ABC Fiesta

Mister G, a Parents' Choice Gold Award-winning artist whose music has been called quot;irresistiblequot; by People magazine, is releasing a bilingual, literacy-themed album to kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15th-Oct 15th). ABC Fiesta features a collection of original songs celebrating Mister G's first loves: music and reading. The son of prominent children's book author/illustrator, Karen Gundersheimer, Mister G (Ben Gundersheimer) grew up in a household which prized books and creativity. Ben developed a great love of reading and writing, and was awarded the first songwriting scholarship in the history of Berklee College of Music. Prior to earning a masters degree in elementary education and focusing on writing for children, Ben enjoyed a critically acclaimed career performing for adults. Inspired by his former elementary school students, Mister G burst on to the children's music scene with his debut release, Pizza for Breakfast. On his second album, BUGS, he made his first foray into writing in Spanish, and his song Vamos a la Playa was featured on national television. Chocolalala, Mister G's 2012 bilingual release debuted at the National Zoo in Washington, DC to kick-off his tour in the US and Mexico. Chocolalala is currently on the Latin Grammy ballot as a contender for Best Children's Album of 2012. Dubbed a quot;kid-friendly bilingual rock starquot; by The Washington Post, Mister G was inspired to craft songs in Spanish by his tours in Latin America performing for children. In addition to writing all the songs and playing many of the instruments on ABC Fiesta, Ben also recorded, mixed and produced the album. On ABC Fiesta he's joined by a host of stellar musician friends, including legendary Grammy award-winning percussionist Eguie Castrillo. The album also features the voices of bilingual children, and includes several playful interludes illustrating how certain Spanish words are used in different ways throughout Latin America. quot;Hola Amigosquot; kicks off the album with an intoxicating blend of Latin rhythms and funky acoustic guitar that's guaranteed to get the party started. The worldbeat-inspired quot;ABC Fiestaquot; is a celebration of letters, words and reading in both Spanish and English. quot;Cuentoquot; is a lilting, acoustic, reggae lullaby written from the perspective of a child who wants to be read a story. The zydeco influenced song, quot;Quiero Leer,quot; is an ode to kids everywhere who can't get enough books. A leading figure in the children's music world, Mister G's live shows are known for inducing ecstatic euphoria in masses of children and their equally appreciative parents. quot;I've always loved being transported by live music, so that's the state I look to create for other people when I'm onstage.quot; Though well-known as an educator and performer for children, Mister G's deep background as an adult musician and producer informs all of his work. quot;I aspire to make music that everyone wants to listen to, regardless of age. And ever since I started writing songs in Spanish and touring in Latin America, I'm having twice the fun.quot; A national tour follows the release of ABC Fiesta, which will continue into Latin America in 2014.