Animal Welfare
About the Artists
These talented artists have all generously lent their voices to this initiative. Here’s a bit of information on each of them as well a link to their website where you can find more information. We encourage you to visit their websites, learn more about them and support their music. Please help us thank them for their contribution!
Larry Zarella – “Me & Jane Rosetti”
Larry’s writing remembers the spirit of the grizzly, the spirit of the woods, even the spirit of his little cabin. All are there in his songs and he introduces his listeners to them as the old friends they are.
To experience Larry’s performance is to enjoy a true folk artist. He’s shared the stage with the likes of Bill Staines, Jonathan Edwards, Guy Davis, Dan Bern, Pierce Pettis, Janice Ian and Susan Werner to name a few.
“When Larry opens his suitcase of original songs, there’s no telling what will get pulled out. Heartbreakingly beautiful… clever… as well as laugh-out-loud funny songs. He’s clearly one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets.” – Trudy Heffernan, Acoustic Adventures Promotions. View artist’s website
John Fulton – “Kitten Lullaby”
As the host of Animal Planet’s Must Love Cats, cat-obsessed host and musician John Fulton sees as much of the feline world as possible, no matter where the path leads – from the weird and the wacky to the curious and cuddly.
John studied classical music at the University of Rhode Island, graduating with a B.A. in music performance. Living in Los Angeles for the last 10 years, he’s been the musical mastermind and sidekick on “Live! From the Future … With Stuart Paap”, as well as songwriter extraordinaire for the popular and humorous band “The Fresh”. John plays guitar and piano and has a certain uncanny ability to compose comedic ditties on the spot. View artist’s website
The Spanish Channel – “Be A Dog”
The Spanish Channel is melodic powerpop – catchy uptempo rock with harmony vocals, and lyrics that tell the stories of life in New York City. The band lives in Brooklyn, NY, and rocks like Foo Fighters, Weezer, Fountains of Wayne, The Cars, Maroon 5, Lit, and Ok Go.
Their debut album Upside Downer (Dogburn Records) was released in 2008 and they’ve just released their follow up album Brooklyn, Off Atlantic produced by Tim Mitchell (Sting, Bob Dylan) at Clinton Studios in New York, NY.
They were featured in the November 2010 issue of Spin Magazine and one of their songs is currently the theme song for the minor league hockey team the Danbury Whalers. View artist’s website
Musicians for a Cause – “Choose Me”
We all know that songs can make people laugh, cry, and fall in love. But this song can saves lives; literally. Pet overpopulation is a huge problem. The simple truth is there are too many homeless dogs and not enough good homes for them.
Choose Me was co-written by songwriter Tim Johnson and has surely inspired many trips to shelters across the country! It’s from The Song Trust, an organization founded by Tim that believes it’s all about the song, not the singer.
This anonymous production of “Choose Me” by Musicians for a Cause honors the view that it’s the song’s message that’s important. We hope it inspires many of you to either adopt, volunteer, provide financial support, or in some way help a local organization so that all dogs can find loving homes.
John Shipe – “Pit Bull Blues”
When did it all start? Back in the late 80’s, when no one bothered to say out loud that I sucked, when 40 ounces of Pabst Blue Ribbon whispered in my ear that I had a future in this Biz. And boy did I suck, albeit with great enthusiasm. (I’ve got tapes to prove it.)
After a while, I got my own style-rich composition/hack delivery. Good enough to be in a nationally touring band called The Renegade Saints. (Almost made it big with a blend of Northwest heavy rock & Southern Americana.) Then I went solo in the late 90’s to pursue more idiosyncratic sounds, releasing Sudden & Merciless Joy which performed well on the Oregon charts.
Going solo meant beginning a long collaborative relationship with Ehren Ebbage. With his help in The John Shipe Acoustic Trio, I improved enough to get some love from Performing Songwriter Magazine. (Not once, but twice!) View artist’s website
Calaveras – “Bad Dog”
Singer-songwriters Greg Beattie and Victoria Blythe, along with instrumentalist Dave Decker, combine voices and a half dozen acoustic instruments into original songs that are both fresh and timeless -from the roots of American traditional song forms to explorations of contemporary sounds.
Their songs and performances have captured the prestigious Kerrville New Folk prize, grand prize in the West Coast Songwriters International song contest, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artists, the Napa Valley Emerging Songwriter award, West Coast Songwriter’s Association Song of the Year honors, and have appeared in TV shows and movies. View artist’s website
Driftwood Fire – “Butterscotch”
Written by: Mark Lindsey Brier
Driftwood Fire is a rarity in today’s media mad world – an organically creative female duo whose vivid songwriting and prodigious playing skills display uncommon artistry. Striking for their balance of variety and seamlessness, and for exceptional storytelling, the duo’s captivating live performances have propelled them to the stages of the National Women’s Music Festival, the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists showcase and Far-West Folk Alliance Premier showcases.
They’ve also earned Suggested Artists status in VH-1’s Song of the Year contest, first place in this year’s Merle Fest Chris Austin Songwriting contest, first place in the International Narrative Song Contest, and an Honorable Mention at the Telluride Troubadour Contest. View artist’s website
Big Bang Boom – “Animal Sounds”
2011 Winner – John Lennon Songwriting Contest -Children’s Category for “Monster Under the Bed”
What happens when professional musicians become parents? They play and write children’s music. This is the path taken by Big Bang Boom, a children’s music group from Greensboro, NC.
After 20 years touring clubs and playing parties, Chuck Folds (younger brother of piano rocker Ben Folds) and Steve Williard decided to expand their horizons and play for kids. Together with drummer Eddie Walker they’re the parent friendly kid’s rock band alternative.
Big Bang Boom gives parents something else to listen to on those drives to school and soccer. We know that kids rock, so that’s what we make – kids rock! View artist’s website
Nellie McKay – “The Dog Song”
You should know that Nellie McKay is hard to categorize. She’s done Brecht on Broadway, opened for Lou Reed at Carnegie Hall, sung Woody Allen movie songs at the Hollywood Bowl, performed on A Prairie Home Companion, duetted with Eartha Kitt and Triumph The Insult Comic Dog, played Hilary Swank’s sister on the big screen, paid tribute to Doris Day, and released three wildly acclaimed albums of original music.
Her music is as tuneful and clever as the best of the Great American Songbook – part cabaret, part sparkly pop. But beneath the charming melodic surface is a wit that cuts, and a sharply tuned social conscience.
Recently, McKay completed filming her first starring role, opposite violin prodigy Philippe Quint, in the independent film Downtown Express; recorded (along with Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks) for the soundtrack of the upcoming Martin Scorsese HBO series Boardwalk Empire; and contributed two songs to the award-winning documentary Gasland. View artist’s website