Music Minute - Brady Rymer on New Single “D Is For Dancing,” Collaborating with Matt Beck of Matchbox Twenty, and Favorite ABC Songs

Brady Rymer is a three-time Grammy-nominated children’s musician who has been playing music for kids and families for more than 20 years. His latest single is “D Is For Dancing,” is a ‘60s-style rocker written to get kids up and moving while learning their ABCs. The new music video is out now! In this Q&A with Brady, he talks about his lyric writing process for the song, favorite memories of teaching his kids the ABCs, and the artist who always gets him up and dancing. 

How did you come up with the lyrics to “D Is For Dancing?”

It all started when I wanted to write a new song that would get kids and parents up and dancing at the end of a show. So, I started singing the simplest thing: “D is for Dancing.” It’s hard to really remember; songwriting is always a bit of a blur. Then I started scatting funny “D” words and silly dance moves. I think I was subconsciously rejecting the obvious, that this song could become a new ABC song. Once I figured that out, I knew I had to start with A and move my way through the alphabet to Z. It became a really fun game after that, trying to piece it all together and find fun ways to use the letters by adding a lot of alliteration, and making the words relate to music and dancing somehow. It all came together pretty quickly once I figured out what I was going to sing about. I even managed to fit in the original ABC song at the end!

Which rock ‘n’ roll artists inspired the song’s sound?

This one has a ‘50s and ‘60s rock ‘n’ roll soul sound. It was some of the first music I loved as a kid: Motown on the radio and my mom and dad’s record collection of Elvis, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard. It seemed like this could be a fun, old-school way to dance to the alphabet. Then when we were recording, our keyboardist Seth Farber added glockenspiel (a bell-like xylophone sound). It was a perfect touch and gave the song a bit more of a Springsteen vibe.

Do you have any special guests on the song? 

Yes, Matt Beck of Matchbox Twenty played electric guitar on this. It was cool to have him give it a modern energy and sound. I really like all of the different elements, old and new, working together on this one. 

How did you connect with Matt? 

He’s friends with our engineer/producer Ken Rich. Ken thought he would be perfect for this new song and album, and he was right! Matt was off tour for a few days and popped by the studio for an incredibly inspiring session. He’s an amazing, special player, and an all-around great guy! 

What are you thinking about musically when you’re writing a song to get kids dancing?

The subject has to be relatable kids and also something that inspires me. And then the rhythm is key—making sure it’s a fun and easy groove that they can move along to. It has to have a joyful energy that’s bright and inviting. Then it’s great if you have a musical hook that is catchy and that they can easily grab on to, singing along and letting themselves go!

What do you remember about teaching your kids their ABCs?

I remember the little letters that they would use for bathtime, sticking them on the wall, the tub, and on themselves! We have a few sweet pictures of our kids with their first letters of their names stuck all over them during bathtime.

What are some other songs about learning the ABCs that you like?

Funny you should ask! I just put together a playlist—ABC Songs for Kids—with some of my favorites. Ones I knew as a kid, ones I was introduced to when I had young kids, and some brand new gems that I just discovered. There are some really creative ones out there. That’s what I was looking for when I wrote “D Is For Dancing.” How do you rewrap the same package in a cool, different, creative, personal kind of way?

What kind of music ALWAYS gets you up and dancing? 

Lots of kinds, but James Brown always does the trick! When my wife and I were dating, we were at a party and then James Brown came on and we were up dancing for hours. We were the only ones left dancing! That sealed the deal for me. Motown as well, anything with a swinging beat, and of course, the Bo Diddley rhythm. Just can’t stop my legs from wobbling, my arms from wiggling, and me acting like a dancing fool!

Freebies

 Free Comic Book Day 5/4

Giveaway - Chilla Gorilla & Lanky Lemur: Journey to the Heart

I have a chance to give away a copy of soon-to-be-published  Chilla Gorilla & Lanky Lemur: Journey to the Heart (4U2B Books & Media, May 28, 2024) by New York Times bestselling author Kimberly Snyder and her husband John Bier.

