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IAN JOHNSTONE
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In the following few screens I'll tell you about me, my children's recordings, my philosophy, where to reach me, a bit of my performing history, what my publicist says about me, what some other people say about me, some of my extra-curricular activities (stuff besides children's music) and where I'd like to travel/tour. I've even put a copy of my Elementary School concert study guide on line.
Well... It happened during one Elementary School tour in British Columbia, Canada. Following three consecutive school concerts, during after-concert get-togethers the teachers and parents in attendance declared me to be "a musical ambassador to kids". They had used the exact same phrase each time.
I mentioned this to several of my colleagues. Their response was singular and unanimous... "Great! Use it!" Since then, I've been re-endorsed by kids, parents and teachers throughout Canada, the U.S. and Britain as "Canada's Musical Ambassador to Kids".
There are a lot of people learning and growing in this business. I've been doing it for over thirty years and I firmly believe that the more we work in concert (pun intended) the stronger and wiser we each become.
Kids are very important people. I know. I
not only used to be one, I still am! Oh, I grew up, sure. But I get to
grow down again every concert and every time a kid says "Hi" or asks me
for my autograph, or sings joyously along with one of my songs.
Though it may sound cliché, never-the-less, it's a truth... today's kids are this world's future. We need to teach joy to kids around the world. And positive, win-win ways of thinking and living. Tomorrow's peace begins ...and ends... with today's children.
I love what I do. I know that from time to time, what I do may have a positive impact on a growing, learning child. ...And I'm now well into my second generation of kids.
Parents I sang for when they were kids are now bringing their kids up to meet me and to say "Hello" after my concerts. I can't think of a nicer compliment. ...Can you?
Hey!
It's a large world out there! But... it gets smaller with communication, and this medium could turn it into... well... merely a whole bunch of giant neighbourhoods. I'm looking and learning. And I'm travelling. Expanding my horizons to include new neighbourhoods and new people. Having spent 2001-2011 teaching in Saudi Arabia, I'm back on Vancouver Island (...this place is truly Paradise...) and returning to children's music. It simply fills my soul. I've missed it more than I can possibly express.
Since first going on-line with the internet, I've connected with folks on six continents.
For quite a few years, I've had it in my mind to tour Australia & New Zealand. That's now being worked on. I've also used The Web to get info on, and contacts for, touring in Britain. So, if you have any more information on children's entertainment, CD distributors, tour organizers or concert touring in Britain, Australia, New Zealand or other neat places, drop me a line!
Of course, back home in Canada, I'd love to tour the Maritimes... ("More lobster Ian?") ... and Quebec (while they're still in Canada). {smile}
Well, for a start, I've played more than 2,000 school concerts throughout Canada, the United States & Britain.
I've hosted &/or performed on more than 40 telethons, and countless performances in community concerts, live theatre, fairs and exhibitions, sales promotions and fund-raisers, television & radio.
I have lots of interests besides children's singing, songwriting, concerts & storytelling.
Being a writer, a jocular sort and 'one of the world's greatest fishermen', for 10 years I wrote a humorous (& occasionally philosophical) column titled "Under The Eagle's Nest". If you'd be interested in seeing a sample article, here it is.
A few years ago I took up both down-hill skiing and golf. Not both at the same time, of course. ...Mind you... it might be fun. You could tee-off and be there when it lands!
I've also re-kindled my interest in photography and will soon be adding a page with samples of my favourite shots.
I'm a very curious person. When something interests me, I just have to know more about it. Maybe even try it myself. As a result, besides skiing and golfing, I've tried parachuting and bungy jumping, scuba diving and sailing. I've learned how to spin wool, weave it and crochet it.
To say only that "Ian Johnstone is a children's entertainer" would be much like saying Red Skelton was simply a comic or Danny Kaye just an actor.
Ian is a specialist - an expert at fanning that spark of joy within each and every child, at allowing the adult to become the child within themselves, feeling that same spark... still alive, still aglow.
Ian Johnstone does not simply stand up in front of a group of kids and play his banjo and sing... Ian draws on the imagination and fantasy of every person present..
As you relax and enjoy the program as it unfolds, you begin to realize that this unique man is not only bright, alive, refreshing and energetic, he is providing an enthusiastic and positive role model for your child. A powerful responsibility.
Ian's personality is an integral part of his highly entertaining performance. By example, Ian shows that music and life can be fun... can be exciting... can be positive... can be enjoyed.
No indifferent performances... no patronizing attitudes. Just music and singing and banjo, hand clapping and stories and laughter.
It's happy. It's fun. It's professional. It's a delight in a serious world.
"...polished professionalism and a delightful
manner with young people."
- Joan McCordic, Administrator, Prologue
to the Performing Arts, Toronto, Ontario
"...Johnstone's attitude is to be commended.
In an ideal world, his should be the norm - the responsibility for each
citizen to make a better world for children, thereby ensuring the survival
of our civilization."
- Moose Jaw Times-Herald, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
"A super performance! Best of the year!"
- Briarwood Elementary, Washington, U.S.A.
Albums available on Dandelion
Records:
Ordering_info
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"Love & Warm Fuzzies..."
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- Order by Mail -
(-:
They make great gifts for birthdays, rainy days ...or any
days :-)
For each copy of
"Dear Mr. Johnstone..."
and/or "Love & Warm Fuzzies..."
$19.95(CAN)(shipping & handling included)
Wish my recordings were available
at your favorite toy, book or music store ?
They can be if they contact me at:
DANDELION RECORDS
You can reach me (world-wide) by:
For booking info in Britain:
(Th-th-that's all, folks!)