Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights Interview and Giveaway

Congratulations to our winner, Lynette, selected randomly via random.org (1-29>25).

This past Saturday, our family got to see Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights perform live at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. We listened to the band's newest CD "I'm a Rockstar" on the way to the concert and the kids couldn't help but dance in their carseats the whole way there.

It's no surprise that the CD has been awarded a Parents' Choice Gold Award. As I listened to the first song, I thought to myself, "Wow, this is really a CD for me parading as music for the kids"... sort of like how I convinced Katie that the soundtrack of "Wicked" is really her music. But Katie was thrilled to find out that the band's repertoire also includes the cumpulsory "freeze dance" and "en espanol" songs.

The original songs on Joanie's second CD for kids vary in tempo and musical genre. So really, there's something for everyone. And I love that it exposes kids to so many varied types of musical influence so that they can be the ones to decide the type of music they like best. Katie is a huge fan of "I'm a Rockstar" and "Popcorn," but I have to admit I really enjoyed the witty "The Elf":

The cowbell was a huge hit with all of the kids in the crowd and, as a parent, my advice for the band would be to sell some cowbells after the show ... so that my daughter doesn't have to charm poor Joanie into letting her have her display cowbell. Thank goodness we were last in line.

After the show, we purchased a copy of the Joanie Leeds' first kid CD "City Kid." Personally, I think I prefer the first CD, but only because I genuinely just love the sound of her voice and appreciated her rendition of some kids' classics (along with more originals).

Joanie made herself available to graciously meet everyone in the audience after the show and even gave Katie a little VIP treatment by allowing Katie to try her hand at her first ever on-camera interview.

If you're in the Philly area and you missed Saturday's show, you're in luck because Joanie Leeds will be back in our area on June 5, 2010 to perform 2 sets at the Philadelphia Zoo during their Sunset Safari (special evening hours from 4pm-8pm). And Joanie, if you're taking requests, PLEASE play "Ice Cream"!!! on the 5th.

PLUS - Joanie provided me with a signed copy of "I'm a Rockstar" to giveaway to a reader.

To enter:

*Simply leave me a comment to let me know you're interested.

*5 more entries for followers of this review site.

*Give me some comment love on my main blog, and I'll throw in an extra entry for each comment.

*Feel free to tweet this giveaway as much as you'd like for extra entries. Tweet must include @JulieBouf and a link to this post.

This giveaway will close on May 31, 2010.

If you have a non-reply google account or don't have a google account - include some way for me to contact you in your comment (e-mail address, twitter handle, etc...if I don't already know you personally).

Tickets to Saturday's concert were provided to me by the band. I also received a digital download of the CD. My opinions can not be bought and I and my daughter are genuinely 2 of the band's biggest fans after seeing their fun and lively performance.