Sunday, April 28, 2013

Kansas City Preschoolers Blast Into "Outer Space" With Dino O'Dell

-->
KC Musician Kevin Dolan (aka Dino O'Dell)
Say the name “Dino O’Dell” to any four-year-old in Kansas City, and they are likely to start singing The Pizza Polka, Puddle Jumper or one of many other fun songs created by the talented Kansas City children’s musician. 

Now, with the release of his third CD, Outer Space, kids will be “over the moon” for his twelve new, original songs including the western swing feel of Flapjacks, the fun and fast-paced Sugar Breakfast Cereal, and the CD’s title song, the cosmic-sounding Outer Space, which is about a “little green man.”

As for parents, they will enjoy Dino’s new CD because it “tricks kids into learning” with catchy reggae-sounding songs like Around The World, which also includes Kansas City favorite Brother John on the track, and Colors of the Rainbow, which is an engaging way for youngsters to practice colors.

Dino (short for Dinosaur) O’Dell is actually the “alter ego” of talented musician, songwriter, actor and teacher Kevin Dolan who won the “Best Children’s Music” award from The Pitch in 2010.  He and his band, The T-Rex All-Stars, have been entertaining area kids for ten years.

As a youngster in Seattle, it didn’t seem likely that Kevin would grow up to be a musician.  He didn’t come from a musical family, and he wasn’t a particularly good singer.  What Kevin did have, though, was a love for music (especially Joni Mitchell), and a desire to learn.

Kevin playing the mandolin
At the University of California – Santa Cruz, he earned a bachelor’s degree in music, improved his singing voice and perfected his guitar, banjo, and mandolin skills.  He also worked at the Youth Theatre Northwest in Seattle and spent two years in Japan teaching at the Boston English Academy. 

After Japan, he returned to Seattle where he taught preschool and played in local bands until one day he made the fateful decision to visit a friend in Kansas City and decided to stay.  

As Dino O’Dell, Kevin plays numerous shows throughout the metro and nearby states.  Just last month he collaborated with the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art where he performed his show, “Around The World With Dino O’Dell” as part of their The Map as Art exhibit.  He was also the “preschool rock star entertainment” at several area library Dr. Seuss parties.   

Even more exciting for Kevin, though, is that later this year, he plans on creating his first Dino O'Dell video.

If you haven’t had a chance to take your kids, grandkids, preschool class or daycare group to see this treasured Kansas City musician, there are several “Dino O’Dell” appearances coming up.  I encourage you to go.  The kids will have a “blast” and so will you. 


Upcoming Dino O'Dell Events


May 3

LOL Family Fun Zone
3:00 p.m.
Lawrence, KS


May 18

Record Bar
5-8 p.m. (Dino's time TBA)
This is a benefit for Camp Encourage which helps autistic youth


May 25

4:45 p.m.
Crown Center
Kansas City, MO


May 26

Jiggle Jam Family Music Festival
12:45 p.m.
Crown Center
Kansas City, MO


Dino O'Dell and the T-Rex All Stars
Learn more about  Kevin and Dino


Order a copy of Dino’s new CD Outer Space.



Listen to a clip of Dino O'Dell's Itty Bitty Monsters


View Dino O'Dell's  TV Appearances