23 July 2008 - 0 Comments
The Funky Monkeys video for 'The Thank You Song' is the best children's video of the year, as voted by the viewers of What Now.
Based in a small patch of jungle just south of Auckland, the Funky Monkeys were popular winners among the thousands of children who voted online. New Zealand's own children's supergroup received their award for the What Now Children's Video of the Year in Christchurch Friday July 18 at the James Hay Theatre.
At the same event, Claudia Gunns' 'Lullaby Time' and Craig Smiths' 'Wonkey Donkey Song' were named joint winners of the APRA Children's Song of the Year.
"The judges were deadlocked over which was the best song," states children's music champion and APRA Board Member, Arthur Baysting. "The overall standard was so high that they finally agreed on two winners of this inaugural award".
Becoming a mother has inspired a new repertoire of children's material for songstress Claudia Gunn. The judges were impressed with the simplicity of 'Lullaby Time'. "This song has a true, fresh quality." says one judge, "It is beautifully sung and the melody is very memorable, it stays with you for a long time after you've heard it."
A singer songwriter who first picked up a guitar at the age of twelve, Craig Smith is a now full time musician. Since releasing his children's music album 'Not Just For Kids', Craig has been splitting his tours with visits to primary schools during the day and playing his original folk rock n' blues in pubs and restaurants in the evenings. 'The Wonkey Donkey Song', made our judges giggle, they commented: "A fun song with lots of catchy and playful lyrics, this song would be great for the classroom. The classic formula of adding extra words to each verse along with the country-feel of the tune, make this a very successful children's song."
The other finalists for the APRA Children's Song of the Year were Angela Steele for 'Girl In The Mirror', The Tangible Titans for 'Sleep Baby Sleep' and Fatcat & Fishface for 'Una Momento'.
Thanks to www.apra.co.nz for this story.
Prev: APRA Silver Scroll Awards 2008 – Announcing the top 20 New Zealand songs of the last twelve months. |
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