Album Notes

Kids with Beards was voted “Honorable Mention” making it one of the Top 20 Kid’s Albums of 2008 on the Fids and Kamily Poll.

"Awesome, funny, bluegrass-inspired music aimed squarely at kids."
-Zrec's Punnybop Blog - where "Kids with Beards" was voted the #1 album of the 2008.

“This two-member band from Minneapolis make twangy, toe-tapping folk music with smart, funny lyrics that are equal parts hillbilly, seven-year-old boy and your favorite teacher.” – CoolMomPicks.com

“Kids with Beards is one of those rare delights that is music to the ears of Raffi-weary parents.” – Island Parents Magazine

“Kids with Beards is a fun engaging album by a talented duo that mixes a sense of whimsy with strong musicianship.” – John Wood, Kidzmusic.com

As childhood best friends and band mates growing up in Denver, Colorado, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing couldn’t wait to be professional folksingers. Then, one day (poof!) they were all grown up and playing their music on the scene. After years of touring the Midwest with their bluegrass band, Joe and Justin decided to keep their folk roots, but return to where it all began: childhood imagination. That’s when they moved to Minneapolis to start their independently managed children’s band called The Okee Dokee Brothers.

The Okee Dokee Brothers currently perform their high-energy children’s shows at bookstores, libraries, elementary schools, and community events. Their shows consist of original material and every song gets the audience up to dance, sing, or play instruments. The Okee Dokee Brothers believe that music should be an energetic, interactive, and fun experience for kids to enjoy with their parents. An Okee Dokee Brothers’ show can transport you to the wilds of Africa, to the tip-top of a gigantic rollercoaster, or to a groovin’ rock concert where you are dancing and playing with the band.

Kids with Beards, The Okee Dokee Brothers’ first album released in 2008, has fifteen original tracks that showcase their witty lyrics, off-the-wall humor, strong musicianship, and unique folk style. The songs range in theme from wiggly worms, to types of boogers, to a kid who turns into an apple tree. Joe and Justin’s guitar and banjo are accompanied by a myriad of dynamic instruments. The Okee Dokee Brothers exploded onto the children’s scene with Kids with Beards and they have no plans of letting up.

Full "Cool Mom Picks Review"
You aren't likely to find me at a folk music festival or a bluegrass jamboree, but I'm totally taken by The Okee Dokee Brothers' new release, Kids with Beards.

This two-member band from Minneapolis make twangy, toe-tapping folk music with smart, funny lyrics that are equal parts hillbilly,seven-year-old boy and your favorite teacher.

Running in heavy rotation in my head is Too Much Time in Candy Land which wisely warns, "Mike and Ike were not my friends, And Laffy Taffys weren't so funny" (the perfect pre trick-or-treating song if I've ever heard one). I have even started enjoying the one song I originally avoided at all costs: Boogylicious. The lyrics aren't for the faint of heart (or stomach) but you may find yourself laughing in
spite of yourself.

If you like your music served up with a lot of feel-good activism, know that all the proceeds from the CD go to The Medicinal Strings Foundation, the non-profit started by the duet to get music into underserved communities, which actually led to the creation of the CD.

The Okee Dokee Brothers say that they prefer to play shows with no more than 50 children to insure that each one feels like part of the show. They should watch out though; with music as fun as this, they may soon find themselves playing to much larger crowds. -Christina "Cool Mom Picks"