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.............Welcome to.............
www.donbridgesongs.com

Welcome inside the songwriting mind of don bridges.  As you journey through these pages, feel free to stop and think, remember, chuckle, cry, meditate, sing, dance, hug someone, shake your head or shake whatever else you might be moved to shake.

That's what songwriting is all about anyway: getting us to look a little differently, perhaps even a little more closely, at ourselves and our world.  If the brief moments you spend here bring about that result, then our time together has been well spent.

Thank you, fellow musicians, for mister don's eleventh Wammie nomination for the annual Washington Area Children's Artist award!  don is grateful to be included among a very talented group of nominees this year, which includes Barry Louis Polisar, The Grandsons Jr, Milkshake, Rocknoceros, and The RTTs (known to grownups as The Rhodes Tavern Troubadours). The 26th Annual Wammies will be held at 8 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, 2012, at The State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia.  Tickets are available at www.wamadc.com.  Congratulations and best wishes to all the other nominees!

Final gig total for 2011:  477 performances for kids and families plus 20 for adults for a combined total of 497 for the year.  Jan: 29 kids + 1 adults = 30; Feb: 32 kids + 2 adults = 34; Mar: 41 kids + 2 adults = 43; Apr: 40 kids + 1 adults = 41; May: 42 kids + 1 adults = 43; Jun: 38 kids + 1 adults = 39; Jul: 41 kids + 2 adults = 43; Aug: 36 kids + 1 adults = 37; Sep: 43 kids + 3 adults = 46; Oct: 52 kids + 1 adults = 53; Nov: 39 kids + 3 adults = 42; Dec: 44 kids + 2 adults =46.  

Congratulations once again to Rocknoceros, who received their fourth consecutive Washington Area Children's Artist Wammie for 2010.  Rocknoceros is clearly the king of the D.C. area kids' music scene! 

mister don is extremely grateful to have received a 2010 Wammie nomination for Children's Artist, joining a very talented pool of nominees Barry Louis Polisar, Michele Valeri, Milkshake, Rocknoceros, and Sue Trainor.  don's frequent bandmates Loralyn Coles (Traditional Folk Vocalist and Most Supportive of Washington Area Music), Les Hatley (Debut Recording for "Second Chair" and Gospel Group; he's the lead guitarist for Seneca), and Ron Goad (Most Supportive of Washington Area Music), along with his fellow music teacher at the National Child Research Center Lilo Gonzalez (Latin Vocalist) all received Wammie nominations in their respective categories, too.  It is truly an honor to be recognized by ones peers in the music profession.  The 25th Annual Wammies will be held at 8 pm on Sunday, February 20, 2011 at The State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia.  Best of luck to all the nominees!

Final gig total for 2010:  418 performances for kids and families plus 26 for adults for a combined total of 444.  Jan: 36 kids + 2 adults = 38; Feb: 30 kids + 2 adults = 32; Mar: 40 kids + 4 adults = 44; Apr: 39 kids + 2 adults = 41; May: 46 kids + 2 adults = 48; Jun: 31 kids + 3 adults = 34; Jul: 32 kids + 2 adults = 34; Aug: 28 kids + 2 adults = 30; Sep: 33 kids + 2 adults = 35; Oct: 41 kids + 1 adults = 42; Nov: 31 kids + 2 adults = 33; Dec: 31 kids + 2 adults = 33.  don is pleased to continue his pledge to work smarter, rather than just more often.

Thank you, friends, for the outpouring of love and generosity at our March 27, 2010, benefit concert in Falls Church for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.  Louise Molton, Bruce Turner, and don enjoyed performing for a full house at Stacy's Coffee Parlor, and seeing so many friends from so many places have such a good time. Not counting additional online contributions, we collected $663.00 in cash and checks that evening for the "Hope for Haiti" charity.

