NAPPA Winners Reflect Music’s New Wave

By Tor Hyams

We are Witnessing History.

Every decade or so, a new genre pushes its way to the surface of musical history – the punk explosion in the ‘70s, new wave in the ‘80s, grunge in the ‘90s. Today, we are seeing the rapid proliferation of a new genre: family music.

Formerly known as “children’s music,” family music is the fastest growing (and selling) genre of music in the world. Thinking back to the ’80s and the early days of kid-centric music, we remember Raffi, Peter Yarrow and the occasional compilation album, such as Marlo Thomas’ Free to Be You and Me. As the “love children” of the ’60s (who had grown up on The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix) became parents, they needed something more … and some of them picked up their guitars, plucked a few keys and started writing songs. Today, we see thousands of albums released annually by everyone from former rock stars to punk rock moms.

New Genre of Family Music

This new genre of family music has a wide variety of sounds and influences (everything from rap to country, indie rock to jazz), but shares some essential ingredients: parental love, creative passion, positive messages, humor, fun, and sophisticated music. Family music speaks to children as full members of society without patronizing. When accomplished musicians create music for families, they deliver an album that’s easy on your ears as your child asks to play it over and over – and to which you’ll sing along, too.