Great Outdoors-Inspired Songs

CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN by Gary Lucas (co-writer of Jeff Buckley’s hits MOJO PIN and GRACE, and Joan Osborne’s Grammy-nominated song SPIDER WEB). Gary’s soaring and motivational rock song with horns and a wailing chorus, “Climb the highest mountain so you can stand tall!” 

Gary and his rock band, Gods and Monsters, will perform at the Iridium, NYC, on May 31. He’ll include some of his classic Chinese pop with long-time collaborator singer Feifei Yang. Classic folks from the NYC rock and punk scene (bassist Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers, Elliott Murphy, David Johansen), and drummer Billy Ficca (Television, Waitresses, Washington Squares), and saxophonist/analog studio owner Jason Candler) are in Gary’s band. Ernie, Billy and Jason do sessions. 

Then look for a full show of Chinese Pop from Gary and Feifei, on July 25, at  The Loft at City Winery NYC

8pm.  That show will feature dreamy ’30s Shanghai Pop, 

and new Mandarin versions of songs by Bob Dylan and other great artists. 

  (more info on Gary's Chinese pop: http://garylucas.com/www/edgelive/edgelive.shtml) 

More Tourdates at http://www.garylucas.com/tour.shtml 

TWINKLE LITTLE STAR by Miss Amy is one of the most pure-in-heart versions of the classic lullaby that you're ever going to hear!

TCHATCHAKES LATKES by Rachael Sage

 a perfect song for the news this Hanukah (Dec. 12-20). She sings the ingredients in this festive ditty which sounds good late night/early morning.

FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE by Dan Berggren is for the Fourth of July, and is the same melody of "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Dan's version is about fighting for the environment and liberty to keep us strong.   

http://anneleighton.com/soul-moves-music/

From Every Mountainside

My country, ‘tis for thee

I’ll fight for liberty

To keep us strong.

When power is shared by you, 

Not just a chosen few.

We know what we must do 

To right the wrongs.

Don’t take for granted 

Seeds that were planted 

Centuries ago.

Seeds of democracy, 

Nurtured with honesty, 

Become our liberty 

When we share the load.

My country, I love thee.

Long may thy flag fly free;

for you I stand.

But I don’t appreciate

The way some do generate

A national pride that’s based on hate 

Of another land.

This world may never be 

Completely trouble-free,

And yet we cling.

Let us who share this place 

Do so with strength and grace. 

We are one human race

Of thee I sing.

traditional tune, words ©2004 Dan Berggren 

Listen to Our Spotify Playlist

Summer 2017 Songs & Masters from Soul Moves Music

Hope you’re having a musical and joyful summer. Karen Besbeck and I have some songs that are great for covers and syncs by great artists!  Email us at Anne@AnneLeighton.com, LeightonMedia@aol.com or call at 718-881-8183.

http://anneleighton.com/soul-moves-music/

** On July 26 Elliott Murphy will perform in his native Long Island, New York for the Stony Brook Film Festival, which is premiering THE SECOND ACT OF ELLIOTT MURPHY featuring interviews with Bruce Springsteen (who says of Elliott Murphy: I don’t think he’s ever written a bad song”), and Billy Joel.  On August 1, he plays the Rockwood Music Hall, New York City. 

LET ME IN: Elliott Murphy: slow, piano, trying to find a better place with a best friend that’s going through a rough time. Tom Waits meets gospel.  

PRODIGAL SON Elliott Murphy This song is about a prodigal son (with attitude) beginning his journey.

EVERYTHING I DO (LEADS ME BACK TO YOU) Elliott Murphy (featuring Bruce Springsteen): Fond memories of a long lost friend that is always close in mind.

**I am working with Manifesto Records on the late Allan Holdsworth’s 12 Solo albums. He understood melody and rhythm in a dramatic way. The licensing of most of the compositions on his solo albums are ONE-STOPS. If you are working in music with credentials, and interested, please reach out to us. 

