If you have a child, chances are you have heard of them. They are an extremely local popular band which specializes in kids' music. Their shows are filled with lots of energy, fun, and laughter. While their primary fan base is made up of folks under the age of 12, it is rare to attend one of their shows without spotting nearly every group of parents tapping their feet, and at some point dancing with their children. Many adults refer to Ernie and Neal's mix of rock, funk, and reggae music as being "adult friendly". Their ability to deliver music that appeals to multiple generations of fans has quickly earned them a reputation as one of the area's best live concert groups.
We recently caught up with them during a show at The Abington Art Center as part of their annual KidFest program.
Please enjoy their biography.
Ernie & Neal ROCK!
If high-energy, fun-lovin' family music is what you've been looking for then look no further. Ernie & Neal is a rockin, dynamic musical experience from the Philadelphia area. They bring the joy and art of creating and performing live children's music to a whole new level! Dubbing their act "Music for the young mind," Ernie & Neal have been entertaining America's children - and the child in all of us - since 1999.
Anyone who has seen them live knows Ernie & Neal's spunk and enthusiasm truly knows no bounds. Typical of a show is the entire audience, young and old alike, dancing in - and out - their seats as Ernie & Neal explore many different genres of music like rock, reggae, ska, jazz, folk, bluegrass and more. Exploring all kinds of sound, rhythm and rhyme, Ernie & Neal's musical themes run the gamut of creative expression. While rocking out, they also feature an enthusiastic musical combination of singing, playing, storytelling, entertaining and educating.
Ernie & Neal is a dynamic musical experience from the Philadelphia area. They call their act "Music for the Young Mind", entertaining America's children as well as the child in all of us. Ernie & Neal's enthusiasm & professionalism know no bounds. Typical of a show is the entire audience, young and old alike, dancing in their seats.
Onstage, children join in the joyous celebration that encompasses their act. Ernie & Neal encourage audience participation from beginning to end. The children enjoy making music, dancing, singing and acting out the various songs as Ernie & Neal explore the many different genres of music, including rock, reggae, ska, jazz, folk, bluegrass and more.
Ernie & Neal easily meet your performance needs. From song-writing workshops and assemblies all the way up to family concerts and international festivals, Ernie & Neal are your musical answer to family fun. Their act is versatile and available as a duo, quartet, or six-piece band. Any way you want it, the Ernie & Neal experience is the family entertainment you've been waiting for.
Ernie &Neal
Ernie & Neal is a dynamic musical experience from the Philadelphia area. They call their act "Music for the Young Mind", entertaining America's children as well as the child in all of us. Ernie & Neal's enthusiasm & professionalism know no bounds. Typical of a show is the entire audience, young and old alike, dancing in their seats.
Onstage, children join in the joyous celebration that encompasses their act. Ernie & Neal encourage audience participation from beginning to end. The children enjoy making music, dancing, singing and acting out the various songs as Ernie & Neal explore the many different genres of music, including rock, reggae, ska, jazz, folk, bluegrass and more.
Ernie & Neal easily meet your performance needs. From song-writing workshops and assemblies all the way up to family concerts and international festivals, Ernie & Neal are your musical answer to family fun. Their act is versatile and available as a duo, quartet, or six-piece band. Any way you want it, the Ernie & Neal experience is the family entertainment you've been waiting for.
"Ernie & Neal are the life of any party, concert and gathering, no matter what the occasion. They delight kids of all ages, from my 40-something friends to my own two children who are five and three years old. Last year at our annual Singer-Songwriter Weekend they were just incredible. They're funny and entertaining and from watching the thousands of adults and kids in the crowd react to their performance, we'd book them again and again for our events. You don't watch Ernie & Neal, you join in on the experience. I'm glad to say they have a home at XPN and with our Kid's Corner listeners."
- Bruce Warren, Program Director
WXPN 88.5 FM, University of Pennsylvania
"WOW! Ernie & Neal are awesome! Their music comes across brilliantly on the air. Their
enthusiasm and willingness to make a special trip to DC to record for all of us here at XM KiDS
(XM Satellite Radio) was well worth it for everyone. A big ?Thank You' to Ernie & Neal!"
- Kenny Curtis, Program Director
XMKiDS, XM Satellite Radio
Workshops & residencies
Ernie & Neal's Song-writing Workshops are a musical experience for a classroom-sized group of students. They provide a genuine introductory experience to song-writing. Ernie & Neal help to develop children's musical and collaborative abilities by leading them through a variety of exercises to enable the group to produce their own original song.
Ernie & Neal encourage audience participation by asking the children to clap, dance and sing along. Then they go on to explain how the song was conceived and developed through collaboration, a vital part of the song-writing process. In turn, every person who has an idea in the group is encouraged to participate in this cooperative effort-in-motion by raising their hand and calling out whatever comes to mind.
Next they brainstorm with the children, deciding on such things as the theme of the song, verses, choruses and lyrical ideas in poetic form. Then they come up with several different styles of music in which the children have the choice of placing with their new melodies. Everyone's participation is validated through the incorporation of any and all ideas. Combine all this with Ernie & Neal's reliable spunk and enthusiasm, and voila, the creation of original song! The most integral part of these workshops is that Ernie & Neal help to foster imagination and teamwork, so the chil¬dren are left with a deeper understanding of what it means to truly work together to accomplish a tangible result.
Ernie & Neal are available for weekday Workshops as well as week long Artist-In-Residency Programs for multiple classes and/or entire organizations. Artist-In-Residency Programs culminate in a final night concert performance for the children, teachers and parents. This exciting concert is performed with the children to further instruct how the collaborative music-making process translates into a more complex live performance.
Ernie & Neal's concert performances demonstrate what improvisation truly is, inviting children up to the stage to try their hands at various instrumentation. While acting, singing, clapping and dancing, they shift smoothly from song to song, involving the children in just about everything they do. From the simplest form of dancing in your seat, to the boisterous musical presenta¬tion of "The Three Little Pigs", they instill the idea that singing and perform¬ing an adventure in pure fun. Ernie & Neal have also performed at a variety of other locations, large and small. From birthday celebrations and block parties to outdoor concerts and full-scale festivals, Ernie & Neal are your an¬swer to family entertainment.
You are now Tuned In to Ernie and Neal!
On the web-
www.ernieandneal.com
More on the Abington Art Center-
www.abingtonartcenter.org