Chilla Gorilla & Lanky Lemur is a fun adventure story that also teaches kids a simple way to navigate big feelings. In the story, old Chilla Gorilla teaches his young, active friend Lanky Lemur how to use his heart's wisdom to transcend intense emotions, like frustration, anger, and fear, in order to experience peace. The meditation practiced by Chilla Gorilla and Lanky Lemur is a kid–friendly version of the HeartAligned Meditation™, which is an evidence-based tool to manage thoughts and emotions, maintain calmness, focus, and positive energy.

To enter, leave a comment with what makes you excited about the book. Deadline is May 10th.

About the authors:
Kimberly Snyder is a spiritual guide, meditation teacher, and holistic wellness expert. She is the three-time New York Times bestselling author of six previous books and hosts the top-rated Feel Good podcast. She is the founder of Solluna® and the HeartAligned Meditation™. She has worked with celebrities Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Channing Tatum and many more. She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, VOGUE, InStyle, Elle, and on TODAY - NBC, Good Morning America, Ellen, The Dr. Oz Show and many more. More at mysolluna.com and on Instagram and Facebook.

Jon Bier is a serial entrepreneur, strategist, angel investor, and Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Jack Taylor, a full-service public relations and communications agency. More at jacktaylorpr.com and on Instagram.

Jon and Kimberly are married with two sons, and split their time between Hawaii and California.

Smart Safety - Are You Unknowingly Sharing Your Data on Facebook?

 “The most routinely underestimated and overlooked asset in the digital age is data,” says Jason Adler, a Software Engineer at Repocket. We live in an era teeming with digital amnesia, where social media platforms like Facebook offer us free services, and yet, we unwittingly end up paying with our personal information.

With over 2.8 billion users globally, Facebook has become a vast, fertile ground for data collection, even prompting a slew of privacy concerns. While we often hear about data breaches, the reality is, we are, in many cases, voluntarily sharing our data unknowingly on Facebook. A deep dive into the subtle cues and signs could help us gain better control over our digital footprints. So, how do we better understand our data-sharing behaviors?

App Permissions and Settings

One common way we unknowingly share our data is through app permissions. These apps request access to various information from our Facebook profiles, with justifications ranging from ‘enhancing the user experience’ to ‘personalizing ads’.

Jason Adler from Repocket explains, “When you grant permissions, you’re essentially giving away your data to third-party apps, often without realizing the extent of the data you are sharing.” Experts recommend reviewing app permissions regularly and only granting access to necessary data.

Accepting Friend Requests

Each time you accept a friend request on Facebook, you essentially extend access to parts of your profile — your photos, posts, and potentially your friends list, depending on your privacy settings. All this data can be harvested for various purposes, from targeted advertising to crafting sophisticated phishing attacks.

Geo-tagging and Checking In

Geo-tagging photos and checking in at locations on Facebook are influential ways of sharing your data. Each tag and each check-in offers an accurate timestamp and location data about your movements.

Adler notes, “Geo-tagging commonly goes unnoticed as a form of data sharing because it’s a feature people use to share experiences. Yet, it’s an abundant source of data about users’ behaviors, patterns and preferences.”

Profile Completion and Quizzes

Your ‘About’ section gives away more than you’d think. In the pursuit of profile completion, users freely give out crucial data like education, relationship status, and employment history. Participating in viral quizzes is another way that you unknowingly share your information. Although these quizzes seem harmless, they are often designed to collect your data.

Advice from Repocket's Jason Adler

Adler advises Facebook users to become more data-aware. This includes regularly reviewing privacy settings, understanding what data each app is accessing, and being mindful of the information posted. He adds, “Awareness is key. Educate yourself about your digital footprint and take necessary precautions to safeguard your privacy.”

