rogerday

Yes, this is what I do full time and have for the past 15 years. The main way I make a living is by touring constantly. I play nearly 200 shows a year in about 70 different cities. (Some days I'll play 2 or 3 shows a day at different schools.) I play a variety of venues from schools -- naturally! -- to libraries to theaters like the Charlotte Children's Theatre to festivals like the Target Children's Book Festivals in L.A. and Minneapolis. I also sell CDs at my shows and online. And occasionally someone will find one of my songs and license it for a commercial. But really, the key to my success is that I'm married to a public school teacher. My income can vary widely from year to year. Hers is rock solid. With three kids, that's made it all work.

No. It was really a spur of the moment thing. I've played several of the schools before I knew lots of the teachers. I contacted them on Facebook with the caveat that I wasn't sure if it would work but I'd love to try it. They did. And it did!!

I don't know any good Dad jokes. But I know some really bad musician jokes.

What do you if a songwriter in Nashville knocks on your door? Pay him for the pizza.

I started as a camp counselor at Camp Winnataska and the Children's Fresh Air Farm, both summer camps in Birmingham. I learned then that music is like a superpower with kids. If you want them to learn something: sing a song. If you want them to focus: sing a song. If you want to them to say thanks: sing a song. I would then write songs every year as Christmas presents each year for my nieces and nephews. Then when my own kids came along -- I have three -- I started writing all the time, many of which -- like "Mosquito Burrito" -- I still play at every show today.

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.