Album Notes

Sammie Haynes is an award-winning children’s music writer and performer. As a Gentle Wind recording artist she has received a Parent’s Choice Award, NAPPA (National Parenting Publication’s Award), Children’s Music Web Award, and the Film Advisory Board’s Award of Excellence!

"Many Hands" is her first children's recording which Scott Alarik of The Boston Globe called. “A charming children’s record...sweetly sung, full of clever, participatory songs kids and parents can share, along with familiar folk classics and brightly humanistic originals”.
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In 1999 Sammie ran a songwriting workshop in Kathryn Mills’ 3rd Grade class at the South Berwick, Maine Central School. The children chose to write about endangered animals and after recording it, sent it to Gov. Angus King. The following is his response:

A letter from former Maine Governor, Angus King, Jr. during his term in office:
“With this project you have captured the two essential elements of increasing awareness on an issue: education and fun. By simply talking about this issue you are helping to educate others on the issue of endangered species, and by choosing this inventive format for spreading your message, the issue will take a firmer hold in people’s minds. I am very proud of the way that you have tackled this very important issue.”
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After performing in public schools in Nashville, TN and as part of the city-wide 90th birthday celebration for Woody Guthrie with Cormac McCarthy, the schools’ visual and performing arts coordinator, Carol Crittendon writes:

“…I would like to sincerely thank you for the outstanding performances you gave during Woody Guthrie month at three of our middle schools. I was fortunate enough to attend one of the performances and was quite impressed…The three elementary schools at which Sammie performed were thrilled. They had such a wonderful time while gaining more knowledge of music…”

“I feel that all those students who had the privilege of attending one of your performances will long remember who you are and the music you presented.”

“Our PTO sponsored a performance by Sammie Haynes and the Treetops Chorus for our elementary school in Eliot, Maine. She was a lively and engaging performer. My second grade students were entranced…Our students responded well to her gentle unassuming manner and laughter…”
-Sharon Stuart, Teacher, 2nd Grade, Eliot, Maine
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“Sammie’s choice of repertoire and enthusiasm with a young crowd, even on a hot summer day, provided a terrific end to our summer reading program. She is a skilled performer, with contagious energy!”
- Elizabeth Forrest, Head of Youth Services, Kennebunk Free Library, Kennebunk, Maine
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Sammie performs at concerts, festivals, schools, libraries, and conducts artist-in-residency songwriting workshops for grades K-5.
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Sammie is a member of the New England Foundation for the Arts, Maine Arts Commission/ Artist Access, and the Children’s Music Network.

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