THE 4.15 BRADFORD EXECUTIVE Allan Holdsworth

percussive based composition with 4 different movements.

:00 through :49: It sounds like clanging bells and rain sound effects in rhythm. 

:50 music—the synth axe comes in with a theme that repeats as other instruments join in.

2:37” elegant and gorgeous jazz guitar space age lead (like a Jetsons’ “Daughter Judy” energy)

6:00 tempo slows

7:00 into space, and resumes the synth axe pace heard earlier, but it fades out)

**THE TIDE Rachael Sage

Gentle piano and acoustic violin  Profound lyric, trying to teach friends to understand what sacrifices and challenges other people have made for them.   
"Compassion pulls the tide in which we’re free."  Rachael's latest EP, THE TIDE has gentle and enlightening songs to inspire us to work on getting out of sadness.

**SPACE by Shun Ng &Magic Dick 

Laid back harmonica bliss and acoustic guitar, fresh and sexy (in a laid back way) sounding.

(Dick was the harmonica player of  the legendary J. Geils’ Band.  Shun is an acoustic blues guitarist from Chicago, now living in Massachusetts.) 

**WISH ME WELL by Jenn Cristy  

Wistful, piano song about not wanting to regret “a chance to climb and a chance to fall” as she goes to Hollywood. “If you love me, then just wish me well.”  Jean is working on a new album. 

**Our Holiday music features songs from Leo Schaff, Gary Lucas, Miss Amy, Phoebe Legere, Dan Berggren, and me. Let it track at: https://soundcloud.com/leightonmedia/sets/seasonal-christmas-hannakah

NEVER TAKE LOVE FOR GRANTED Dan Berggren

Shopping in the malls for Christmas. “You’ll never take love for granted if you always give love in return.” Male bass/baritone and acoustic guitar. Folk styled.  

TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR Miss Amy
The classic song by a comforting voice in a meditative style. This Grammy-nominated Indie children’s artist has four new songs added to Music Choice’s Toddler Tunes’ channel, and a catalog of over 100 children's songs. (Ms. Amy also appears on the Grammy-winning album, ALL ABOUT BULLIES). 

AnneLeighton.com/Soul-Moves-Music/

This Info Is For All Parents And Educators, K-5

Contact:  Alex Otey                                                                                                                                           

Ionian Productions, Inc

AlexOtey@IonianProductions.com            
tel: 609/468-3954

Open Door Publications  

KEEP KIDS FIT! ACTIVELY TRANSFORMS CLASSROOMS

Keep Kids Fit! Classroom Activity Breaks is a multi-media fitness and educational resource for teachers Pre-K – 5^th grades. Written by Rocker/fitness guru Miss Amy ® it includes:

• 114 Lesson Plans that Connect to Core Curriculum: Literature, Art, Social Studies, Science, Math and Nutrition
• Book with Easy-to-Use Choreography in Pictures
• Downloadable GRAMMY^® Nominated Music for 12 Classroom Activity Breaks

With Phys Ed classes and recess time being cut back, Keep Kids Fit!  helps educators meet the National Association for Sport and Physical Education standards, including the recommended guideline of 150 minutes per week of instructional physical education for elementary school children.  In 2013 the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, in partnership with the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, reviewed the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.  Their Midcourse Report advises several strategies, including “adding short bouts of physical activity to existing classroom activities.” 

The Experts Praise Miss Amy’s Keep Kids Fit!

