‘Make Some Noise’ tour

June 14, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

kidz bop

WARREN

Whether it’s playing outside, waiting for the bus or early in the morning when mom and dad are sleeping in, the young ones are filled with energy and excitement for life.

In a nutshell that, as well as a love of top 40 music, is the reason why Cliff Chenfeld, a Columbus native and father of three, created the Kidz Bop music series nearly 15 years ago.

Basically, each volume (Kidz Bop 29 is due out next month) includes hits of the day that are cleaned up for both children and parents to sing along.

“We’re gearing to celebrate our 15th birthday next year, so we’re really excited about that,” said Sasha Junk, Kidz Bop senior vice president of marketing. “Also, we’ve expanded our release schedule this year. Historically we’ve always done two volume releases and in 2015 we’re doing four. What we’re really excited about is the Kidz Bop Kids are currently on tour.”

The “Make Some Noise” tour features Kidz Bop Kids Grant, Matt, Bredia and Ashlynn, who range in age from 11 to 13.

Not only do the kids sing on the albums and appear in television commercials but also are the collective voices heard on the Kidz Bop SiriusXM Radio channel.

Junk said what makes this third incarnation of Kidz Bop Kids – each member usually lasts about three years – special is more than their ability to sing, dance and perform.

“We’re looking for kids with just amazingly positive attitudes,” Junk said. “I think with these kids we have kind of have it all.”

Local fans of Kidz Bop will get a firsthand chance to see them in action when “Make Some Noise” rolls through Northeast Ohio for a show Friday at W.D. Packard Music Hall.

This is the second year of the live touring show, which includes Kidz Bop favorites such as performances of Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off,” Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” and American Authors’ “Best Day of My Life.”

“It’s an interactive show where we get the fans up and moving,” Junk said. “We bring some fans on stage and also get some very lucky moms and dads on stage as well. One of the things we’re noticing is for a lot of kids and families, this is their first live concert experience.

“And some parents don’t realize our kids are actually singing and dancing just like any other pop artist you’ll see.”

As far as the material performed by the Kidz Bop gang, Top 40 music is often, well, decidedly not kid-friendly, with sexual innuendos and adult content. Junk said parents shouldn’t worry.

“We have a head of A&R that helps select all of our songs that we deem appropriate and some of the lyrics are tweaked in a very minor way,” Junk said. “Also, if there are some songs that we think aren’t appropriate, we won’t cover them.”

The Kidz Bop formula must be working. Since the turn of the century the brand has sold more than 15 million albums and consistently finds its album releases in the top 10.

“We’re the No. 1 music brand for kids age 5 to 12 in the U.S.,” Junk said. “I think it’s a fairly simple concept and one that really resonates with kids and families. Kids love to hear other kids sing and they love to sing along as well.”