Hap Palmer
Singer / Songwriter
Hap Palmer, a renowned children's music artist, shares insights into his creative process. He explains his approach to crafting songs that are both engaging for children and enjoyable for parents. Palmer also touches on the use of live-action videos with real children to capture young viewers' attention.
Hap Palmer
(“Baby Songs”)
About Hap Palmer
Hap Palmer (Harlan G. Palmer III) is a children's musician and guitarist from Los Angeles, California, known for his Learning Basic Skills Through Music series and the Baby Songs live-action video series, which sold over two million units. He earned a Master's Degree in Dance Education from UCLA in 1983. His work includes the signature song "Sammy" and the Halloween classic "Witches' Brew," co-written with Martha Cheney. Palmer has received a Parents' Choice Gold Award and American Library Association recognition.
In this interview
- Explains his use of live-action videos with real children to capture attention.
- Discusses writing singable songs with clear words and easy-to-learn melodies.
- Notes he writes music parents can enjoy, never settling for kid-only appeal.
- Mentions starting with adult songs before focusing entirely on children's music.
“I try to write music that parents can enjoy as well as children.”— Hap Palmer, in this interview