Congratulations to Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Benny of the kids' supergroup Rocknoceros, who took home the 2009 Children's Artist Wammie award (for the third consecutive year),  The terrific trio also won the Fan's Favorite Wammie award, beating out every other single artist and group in the grater Washingon area, based on votes submitted exclusively by the fans.  Well done, boys!  Other congratulations are in order to my friends Patty Reese, who gathered six Wammie awards including Musician of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Recording of the Year honors, 18 year-old phenom Margot MacDonald, who took home three awards, and Songwriters Association of Washington President Jean Bayou and SAW Showcase Director Ron Goad, who each walked away with a third consecutive Wammie award, for Executive of the Year (Jean) and Most Supportive of Washington Music (Ron). Congratulations also to Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer (with Christylez Bacon), whose Grammy-nominated CD "From Banjo To Beatbox" won the 2009 Children's Recording Wammie award.

mister don has been blessed with yet another Children's Artist Wammie nomination for 2009!  Congratulations to the other nominees in the category: Dino Rock, Milkshake, Rick & Audrey, Robbie Schaefer, and Rocknoceros.  don is truly honored to be included among such talented peers.  Congratulations are also in order to don's bandmates Loralyn Coles, who received nominations for Traditional Folk Vocalist and Most Supportive of Washington Music, and Les Hatley, whose lead guitar work for the gospel group Seneca helped earn them another nomination in the Gospel/Inspirational Group category.  The 24th Annual Wammies will be held at the State Theatre in Falls Church, VA, at 8 pm on Sunday, February 28, 2010.  Tickets are available from http://www.wamadc.com/.  Congratulations and best of luck to all of the nominees!

Final gig total for 2009:  516 performances for kids and families plus 61 for adults for a combined total of 577.  Jan: 51 kids + 8 adults = 59; Feb: 50 kids + 6 adults = 56; Mar: 38 kids + 5 adults = 43; Apr: 49 kids + 2 adults = 51; May: 55 kids + 5 adults = 60; Jun: 40 kids + 4 adults = 44; Jul: 38 kids + 4 adults = 42; Aug: 41 kids + 4 adults = 45; Sep: 41 kids + 5 adults = 46; Oct: 39 kids + 6 adults = 45; Nov: 36 kids + 6 adults = 42; Dec: 38 kids + 6 adults = 44.  

don is thrilled to have an article written by Susan Anspach appear in the January 2009 issue of Northern Virginia magazine, an issue devoted entirely to "Kids' Favorites."  Susan writes on page 60:  "in a thriving arts region such as ours, kid-music industry pros know their beat.  Every place, school and name rang at least a few bells, but below are the references favorites. . . . Don Bridges  703-449-0817, donbridgesongs.com, Ages 1-12:  Three-time Wammie Award-winning performer Don Bridges cites 'the interactive nature of what I do' as what sets his shows apart.  'On every single song the children are doing something, shaking instruments, dancing, marching, singing along.'  The effect, it seems is contagious.  On a recent outdoor Springfield concert, Bridges was mid-performance when two young sisters rose and began ballet dancing.  'Then an elderly couple, I'd say in their 70s, got up and started slow dancing.  The juxtaposition just blew my mind, just broke and captivated my heart.'"  Read the article online at www.NorthernVirginiaMagazine.com.

mister don was happy to learn that for the third year in a row, he appeared on the 11 o'clock news coverage of First Night Alexandria.  The feature on December 31, 2008, was by the local NBC affiliate, WRC Channel 4, as mister don was playing the kids' all-time favorite, "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."

2008 Wammies Update:  Congratulations to Rocknoceros, who received their second consecutive Children's Artist Wammie award, to Ron Goad, who received his second consecutive award for Most Supportive of Washington Music, to Loralyn Coles, who received the Wammie for Traditional Folk Recording (in a tie with Grammy winner Tom Paxton), to SAW President Jean Bayou, who received the Wammie for Executive of the Year, to Jon Carroll, who received an astounding six Wammie awards including Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, and to all the other winners and nominees.

