Folk festival musician wins award

Recording artist Victor Johnson has been awarded a 2005 Parents’ Choice Silver Award for his children’s music CD “Kid at Heart.” Johnson debuted his award-winning CD at the Sisters Folk Festival last September. Johnson played to a full crowd at the folk festival’s Children’s Stage. His roots music had kids, parents and grandparents tapping their toes.

“Kid at Heart” features 16 tracks including a country blues rendition of the kids’ classic, “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” Johnson’s version of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” and the song he begins his shows with, “Kid at Heart.”

“I always liked how Mr. Rogers opened up his show with the same song each time. It’s especially comforting for kids,” said Johnson.

Johnson is a musician, writer and producer from the Columbia River Gorge. He has created a blend of music that children and adults can enjoy together. The music is acoustic and mixes traditional kids’ songs with fun versions of adult songs.

Although Johnson lives in nearby Hood River, he had never performed in Sisters before the folk festival. He was enthusiastic about the local music scene and hopes to perform here again.

This is Johnson’s second Parents’ Choice Award in two years. His first CD, “Country Blues for Kids,” also won a Parents’ Choice Silver Award as well as Best Record for Preschoolers and Best New Artist for Preschoolers with the Children’s Music Web in 2004.

Johnson’s music has been heard on NPR and children’s radio shows nationwide. Also, he was featured on Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Art Beat television series.

Established in 1978, Parents’ Choice Foundation is the nation’s oldest not-for-profit evaluator of children’s books, videos, toys, audios, computer software, television and magazines. The foundation’s mission is to provide parents with information to participate wisely in their children’s learning.

Johnson performs mostly in the Pacific Northwest as a solo, duo or trio. To find where he is performing next, visit http://www.victorjohnson.com.