongs Television Show are available on DVD, and the series is also available in its entirety on digital download through iTunes and Amazon Video.

Cast

The Biggles

• William "Billy" Biggle (portrayed by the Fuller Brothers Frat (Seasons 2-4) and Frit (Season 4) and voiced by Julene Renee-Preciado) is one of the two hosts of the series. He is blue with yellow hair.
• Ruby Biggle (portrayed by Amy Manlapaz (Season 2), Kimberly Bretto-Smith (Season 3) and Marilyn Rising (Seasons 3-4) and voiced by Julene Renee-Preciado) is Billy's sister. She is pink with purple hair tied in a ponytail decorated with a yellow bow.

Others

• Mary Laub - Mrs. Dipplewhite - Doris Dipplewhite (Guest) (Season 1, Episode 16 called "It's a Kid's World (Show 16)" (1988))
• Matthew Devore and probably Janice Hubbard as Sailors (Guests) (Season 1, Episode 25 called "Counting Down the Chart (Show 25)" (1988))
• Michael "Mike" the Dog (who appeared in the VHS episodes "Cars, Boats, Trains and Planes" (1986), "A Day with the Animals" (1986) (where he played Bingo), "What I Want to Be!" (1986), "The Wonderful World of Sports" - Himself (Guest) (Season 1, Episode 25 called "Counting Down the Chart (Show 25)" (1988))
• Julene Renee-Preciado (credited as Julene Renee) (born probably 1967) - William "Billy"/Ruby Biggle (Hosts) (Voice) (Seasons 1-4) and their Mother (Voice) (Season 4)
• Joseph E. Fuller - The Biggle Chef (Costume) (Season 4)
• Amy Manlapaz - Ruby Biggle (Host) (Costume) (Season 1)
• Kimberly Bretto-Smith - Ruby Biggle (Host) (Costume) (Season 3)
• Marilyn Rising - Ruby Biggle (Host) (Costume) (Seasons 3-4)
• Jetta E.Q. - Freckles Biggle and the Biggle Chef (Voice) (Season 4)
• Shari Douglas - William "Billy"/Ruby Biggle's Mother (Costume) (Season 4)
• Kimberly "Kim" Harris - Freckles Biggle (Costume) (Season 4)
• Stephanie DuBois - Stephanie Wilson (Seasons 1-3)
• Leif Jonasen (Season 1) and Roger Scott (Season 2) - Roger Forbes
• Russ "Pete" Fremin (who played Silly Willy in the VHS episode "Very Silly Songs" (1990)) (Season 3) - Jack Frost

The Kidsongs Kids

Season 1 (1987)

• Crew: David Chan, Todd Alyn Durboraw, Tina Marie Espinoza (uncredited) (episodes 20-26), Julie Ann Gourson, Hillary Hollingsworth, Tiffany Johnson, Nicole Mandich, Robert "Robby" Rosellen, Scott Trent
• Hosts: Christopher "Chris" Lytton, Triskin Potter

Season 2 (1994)

• Crew: Christopher "Chris" Aguilar, Janessa Ray (a.k.a. Janessa Beth), Marcus "Mark" Humphrey II, Megan Miyahira, Hassan Nicholas, Katharine "Katie" Polk, Melanee Ann Shale, Janet Veyts, Kevin Williamson, Jr., II
• Hosts: Christian Buenaventura, Alexandra "Alex" Palm (a.k.a. Alexandra Picatto), William "Billy"/Ruby Biggle (in later episodes)

Season 3 (1995)

• Crew: Jessica Fried, Brooke Garrett, Ryan McCutchan, Megan Miyahira, Hassan Nicholas, Maiya Norton, Casey Rion, Shira Roth, Dava Schatz
• Hosts: Aaron Harvey, Lynsey Bartilson, William "Billy"/Ruby Biggle

Season 4 (1997)

• Crew: Asa Karsten Bernstine, Kamran Kamjou, Brady Kimball, Michael Minden, Megan Miyahira, Troy Mullins, Evan/Miriam "Mimi" Paley, Sara Perks, Lana Richards
• Hosts: Tiffany Burton, Sergio Centeno, William "Billy"/Ruby Biggle

Airing history

• United States of America (United States)
  • ABC (1987-88)
  • PBS (1994-2001)
  • TBS
  • Nick Jr.
• Canada
  • Global Television Network (1994-2005)
  • Citytv
• United Kingdom
  • Spacetoon
• Philippines
  • Radio Philippines Network
  • People's Television Network
  • GMA Network
  • Associated Broadcasting Company
• Other
  • Spacetoon English (2005-11)
  • Spacetoon 1
  • Spacetoon 2 English (2005-11)
  • Discovery Kids (2004)

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See also

• The Magic School Bus
• Barney & Friends

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References

src: www.museumofplay.org

External links

• Official website
• Kidsongs on Internet Movie Database
• Kidsongs at TV.com

Source of the article : Wikipedia