Hip, hip, hooray!  mister don has received another Wammie nomination for the 2008 Children's Artist award.  His bandmates have also received multiple Wammie nominations.  Congratulations to Les Hatley (lead guitarist for the band Seneca, which received a nomination for Gospel Group), Ron Goad (nominated for Most Supportive of Washington Area Music), and Loralyn Coles, who received an amazing four Wammie nominations this year (Traditional Folk Vocalist, Traditional Folk Recording, Debut Recording, and Most Supportive of Washington Area Music). 

Grand total of gigs for 2008 (January thru December):  540 performances for kids and families plus 114 for adults for a total of 654.  Monthly stats are:  January: 54 kids + 10 adults = 64; February: 47 kids + 10 adults = 57; March: 47 kids + 12 adults = 59; April: 46 kids + 10 adults = 56; May: 45 kids + 13 adults = 58; June: 45 kids + 10 adults = 55; July: 48 kids + 15 adults = 63; August: 46 kids + 10 adults = 56; September: 36 kids + 10 adults = 46; October: 43 kids + 3 adults = 46; November: 40 kids + 4 adults = 44; December: 43 kids + 7 adults = 50.  The 2008 total of 654 live performances is down from the upward trend of previous several years (634 in 2005; 718 in 2006; and 753 in 2007).  don likes to consider this an improvement in quality, playing smarter rather than than simply more often.

Well, 2007 was another record-setting year, with a total of 753 public performances (that's an average of more than two a day), including 636 shows for kids & families and 117 for adults.  mister don received yet another Wammie nomination for Children's Artist, while the don bridges & Friends band members Loralyn Coles and Les Hatley also received 2007 Wammie nominations, Loralyn for Most Supportive of Washington Area Music, for her dedicated service to SAW, WAMA, IMT, Hungry for Music, and other organizations, and Les for Gospel Group as the lead guitarist in Seneca.  Ron Goad, who also plays with don from time to time and books SAW songwriter showcases all over the area, was another Most Supportive Wammie nominee.  The Wammie Awards will be held at the State Theater in Falls Church, Virginia, at 8:00 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2008.  Best of luck to all the nominees! 

2007 Wammies Update:  Congratulations to Coach Cotton, WillieBob, and Boogie Woogie Benny of the kids' music group Rocknoceros, who won both the Children's Artist award and the Children's Recording award at the 22nd Annual Washington Area Music Awards on 2/17/08.  A special acknowledgement also to Ron Goad, who won the Wammie this year for Most Supportive of Washington Area Music.

Hooray!  don has received his third consecutive Washington Area Music award, taking home the 2006 Children's Artist Wammie this year.  Congratulations to all the other winners and nominees and many thanks to all the people whose support has made this possible.

The final count is in and don’s performance total for 2006 rings up at 718 shows, including all children's and family concerts, birthday parties, worship services, and venues for the grownups.  don has been honored by his peers with another Wammie nomination for Children's Vocalist.  He is especially pleased to see his performing partners Les Hatley, Michelle Murray, Loralyn Coles, and Ron Goad on the Wammies nomination ballot.  The 2006 Wammies Awards will be held on Sunday 2/18/07.

