 |
| 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
