Doug Fleming, Jr. - In Our Circle [COMPACT DISCS]

Doug Fleming is committed to creating and performing engaging music primarily for children ages one through eight-years that promotes movement, learning, and having fun. Music has always played a prominent role in Doug Fleming's life. He launched his professional music career early when, in fifth grade, he landed his first gig as lead guitarist in a local band, 'The Peacemakers.' Besides playing in and writing pop-style songs for Seattle-based bands throughout his youth, Fleming regularly participated in school musical events including a lead in 'The Mikado' and minor roles in two other Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. As a student at University of California Santa Cruz, CA, he began writing pop tunes in earnest. In the mid-1980's, he returned to his native Seattle where he continued to play guitar with regional groups, write music and pursue an early childhood education certificate and teaching credential. In the early 1990's, Fleming landed a teaching position in Seattle's Head Start program. Inspired by the need to jazz up the curriculum, he began writing and performing music that taught kids while they had fun singing and dancing. His songs were a big hit. After almost a decade of teaching and writing tunes for his class, Fleming decided to take the next step and cut his first CD-'Little Square Wheels' in 2000. That was followed by 'Shufflin' Farm' a year later. Released in October of 2003 on Fleming's new label, Little Square Wheels Music, In Our Circle is a wonderful follow-up to the first two discs. No nursery, playroom, pre-school or grandparent's home is complete without it. Kids, ages one to seven, rock and roll to the spirited tunes on this CD that have call-to-action lyrics as well as messages on manners and friendships. These original songs are easy listening for parents too, as they resemble familiar Beatles, Elvis, and surfer-style melodies we all love to hear. Fleming's 'In Our Circle' offers activities perfect for birthday parties, pre-school circle time or an easy ice-breaker for those tense moments when joining a new play group. Grandparents will appreciate a made-to-order CD full of great ideas when they have run out of their own entertainment while visiting their favorite grandchildren. It features songs that encourages kids to bounce, hop and wiggle on cue, say please and thank you, know their nose, chin, and toes, or slither, crawl, and walk on their knees: Jammed-packed fun in one little CD. Kids learn kindergarten readiness skills, like knowing their different arcticles of clothing and body parts, in a fun and memorable way when listening and responding to Fleming's songs. They develop and refine gross-motor skills while keeping up the tempo when they hop, bounce, and slither. The all-important ability to listen and respond to direction is honed and reinforced while youngsters move and groove as the lyrics prompt them. The lines are simple and the music is engaging so kids will want to listen to this collection of favorite songs over and over again.