"Singin' in Our Own Backyard" is the proud winner of a 2008 Parents' Choice Classic Award. This designation is given out sparingly to recordings that have stood up well over time and have a timeless quality and listenability. So ... who's Jack? Some musicians appeal to grown-ups while others work only with kids. Then there’s that less common artist whose work truly speaks to grown-ups and children alike. That’s Jack Pearson! Growing up in a musical Midwestern family set the stage for the night in 1965 when Jack discovered the guitar at a campfire. From there it was banjo, mandolin, fiddle, jawharp, spoons, songs, songs and more songs! Today, Jack sings, strums, writes, tells, fiddles and dances his way around the United States performing over 200 concerts per year. Jack cares deeply about the arts in education. Each year brings him to K-6 schools around the country as a performer and resident artist where he leads workshops for the children exploring music, writing and storytelling. Jack has a special love of seeing kids play their own music and he carries on that age-old folk tradition with his line of hand-crafted folk instruments such as jawharp, rhythm spoons and the limberjack. Jack also performs frequently in church settings where he brings a refreshing creativity to our timeless faith journey. In addition to performing, Jack’s recordings have become favorites in households across the country. His work has been recognized with Parents’ Choice Gold and Silver Honor Awards as well as Pegasus and Storytelling World Honor awards. Jack’s songs for kids can be heard nationally on satellite XM radio programming. He has also recorded extensively for grown-ups. A complete product listing as well as other information is available at www.ottertunity.com Jack’s work is firmly rooted in family life. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife and occasional accordion partner, Nancy. When he isn’t writing, recording or performing, Jack runs, reads, tromps around Minnesota collecting rocks, fixes the house and thinks about things. “With an audience that typically ranges from 2 to 82, the Chautauqua Family Entertainment Series offers a formidable challenge for even the most seasoned performer. Your ability to handle that audience with your trademark sincerity, good humor and unabashed affection was remarkable.” Jack Voelker, Chautauqua Institution, NY