Legendary singer-songwriter and two-time Grammy Award-winner Kenny Loggins debuted his all new original children’s book Footloose at the BookExpo in Chicago on May 12, 2016.
Four days later, on May 16 in New York City, he will be a recipient of the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award at the annual Chapin Awards hosted by WhyHunger. The event honors social movements changing the world and recognizes artist activists making a difference in the fight against hunger and poverty. Other honorees that evening will include rock guitarist and Grammy Award-winner Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave and social movement partner Landless Workers Movement. This summer, Loggins will partner with WhyHunger’s Summer Meals Rock for Kids campaign, which connects millions of children in need to free, nutritious meals all summer long.
“I’m honored to have been chosen by ASCAP and WhyHunger as my passion for children’s causes fits perfectly with WhyHunger’s philosophy. I believe this is the start of a fruitful partnership,” said Loggins.
For tickets to the Chapin Awards, click here.
Loggins may be best known for his ‘80s anthems and deeply personal and introspective tracks, but he has also spent his life creating children’s music that is beloved by kids and their parents alike. Beginning with two LPs, Return to Pooh Corner (1994) – the best-selling children’s album of the last 20 years, with 1.3M albums sold to date – and its follow up, More Songs from Pooh Corner (2000), Loggins is getting ready to release a new project, the book Footloose (Moondance Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USA, October 17, 2016), inspired by his 1985 Oscar nominated and Grammy Award-winning “Song of the Year.” With brand new kid’s lyrics and kid-friendly characters, it follows a zoo full of wolves in top hats and canes, llamas in their tutus, rhinos, snakes, cats, kangaroos, giraffes, cubs, monkeys and more — dressed in their dancing best — all ready to party by the light of the moon after the visitors leave and Mr. DJ Elephant pumps up the music! Also embedded in the book package is a new CD, including the new version of the song, with children’s lyrics written and recorded by Loggins, and a three song-medley of traditional songs.
Loggins’ passion for children’s music and causes will be a main focus in the coming years and Footloose is just the start; three new albums of children’s music are planned, including an up-tempo record, a lullaby record, and an undecided third album.
Loggins won’t focus entirely on children’s projects though; multiple upcoming TV appearances, a coffee table lyric book, a co-write for Grammy Award-nominated artist Thundercat, and a sophomore album from Blue Sky Riders, Loggins’ country trio with Nashville powerhouse Gary Burr and gifted vocalist and singer-songwriter Georgia Middleman, round out the rest of what is sure to be an extraordinary year.