Bullet points for quick reference:

• Regularly review and update your Facebook privacy settings
• Be mindful of the permissions you grant to third-party apps
• Be careful about whom you accept as friends on Facebook
• Avoid unnecessary geo-tagging or check-ins
• Be cautious while participating in viral quizzes

The price of the free services offered by Facebook is indeed the information we knowingly or unknowingly share. A fair trade-off? That's for you to answer. But knowing the mechanisms behind how we end up sharing this data inadvertently, we can be more cautious in how we interact with the platform. As Adler notes, “Data is power. But with power comes responsibility.” Every piece of information shared contributes to the molding of our online personas — if we're writing the story, it's crucial we hold the pens.

Post courtesy of https://repocket.co/ .

Money Makers - Gen X in the Workplace Survey

 While Millennial and Gen Z workers appear to have a consistent stream of articles and studies published about them, Generation X employees seem to have been slightly neglected in recent years. Nevertheless, those born between 1965 and 1980 make up 33% of the workforce in the U.S. and hold over 50% of all leadership roles. 

To gain insight into their unique perspective, Zety, a leading career service, surveyed over 850 Gen X workers about their characteristics in the workplace, values, expectations, professional priorities, top skills, and more.

Here are some of the key findings: 

• Gen Xers chose communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving as their top professional skills.
• 82% of respondents believed Generation X had a better work ethic than Generation Z.
• 76% claimed they would consider leaving their employer over a clash of values in society’s pressing issues (e.g., racial justice, gender equality).
• In the workplace, 35% (40% females vs. 30% males) valued job security the most.
• 84% would pick job satisfaction over job prestige. Also, for a full 71%, doing meaningful work was more important than earning a lot of money.
• Almost 9 in 10 (86%) claimed that a sense of purpose was essential to them in work life.
• 79% agreed that in the pop culture clash of generations, Gen X was the forgotten generation.

“Having a strong work ethic, moral compass, and heads full of innovative ideas, Gen Xers are a workplace treasure chest. At the same time, they work to live, not live to work.” said Jacques Buffett, Career Expert at Zety.

To view the full report with more information, please visit https://zety.com/blog/generation-x-in-the-workplace. 

Music Minute - Allie Colleen: Grass on the Grave

 Allie Colleen gears up for her new single “Grass On The Grave” with lyrics that invoke a powerful ode to resilience amidst loss. With a reputation as a notable songwriter with an iconic-sounding, impeccably strong voice, The new music is an emotional journey of healing and was co-written by Allie Colleen, Alyssa Trahan, Krystal Polychronis and Craig Wilson. The new music is scheduled for release on all digital platforms on May 10, 2024 and is available now for pre-save HERE.

While not explicitly dedicated to songwriter Craig Wilson, this song resonates deeply with his memory and the loss felt by those who knew him.

Allie Colleen shared, “This song is a tribute to loss and all that comes out of it. Sonically resembles the resiliency of healing and lyrically it represents the frustration of letting go. I hope it creates a safe space for recovery and pushes the listener forward to the pursuit of ‘more.’"



Stay current with everything Allie Colleen on her website alliecolleenmusic.com. Follow Allie Colleen on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to her YouTube Channel for the latest videos.

Music is available on all digital platforms Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music and Amazon Music.

About Allie Colleen:
Allie Colleen is a Country artist, singer, and songwriter who garnered industry praise with the release of her well-received debut album, STONES. Her music style defines how life shaped her, alongside her lyrics and transparency in her vocals and performance. Allie Colleen is no stranger to the music industry. Since a young age, a passion for singing and songwriting has garnered her a reputation for being a notable songwriter with an iconic-sounding voice. Her impeccably strong voice with hints of timeless tradition falls between classic and emerging country sounds. The room never fails to silence as Allie Colleen begins to sing about the layers of love and heartbreak that have shaped her. Unlike most today, some of her newest songs bring witty lyrics and an emotional connection to the song.

Book Roundup - Gift Titles for Women

 Beauty

Finding the New You: Think, See and Feel Beautiful 
By Dr. Dennis Schimpf

Dennis Schimpf, MD, FACS, wrote Finding the New You: Think, See, and Feel Beautiful to help people understand everything they need to know about plastic surgery, including: the different plastic surgery procedures available to patients, how to spot myths and misconceptions about plastic surgery, how culture influences plastic surgery decisions, and the importance behind plastic surgery and its role in medicine. Plastic surgery is an art and a process, and the more people understand about the discipline, the more equipped they will be to handle expectations and limitations.

