Album Notes

Phil Rosenthal is a highly regarded singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist in the world of bluegrass and folk music. He was lead singer and guitarist in the popular band the Seldom Scene, and was appointed Connecticut State Troubadour in 1994. His original songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe and others.

After leaving the Seldom Scene in 1986, Phil formed his own label, American Melody, and has produced over 25 recordings for children and adults, featuring himself, the Sommers Rosenthal Family (Phil, wife Beth, and children Naomi and Daniel), Jonathan Edwards, the Smith Sisters, Cathy Fink, David Mallett and others. These recordings have received rave reviews and over 20 awards from the Parents’ Choice Foundation, the American Library Association and others.

"Turkey in the Straw" was Phil's first recording of bluegrass/folk music for children, and the first release on his own American Melody label. It was a Parent's Choice Award Winner, and received rave reviews from Parade Magazine ("Music rooted in tradition. If you love the interplay between banjo and mandolin and the pleasing harmonies of bluegrass, this album is for you and yours"), the American Library Association ("a rousing, highly singable collection"), Working Mother Magazine ("will set the whole family singing"), and others. It's an album that parents seem to enjoy as much as children.