Dear John Wood: letters about kids’ music

There's a lot of music out there for kids, so how do you know what's good and what's "so-so"? What are your needs? How can I help you? Send me an e-mail, and we will do our best to address your question here.
— John Wood

Dear John,
I am looking for appropriate music for my seven-year old. He likes the current pop music, but I feel the words are inappropriate for him. Since he listens over and over until he can sing the songs, I'd like to find music he'd like with a good beat and tunes but isn't so suggestive for both sex and violence. I think I've seen your L.A. Parent reviews of CDs of rock/pop music that is appropriate for young children. Because of his intense interest in music and his strong sense of rhythm, I want to encourage his listening, but, as a family, we have very strong feelings about the sex and violence in current popular music. He wants to listen to his 13 year old brother's CDs, so I'd like to find him some of his own. Can you give me any tips/advice/suggestions? I appreciate any help.
— Thank you, Emily B.

Dear Emily,
That's a toughie with older brother worship in the mix. Am I to assume that the 13-year-old is allowed to listen to music that contains sex and violence? If not, what does he listen to? A good way to introduce a youngster to particular music is to see a live concert. That works with adults! A picture is worth a lot of listening. Some good stage shows, off the top of my head, would be Craig & Co. (Craig Taubman), Tickle Tune Typhoon, Sooz, Joanie Bartels, Bill Schontz, Dan Crow, and Parachute Express. There are many more good ones. Your question is exactly what I wanted to address in this website. Thanks, and please let me know if you have trouble locating the performers or their music.
— John Wood

Dear John,
It's great to see your website. I found it very interesting and was amazed at how many great new releases there are.
— Norman Foote

Note from John Wood: My interview with Norman Foote is here.

Dear John,
"How else can you explain 'Fix My Dog' as sounding like a walk in the park." How perceptive of you. I wrote it while walking my dogs! Thanks,
— Nancy Schimmel