Marin Independent Journal
Friday, December 10, 2004
www.marinij.com
Soccer Coach Kicks on CD for Kids
Mill Valley’s David Fromer, best known in Marin for his youth soccer camps, has also been entertaining kids for decades as a singer and guitarist.
He realizes a long-held dream with a new CD, “Shake a Hand,” a superbly produced and performed collection of 14 songs for little people.
“When I sing for kids, I feel I have a great opportunity to share my sense
of humor and values with them,” Fromer says. “I also feel like a kid myself,
like I’m one of the gang.”
It’s become a cliché to say a record for kids can be enjoyed by adults, but
in this case it’s actually true. Much of that is due to the quality of the songs, nine of which were penned by Fromer’s talented brother, Jon, who produced a series of Bay Area shows for children on local TV in the 70’s and 80’s that featured his music.
Fromer, who recorded a major label album with a folk trio in the ‘60’s, is
an accomplished musician and guitar teacher from a musical family that
includes his singer and keyboard player son, Reed, who performs on the
record and wrote the liner notes.
You won’t find many albums for kids that can boast this many name musicians, among them mandolinist David Grisman, guitarist Tal Morris, bassist Mel Graves, drummer Paul Revelli, multi-instrumentalist Joe Kraven, percussionist Marquinho Brazil, reed virtuoso Jim Rothermel and the
sensational young guitarist Johnny Hiland.
Fromer and guest musicians perform songs from the album as well as holiday music from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley. Tickets are $5; $3 for kids. The CD, with whimsical art work by Mill Valley artist Ellen Blonder, is available online at www.davefromermusic.com
Paul Liberatore