Music
Press
A song called “Too Many Beans” may not sound like your traditional Top 40 pop tune. But to kids around the country, it’s a solid gold hit.
Young listeners of XM Satellite Radio have been hearing the “Beans” song climb to number 1 on XM’s award-winning children’s station. As these kids search for the CD online, they’re directed to the website of Chicago-based children’s artist Mr. Nicky.
Mr. Nicky (adults call him Dan Nicky) has been performing children’s songs for 8 years. In 2004, he recorded his debut CD “Rattlesnakes for Breakfast,” which contains his popular song about beans. Thanks to the exposure from XM radio, parents from all over the U.S. are ordering the CD, along with its song about “that musical fruit”, for their kids.
“Too Many Beans” has become a family favorite by steering clear of the crassness expected from a song about beans. The other 9 songs on “Rattlesnakes for Breakfast” also aim to please the parent as well as the child, using clever themes and folksy textures.
Mr. Nicky is enjoying seeing his CD make its way into homes across the nation. “But the most gratifying thing,” he says, “was beating the pants off Sponge Bob.”
You can find Mr. Nicky’s website at mrnicky.com. The CD “Rattlesnakes for Breakfast” is available at Amazon.com.
- Live Journal (livejournal.com/~kidsmusic/), December 2, 2005
Mr. (Dan) Nicky, who often sounds somewhat like James Taylor, has created a diverse album of 10 tunes that will please young listeners. “Baby Butterfly” has a challenging melody backed up by guitar and snapping fingers. The basic tenet of “Nerds & Weirdos,” which has elements of songs from the 1950s, is that everyone is important–after all, nerds made computers and weirdos bring us song. “Sorry Mom and Dad” also sounds like a '50’s song. The chorus is sung by very sad and lugubrious children who are abjectly apologizing to their folks. “Radio Song” has Mr. Nicky flipping the dial on his radio and playing excerpts from stations featuring country, blues, ballet, rap, belly dance, and punk rock music with radio static in between each genre. “Too Many Beans” probably requires no further explanation, and elementary school children will snicker like mad. “If You Ever Catch a Birdie” is about letting living things be free. Mr. Nicky has a good voice, shows real versatility in his song writing, and features spare but nicely enhancing instrumental accompaniments.–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor, NY - School Library Journal, 2/1/06
Discography
2004 LP: "Rattlesnakes for Breakfast"
Frequently played on XM Kids Radio, with the single "Too Many Beans" at number 1.
2006 LP: "Mr. Nicky's Science Project"
Release date: January 2, 2006
Already a favorite of teachers, librarians, and museum directors!
Licensed for distribution in South Africa by Lush Records
Radio Stations Now Playing Mr. Nicky:
XM Satellite Radio
Washington, D.C.
Family Groove
KFAI - St. Paul, MN.
Loopy Moose Radio
Rye, NY - Webcast
MASSive Radio
Seattle, WA - Webcast
The Carousel
WPKN - Fairfield, CT.
We Like Kids
KTOO FM - Juneau, AK.
KidsPlay
WLUW FM- Chicago, IL
Hip Young Parent Radio
Los Angeles, CA - Webcast
Photos
Bio
NUMBER 1 on XM KIDS RADIO!
"My stores LOVED having Mr. Nicky perform for their events. The McHenry store has begged me to rebook and I will definitely do so. He is loved by our customers and our staff as well, which is just as important."
Kristen Sohacki
Borders Books Inc.
District Marketing manager
"Mr. Nicky has created a diverse album of 10 tunes that will please young listeners. . . Mr. Nicky has a good voice, shows real versatility in his song writing, and features spare but nicely enhancing instrumental accompaniments."
-SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"DON'T MISS! . . .Discover another bright spot on the kids music scene. . ."
-TIME OUT CHICAGO
"Mr. Nicky was wonderful. His effervescent style had the children in the audience totally engrossed in his songs. It is so refreshing to hear children's songs that are actually written for kids. It was a very positive experience and we can't wait to have him back."
Tamara McQueen-Salentine
Marketing and Media Relations Coordinator
SciTech Hands On Museum
Aurora, IL
“We are looking forward to hiring Mr. Nicky back to our longstanding children’s program and are hoping that he will be available for many years to come. He has the innate ability to connect with kids that most performers have to work hard at. His music is lively but also thoughtful in ways that totally make sense to kids. Mr. Nicky is great. He is natural and fun and not at all contrived.”
-Brian Grover
Principal Writer
Creation Station
Cornerstone Music
Festival
Mr. Nicky is one of the most creative, energetic and innovative new children's musicians performing today. His latest CD, “Mr. Nicky’s Science Project”, is a hit with teachers, librarians, and museum directors. His 2004 release, "Rattlesnakes for Breakfast", is frequently played on XM Kids Radio, and his hit song "Too Many Beans" recently reached number 1 on the XM Kids playlist (beating out Sponge Bob and many others!).
For the past two years, Mr. Nicky has been the chosen children's performer at the Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, IL, which draws over 16,000 people over three days. He is consistently asked to play at festivals, birthday parties, kids' clubs, Boy Scout and Girl Scout meetings, schools, museums, libriaries . . . anywhere there are kids!
From a review on Amazon.com
(keywords: Rattlesnakes for Breakfast)
By "A .J. Discher: Mom of Twins":
We adore Rattle Snakes for Breakfast, by Mr. Nicky! My twin five-year old daughters know each song almost word for word. His messages in such songs like Nerds and Weirdo's has made them conscious of others around them and how we all somehow fit and work in this world. The song Bullies brings front and center that being kind and good to others not only is decent but it eliminates the creation of a Bully. Even though a lesson can be learned from most of the songs, they are still entertaining. We sing them in the car even if we left the CD in the player at home. I love the fact that this is music that opens the lines of communication between Parent and Child.
I laugh, and feel such joy when I hear my Children's laughter from their sheer enjoyment. Mr. Nicky brought fun and learning back into music. Imagine getting that for just a small amount. Compared to all the other high priced games and toys for Christmas this year, this CD Far out weighs them in value; it will be the least expensive, yet smartest gift you can give!"
Biography: Mr. Nicky
Dan Nicky has been playing his unique brand of hilarious and educational children’s music for 2 years. His degree in education (with certification in English and biology) has helped to infuse his music with abundant learning opportunities. A skilled guitarist, vocalist, and percussionist, Dan polished his musical talents for 3 years at the Old Town School of Folk Music (Chicago) before releasing his debut CD, “Rattlesnakes for Breakfast”, in 2004.
This first CD generated such overwhelming positive response and acclaim that Dan released a second CD, “Mr. Nicky’s Science Project”, in 2006. Both CDs are being played on radio stations and web casts across the country, being distributed nationally and internationally by Infinity Music Distribution.
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