Photo of Justin Roberts

Justin Roberts

General Info

  • Genre: Folk / Indie / Rock

    Location Chicago, Illinois, US

    Profile Views: 43664

    Last Login: 5/11/2011

    Member Since 3/12/2008

    Website www.justinrobertsmusic.com

    Record Label Carpet Square Records

    Type of Label Indie

  • Bio

    "The Paul McCartney of kids' music." — USA Today "Deft lyrics and beautiful sound." — Los Angeles Times "As a kids' performer, Roberts is in a league of his own." — Chicago Tribune Like a scene from "Groundhog Day," the event repeats itself over and over. Bass and drums pound out the beat in perfect unison. Bodies spring to their feet and rush the stage; jumping, dancing and bouncing off each other like bumper cars. The concertgoers behave like children. This should come as no surprise, because they are children, participating in the kiddie mosh pit found at nearly every Justin Roberts concert. Justin Roberts is truly one of the "all-stars" of the indie family music scene. He logs thousands of miles on the road each year, leading some to call him the hardest working man in children's show business. With numerous national awards and recognition and a devoted fan base, Justin and The Not Ready for Naptime Players dish out unexpectedly intelligent and whimsically rocking music for kids and their parents. Justin's latest CD Jungle Gym ascends through the collective memories of childhood: from the joys of trick or treating and gym class parachutes and sleepovers to the magic stillness of snow days. The recording takes listeners on a journey through iconic experiences that kids will relate to and parents will remember. It's an often funny and rocking ride: from magic moments sailing on a moonlit cardboard box, through the temporary trauma of getting lost, to the anticipation and wonder of a school fire drill. Giant pounding drums, vintage electric guitars, strange and fanciful time changes, soaring vocals and elegant French horns conquer the heights of the jungle gym. This seventh family music CD from Justin Roberts continues a hot streak that started in the early 1990s. Roberts began his music career in the Minneapolis-based indie-rock band Pimentos for Gus. He decided to moonlight (during the day) as a Montessori preschool teacher. It wasn't long before Justin began writing and singing songs for a new generation of fans: his students. The kids immediately responded and inspired Justin to record some of his new songs and send them out to a few friends for Christmas. One of the gift recipients was Liam Davis, a college pal and music producer, who suggested that they record the songs professionally. In 1998, Justin released his first CD, Great Big Sun, and the critics took note. Justin's music was soon being compared to everyone from Elvis Costello and Fountains of Wayne to Paul Simon, ELO and Nick Lowe. By 2001, Justin had hit the road full time, doing what he loves most: playing music for appreciative crowds. Kiddie mosh pits broke out, word spread and shows started selling out. He has played at such renowned venues and festivals as NYC's Symphony Space, DC's National Geographic Live, LA's Getty Museum, Seattle's Moore Theater, Lollapalooza and Chicago's Ravinia. Justin has performed in front of millions of people on The Today Show, he's featured on Nick Jr. TV, and his song "Get Me Some Glasses" was featured on a World Series broadcast. He's also garnered kudos and raves from national media including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, People, Entertainment Weekly, and the Chicago Tribune. Once again, Justin Roberts raises the bar for family music with a playground full of bright new songs for parents and kids to enjoy together. Whether you're playing the familiar game Duck Duck Goose ("We Go Duck") in a new way or saying a wistful goodbye to your trusty bed as you leave for "Sleepoverland," Jungle Gym provides a memorable soundtrack for the way families live today. What critics are saying about Justin Roberts: "On your feet fun and laugh-out-loud funny." — People "A master of conjuring up images that resonate with the young ones." — Entertainment Weekly "The Buddy Holly of the kids' world, perhaps with a better voice." — Time Out NY Kids "Some of the most inspired and intelligent kids lyrics ever." — Amazon.com "Hits all the right magical buttons to charm parents and children alike." — Minneapolis Star-Tribune Awards, Accolades and High Fives: "Best Children's Music of the Past 30 Years" (Meltdown) — Time Out NY Kids Winner of Five Parents' Choice Gold Awards, and Naptime was selected for Parents' Choice 25 Best Children's CDs of the Past 25 Years Winner of Five National Parenting Publications (NAPPA) Gold Awards Amazon.com Top 10 Children's CDs of the Year three times. #1 Children's CD of the Year - Fids and Kamily Poll in 2006 and 2008.
  • Members

  • Influences

  • Sounds Like

    .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. POP FLY .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. WILLY WAS A WHALE .. .. .. .. .. ONE LITTLE COOKIE .. .. .. .. .. IF YOU GOT ONE .. .. .. .. .. TIE YOUR SHOE .. .. .. .. .. OUR IMAGINARY RHINO - LIVE .. .. .. .. .. YELLOW BUS - LIVE .. .. .. .. .. AIRPLANE OF FOOD

Comments

Post a comment...
  • The Onesies

    JR : See ya this weekend

    3 years ago
  • 3 years ago
  • Jess F

    Oh My Gosh!! My whole family loves your music. You are a really great artist, and we just can't keep my nephew Niclaus from singing "If You Got 1" or as he calls it "Dee numbers song." We all know all the words to "Pop Fly" and "Willy was a Whale." We were very upset to miss your show on Mother's Day in Phila. but are excited to see that you will be coming to Longwood Gardens!! Can't wait to see the show!!
    < ~*~Jessica~*~ >

    3 years ago
  • Thom Reed

    Awesome show today....my son Asher had a blast! Cant wait to see you at the Ohio State Fair!

    4 years ago
  • Jon Berry

    My kids and I loved your show! You RAWK :)

    4 years ago
  • kirstin

    Thanks for making Henry's week in LA this weekend!

    4 years ago
  • Cam Nguyen

    Thanks for adding me justin!
    Me and my friend love your music, we think it's super cute and sing it around school all the time.
    Could you please put up "the backyard superkid" for listening on myspace?
    It's my absolute favorite song ever.

    "..surrounded by lions! well, they're dandelions."

    4 years ago
  • Silly Sam the Music Man

    Thanks for adding me as a freind. Your videos are great!

    4 years ago
  • jack purcell

    hope you come out to western MA. sometime Justin! Let's zydeco!

    4 years ago
  • Melissa Pippin

    Pleeease come out with a DVD of all of your music videos. And add some of the "Sea Monsters" stuff to this page. My family loves your music!

    4 years ago
10 of 48More

Bio:

602869d2ba0083fc20ebc028e76b938c

Member Since:

March 12, 2008

Sounds Like:

.. .. .. POP FLY .. .. .. WILLY WAS A WHALE ONE LITTLE COOKIE IF YOU GOT ONE TIE YOUR SHOE OUR IMAGINARY RHINO - LIVE YELLOW BUS - LIVE AIRPLANE OF FOOD

Record Label:

Carpet Square Records

Login

Forgot password?

Need an account? Sign up