KC Leads the Country in Kids' Entertainment

When the rest of the country thinks of Kansas City, what's the first thing that comes to their minds? Amazing barbecue, juicy rib-eye steaks, beautiful fountains, friendly people. They would be right on all accounts. What they might not think of now, but probably will in the very near future, is Kansas City's children's entertainment scene.

Kansas City has slowly become a hub for kids' music performers. As witnessed last month at the first annual Jiggle Jam at Crown Center, Kansas City's entertainers are talented, diverse and plentiful.

Jim Cosgrove, a.k.a Mr. Stinky Feet, is one of the founders of this movement. After spending years in the business world, Cosgrove started performing at family functions for his nieces and nephews.

"They liked my music, so I started playing some gigs at a local book store," said Cosgrove. "Some of the parents in the audience asked if I had a CD of my music. I recorded ‘Bop Bop Dinosaur' with a few of my friends in a garage studio thinking that it would be a one-time thing."

Cosgrove now has seven CDs and two DVDs. He's performed all over North America - including two dates at The White House - and in four European countries.

"I've been averaging about 300 shows per year for the past few years," said Cosgrove. "Who knew it would lead to this?"

Cosgrove has acted as a mentor to many of the new acts in Kansas City and is interested in raising the profiles of all of KC's performers.

"Jim has been particularly good to us and has a great vision of bringing the KC kids' music scene the national attention it deserves," said Mike Niewald from The Doo-Dads.

The Doo-Dads, Niewald, Matt Kesler, Joe Gose and Ken Lovern, four dads from Johnson County, are all musicians that have been playing in various bands for the past 25 years.

"When we started having children of our own, we naturally progressed to writing and playing music for kids," said Niewald. "Now, our kids, affectionately known as The Doo-Drops, sing on all of our records."

The Doo-Dads, like most of these groups, hope the kids in their audiences will find joy in the music at their shows.

"We have a ton of fun bringing the rock concert experience to our audience," said Niewald. "We hope our honest and positive approach has a positive effect on the children that hear our music."

Krista "Funky Mama" Eyler started performing in 2005 after she saw a niche that needed to be filled.

"After I had my first son, I saw that there were some great "dad" acts out there, but no Funky Mamas," said Eyler.

Eyler had been a singer in musical theater and played guitar since she was 15.

"Theatrical rock and roll comes naturally to me," said Eyler. "My show is a jump-up-and-dance act. The main thing that I want to teach kids is to love music and dancing with their whole hearts."

And Eyler's act could soon become a family affair.  "My four-year-old son knows every one of my songs by heart and sings along with great pitch!"

Eyler, like fellow performer Dino O'Dell, was inspired when she was growing up by Sesame Street.

"I watched Sesame Street , The Electric Company and Mr. Rogers when I was young," said O'Dell. "I was one of those kids that were frustrated when nobody on the show could see Snuffleupagus other than Big Bird."

And it would seem that O'Dell's natural curiosity led to his career as a kids' entertainer and song writer.

"I love the music of Joni Mitchell. Her lyric ‘Ice cream castles in the air' was a preschooler's poetic inspiration," said O'Dell. "At five years old, ice cream, castles and anything flying in the air are intriguing."

O'Dell now performs with his band The Veloci-Rappers in the Midwest and in the Pacific Northwest where he grew up.

"I began composing musicals at a children's theater in Seattle when I was a teenager," said O'Dell. "Walking home from school in Seattle inspired my song ‘Puddle Jumper.'"

And in keeping with the friendly spirit of Kansas City, O'Dell and his fellow performers have nothing but praise for each other.

"I enjoy watching all of the KC acts," said O'Dell. "Funky Mama is a great singer. Mr. Stinky Feet has non-stop energy, and The Doo-Dads rock."

Eyler returns the compliment. "Dino O'Dell is a wonderful storyteller, and a fabulous guitar man. All of the KC acts bring something musically special for children and their families."

All of these acts perform around the country, but still make time to perform regularly in the KC area. To find when the entertainers are performing near you, visit their web sites.

Funky Mama

FunkyMamaMusic.com

What's your inspiration?

My kids, nieces and nephews are always providing me with new material. I also get great ideas from my mommy friends and the moms at my shows.

Who were your favorite entertainers when you were growing up?

Julie Andrews, Judy Garland and Elvis

What's coming up for you?

I'm releasing my third CD "Moo Juice" in September.

Dino O'Dell and the Veloci-Rappers

DinoODell.com

What did you do before performing children's music?

I taught music at Brookside Day School and worked as a professional musician with various Kansas City bands. I was lucky to work in a variety of styles including Dixieland, reggae and the blues.

Does your family get in on the act?

No family yet, but I just got engaged...so...we'll see.  I'm a celebrity at family reunions because my Mom gives my CD to every newborn in the extended O'Dell clan.

The Doo-Dads

TheDooDads.com

Where can Kansas Citians see you?

We play a regular early "family show" at The Record Bar in midtown. Our songs are played on XM Kids Radio. "Mama Be Right Back" off our new CD "Rock and Roll!" reached number four after 11 consecutive weeks on the "13 under 13" chart.

What's your inspiration?

The shared experience of children and their parents enjoying our music together.

Mr. Stinky Feet and the Hiccups

JimCosgrove.com

What's your inspiration?

My own kids, my nieces and nephews and kids in general. Plus, I get a lot of inspiration from the kid who lives inside my brain.

Does your family get in on the act?

My wife, Jeni, and our two daughters travel almost everywhere with me. Jeni books my shows, our three-year-old likes to sing with me on stage, and my brother is my business manager.

More Great KC Kids' Entertainers

Miss Jackie - "the godmother of KC kids' music" - JackieSilberg.com

Bongo Barry - "master percussionist - Unity with a Beat" - HealthySounds.com

Anne Meeker Miller - "music to help you communicate with your baby" - LoveLanguageForBabies.com

Teacher and the Rockbots & the Blankies - "rock and roll for kids" - PowerArtsCompany.com

Donna Schwartze is a freelance writer living in Prairie Village.