Tag Archives: Sugar Free Allstars

Win a Sugar Free Allstars Party Pack

SFAS_2016_006Sugar Free Allstars may not bring the sugar, but they certainly bring the funk. On their their soon to be released self-titled record (April 2), SFA lay down an infectious groove from start to finish, that just won’t quit.

We don’t want to tease the record too much (seriously, go pre-order it now) we’ll have more on the record in the coming weeks (perhaps, directly from the source.) If you REALLY want to read a review, the fine folks at Full Van Fun just posted their review.

SFA Party packBut let’s get to the reason you’re here in the first place. You want to win something – so here’s what we’ve got:

1 copy of the new CD
A pair of light-up star goggles (branded with Sugar Free Allstars)
A listening guide
A toy monster truck
8 stickers & 8 balloons

How to enter: Send me an email to [email protected] with the subject line: We want the funk, give up the funk. We’ll pick a winner in a week and send you all this awesomeness in the mail.

Bonus: Check out their grin-inducing new video for “Monster Truck” ( I mean, Air Supply? Come on, that’s brilliant!)

Record Store Day 2014 – Sugar Free All Stars

What does Record Store Day mean in the Kindie world? Sadly, not much. The cost of vinyl isn’t exactly the cheapest thing in the world to produce and the family genre isn’t exact a cash cow. Dan Zanes has done a Record Store Day release in the past, Justin Roberts Lullaby was released on vinyl and the lovely new Walter Martin record We’re All Young will be released on vinyl next month. So in short, there is not much vinyl in the Kindie world.

I grew up on music and a heavy dose came on vinyl (or 8 track.) But here’s why I want more Kindie records for families. The records I listened to were mine. My older siblings had their records, my parents had their records. But I had my own. The Muppets record, the Pete Seeger Sesame Street record, Larry Groce’s Disney records. I liked my parents music, but I couldn’t connect to it. I did with my records. We need to create that environment for our kids today.

Fear not vinyl enthusiasts, at least one* Kindie artist is putting out a release this Saturday at your favorite record store, Sugar Free Allstars. They’re releasing a 45 of “My Daddy’s Record Collection” which you can listen to right here.

Can’t make it to record store day? That’s OK. You can pre-order the 45 on their website. Those who do buy the record will also receive a download card to receive the digital version of the songs. The songs will also be available via the iTunes store and various streaming services.

*It’s not listed on the Record Store Day website, but according to this interview, Caspar Babypants will be releasing some vinyl this Saturday too.

Behind the B3: Oklahoma Tornado Aftermath

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Staring at the computer screen right now just trying to find words to express how we are all feeling in Oklahoma after yesterday’s devastating tornado. It’s awful, just horrible, our hearts are aching for those who have been affected by what is now thought to be the most destructive tornado in recorded history. My family and I live in Edmond, which is 30-40 miles north of Moore where the tornado hit, so we are all safe and have no damage. But the day before, May 19th, we ourselves were in a storm shelter as a small tornado touched down a half mile away from us (luckily we had no damage then either). Living in Oklahoma my whole life this is nothing new, we grew up with tornadoes and for years have known all about what to do when the sirens go off, but it still never prepares you emotionally for how to deal with this kind of destruction. We watched the whole thing on TV yesterday with all our things ready to go to the shelter again in case it got bad near us, but it never did. We watched as, within an hour, the weather went from almost clear blue skies to a deadly F4 tornado in Moore, destroying everything in its path.

We’ve seen a bad one like this before, on May 3rd, 1999 in almost the exact same place, so we knew as we watched that people were losing their lives. 40-50 minutes and it was over. Then we start to see images of the damage, entire neighborhoods and businesses…..gone. The aerial view looked almost like a giant lawnmower cut a path (up to 2 miles wide at points) all the way through the city. Since then we’ve been glued to the TV, Twitter and Facebook, reposting/retweeting info so friends outside the area will know what’s going on and that we’re okay, and to try and help disseminate helpful information to those in the area as well.

This has been very emotional for everyone around here. I have personally spent a lot of time in the area that was hit as I used to teach music lessons at schools in that part of Moore. In the Sugar Free Allstars I have played at the library in Moore on numerous occasions. One of the worst things for us has been learning that two elementary schools suffered direct hits while kids were still there. Thankfully at one of the schools, Briarwood Elementary, all of the kids have been accounted for. Tragically at the other school, Plaza Towers Elementary, they have shifted from search and rescue to search and recovery, with several children still inside. This is heart wrenching for us as many of the performances we do are in elementary schools just like this for kids the same age as those that are still inside, and there is a good chance that some of the kids at both schools have come to our shows. At home, we’re trying to keep it together so my two-year-old who is mostly oblivious doesn’t worry but there have already been a couple of times today when I’ve been by myself that it’s become overwhelming and I just have to cry…

I do want to make sure and sing the praises for our local OK weathermen and storm chasers: if it were not for their early warnings and up to date reports there is no doubt that there would have been far more lives lost. Now it’s time to gather some things to take to a donation center and try and help as much as we can. These folks need all the help they can get. I am including a list of ways that you can provide aid even if you are not anywhere close. Oklahoma – and our entire country – is full of good people. They have already had to turn away volunteers because so may people are showing up to help. Donation locations are being overwhelmed with goods and monetary contributions. For every tragic story, there are even more stories of survival and hope: teachers covering students with their own bodies, first responders and neighbors rushing to help with no thought for their own safety… Oklahoma is strong. We will survive.

* Donations of $10 to assist those affected by the tornado can be made by texting STORM to 80888 for Salvation Army, texting REDCROSS to 90999 for Red Cross, or by texting FOOD to 32333 for the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank.

* United Way of Central Oklahoma’s Disaster Relief Fund—donations may be made online at www.unitedwayokc.org or by mail to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 with notation for May Tornado Relief.

* Contributions to the Moore & Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund can be made securely online at www.TulsaCF.org. Donations can also be mailed to TCF offices at 7030 S. Yale, Suite 600, Tulsa, OK, 74136.

For a complete list of ways to help those affected in the May 20th Oklahoma tornado visit http://www.metrofamilymagazine.com/May-2013/Ways-to-Help-Families-Affected-by-the-May-20th-Tornado/

To find loved ones in Moore: www.safeandwell.org