Dr. Dennis Schimpf (https://drdennisschimpf.com) is the founder of Sweetgrass Plastic Surgery and the author of Finding The New You: Think, See and Feel Beautiful. He practiced plastic surgery as a full-time faculty member for five years at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) before starting his own private practice in 2013. Schimpf is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) as well as a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS). While at MUSC, he founded and directed the Advanced Breast Reconstruction Program at the NCI-designated Hollings Cancer Center.

Self Help

The Ideal Life: 7 Steps To Harness Your Stress, Discover Your Purpose, And Achieve Your Goals
By Mark Congdon

Mark Congdon unveils the truth behind happiness, debunking the myth of fulfillment through mere desires and offering a seven-step framework, the I GOT This framework, to help readers cultivate a growth mindset, find purpose, and achieve their Ideal Life. This book is a guide for harnessing stress, understanding inner rewards, and embarking on a journey toward meaningful action and fulfillment.

Mark R. Congdon (https://theideallife.com/) is the author of The Ideal Life: 7 Steps To Harness Your Stress, Discover Your Purpose, And Achieve Your Goals. He is the founder and CEO of Into the Ideal, an organization helping individuals find their purpose, joy, and the career they deserve. He earned a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the Harvard Extension School and spent 10 years leading operations, sales, and strategic leadership in the transportation logistics industry.

Business/Leadership

Leading for Impact: The CEO’s Guide to Influencing With Integrity

In her book, Jennifer Schielke, CEO of Summit Solutions Group, guides CEOs to rediscover the essence of leadership by prioritizing values as their guiding principles and emphasizing the importance of nurturing meaningful relationships within their teams. Through the lens of Summit Group's core values and Schielke's insights on sacrificial leadership, the book offers a roadmap for leaders to embrace their calling, drive impactful change, and cultivate a culture of excellence and service within their organizations.

Jennifer Schielke (www.summitgroupsolutions.com) is the author of Leading For Impact: The CEO’s Guide To Influencing With Integrity and the CEO/co-founder of Summit Group Solutions, LLC, a multi-year Inc. 5000 awardee and a 2023 Inc. Power Partner. A wife and mother, Schielke helps leaders practice empathy as a key part of their leadership development. Her 30 years of business leadership experience also includes 20 years of life-on-life ministry, which advanced her commitment to serve others generously and to lead with integrity.

The Leadership Attitude: Inspiring Success Through Authenticity and Passion
By Deborah McGee

In The Leadership Attitude, Deborah McGee shares her evolution of leadership from one who led solely from her head, letting only logic and facts guide decisions, to one who now knows how to lead with the heart. That means stepping back and learning to trust others to lead because there are a lot of good ideas out there.

Deborah E. McGee (deborahemcgee.com/) is the founder and CEO of PZI Group, which provides international human capital solutions ranging from international employment setup to payroll in multiple currencies, domestic and international relocation solutions, decision-making for global employee information, and other related human resources services. The author of The Leadership Attitude: Inspiring Success through Authenticity and Passion, she is recognized as an HR innovator and an authority on human capital optimization, international leadership, and driving organizational effectiveness across borders. Before starting PZI Group, McGee spent 13 years as a consultant with Big Four global accounting firms, then a decade in international human resources and global mobility management roles within corporate headquarters of European and Asian-owned companies. 

Female Empowerment

Who Runs the World? Unlocking the Talent & Inventiveness of Women
By Lois Quam

Who Runs the World? explores what happens when we unlock the immense potential of women and girls globally―by recognizing that reproductive health and rights is at the heart of women’s empowerment. Only by effectively addressing reproductive health can we unlock the untapped power of women and girls, giving global efforts the best shot at combatting major threats to survival on Earth.