don wants to report on a moving spiritual experience that occurred in Lynchburg, VA, on the afternoon of Saturday, August 26, 2006.  A 15-year old Boy Scout named Joey Ricketts, as his Eagle Scout project, had conceived, designed, raised over $10,000, and then oversaw to completion the construction of a memorial to the victims of the 9-11-01 terrorist attack at The Pentagon.  A special commemoration was presented to honor dons former music partner in Bridges To Bliss, U.S. Army Colonel David M. Scales, who had been a former Eagle Scout from Lynchburg working at The Pentagon on 9-11.  About 200 people, reporters, four TV camera crews, and most of the Scales clan attended the dedication ceremony on 8/26/06.  Through persistent letters to his Congressman, Senators, and The White House, Joey had been able to acquire a piece of limestone rubble from The Pentagon ruins which stood close to two feet atop a bronze-inscripted five-foot tall granite obelisk surrounded by a Pentagon-shaped concrete platform.  During the dedication ceremony, speakers from the Boy Scouts, the Pentagon, the American Legion, and other organizations, as well as Davids aging father, J.B. Scales (an Army veteran from WW II, Korea, and Vietnam who came all the way from Wilmington, NC), gave remarks, and Boy Scouts read the names of all 184 people who had died aboard the airliner and inside The Pentagon on that day.  It was a warm, calm afternoon featuring music by a brass quintet from the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra.  don and Bobbi Bliss also were invited to sing two of the songs they had written and performed with David.  Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, Bobbi and don were able to sing and play along to David's piano accompaniment.  Near the end of their second song, a brisk wind came rushing through the assemblage, sending hats and papers flying and knocking down many of the flags surrounding the memorial.  As the final note of the song rang out, the wind stopped and a deep hush fell over the entire area.  Thank you, Joey; thank you, David; thank you, Bobbi; and thank You, God, for making that experience possible.

Hooray!  don is grateful to announce that he has received the 2005 Childrens Vocalist "Wammie" award from the Washington Area Music Association.  That's two years in a row!  Congratulations to all the other nominees and winners and many thanks to so many people whose support made this announcement possible.

Heartfelt thanks to all those who helped make 2005 such an awesome experience.  don was blessed to perform a total of 634 times during the course of the year, often playing multiple sets within those 634 shows.  Performances as “mister don” included 515 interactive childrens concerts, birthday parties, and worship services.  119 appearances, either solo or as “don bridges and Friends,” took place at coffeehouses, showcases, senior centers, open mics,  song circles, and even a 50th wedding anniversary celebration.  During 2005, don was fortunate to participate in 35 songwriting workshops or critique sessions, volunteer or run sound at 62 events, enter the recording studio 32 times, and enjoy 36 concerts as a spectator (in addition to regular church attendance).  Special appreciation is due the many people who worked so tirelessly during dons third (and final) year as SAW President.  don is grateful to all the families, musicians, venue managers, volunteers, and music and spiritual community members who are making the outlook for 2006 even brighter!

I do hope to meet all of you again as we trudge the road of happy destiny. Whether it's at a live performance, by images on a screen or printed page, through downloaded or recorded songs, in a chance meeting on the street or at a prearranged time and place, may God bless you and keep you until then. 

Warmly, don

Late-Breaking News

If you don't have much time to browse, please note these latest announcements:

In October 2010, don moved to Ocean Pines, Maryland (in the town of Berlin near Ocean City).  He has, over time, gradually discontinued many of his DC-area performances, but continues to perform occasionally in the DC/NoVa area.  mister don remains available for birthday parties and special events performances in both the DC area and Delmarva, as his schedule permits. 

Bounce for Ava!  On Thursday, January 26, 2012, mister don will perform from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. as part of the "Bounce for Ava" fundraiser at Coco's Funhouse in Salisbury, Maryland.  Tickets are $10 per person and include open play on all the moonbounces and other fun-filled devices plus free pizza and free music with mister don.  A silent auction will also be held during the evening.  The event runs from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.  100 percent of the proceeds go to Ava DelRicco and her family.  Ava is the baby who was critically injured by a drunk driver in Ocean City in December 2011.  Tickets may be purchased at local businesses in Worcester and Wicomico County, Maryland, and also at the door if not sold out.  The Coco's Funhouse address is 337 Civic Avenue, Suite 500, Salisbury, MD 21804.  Coco's phone number is 410-860-0404.  For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Steph Amsel at stephamsel7@gmail.com.

Love for Ava!  On Friday, February 10, 2012, mister don will perform from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. as part of the "Love for Ava" fundraiser at The Next Step Learning Center in Selbyville, Delaware.  The event runs from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.  Suggested contribution TBA; all proceeds will be donated to Ava DelRicco and her family.  Ava is the baby who was critically injured by a drunk driver in Ocean City in December 2011.  The Next Step is located at 2 West Church Street, Selbyville, DE 19975.  Phone number is 302-436-3633.  For more information, contact thenextstepde@yahoo.com.

