UNCLE ROCK TO PERFORM
A MID-WINTER FAMILY CONCERT
ON FEBRUARY 2ND @ 10:30AM
AT THE FLORENCE CIVIC CENTER

Returning to the Pioneer Valley for a February Family Concert, Hilltown Families (that’s us!) is pleased to present NY based indie kids musician Uncle Rock, performing new music from his most recent release Uncle Rock U. A good time for all ages, this family concert will be held at the Florence Civic Center (next to the Lilly Library who have posted good directions on their web site) on Saturday, February 2nd at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $6 per person, infants free. All proceeds go to the artist.

• Family Concert (all ages)
• Saturday, February 2nd, 2008
• 10:30 a.m.
• Florence Civic Center in Florence, MA (next to the Lilly Library off Route 9)
• $6.00 per person. Infants free.
• General admission.
• Email with any questions

NEW MUSIC: UNCLE ROCK U

Uncle Rock U, a collection of 17 songs, explores the joy, excitement and imagination of childhood. The album also reflects Uncle Rock’s indie-rock background (former bassist with The Fleshtones), his theatrical gifts (the lead in the London production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story) and his knack for connecting with children (being a dad himself, as well as a preschool teacher).

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT UNCLE ROCK U

National press has praised Uncle Rock and his previous records for “…treating [his] juvenile audience with respect, not condescension—and making music that really rocks” (Uncle Rock’s 2nd release, Plays Well With Others, was proclaimed one of the best of 2006 by the Los Angeles Times.). Cookie Magazine included Uncle Rock U in their ‘Roundup of the Best Music for Kids’. And Harp Magazine raves: “they [kids and their parents] just wanna rock with Uncle Rock, whose colorful, engaging, subversive tales of shoe bandits, disco naps, sugar highs and swashbucklers have made him a hit on the children’s circuit.”

Uncle Rock, AKA. Robert Burke Warren, whose songs have become a staple on Sirius Satellite Radio’s Kids Stuff, and where he is currently number 7 on the Top 40 most played, looked to his experiences with his son, Jack, as well as his time spent as a teacher at a nearby rural pre-school for the direction of his latest record.

WHAT UNCLE ROCK SAYS ABOUT UNCLE ROCK U

“I created a fictional show for the kids in my life,” Warren explains, “with different characters – Captain Courage, Hippie Harvest, Grumpy Gus – and some compelling subject matter for children and their parents to experience through song; we marvel at bats, polar bears dealing with global warming, the wonder of local and homemade food, etc. Questions and curiosity are encouraged.

“The backdrop of the whole collection is your genial host Uncle Rock, who lets kids know, ‘It’s all right, you can’t go wrong/ Anything, everything can be a song.’ Music is a great resource for kids – for anybody – to explore all aspects of their world, both outer and inner.

“The material has an edge to it, both sonically and thematically, and that comes to me naturally. It sets me apart from a lot of what’s out there,” Warren says. “Songs like “Too Many Presents!,” “Predator Dinosaur,” and “The Elephant In The Room” explore the shadows, while “Play Outside Today,” “The Season Of Light” and “Baby Loves The Moon” are all about the light.”

Uncle Rock U allows and encourages folks young and old to delve into the many facets of their world, with music as their escort. Uncle Rock’s thought-provoking lyrics, easy-to-sing-along-to vocals, and catchy melodies involve not only the young fans—but their parents too.

WHAT HILLTOWN FAMILIES SAYS ABOUT UNCLE ROCK

We’ve said a lot! Uncle Rock was one of our top ten votes for the Fids & Kamily Awards and has always been a big hit with our listeners over on HFVS. Read about his performance at the Children’s Art Museum here. Check out his guest DJ set with Persephone on the Hilltown Family Variety Show here. Plus, we have featured a few videos that feature Uncle Rock’s music, including “Too Many Presents,” “Picnic in the Graveyard,” and “Break a Few Eggs.”