Between Barney and Britney, Kidz Bop finds its own groove

Kidz Bop has sold more than 10 million albums.

By JOHN BENSON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

Just like Fonzie, everybody wants to be cool.

This includes parents. However, there’s an inherent danger that the things that make them cool — music, movies, etc. — aren’t suitable for kids of preschool to tweener age. So instead, mom and dad have to watch and listen to Barney sing about wheels on the bus going around and around until they are completely lobotomized.

This was the case for Columbus native and father of three Cliff Chenfeld, until he couldn’t take it anymore. The result is the Kidz Bop CD series, which is similar in mindset to the popular “Now That’s What I Call Music!” CDs. However, these kids CDs take hits of the day and clean them up for both children and parents to enjoy. 

“It started when I’d take my kids to birthday parties, and you’d see there was really no music for kids their age,” said Kidz Bop co-creator Chenfeld, calling from New York. “They were really playing baby music or music that has a lot of suggestive or aggressive content, and I knew that was a big problem for a lot of other parents.

“They were nervous about what pop culture was offering their kids but at the same time, their kids were growing up quickly and didn’t want to listen to anything they felt was too young for them.”

Making debut

Designed for kids too old for Barney but not yet ready for Britney Spears, Kidz Bop made its debut in 2001 featuring kids singing the hits of the time. Having released two editions annually since, Kidz Bop has become the most popular and most recognized children’s audio series in the United States. More than 10 million albums have been sold, with the brand dominating the Billboard children music charts. 

“Parents like it because they’re hearing contemporary pop songs and they may like those songs,” Chenfeld said. “Plus they’re getting a window into pop culture and what’s popular. We’re not going to put some really suggestive song on there, and that’s why I think we’re so successful, because parents have come to trust us.”

Recent artists whose hits have been Kidz Bop-ped include the Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, Rhiannon, Green Day, Smash Mouth and more. 

Coming to Youngstown

Just as Kidz Bop redefined what parents and kids listen to, Chenfeld is upping the ante with the new Kidz Bop world tour, which makes its Youngstown debut Nov. 4 at the Chevrolet Centre. Chenfeld is hoping to redefine the live entertainment experience.

“It’s like Kidz Bop greatest hits performed live,” Chenfeld said. “As opposed to seeing Rhiannon and seeing two songs you know.”

Another factor that parents have to keep in mind when taking their kids to see a real rock show is the penchant for many rock stars to throw out F-bombs as if it were confetti.

“I’ve got three kids, live in New York City, and I’m pretty open-minded, but it almost doesn’t matter who you see, because they feel like they have to say, ‘What the F is going on Cleveland or Youngstown?’” Chenfeld said. “Obviously, there is nothing like that with Kidz Bop.”

He added, “But this is a full-blown live concert experience. It’s a blast. The parents and kids are dancing in the aisles. It’s like visually spectacular. There aren’t many things coming to your town that are going to provide this kind of entertainment for the kids and parents at the same time.”