“An exhilarating, well researched and adventurous way to get kids hooked on exercise!!!  This guide is easy to follow and goes right along with the Physical Activity Guidelines outlined by the President’s Council on  Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.  A must-have for any classroom”.   - Paula L. Slusher, RN, MSN, American Academy of Pediatrics

“Miss Amy’s lesson plans are fantastic!  She gets them moving time and time again!  The lyrics are a big bonus as they are educational and send a positive message!" -  Tracy Radler, Physical Education Lesson Plan Specialist

“The warm-up activity song ‘Rise and Shine Little Star’ captured my attention immediately.  It is an excellent way to transition into the start of a school day.  If students engage with the music and learn in this fun way it could change the whole direction for everyone in the classroom”. -  JoAnn Younger Ray, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ School Nurse

Keep Kids Fit! was created by multi-awarded GRAMMY^® singer/songwriter and fitness expert Miss Amy^®.  Dubbed The First Lady of Musical Fitness by the National Children's Entertainment Blog, Miss Amy^® was awarded a GRAMMY^® Nomination for her FITNESS ROCK & ROLL album of 2011.  She is a multi-disciplined trained fitness professional, serves as an Official Advocate for the President's Challenge Program (a program of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition) and was named President’s Challenge All -American in September 2010.  

For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Miss Amy, please contact Alex Otey at 609/468-3954 or e-mail AlexOtey@IonianProductions.com            

Visit www.MissAmy.tv/press for press kit

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GRAMMY® Nominated Artist Miss Amy Brings "Fitness Rock & Roll" To LA, February 8-11

GRAMMY®-Nominated Recording artist Miss Amy is coming to Southern California with an even higher mission than walking the Red Carpet at the 54th GRAMMY® Awards.

Miss Amy will be joined by Reality TV Star and Kids Fit Foundation representative Dan Evans.  Together they will raise awareness about the importance of exercise and nutrition.  Slated for February 8th and 9th are four enrichment concert appearances that will reach more than 800 students at Daniel Webster School (a President's Challenge Program Demonstration school) in Pasadena, and the new Extera Public Charter Schools in East LA.

Dan Evans, a former contestant on the hit show The Biggest Loser and Nashville Recording artist, will share his story of weight loss and personal triumph.  He will also perform a couple of his hit songs, including "Goin' All Out."  After losing 136 pounds, Dan now has a healthy relationship with food, and motivates and inspires others to live active lifestyles.

Miss Amy has twenty years experience in the fitness industry and is an official advocate for the President's Challenge Program.  She has five solo albums in her discography and appears in a number of other published projects, including: four compilation CDs, a bi-lingual educational DVD and three books.  Through her kid-friendly music she educates families about Health and Wellness.  One of Miss Amy's goals is to bring her Healthy Bodies Rock! program to under-served elementary schools across America.  Her program is aligned with the 21st Century Standards Core Theme of Health Literacy, and she encourages children to claim their athletic identities and build positive character traits.
 
In addition to her school appearances, Miss Amy & Her Big Kids Band will give an interactive Fitness Rock & Roll concert (reminiscent of her 2010 White House Egg Roll performance) at the LA Air Force Base for service families the morning of February 11th.    
 
Miss Amy's FITNESS ROCK & ROLL CD is nominated for Best Children's Album in the 54th GRAMMY® Awards, broadcasting on CBS-TV and online at www.grammy.com on February 12, 2012.

www.MissAmyKids.com
www.kidsfitfoundation.org
www.PresidentsChallenge.org

Ewing High School, Ewing, NJ, Receives 50k Grant For Music Programs

Here are the Ewing High School Kids Loving Their Support.
Miss Amy says, "Help the kids in your schools. Find a grant for something important to build their talents."

A donation of $50,000 was made today to the Ewing Education Foundation, earmarked for the Ewing High School Music department, made possible by the Rowe Carter Charitable Trust.

Presentation of this grant was made at Ewing High School auditorium by GRAMMY® Nominated Recording Artist Miss Amy, who played a key role in bringing together the donor and the school. “As parents, teachers, administrators and a community, we support this music program. We understand the potential that studying music can bring forth in kids. There is power in music!” Miss Amy explained in the presentation to the students and factulty. “It is our hope that this will inspire all of the other schools who did not place, to not give up, but to inspire organizations in the position to help to step-up and take action.”

