Kathy Kallick gave herself -- and Bay Area moms -- a present 11 years ago: a Mother's Day concert of music for children and families. It was big fun for all and has become an annual event. The mothers are honored (and presented with a flower), and the kids get to sing along, make silly noises, and dance on stage during a grand finale. Some of Kathy's other presents to herself -- and mothers everywhere -- are her wonderful original songs, including "Use a Napkin (Not Your Mom)," the title track from an album that USA Today recommended, calling it "lively, humorous, thoughtful, historical, merry music." In addition, there will be celebrations of heroes (Jackie Robinson, Amelia Earhart, buffalo gals, and garbage men), diversity ("My Family"), animals ("Bye Bye Kitty Zydeco," "Animal Love"), and personal hygiene ("Smelly Feet"). Kathy (guitar) and her red-hot bluegrass band -- Tom Bekeny on mandolin and fiddle, Avram Siegel on banjo, and Amy Stenberg on bass -- make music for families that is accessible and amusing, provocative and powerful, dazzling and delightful. |