A musical collaboration between mother and daughter led to more than happy tots.

By BONNIE BURCH
Staff Writer

Children’s musical program director, Jeanne Mayer, and her 76-year-old mother, Marry Mayer, are sharing international accolades for their songwriting talents.

The pair were recently presented nods for two children’s songs during the 2000 John Lennon International Songwriting Contest.

The elder Mayer, a long-time Williamson County resident who now lives in California, came up with the words to “Tillie the Tugboat,” while her daughter added a calypso beat to the mix.  The two also received a nod for the song, “Everybody Laugh.”

“Children are by nature very loving, giving and caring.  And they are also very funny.  What we are doing with these songs is to focus on their range, how many words they know and what interests them, said Jeanne Mayer.

The Mayers were a musical family.  Jeanne’s father was a trombone player and her relatives are natural performers.

“The only rule we had was no singing at the table.  Growing up this way, I just thought that’s what all families did,” she said.

 But, as a real estate agent, her mother seemed more focused on her work until she began giving her daughter advice during the occasional mental block.

 “I would sing something to her and she would say the key is good, but what do you think about these words?  Then I knew she’s really got something there.  She is very talented, especially with words and poetry,” Jeanne Mayer said.

I would just hear her ideas and think ‘that’s great!’ But where did that come from?” I found out later that she really wanted to be a singer.”

 After encouraging her to use her natural talent, the daughter still seeks her mother’s advice on many of her songs.  “Billy Bug,” words by her mother, is one of her favorites.

 “When they had her listed as a co-songwriter for the contest, she said, ‘Is that what I am? A songwriter?’  She still has a hard time believing that,” her daughter said.

Mayer is the creator of Jeanne Mayer’s MusiClub, an early childhood music

education program featuring song, dance and fun activities for youngsters ages 2-5. 

Last year, a recording of her songs was awarded The NAMMY Award as Best Children’s Album of the Year.  This year, she was presented with an A.S.C.A.P. Plus Award.

She is also known for her radio commercial voice-over work and is an actress and dancer.

For a free class and more information, call Mayer.

Bonnie Burch is a staff writer for The Tennessen.