About the Music Articles / About Us Posted by PKelly on Jan 14, 2005 - 05:56 AM The Music When Paul Austin Kelly first started imagining a music company for children he had a number of goals that he wanted to accomplish. First, he wanted to create and present new music for kids that offered them a level of musical complexity and sophistication in the compositions themselves as well as in their arrangements, performances and recordings, that had hitherto never been attempted. He envisioned a new kind of childrens music that did not condescend by sounding childish or silly but that offered something more lasting that would grow with them and hopefully become part of them, part of their experience and their souls. Secondly, he saw it as his mission to seek out the best of our traditional music and reintroduce it via recordings and performances to new generations in a manner that was both modern and accessible but without losing its connection to the Earth and to the times from which it sprang. Lastly, he wanted to inspire and support a new regime of musicians and songwriters who were excited and passionate about these ideas and would devote a worthwhile portion of their energies and talents to making them a reality. This is the core philosophy behind Walking Oliver. As Paul himself has said-- ...I'm concerned because I dont see childrens music growing anymore--partially I think because we have an industry right now that does'nt see enough profit to be made from investing in recordings of children's music (obviously, I disagree with them!) but also because we have created a rather disposable society in many ways. Nothing is designed or expected to last and anything that is older than 6 months is already boring and obsolete. Music can offer so much to a person. And songs are that magical combination of music and words that can speak so eloquently and yet so powerfully to a child. Songs can be there for them as a source of strength in happy times and hard times throughout their whole lives. And once you know a song all you have to do is reach out your mind and take hold of it and it's yours, it's there for you free of charge. Open up your mouth and sing it and you can make a whole world feel something. That's the power of music. That's been my experience and I know I'm not alone. It's a great and precious gift we can give to our kids and its an opportunity that often slips away all too quickly. As we grow from childhood to adulthood, the day-to-day cares and worries of life in the fast lane take charge of our lives. If music has been a part of our experience from childhood it never leaves us---it's always there for us when we want it or need it. This article is from Walking Oliver   http://www.walkingoliver.com/ The URL for this story is:   http://www.walkingoliver.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=16