Tag Archives: clean up

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Children’s songs should be clean. Not explicit. Because kids should be cared for and safe until the job of raising them is done. And the wrong kind of music (yes, I said “wrong kind”) can be unhealthy and unsafe.

I read some interesting (but sad) info from an issue of the “Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.” And it said that kids who watch R-rated movies are more likely to smoke, have sex earlier, and even experience “teen aggression.”

My guess is that ain’t all that’s likely to happen. And here’s another guess of mine. I’ll bet similar results can occurwhen they listen to R-rated music. (Side note: a lot of them have moved WAY beyond R-rated stuff)

So, when people ask why I write the kind of children’s songs I write, I just have to wonder why there would be any other kind.

I mean, why would you not want your kids’ music to be clean and fun?

Kids should be allowed to be kids. Full of innocence, awe, and wonder. And the music they listen to should just be for fun. It should be clean enough that they can listen to it with their parents and no one is embarrassed. Because little kids don’t need to learn about sex. And they certainly don’t need to hear how to be violent and foul-mouthed.

Tragically (and explicitly), so much music for mass consumption does just that.

Well, my music for kids doesn’t do that. Never has. Never will. I still believe in the gift and wonder of a child’s imagination. And my children’s songs will always seek to inspire, tickle the fancy, and spark the imagination of as many kids as possible. And cheers to any other singer songwriters out there who will do the same.

I believe it’s much more loving to help kids be clean thinking kids. Without the so-called “adult” or R-rated stuff even adults shouldn’t listen to and watch. And clean thinking kids have a better chance at being clean thinking adults.

Speaking music being clean.
Here’s a demo of the Kiddin’ Around collection.

Click the pic to download the
“Kiddin’ Around” Collection For $10

OK kids, be clean and safe and fun today. And like the song “Don’t” says:

Don’t make mistakes unless you’re wrong…
and don’t pay attention to this song.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Kids should just be able to be kids. Not confused by dark, dreary, hopeless attacks on all their five senses. Way back in the medieval days of the twentieth century, there were actually G rated movies. And that meant a general audience could watch them without worry there’d be sex and violence and bathroom humor.

But now, G rated movies just ain’t all that cool.

And, as so many parents would have you believe, when it comes to sex and violence and bathroom humor, “Well, they’re gonna learn it somewhere. Might as well be at home.”

Yeah, I’ve heard real people say that. Really.

But that’s a mighty stupid approach to raising kids.

For example, I read a part of a study in an issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. And it said that kids who watch R-rated movies are more likely to smoke, have sex earlier, and even experience “teen aggression.”

And my guess is that ain’t all that’s likely to happen.

And here’s another wild and crazy guess of mine. I’ll bet similar results can occur when kids listen to R-rated music.

So, when people ask why I write the kind of children’s songs I write, I just have to smile and wonder why there would be any other kind.

Because, as I said before, kids should be allowed to be kids. Full of innocence, awe, and wonder. And the music they listen to should just be for fun. Not some excuse to teach them how to be intimate with the opposite sex. Or worse, how to beat up on or belittle others.

Sadly, so much music for mass consumption does just that.

And it doesn’t even stop at the R rating anymore. No, it’s full on X rated stuff now. I’m sure you’ve had a car pull up next to you, at a traffic light, and heard the filth rapping through the dark-tinted windows. If not, you will.

Well, my kids music doesn’t do that. Never has. Never will. I still believe in the ideal of a child’s imagination. I still cater to that. My children’s songs will always seek to inspire, tickle the fancy, and spark the imagination of as many kids as possible. And they’ll shine a light in a dark world.

And I support any other singer/songwriters out there who will do the same.

I believe G rated movies should be the norm. And I don’t think they have to be the cutesy kind of stuff that adults feel weird watching. Because you can tell real, human stories about countless things in life where families bond together to overcome the odds. And I give kids credit for being able to understand the value in watching those stories with their parents.

But I’m just one storyteller.

One poet and singer with dreamy-eyed longing for a cleaner world. So, what chance do I have to convince the masses to turn back before it’s too late? The answer is, I don’t have a chance, in D.C. of ever doing that.

But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t or couldn’t try to reach as many as possible.

So, that’s why I’ll keep on keepin’ on.
Because it’s not over when we’re gone.
And kids deserve better than a dismissal letter.
They deserve the hope of a new dawn.

