“When my kids were growing up, while other fathers were running for the video cameras, I was reaching for my guitar.” – John Flynn
The songs that were born from these moments are snapshots from the album of John’s family life of raising four children, of the joys and the concerns of growing up, fitting in, figuring out who you are. There’s no need to be a kid or a member of his family to appreciate and identify with his music, his songs resonate with truth.
After four years of commuting to Nashville during the week to work on Music Row as a songwriter, John made the decision to stay home and become a full-time dad. During the day he got the kids off to school and went to their activities. At night he’d play bars and clubs.
In a natural progression, he began performing in schools and his assembly program became wildly popular. He kept writing and over time put out two children’s CDs. Kathy O’Connell of WXPN’s “Kid’s Corner” discovered John’s music and plays his songs regularly.
“One of the wonderful joys in my life is that I know this guy…(he’s) a treasure in this community and for Kid’s Corner.” – Kathy O’Connell, WXPN Kid’s Corner
Love Takes a Whole Box of Crayons received a Notable Recording Award from the American Library Association.
“A Manatee Sneezed on Me”, from the album of the same name, has achieved an almost-cult status. It made WXPN’s top 500 songs of all tiem and continues to receive rave reviews.
“John Flynn is a rare artist, in that he writes powerful and poignant songs for adults, but he is also adept at creating wonderful music for kids. Very few artists can do both equally well…” – Sixsongs Blogspot, “Cook Kid’s Songs” 11/3/09
John is a highly respected and beloved children’s entertainer. He has the gift of making true connections with children. He respects them and they respond in kind. He is real and they recognize it. Although his main focus these days is his adult social-justice music, he remains very involved with youth. They are our finest resource and dserve our best attentions. He plays regularly at children’s festivals, musical series, and present school assembly programs and workshops.
We hope you and your child or children are able to join us for this very special children’s concert with John Flynn!
John Flynn’s Children’s Concert will take place from 12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. in the lower shelterhouse.