Being Model Mom Mary has its perks, like today when I had the opportunity to interview one of my favorite family musicians, Justin Roberts, who will be headlining the Kids’ New Year’s Eve celebration at LEGOLAND California. I have been a huge fan of his since a friend gave me one of his CDs when my older daughter turned one. He is a maverick in the Indie Kiddie Rock movement with timeless lyrics that capture the essence of childhood, in all its mischievous innocence and angst-ridden merriment. You won’t believe the kid-filled mosh pits this guy sparks, with his Not Ready for Naptime Players at his side.

Ironically, Mr. Roberts does not have any children of his own. He simply has an uncanny way of putting himself in other people’s shoes, be it a kid in a cast, or a mom in the middle of a meltdown, and writing poignant yet witty, creative yet catchy songs about everyday life experiences.

His interest in music began as a kid when he learned to play the piano and clarinet and sang in various choirs and a high school band. Then in college, he started his own band called Pimentos for Gus. After college he took a job as a preschool teacher, which partially inspired him to begin writing kid’s music. Around the same time that his first album was released, his band broke up and he decided to go to graduate school in Chicago, leaving the music business behind. Though shortly thereafter, as fate would have it, his album took off like proverbial gangbusters, giving rise to one of the top family musicians of our generation. Thankfully for us, his graduate degree is collecting dust on the shelf, while he cranks out tunes about Jungle Gyms and Pop Flies.

My 4 year old was ecstatic when she found out I was interviewing Justin Roberts. Her question for Justin was, “What do you do during the day, when you’re not on stage.” His answer: “I am usually writing songs, while my wife is at work, and I hang out with my pony-sized dog, Udo.”

After 21 years in the music industry, Justin has just been nominated for a Grammy award for Best Children’s Music. He is up against an industry goliath, The Might Be Giants, but I honestly think he has a great shot of winning. I think a Grammy would look mighty fine sitting next to his dusty graduate degree.

Roberts was gracious and humble when I asked him a few questions about the nomination:

Model Mom Mary: Where were you when you found out about the Grammy nomination?

Justin Roberts: I had just gotten home from a French lesson of all things (strange hobby of mine). I knew they were being announced so I went to my computer and started searching and they didn’t have it listed yet. Then I got a call from our bass player Jackie, who is the master of finding things out on the Internet faster than anyone else.

MMM: Will you be going to the Grammys?

JR: Yes, the whole band is going out, with all of our wives. We’re really excited.

MMM: Who will you be wearing?

JR: *Chuckles* I’m waiting for those designers to call me for the free tuxedo but I haven’t gotten that call yet.

This year will mark the fourth year that Roberts and his NR4NP have rung in the New Year with LEGOLAND guests. Justin says he loved playing with LEGO bricks as a kid, though is jealous of the fancy play sets they have now, and is impressed with how LEGOLAND mirrors the creativity of the product.

I asked him what his New Year’s Resolution is for 2011, and he said I would have to wait until the concert at Kids’ New Year’s Eve to find out. That devil.

I hope you’ll join me on December 31stas we rock out and ring in with Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players. It’s a night not to be missed!

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary