Sam Moran tells: Kids still his top priority
By SHIRLEY BROUN
AFTER five years as the Yellow Wiggle and five more behind the scenes of this much adored multi-million-dollar children’s entertainment phenomena, Sam Moran is blazing a new trail for himself but … don’t despair … his tiny fans will not be left behind.
Ex-Wiggle Sam Moran is back doing what he loves best - entertaining children in a new TV series on Foxtel's Nick Jnr Channel.
Nickleodeon Australia has commissioned an exciting new preschool series for its Nick Jr. channel starring the ex-Wiggle, called `Play Along with Sam’.
The series, launched on May 6, comprises a hosted weekday music morning block showcasing Sam’s musical talents in a highly educational and curriculum-based format. “It all happened rather quickly,” said Sam. Nickleodeon first approached me in October last year. I started writing songs straight away and we filmed the series in February this year.”
Catchy music with kid's theme
The classically trained singer and talented musician has been writing songs for years, especially in his role with the Wiggles and says creating 20 songs for the new series in such a tight time-frame was great fun. “I write catchy music with a children’s theme. It is something I really love to do.”
"The great thing about the new TV series is that kids are still be top priority."
And Sam had a great critic to test-run his new potential `top hits for under 5s’. “My wife Lyn and I have a 3 year old daughter Eloise. She is my biggest fan but also my harshest critic. If Eloise doesn’t like a song … it won’t reach a bigger audience,” Sam laughed.
In fact, young Eloise already has her own special song, written to her music by her talented dad. “When Eloise was quite young she used to hum a tune over and over again. It inspired me so much that one day I put words to her tune and turned it into a song … known now as the `Singing Lark’.”
Littlies explore Sam's world
Play Along with Sam invites littlies to explore their world through rhythm, music and movement. It is a welcome addition to Nick Jr.’s suite of shows, which are firmly grounded in the early childhood education philosophy of learning through play.
Sam, who plays trumpet and tinkers on a wide range of instruments, will lead his charges on a discovery path through movement, music, letters, wordplay, imaginative games, problem solving and more.
The new show is not only enabling the Wagga-born and raised performer and Conservatorium of Music graduate to strike up his creative juices and add to his songwriting achievements but also to do what he loves best … perform live to his legions of young fans and their parents.
Live shows kick off
Sam said he is looking forward to getting back on the road with his first live shows to be held at Sydney’s Chatswood Concourse on July 28. “I also want to personally meet as many of my fans as possible at the performances and will be making a special effort to meet and greet them on the day,” said Sam.
I think many of us would agree that entertaining children is a specialised talent, which Sam and the Wiggles have mastered. “It’s not really that hard. You just have to spend time with kids, see the world through their eyes and learn to communicate on their level,” he said. “Kids inspire you, yet like my daughter, they are also your harshest critic – if they don’t like what you are doing they will simply turn their backs and walk away. You soon know, if it’s not what they like.”
New album
While Sam has been involved in the recording of many albums over the years as a member of the Wiggles, he has only just recorded his first solo album since leaving the group in 2012.
Sam’s first solo kids music album `Play Along with Sam’ is out June 28 and also available via iTunes from today, June 14.
Nick Jr. is on Foxtel channel 703 and Play Along with Sam screens weekday mornings from 10am to midday.
Sam’s first live show is on Sunday, July 28, at Chatswood Concourse. To purchase tickets you can go to Ticketek website http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=SAMMORAN13
Sam’s looking forward to seeing you there!
June 29, 2013 at 10:10 am
I think it sounds awesome Sam the kids have missed you since you left the Wiggles. Going Solo is just awesome. Keep up the good work.