Tauranga singer and songwriter Jeremy Redmore is on a mission to develop children songs that won’t drive the parents insane.

Say goodbye to “Baby Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo” and hello to Jeremy’s new song “Singalong” that has just won the 4th Global Children Entertainment Awards Animated Video of the Year.

The ex-student of Tauranga Boys’ College says he has fond memories of fronting the stage and leading a band; and has been writing children’s music since 2020.

“The mind-scrambling year of 2020 provoked all kinds of extra creativity in my world as a way to cope and survive,” says Jeremy.

“This song is all about how, if we find the courage to express our true selves, we will naturally find support and encouragement from those around us.

Jeremy’s new song “Singalong” that has just won the 4th Global Children Entertainment Awards Animated Video of the Year. Photo suppplied.

“In this case, singing and dancing are perfect metaphors for how kids can inspire us all to express ourselves and find confidence, joy and friendship in the process.”

Jeremy says receiving this award is very encouraging for him. “I am early on in my journey of creating content for kids, so this is a strong, joyful nudge in the back to keep at it.

“I stumbled across writing songs for kids after writing a picture book for kids about how singing can be a superpower - it made perfect sense to write a song to go alongside that book.

“That song, Sing Like A Unicorn, was received so well that I've been writing more kids' songs ever since.

“Before these releases, I always wrote pop music, first with bands like Midnight Youth, then as a solo artist and for other performers around the world.

“There is so much great music for kids being created in Aotearoa with a distinctive Kiwi lens, so please make sure you support them by following them on your streaming sites and socials so they can continue their mahi.

“Music, in particular, singing, has brought an incredible amount of joy and fulfilment to my life.

“Like most kids, I struggled with self-esteem, self-expression and identity and it was singing that offered a pathway to increased confidence and sense of self; I firmly believe that it can help so many other kids out there, so these songs aim to provoke a love for singing in them.

All of the animation was created by Adam Rowland of Awkward Animations. Photo supplied.

“I am also lucky enough to be an uncle to four wonderful kids - two who are Otumoetai locals - and I hope my creative endeavours can show them that they too can turn their passions into a way of life.”

Jeremy says he enjoys working alongside animators and seeing his music come to life visually.

“All of the animation was created by Adam Rowland of Awkward Animations and while our first music video together was very much driven by the content of the book that inspired the song, for this one my only demand was that it contained a penguin.

“He then proceeded to create all kinds of animals and even a mini-me who, unlike me, even performs a floss mid-song!

“We then worked together to find a way to help those characters tell the story of a shy little penguin who becomes a rock star of the forest with the help of a little singing, dancing and encouragement from friends.”

Jeremy says these songs are perfect to throw on in the car or in the lounge to get your kids singing and dancing.

“They provoke interaction and in a way that won’t give you the kind of nightmares that Bay Shark leaves you with,” he says.

As Jeremy says, this is only the beginning of his story. “Up next for me is a collection of kid’s songs, an album or EP, all with great animated videos, that can be toured into schools in Aotearoa to get kids singing and dancing along with.”