School music programs need funding, but the story of how this grant emerged is an interesting one. In November a team of Ewing High School (EHS) students produced a video submission for the Glee Give-A-Note contest that awards cash prizes for the best videos. Many in the school started posting the contest entry to Facebook for visibility. The video caught the attention of Miss Amy, who reached out to the members of the Rowe Carter Charitable Trust, who were also moved by it. Miss Amy, also, called Wayne Staub, President, and Heather Kerns Latini, Executive Director of the Ewing Education Foundation, and organized a time for them all to see the music program in action, to observe the orchestra and choirs.

A representative of the Rowe Carter Charitable Trust interviewed music students about their experiences in the Ewing district elementary schools and Fisher Middle School, who explained why music is important to them.

Student responses ranged from, “music teaches about different cultures and languages” to “it teaches about history, and helps us understand other subjects like math.” Another replied, “Music is everything, a vital thread that connects humankind throughout time.”

When asked what the music department needed, the students collectively explained there is need for repair, replacement of instruments, newer tools and technology, such as sound equipment. When asked what they would spend the Glee money on if they won, the reply was that, although the need is great in the high school, it would be best spent on the feeder music programs in the elementary and middle school in the district.

On December 15th the students were disappointed to find out they did not place in the Glee contest. However, the Rowe Carter Charitable Trust has stepped up to provide a consolation prize of equal magnitude to first place. The grant is to be allocated by a committee of high school students, Mr. Olson, EHS Band Director and Mrs. Forness, EHS Choir Director.

FITNESS ROCK & ROLL by Miss Amy Is Nominated for A GRAMMY®

Miss Amy's FITNESS ROCK & ROLL has been nominated for a GRAMMY® Award for the 54th Grammy Celebrations to broadcast on CBS-TV and the internet at http://www.grammy.com on February 12, 2012.


Known as "The First Lady of Musical Fitness" by the National Children's Entertainment Guide, Miss Amy is THE Kids Rocker/Fitness Guru. This GRAMMY Nominated Featured Artist, Miss Amy also serves as an Official Advocate for the President's Challenge Program, and PC All-American in September 2010,  encouraging families to stay physically active through her warm engaging manner and positively enriching original music.

Honored to have performed at The White House Egg Roll 2010, Miss Amy is a singer/songwriter, an accredited music educator and a fitness instructor. She earned her BBA in Strategic Management at University of North Texas and her Certificate of Gerontology at Rutgers University. Additionally Miss Amy has over 20 years of fitness instruction experience being accredited for Kids & Teen Fitness, Yoga I & II, Pilates, Tai-Chi, Strength Training, Primary Aerobics and Pre/Post Natal Fitness, and she is a certified Youth/Adolescent Fitness Trainer.

As an Advocate for the President's Challenge Program (a program of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports), Miss Amy encourages families to work toward earning the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award while inspiring and motivating young people to learn about their bodies and build healthy habits for life through her interactive Fitness Rock & Roll shows.

In addition to Miss Amy's nomination for FITNESS ROCK & ROLL, she's contributed work to the Wildflower CD (2010) in support of Women in Art in Pennsylvania and recorded on the International Baby 101 (English/Japanese/Spanish) project which earned the NAPPA Gold Award in 2004 and the Creative Child Excellence Award of 2006. Her I Wanna Know How It Works! song was included in the award-winning, WXPN Kids Corner, 20th Anniversary Celebration CD and ranked #5 for the Kids Corner top 10 songs of 2009. She has been featured in several books most notably; Singing; A Practical Guide to Pursuing the Art (The Performing Arts) (2009) for young adults by Rebecca Friskin and Shake & Shout: 16 Noisy, Lively Story Programs ( 2008) for children by Rob Reid.

An active member of the Philadelphia NARAS Chapter, Miss Amy also serves on the NJ Partnership For Healthy Kids committee, and volunteers with Musicians On Call at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

FITNESS ROCK & ROLL is the third album Miss Amy is on that's been nominated for a GRAMMY. She appears also on HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT, as well as on another project this year, ALL ABOUT BULLIES... BIG AND SMALL.

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http://www.MissAmyKids.com/