Parents, take note. Judging by the intensity of activity in the children`s music and video arena, there should be a plethora of children`s compact discs and videocassettes arriving in stores in the coming months.
Many of the leading music and video companies are stepping up their commitment to the children`s marketplace by forming kids` labels, through licensing agreements with toymakers or simply by releasing high-profile, child-oriented projects.
Sony Music Video has launched its Sony Kids` Music and Sony Kids` Video labels, which had been months in the planning under the banner SMV Children`s Library. To be headed by director of children`s programming Linda Morgenstern, the new label has signed artists Dan Crow, Tom Chapin, Tom Paxton, Kevin Roth, Rory and Lois Young.
Sony`s contracts with these musicians cover new and previously recorded material. According to Al Reuben, Sony Music Video`s senior vice president and general manager, all six artists are scheduled to release material in March, April and May.
Morgenstern adds that Sony Kids will target traditional music retailers as well as non-music outlets like toystores, bookstores, department stores and catalogs.
The Bertelsmann Music Group recently tossed its hat into the children`s ring with BMG Kidz, a division dedicated to joint ventures with children`s entertainment firms, the first of which was Rincon Children`s Entertainment.
BMG Kidz has announced its second joint venture, with Los Angeles-based Discovery Music, a music and video label known primarily for its sing-along
”Magic Series.”
MCA Records-which signed the immensely popular children`s artist Raffi in 1990-is preparing a star-studded soundtrack to the upcoming 20th Century Fox film ”Ferngully . . . The Last Rainforest.” Actors Robin Williams and Christian Slater will have speaking roles in the animated picture, which promotes the preservation of Earth`s rain forests.
According to Geoff Bywater, senior vice president of marketing at MCA Records, the soundtrack-scheduled for release March 31, 10 days ahead of the movie-will include performances by Raffi, Sheena Easton, Elton John, Guy, Tone-Loc, Johnny Clegg, Tim Curry and Williams. In addition, Thomas Dolby, Teddy Riley, David Foster, and Jimmy Buffet have written songs for the project.
