The Story - Walking Oliver
Walking Oliver was officially established as an independent children's music label in 2002 and became an official limited company in 2003. The company develops, creates and records quality music for kids and their families.
However, the story of Walking Oliver is a bit more than that, because at its heart, it is the story of a father who wanted to share love, laughter and the joy of music with his son. (It might also be the story of a dog named Oliver, but we'll leave that to you to decide.)
As it happens, the particular father in question is the world-renowned opera singer Paul Austin Kelly. Finding himself on tour and away from his family for weeks at a time, Paul would write funny little poems and email them to his son. Given his musical inclinations (not to mention his prodigious training) it wasn't long before these little poems revealed themselves to be lyrics that lent themselves quite nicely to musical interpretation!
Although Paul had always enjoyed and appreciated children's music, it was not until he had a son of his own that he experienced first-hand what parents worldwide have been lamenting for years: the scarcity of quality music for kids. Recognizing the need for popular kid's music that is not only fun, but that also exposes young people to a wide range of valid and diverse musical forms, he began composing and recording his songs in his state-of-the-art home studio. Friends and parents, even music colleagues and teachers he'd met during his travels were soon clamoring for copies. Lo and behold, a fledgling music company had been born. Soon he began collaborating with other musicians, poets and artists.
In 2002, Paul Austin Kelly made it official. From country to folk, jazz to hip hop, rock to pop and even classical, Walking Oliver recordings would be imaginative, insightful musical journeys, always backed by quality musical performances, always delivering on the promise of quality music for kids.
Still, it has been with the collaboration of his artistic partners that Paul's original mission comes full circle. After having been in contact for more than three years via email and telephone, famed children's illustrator Korky Paul finally hopped aboard the Walking Oliver bandwagon and not only designed the irresistible WO logo, complete with a whistling, finger-snapping Oliver, but also joined the team as designer and illustrator of their CD mini-books and labels, giving Walking Oliver both a fun-loving canine mascot and fantastical full-colour fun to accompany children's listening experience. Because while Walking Oliver will always be first and foremost about quality music for kids, music is just the beginning. Through music, words and art, Walking Oliver is dedicated to creating those special moments of love and laughter for kids and their families.
And oh yes, about that dog named Oliver. He was there at the moment of inspiration, the very moment Paul was deciding to commit his energies to the creation of children's music. In fact, he was barking rather loudly and demanding his afternoon walk. Well, that's the dog's story anyway.
PAUL AUSTIN KELLY - Company Director
Paul Austin Kelly is the founder, main composer and recording artist of Walking Oliver, a music company dedicated to creating new and unique music for kids and families. He’s also an internationally renowned American opera singer but that’s only his day job. Paul grew up in upstate New York where he spent most of his youth chasing frogs, snakes and girls––not necessarily in that order. He also spent a great deal of time with his guitar and his trumpet, both of which he still spends time with today.
Paul has performed at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera in New York, extending across Great Britain where he sang leading roles with the Royal Opera at Covent Garden. Most amazingly, Paul Austin Kelly, this dynamic young American, has been in demand at the celebrated La Scala, Rome and many other opera houses of Italy -- the birthplace of opera and home of its toughest critics and fans. He has also delighted audiences in South America, Malaysia and Singapore.
Before the glamorous world of international opera beckoned, Paul Austin Kelly could be found with Gibson Les Paul in hand, singing rock-n-roll, inspired by such artists as Frank Zappa and Bob Dylan. He is equally impressive fronting a jazz combo and folk groups, in short; Kelly is a vocal virtuoso in a rainbow of music genres. He is also an accomplished trumpet player and pianist.
In a parallel career move, inspired by such artists as Dick Haymes, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett and the famed Rat Pack, Paul Austin Kelly has teamed up with the legendary pianist and musical director Kenny Clayton who has worked with such artists as Charles Aznavour, Dick Haymes, Matt Monro, Shirley Bassey and Petula Clark. Mr. Kelly and Mr. Clayton's first collaboration can be heard on their debut CD, Paul Austin Kelly with the Kenny Clayton Trio/The Song is You, featuring the songs of Rodgers & Hart, Rodgers & Hammerstein and Hammerstein & Kern, as well as a few more contemporary classics of the genre and even some inspired original songs. Mr. Kelly is also a regular guest soloist with UK superstar soprano, Lesley Garrett.
CAROL KELLY - Co-Director and Administration
Carol Borah Kelly is a pianist and opera vocal coach, maintains a full piano teaching schedule at home and at Danehill’s Cumnor House School, and is also the director of OperaLite, a performing ensemble of singers accompanied by Carol as their lively & slightly irreverent compère. She is married to Paul Austin Kelly, co-director of Walking Oliver, and is responsible for much of the administrative demands of the company.
Carol has worked as repetiteur and vocal coach for various opera companies throughout the United States, including The Washington Opera and Glimmerglass Opera, and spent a year as chef de chant at the Opéra de Nice in France. She headed up the musical side of the Opera Workshop training programme at the prestigious Peabody Conservatory of Music, and is also known for her singing translations of operas, most notably for English National Opera’s production of Khovanshchina, which she translated from the Russian.
Dot Rust - Head of Sales
Hailing from the upper left coast of the US, Dot Rust has enjoyed a career in music spanning a few decades. An accomplished classical and jazz musician, Dot has performed and recorded throughout the US on horn as well as bass. It was her gigs in the recording studios, though, that caught her imagination so she set off for LA to supplement her degrees in music with more training in recording engineering.
