Children's Music Awards – the 2012 finalists are announced

The magical world of music for children is thriving in New Zealand, and APRA are excited to announce the finalists for the APRA Children’s Song of the Year and What Now Children’s Music Video of the Year.

Finalists for the Children’s Song of the Year are “Countdown” by Kelvin Roy, “Amazing”, written by Jamie Burgess and performed by The Chucklebees, and “Sometimes I Make Mistakes” by Levity Beet. The Children’s Video of the Year finalists are The Chucklebees with “Amazing”, Dan & Dani’s “Do The Dinosaur Stomp” and “The Pirates Limbo” by Captain Festus McBoyle. You can watch the music videos at www.whatnow.tv.

In its fifth year, the APRA Children’s Song of the Year celebrates the songwriters and composers who write for the children, and parents alike, of New Zealand. The What Now Children’s Music Video of the Year acknowledges those creating the videos and is truly a “kid’s choice”- with the music videos featuring on the popular kids television programme What Now, their viewers can vote for their favourite.

Both awards are to be presented at StarFest on July 12th, the finale of the Christchurch City Council’s annual two week Kidsfest, which will be held at the Geodome in North Hagley Park, Christchurch.
http://www.kidsfest.co.nz/Events/StarFest.aspx

APRA Children’s Song of the Year – Finalists:
“Countdown” by Kelvin Roy
“Amazing” by Jamie Burgess, performed by The Chucklebees
“Sometimes I Make Mistakes” by Levity Beet

What Now Children’s Video of the Year – Finalists:
“The Pirates Limbo” - Captain Festus McBoyle - Video by Samuel Shelton, Kelly Moyniham & Manic Creative
“Do The Dinosaur Stomp” - Dan & Dani - Video by Matt Clayton & Amalia Calder
“Amazing”- The Chucklebees - Video by Raquel Sims, Amanda Berryman & Jessica Manins

About the Finalists:

Kelvin Roy has seven children's music releases under his belt and counting, as well as four adult jazz/pop releases.  A new CD release- Holidays-is due out in July 2012. He currently produces children's music that is redefining and expanding its boundaries.
www.kidsounz.com

Jamie Burgess has been involved in the writing biz since his first publishing deal at age 17. He loves writing for kids; has created school pageants, Christmas spectaculars and even Shakespeare showcases. He also penned award-nominated songs for the children’s entertainment group The Chucklebees. The Chucklebees are an educational, fun and highly interactive musical group for young children promoting individuality. Previously known as The Plops, The Chucklebees were nominated in 2009 for the New Zealand APRA awards with their song and video “Let’s Go”.

Levity Beet performs original quirky songs and stories saturated with kiwi culture like the tasty bits you droolingly scrape off the BBQ. His performance often features newly invented musical instruments, musical comedy and is an encouraging experience for anyone interested in getting into playing music too. Levity won the ACSOTY in 2009 with “Little Blue”, the oh-so-catchy tune about a little blue penguin.
www.myspace.com/levitybeet

Dan & Dani are Matt Clayton and Amalia Calder- a husband and wife team from Kapiti. They are early childhood teachers, parents, professional actors and entertainers. In 2008 they developed Dan & Dani with the desire to make good quality children’s entertainment with original songs and music that children will love.
www.dananddani.co.nz

Captain Festus Mc Boyle, with his partner Fungal Finnegan, is played by singer/songwriter Richard Manic and Richard Raine. The two singing and playing pirates are experienced entertainers. Richard Manic currently teaches drums, as well as drama and the production of instruments using recycled materials, to children. He also runs a weekly kids show on Radio Ponsonby.  Richard Raine has been a singer/songwriter/guitarist/performer for the past 17 years. A producer of a radio show, he is also currently working on a debut solo EP.
www.facebook.com/festus.mcboyle