Lois Quam, author of Who Runs the World? Unlocking the Talent & Inventiveness of Women Everywhere, is CEO of Pathfinder International, a nonprofit that focuses on reproductive health as a way to help women and girls globally reach their full potential. She has been named three times to Fortune’s list of the most influential women leaders in business. Prior to joining Pathfinder, Quam served in the U.S. State Department as leader of President Barack Obama’s Global Health Initiative, with an annual U.S. investment of over $8 billion addressing the biggest health challenges facing millions of people across over eighty countries. In the corporate sector, she was the founding CEO of a division of UnitedHealth Group, providing services to older Americans and low-income families across the United States through the Medicare and Medicaid programs and in partnership with AARP. A Rhodes Scholar from Minnesota, Quam has degrees from Oxford University and Macalester College.

Sustainability

Seeing Green: How to Save the Planet and Profit from Sustainability 
By Angel Lance

Are you looking for a new approach to ESG, environmental consciousness, and going green for business and industry leaders? Seeing Green: How to Save the Planet and Profit from Sustainability combines the pursuit of profit and the urgent need to protect our planet. In this entertaining, educational, and inspirational book, visionary CEO, Angel Lance shares her story and unconventional approach to making homes, businesses, and industries more green for profit and the environment.

Angel Lance (www.motive-power.com/insights) is the founder and CEO of Motive Power Inc. and 10/6 Professional Service, two environmentally-conscious management consulting firms focused on delivering capital projects and advising utility companies. Lance pioneered ESG initiatives at her companies, including training programs at professional consulting firms to more effectively guide clients to make ESG-positive transitions. She is also the founder of the Gulch Environmental Foundation, a nonprofit organization that drives tangible environmental action through projects like the regenerative Rainmaker Farm. Lance created the National Public Utilities Council (NPUC), which unites utilities nationwide to collaborate on decarbonization efforts. She is also the author of Seeing Green: How to Save the Planet and Profit from Sustainability.

Healthy Habits - Autism and Anxiety

As Autism Acceptance Month draws to a close, I had a chance to interview Adi Wallach, CEO of Calmigo about why so many children with ASD have sudden meltdowns, how it is related to anxiety, and what can be done to help them reach a state of calm.

What is the relationship between autism and anxiety?

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 40% of young people with ASD have some form of anxiety, including OCD. Anxiety in children with ASD may be difficult to detect because a child that isn’t verbal may have trouble communicating how they feel or the ASD child may not understand their own feelings of anxiety. In fact, it’s common for children in general to have a hard time recognizing when they feel anxiety since it often manifests as physical symptoms.

There are many things that can trigger anxiety in a child with ASD like social dynamics, where the child feels misunderstood or not accepted by their peers. Also, certain sensory environments can increase anxiety in an ASD child, for instance if there is a large crowd of people and it is noisy – a sensitive child may feel overwhelmed and overstimulated, activating an anxiety response. Additionally, children with ASD do very well with having a routine; however, if a routine is disrupted or there is an unexpected change, they can become upset because of anxiety.

How can autism lead to sudden meltdowns?

When a child with ASD is overwhelmed and stressed, sudden behavioral changes can likely occur – where the child loses control and may have difficulty calming down. When a child is having a meltdown they are often feeling stress and have other feelings that overlap with anxiety. To help children cope with these meltdowns, they should be taught what some of their triggers are, understand what they are feeling, and be taught certain tools on how to calm themselves down in these moments.

What are some things parents and caregivers can do to help their autistic children reach a state of calm?

It can be helpful for parents to preempt the ASD child from becoming overwhelmed before it happens and create a plan. If your child is sensitive to noise – then bring headphones that can block out noise or have a “quiet room” in your house or classroom, where the child can go when they start to feel overwhelmed. If your child is triggered by unexpected schedule changes, then let them know in advance when something might change so that it doesn’t come as a surprise. 

