Recording Artist adds Children to the Mix and creates Magic

When Karen Mortimer was raising her children she had no idea that, years later, she would be raising the little voices of other kids. Now, this former stay at home mom is a music teacher and is fast becoming a local star. She has performed on television, radio, in schools and churches, and local bookstores. And starting this summer, she will have her own Saturday morning radio show called, what else, Karen & Kids!

"When I had children, I decided that I wanted to be totally devoted to them. I wanted to be there for them all the time, and I loved it. When my children hit 15 or so, I started to spiral downward. I guess I finally realized that I needed more kids! That was when I decided to form Karen & Kids."

Karen & Kids is a musical group starring Karen Mortimer and a group of children who love to sing. Karen plays the guitar and sings, and the children sing along. Most of the songs are written by Karen as well. The songs are not only entertaining and fun, but many of them are educational, too. In the song ,"Change", the group sings, "5 pennies make a nickel, two nickels make a dime, 5 nickels make a quarter, or a nickel and two dimes". The tune is so catchy I was singing it for days after the first time I heard it!

Karen talked about how important music is to children, and how it influences them. "Kid's absorb the music. If it is peaceful music, it puts them in a peaceful state. If it's up tempo, they're entertained by it. Kid's are so smart today, many of them have their own cassette players and they can decide for themselves what they like and don't like. So much is thought out for kids today. Creatively, they have nothing left. I think, with music, they can make it their own. It can transform them."

And transform them it does. Karen n Kids recordings have developed quite a following, selling out at local bookstores. Her best selling cassette, "All Aboard" has a wonderful song called "Feelings", as well as Karen's favorite, "The Cowpoke Song". Her latest CD, Ladybug Picnic, will undoubtedly be even bigger. The title song is about having a picnic with ladybugs and other critters.

You can even listen to a sample at the Karen & Kids website at http://www.karenandkids.com/ . With songs called, "Rockin Rhyme", "Cookies", "I'm a Fish", and my favorite, "Change", your children will be enchanted with Ladybug Picnic. My bet is that you'll be singing the songs, too.

Kelly's hobbies include reading, writing, and working out. She also teaches Sunday School to 4 and 5 year olds.   Kelly can be reached at CorpAlt@aol.com.

"Though I reach for the stars, my faith keeps me grounded!"