Now, why waste time going online to find all my rollicking, rolling Rhymes and Reasons? Just jump on the The TRUTH. And I’ll send them directly to your inbox. Do it now, and I’ll send you some songs and a couple of other surprises: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Puns are fun. Yeah, I’m a fan. In fact, you could call me Tony Punderburk, and I wouldn’t be upset. My name has been butchered way worse than that.

Anyway…

But not everybody thinks puns are fun.

But those who don’t are almost always the ones whose sense of humor lives in public bathrooms.

I remember a discussion I had, back in my full-time musician days. A couple of us talked as we set up to play for an evening crowd in Denver. And I made a pun about something. Don’t even remember what it was. But a guy who had come along to help set up the gear said, “Ooh, a pun! Those are the lowest form of humor.”

I immediately replied, “I guess if you leave out dirty words and vulgar jokes about women, different races or ethnic groups, body parts, and bathroom humor…maybe you’ve got a point.”

He didn’t have a comeback. And he just gave me one of those “drop dead” looks.

And I wondered, “Why would a clean play on words ever be considered low humor.”

Most people don’t seem to have a problem being told what foods are good. But they hate being told what words and ideas are good. In fact, it’s difficult to even get a consensus on what “good” is anymore. So, these days, it’s whatever is right in your own mind.

Trouble with that is…a lot of people are clueless about what’s right.

Wholesome words are a good place to start.

If you know a lazy-talkin’-foul-mouth who thinks (or says) “You can’t tell me what to say or think,” ask them (or better yet, tell them) to take it somewhere else. And say something like,

“Your words come off public bathroom walls, and I don’t want that filth around me.”

And here’s a suggestion I had, several years ago, for people like that.

“Consider trying something different today. Look up a word (or two or three), that you don’t understand. And discover what it means and where it originated. Then, see what kind of ideas pop into your head. I promise ideas WILL pop into your head. And when something less wholesome pops in there, focus more on your new ideas. Guess what’ll happen when you do this on a regular basis. You’ll become an idea person. And you’ll be able to rise above the dirty jokes and curse words. You’ll find you no longer need them to feel strong. Because your ideas will strengthen you.”

It works. But only when you work at it.

And, on that note, I meant it when I said I think puns are fun. Maybe this whole thing about ideas has reminded you of some. If so, send me your favorite. If it’s clean (and it better be), I’ll share it.

Here are some words I shared, a few years back, to express the idea about ideas. And if it sounds like it was written for kids, here’s why. Because I wrote it to get kids interested in writing.

Open Your Head

Open your head.
Pour words right in.
Then shake your head
And let ’em spin.
They’ll bubble up
Like polka dots
Into some bright
And bouncing thoughts.
Just let them float,
And let them grow.
When they’re just right,
You’ll let them go
Live on a page
Where they’ll be read
And poured into
Another head.

© 2013 Tony Funderburk

If you know someone interested in writing, get them this journal. Or send the link so they can get it.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

It’s the weekend, kids. Do you know what that means? That’s right…time for cartoons, pancakes, and letting mom and dad wait on you hand and foot. Right?

Uh…I don’t think so. You know how much your moms and dads love you. But do you know all the things they have to do to make sure you have food and clothes and a place to live? Believe me…they have to do a lot. They get up early every day and go somewhere to work hard and make money to buy all that stuff.

Then, your moms and dads take some of their money and buy you cool things like a computer or a game or your favorite sneakers. And most of the time it’s not even your birthday. They just want to make sure you have a great life.

So, this weekend, kids, try this:

Take time to do some nice things for their moms and dads…without even having to be asked or told.

What do you say? Wouldn’t you love to see mom smile and have her kiss you on the cheek just because you made her a card? And wouldn’t it be great to get a hug from dad just because you helped clean up the yard? What could be better? There’s no time like the present. Go, get started right now…and have a great…

Weekend Kids

Monday through Friday your parents work hard.
When Saturday comes, you could mow the yard…
Or pick up your clothes and clean up your room…
And pluck the dandelions while they still bloom…
Or clean all the dishes singin’ songs…it’s fun,
And you’ll see great things when the work’s all done.
For your moms and dads and for all they do…
Show your love this weekend, kids…it’s up to you.

Stay tuned,

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