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The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Laurie Berkner
By Teri Brown
Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a mother who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a woman and a mother. Above all, the Mom of the Month is dedicated to her children. Rich or poor, famous or not, she shines as an example of what mothering is all about.
If the name Laurie Berkner isn't common in your house, it's probably because you don't have a child under the age of 6. Parents of the preschool set not only know of her, they probably know the words to her infectiously playful songs, as well.
"We've been fans for about three years," says Lea Davis of Geneseo, Ill.. "I've got a 7-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, which means she's more like 5 than 7. We've used Laurie for speech exercises, color lessons and more. We were thrilled to find a female musician for preschool which helped Sarah in identifying with the songs. Raffi is great, but a female voice does so much more for girls. And she's just plain fun! We love her and are thrilled to see her on Noggin with the band. The entire family sings along."
Joanna Milsap's 2-year-old daughter asks for Laurie by name.
"The first music videos we watched on Noggin were some of Laurie's songs and even before she could speak, Kimberly immediately focused on the TV within the first five notes of a Laurie song," says Milsap. "Now I catch her singing short snippets of her favorite songs. We have two of Laurie's CDs and the new CD/DVD set that Starbucks was carrying recently."
"I wanted people to know the words to all my songs, and do that break in the music where I stop singing and the audience takes over – singing and clapping and holding up lighters – they do it now but they're younger," says Berkner.
Berkner's career didn't blossom over night. She graduated from Rutgers University in 1991 with a degree in psychology. Music always called her, however, and she played in several different rock bands including her own band, Red Onion.
She took a job teaching music to preschoolers and wasn't sure if she was going to like it. She struggled until she realized how well the kids responded to instructions she sang instead of spoke. In 1997 she had an offer to make 500 CDs of her music and by 1998 she and a friend had written out a business plan and the company, Two Tomatoes Records, was born.
Though her business struggled for some time, she got a major boost when Noggin, the commercial free, preschool sister spin off of the wildly popular Nickelodeon network, asked Berkner to tape some videos. In a major business coup, Starbucks began selling Berkner's DVD and bonus CD set, titled We Are...The Laurie Berkner Band (Razor & Tie, 2006), this past February.
"The deal came through Razor & Tie Entertainment, the label that distributes my CDs and co-released the DVD with my own label, Two Tomatoes Records, and Starbucks Hear Music," says Berkner. "R&T put the deal together with them. It's the first time Starbucks has featured a family DVD!"
Berkner loves doing videos for children and believes the medium is perfect for connecting with her audience.
"I have always thought that making videos would be another good way to connect musically with kids," says Berkner. "The visuals add a new dimension to the songs, and my hope is that by watching us while they are listening to the music, kids will be even more encouraged to move their bodies. I'm excited to finally be able to put out this DVD!"
"When I first had Lucy I wasn't writing much all," says Berkner. "All my creativity was going into being a mom. I'm starting to write more now, but I'm not sure how or whether my music is different yet."
Her song, "Walk Along the River," was written shortly after her daughter was born. "At that time I was taking many walks along the Hudson River," says Berkner. "I was inspired both by watching the water and watching my daughter Lucy smile whenever I played it for her."
Her husband, Brian, played in the band with her – though he has recently bowed out in order to help keep work and home life separate – but his support of her is ongoing.
"He really supports me in continuing to help me bring out my creativity, and also in supporting my doing what feels good for me," says Berkner.
This support will be crucial as she figures out how her career fits into her new life as a mother. Currently her videos are appearing on Noggin's new series, Jack's Big Music Show and she's filming more of them.
"The big thing is that I don't want to be a huge star anymore," says Berkner. "Now I feel like I have enough of that – so I don't know if I want any more."
Right now, Berkner is happy being Mommy. When asked what motherhood means to her she replies, "It means learning about myself. It means really being open and being able both to give and receive a lot of love!"
Preschool children everywhere already feel that love every time they watch one of Laurie's videos.