Coregulation, providing a calming presence can help an ASD child calm down faster. Some other tools that can be helpful are relaxing music, compression, rubbing their back, a cold drink, or cozy blanket. A lot of these meltdowns also come from anxiety so teaching children how to manage their anxiety is very empowering. One way to empower ASD children in managing their anxiety and teach them a simple way to self soothe is by using CalmiGo, an easy to use exhaler that can help the child calm down when overwhelmed and prevent future sudden behavioral changes, if used regularly. The device learns users’ breathing patterns via machine learning and guides them on breathing techniques that will activate their parasympathetic nervous system and calm them down. Giving your child tools to create a sense of calm, makes them feel safer knowing they have a plan to tackle these challenges throughout the day.

Dazzling Drinks - Cinco de Mayo Cocktails

 On behalf of Cantera Negra Tequila, check out the below twists on the most popular cocktails, including margarita, espresso martini, paloma, mule and bloody mary. Cantera Negra is certified additive-free and celebrity-free ultra-premium tequila made from 100% fully mature blue weber agave, and their portfolio includes Silver, Reposado, Añejo, Extra Añejo and Café.

 

Dulce Noche

This is an easy riff on a classic Espresso Martini. The addition of condensed milk gives the drink a rich depth reminiscent of dulce de leche, playing off the bitter chocolate notes of espresso.

• 1oz Cantera Negra Café
• 2oz Espresso
• .24oz sweet condensed milk

Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Double strain into chilled coup or martini glass. Garnish with cinnamon powder.

 

Cinco Paloma

This is our favorite way to make a paloma – it is quick, easy and refreshing. It has a cult following in the industry, and you may have seen it recently in viral TikTok videos.

• 2oz Cantera Negra Silver
• .5oz fresh lime juice
• 5oz Mexican Squirt
• Tajin and sugar for rim

Build over ice in a Collins glass rimmed with tajin/sugar mix (3 parts tajin to 1 part sugar). Stir and garnish with a grapefruit slice.

 

Piña Mule

This version of a classic uses Tepache in place of ginger beer. Tepache is a traditional Mexican fermented beverage made from the peels and rind of pineapple. The ginger version keeps the familiar notes of the classic cocktail, while adding sweetness and depth with the tepache, resulting in a great spring sipper.

• 2oz Cantera Negra Silver

• 5oz Ginger Tepache
• .5oz fresh lime juice
• Chili mango and lime for garnish

Add all ingredients into copper mug over ice, stir and garnish with chili mango and lime.

 

Los Angeles

This Bloody Maria recipe features ingredients popular in Latin American cuisine which has had a major influence on the culture and food scene in Los Angeles.

• 2oz Cantera Negra Silver
• 1 cup tomato sauce (can sub Clamato for less ingredients but I wouldn't)
• 2 cups Clamato Classico 
• .75oz horseradish 
• 2oz fresh lime juice
• 2oz orange juice
• .5oz Jugo Maggi
• .5oz Cholula or Tapatio hot sauce
• Celery salt, smoked paprika and pepper to taste 
• Lime wedge or wheel, chili powder and dried chili peppers for garnish

Rim glass with tajin. Pour 2oz of Cantera Negra Silver over ice in a Collins glass and top with mix (usually 3-4oz) and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel dipped in chili powder and two dried chili peppers.

 

Tommy’s Margarita

This go-to cult classic is known as a “Tommy’s Margarita” and is a bartender favorite.

• 2oz Cantera Negra Silver
• 1oz fresh lime juice
• .5oz agave nectar
• Blood orange slice for garnish

Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain over ice in a half salt rimmed rocks glass and garnish with blood orange slice.

 

• About Cantera Negra Tequila: Cantera Negra is award-winning, ultra-premium tequila, hand-crafted in small batch quantities from 40 years of family tradition in Mexico. Decades ago, Don Alberto Becherano began making tequila as a hobby, and he has been perfecting his proprietary method for making what we believe to be among the best tasting tequilas in the world ever since, and now alongside his son, Dan, who is the Master Blender. Cantera Negra means “Black Quarry,” inspired by the rich volcanic soil from where our agaves grow. Our tequila is handcrafted in small-batch quantities using 100% fully mature Blue Weber agaves. We do not believe in cutting corners and permit only time-honored traditional production methods, and unlike others, we never add sugars or colorings.