In 2004, singer/songwriter Ira Marlowe was singing in a small San Francisco café when a stranger approached him. This stranger turned out to be the creative director of The Learning Company, the leading producer of educational software for kids, who hired him on the spot to write a series of songs for their upcoming Reader Rabbit release, including the Reader Rabbit Theme, which now appears with every new Reader Rabbit product. After 20 years in the music business, Ira found writing for kids to be absolutely liberating. No longer wondering what record company execs might think, he started having fun again, knowing that the more creative and colorful he made his songs, the more kids would like them. That’s when he began recording under his own label, Brainy Tunes. With Brainy Tunes, Ira's goal is to create entertainment that challenges kids ages 3-8 while respecting the tastes of their parents. He assumes kids to be creative, intelligent, and hilarious and he refuses to condescend to them. The textured, dynamic musical arrangements stimulate kids and get them moving and participating creatively. The narrative, visual imagery in the songs engages their imaginations. And, by including just enough information over their heads, Ira’s lyrics trigger kids’ questions and curiosity. Brainy Tunes’ first independent CD for kids, "The Teasing Bird", was released in December of 2005. Its first printing sold out in two months, based entirely on word-of-mouth. Fans have described "The Teasing Bird" as "Baby Einstein meets Schoolhouse Rock", and "the Sgt. Pepper of kids records". Containing 13 songs, and including a 28-page illustrated lyric booklet, The Teasing Bird boasts top-notch production values and an over-all sound that is sophisticated, contemporary and pleasing. The disc covers (and sometimes spoofs) a variety of styles--rock, reggae, jazz, folk, delta blues, techno---and is laced with musical jokes aimed at grown-ups, with asides to the Beach Boys, Bob Marley, Harry Belafonte, Muddy Waters, even the Ramones. Brainy Tunes’ second CD is "All The Colors", released in November, 2006. All The Colors contains 14 songs and includes a 20-page illustrated lyric booklet. The musical range and rich imagery in All The Colors expands on Ira’s talent for creating music-videos-without-the-video and igniting kids’ imaginations. "All The Colors" also playfully revisits a character and storyline created in The Teasing Bird CD, creating fun continuity for little kids. Brainy Tunes offers lyrics, song samples, several song downloads and animated videos on www.brainytunes.com. Brainy Tunes’ animated videos currently include “Sandwich!” (from The Teasing Bird) and “Rise and Shine” (not yet on any CD). Currently in production is a video of “Monty Miller, Smart Gorilla” (from All The Colors). The website also hosts a variety of cool interactive games for kids based on songs from the two CDs.