In 2002 when singer Lisa Mathews and guitarist Mikel Gehl began writing songs that would appeal to the youngest audiences, they looked to their own children for inspiration. Staying true to what they observed, they translated their family lives into universal appeal that not only has garnered them legions of children as fans, but parents as well. Thus was the beginning of the pop/rock children’s music group, Milkshake.
Since that time, Milkshake has grown from a duo to a six-member band comprising musical veterans from the Baltimore pop/rock/progressive music scene headed by Lisa Mathews (lead vocals) and Mikel Gehl (acoustic and electric guitars) along with Michael “Shepp” Shepard (electric guitar), Cord Neal (bass guitar), Tom Moon (drums) and Brian Simms (keyboards and accordion). And, not surprisingly, as their ensemble grew, so did their own family life experiences, which has kept many of their early fans engaged with the ever-evolving group enjoying music that reflects real lives. Lisa Mathews says, “In the last year or so we’ve noticed an amazing thing: the kids who started listening to us as babies are still right there with us today — in effect growing with the band as the band has grown with them!”
Milkshake’s energized music and slice-of-life lyrics have produced three award-winning CDs along with music videos that have appeared on Noggin, PBS KIDS, Discovery Kids’ and the Emmy-nominated ToddWorld. Their high-profile run makes them in demand as a national touring group.
In their newest and fourth CD release, Great Day, there are
guest appearances by two-time GRAMMY-winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, with Marxer adding tuneful ukulele and mandolin licks in “Travel Far” and Fink’s banjo strumming in “When I’m Old.”
Also joining in the fun is Rodney Henry (former front man of the legendary kings of the Baltimore hard rock-garage-rockabilly scene, The Glenmont Popes as he adds his guitar and vocals in “Recipe.”
Other standouts on Great Day are the rockin’ n’ rollin’ “Shake it Up,” the positive self-esteem message of “Statue of Me,” the tender lullaby “I Love You” as well as the title song, “Great Day,” an anthem to the carefree joys of childhood.
Great Day was produced by the multi-talented Tor Hyams.
The CD runs 37 minutes in length and is recommended for children ages six through 10 years of age.
You can listen to sound samples of all 12 tracks, purchase MP3s or the entire CD at Amazon.com and other online outlets, or through Milkshake’s own website where for a limited time, if purchasing any product online from their Google Checkout store you’ll get a free Milkshake Beachball Baseball.
You can also view a video of Milkshake below, charming their little fans at a visit to XM Satellite Radio.
If you enjoyed this article, you may want to read:
GRAMMY duo Fink and Marxer innovate a mix of styles on newly released CD
The GRAMMYS: Celebrating 51 years of children’s musical entertainment
Jonas Brothers' Lines, Vines and Trying Times grabs number one spot on Billboard’s 200
Comments