Learn + Explore

In 2014, Jim was contacted by a talent agent from New York who liked his family-friendly comedy songs, and suggested that he might try writing for children.  After writing several folk-style story songs for kids, Jim noticed that a song he wrote about space travel called “The Stars Go By” really captured the imaginations of the children, and so he started playing it in elementary schools as part of space science presentations.  The response was so positive, he decided to inspire children with a full album called “To Follow Apollo” about two characters, a young boy and girl named Tommy and Laura, who go on scientifically accurate adventures in the solar system and beyond.  The CD has been featured on educational websites and was ranked #1 in the category of “Editor’s Picks for Kids” on the CD Baby website for eight months after the initial release. In the title track, “To Follow Apollo,” the characters Tommy and Laura return to the moon to find the original Apollo landing sites and they go on to visit three more places where the Apollo program would have landed if it had not been canceled early.  The title song has been played on FM radio in northern Virginia, where Jim resides. Another song on the album is called “The Little Bear” about animal constellations, and Jim has used the song at science fairs for elementary students to help them learn about the constellations. Over the past 2 years, Jim has performed at 14 schools in New York, Virginia and Washington, DC for more than 2700 students.

Jim is currently working on a new album called “A Race in Space” where the same two characters, Tommy and Laura, continue their missions to the planets and also take a trip back in time to photograph the early space launches to create a history display in the future.  The seven new songs touch on specific questions from the state Standards of Learning (SOLs) for elementary students to help them prepare for their tests in school.  Some local students were very pleased when they used the title track “A Race in Space” to study for, and pass their standardized tests.