After a few years in a recording studio and production facility engineering, mastering and doing administrative work, she landed a job with a leading independent media distributor where she ultimately wound up as a product manager for a division that specialized in family music.
One of the labels she had the great fortune to work with was Walking Oliver. And, over the course of a couple years of emails and phone calls, a friendship with Paul and Carol Kelly was forged while working together on marketing and sales for the label. Now representing Walking Oliver Distribution, Dot finds herself in the enviable position of bringing her love of music and passion for the Family Music movement to the UK.
KORKY PAUL - Illustrations
Korky Paul is an award-winning childrens illustrator. A well-known figure in the childrens book world, his crazy, colorful illustrations capture the imagination of young readers stimulated by the rich detail of his drawings. His commissions include the ever popular Winnie the Witch, by Valerie Thomas, winner of The Childrens Book Award, and its four sequels. Hes also responsible for the delightful characters who fill the pages of Dinosaur Poems, Dragon Poems, Monster Poems and Magic Poems,, all edited by John Foster; and The Dog That Dug, by Jonathan Long, winner of The Sheffield Book Award in 1991.
Korky Paul has created the Walking Oliver mascot and the stunning illustrations that appear on this website. Better yet, Walking Oliver CD buyers will delight to find that many Walking Oliver CD come with a full-color mini-book of fully illustrated lyrics, a visual feast of Korky Paul's uniquely witty and charming style, giving young listeners access to a dynamic fusion of music and art.
RICHARD DURRANT - Multi-instrumentalist and Composer!
Richard Durrant is a big kid. The most important things in his life are guitars, banjos and messing about singing songs. His four children Rooney, Daisy, Django and Felix are his sternest critics-often locking him in his soundproof studio.
Over the years Richard has written and sung lots of songs for BBC Education. Three separate series of the classic BBC TV series Numbertime, and two other BBC mainstays, Watch and Music Makers, have made him a familiar voice to thousands of young children. Instrumental credits include Focus (BBC TV Ed) and Picturebox (CH 4 Ed). Richard has also appeared as a presenter for Music Makers.
Apart from his work for children Richard has composed the music for countless TV programmes, and has been the featured soloist on lots of TV advertising campaigns.
Richard studied guitar, cello and composition at the Royal College of Music. When he has time to practice he gives concerto performances and solo guitar recitals throughout Europe.
Richard has scored and recorded the soundtrack for CBeebie's popular animated series Metalheads, and for Walking Oliver he has collaborated with Paul Austin Kelly on a series of CDs, including Unleashed on British Isles, Through Tenderwood and DREAMS--The Poetry in Song Competition 2004.
Richard also composes television and concert music and spends much of his time producing others (notably the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain). He is the founder of the acoustic label LongMan Records.
In 2008 Richard gave over fifty performances of his “The Guitar Whisperer” show. Future bookings include another appearance as guest soloist with the RPO and yet more “Guitar Whisperer” and classical recitals throughout the UK.
MICHAEL ROSEN - The UK Children's Poet Laureate!
Michael Rosen's television credits include the presenting of Just Write and the scripting and presenting of Eureka: The Secret History of Schools, both for Channel 4 Schools. His theatre credits include Pinocchio for the Unicorn Theatre in Regents Park Open Air Theatre in 2000 and You're Thinking About Doughnuts for the Nottingham Playhouse in 1996. His numerous plays for theatre, radio and television include BACKBONE for the Royal Court, STEWED FIGSTHE PUPPET SHOW, EVERYBODY HERE and 12 episodes of BLACK & WHITE & READ ALL OVER, both for Channel 4.
If that weren't enough he's also been the recipient of the Eleanor Farjeon Award for contribution to Children's Literature, the 'Talkies' award for the best poetry tape of the year and lastly, the Parent Magazine Award for best picture book of the year.
On the Walking Oliver album, Hello, Michael Rosen! for the Edinburgh Festival, 50 episodes of 13 of his most beloved poems are set to original compositions by Paul Austin Kelly.
And finally OLIVER, the Dog!
Oliver was still only a puppy when Paul first came up with the vision for his kid's music company. An adorable grey Weimaraner with a sense of fun and attitude, Oliver was the Kelly family's backstage pass into the wonderful world of South Downs walking whether they wanted it or not. And this dog needed some serious walking! Without his 3 hours a day of romping on the Downs Oliver just couldn't sleep at night. So walking was the order of the day. Every day.
It took a neighbour's insight and creativity, though, to put two and two together for them. During one of their many walks together, Paul and Oliver met up with their pal Stephen Long who commented that since Paul was rarely home anymore due to his apparently new-found need for exercise, perhaps he should call his company Walking Oliver. And Walking Oliver it was.
But it wasn't only Stephen who noticed Oliver's special potential. Once Korky Paul received some photos of Ollie, he, too, became a fan and set about creating a cartoon Oliver that would become the fledgling company's snappy purple logo as well as its lovable connection to children. It seemed Oliver was going to become famous-- although Oliver himself insisted that 3 or 4 hours of walking, 5 or 6 meals per day and a cat or two to chase should be enough for any dog. It's a dog's life, after all.
These days Oliver spends a good deal of his valuable time being photographed for magazines and newspapers, and taking dignity classes down at the local kennel club. Competing with a cute purple cartoon dog carrying his own MP3 player is not easy, you know?