Shushybye is the bridge from lullabies to kindie, #BlogPopEvents

Somewhere between children’s lullabies and kindie that can keep the kids entertained is a dicey world of music. If the music is aimed too low then it’s for babies, thus alienating the older kids. When the music is too much then it upsets the younger ones; and a frustrated 2 year old is something that no parent wants.   Shushybye manages to thread that difficult line of acceptance so well the older kids will be nodding their head in agreement before they realize what’s happening.

Shushybye was created in 2005 by singer-songwriter Steve Syatt. They’re Dozie, Zeez and Snoozles that live up in the clouds where they make dreams for children. The Shushies put the dreams in a train that then takes them to boys and girls, who must be in bed and asleep where they wait for the dreams.

The series premise is perilously close to alienating anyone who can read with the aforementioned description. It sounds close to baby vision viewing that children run like a wolf from when they turn 3 years old.  That’s when our oldest ran from that programming and I don’t blame him. The musical contemporaries of the show are the reason for (the older) audiences leaving. In those shows the music is performed in a sing-songy voice and is a lullaby disguised as something else.

However, the music in Shushybye is the exception-and the reason for why the music works for kids from 1-6. It manages to age up and bridge the younger to the older without the later running away. Call the Shushie’s music kindie light with a message that any child needs towards the end of the day.

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Michael North and the Sushybye Dream Band handle all of the music. It’s real music, has a variety of instruments and is overwhelmingly upbeat and is something that any age can enjoy. We need to state that most of the music is upbeat because the premise of the characters is that they prepare dreams for the kids.

Viewers used to be able to only enjoy Shushybye on BabyFirst TV or on any of their tours. However, now families can check out the show where its streaming on Netflix. When kids watch the show it demos down. It’s simple and a little slow for viewers who are 6 years old.

Because of that it’s somewhat surprising that the music still translates to an older audience. It’s all because of Michael North, his enthusiasm, performance and professionalism comes across to listeners of any age. He respects the older listeners who may not need help going to sleep; by delivering short, two minute pop nuggets that feel good and have happy images.

North is also an accomplished Gospel singer, in listening to some of his work there he accomplishes the same task there that he does here with kindie. He manages to bring people into a genre, either because of age, interest or knowledge and makes them a fan. It’s similar to some of the kindie artists that you listen to and think, ‘wow, they could really sing a great traditional pop song’.  North is already doing that with Gospel and his talent makes Shushybye succeed behind its key audience. His work with Shushybye is one that parents of kids 1 through 5 needs to know about.

This giveaway is for all five of The Shushybye CD releases, Shushybye & Goodnight, Close Your Eyes, MOON-FM, My Newest Best Friend and Time to Tuck You In.  It retails for $44. We’re part of BlogPop, a group of bloggers who are giving away lots of cool stuff now. Dig into the entire list below.