Two ongoing series with mister don at the Ocean Pines Community Center!  mister don will be offering several six-week sessions at the Ocean Pines Community Center in the coming months: 

On Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:15 am:  "Music & Movement with mister don" for ages 1-4. Cost is $30 for Ocean Pines residents and $35 for non-residents for the entire six-week program. Call (410) 641-7717 for information or to register.  See information below for specific dates.

On Wednesdays from 6:00 to 6:45 pm:  "Music & Movement with mister don" for ages 1-4. Cost is $30 for Ocean Pines residents and $35 for non-residents for the entire six-week program. Call (410) 641-7717 for information or to register.  See information below for specific dates.

don performs solo for senior citizen's groups, including from 2008-2011 on the first Tuesday afternoon of every month for the residents of Emeritus at Arlington, VA.  In 2012, don will be appearing at Emeritus at Arlington on Tuesday 01/17 from 10:45-11:45 am; Tuesday 2/21 from 10:45-11:45 am; Tuesday 03/20 from 10:45-11:45 am; Tuesday 04/17 from 10:45-11:45 am; Wednesday 5/09 from 2:15-4:00 pm; Tuesday 06/19 from 10:45-11:45 am; Tuesday 07/17 from 10:45-11:45 am; & Wednesday 8/08 from 215-4:00 pm.

mister don will continue to perform at the Merrifield Silver Diner in Northern Virginia from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.  This third Tuesday show is mister don's only remaining Silver Diner appearance each month.

Manassas Mall Movers and Shakers is a Wednesday morning program in Manassas, Virginia, on selected second Wednesdays of the month from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. when mister don works with Jensy Scarola of Fit and Healthy Schools, Inc., to lead an exercise and dance class for kids in the J.C. Penney Court of Manassas Mall, located at Sudley Road (Rte. 234 Business) and Irongate Way in Manassas, VA. The program is FREE and open to the public and includes a LOT of music, a LOT of rhythm instruments, a LOT of movement, a LOT of stretching, and a LOT of fun!  All the shows so far have been huge successes!  See you there!  In 2012, mister don will play three times at the Manassas Mall Kids' Club:  02/08/12, 05/09/12 & 08/08/12.

mister don continues teaching!  mister don still teaches preschool music at the Annandale United Methodist Church Child Development Center (year-round - 3rd Tuesday afternoons) in Annandale, VA.  mister don also teaches regularly at eleven children's centers in Delmarva:  The Beary Best Daycare Center in Berlin, MD; Bundles of Joy I & II Learning Centers in Salisbury, MD; Carmella's Kids Learning Center in Berlin, MD; Cozy Critters Child Care Center in Frankford, DE; Friends Forever Learning Center in Berlin, MD; Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School in Delmar, DE; Little Bears & Sunflowers Learning Center in Berlin, MD; Little Lambs Learning Center in Berlin, MD; The Next Step Learning Center in Selbyville, DE; and Wonderland Day Care Center in Ocean City, MD.  don truly loves working with the children, parents, faculty, and staff members of these schools in making a positive difference in the lives of so many young students.

On August 23, 2011, mister don renewed his membership in the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for the next three years.  His new membership affiliation is with the Eastern Shore Maryland AEYC.

mister don has also appeared at several other Delmarva children's music venues, including The Berlin Coffee House in Berlin, the Worcester County Branch Library in Ocean City, and Coco's Funhouse and Kids' Kingdom Learning Center in Salisbury. 

We no longer send out a monthly performance calendar via email. Please check the dates below for the complete list of upcoming performances.

mister don's Monthly Public Kids Show Schedule:

Third Tuesday of every month, 6:00-8:00 pm:  Silver Diner Kids' Appreciation Night, Merrifield, VA.  Free admission; tipping encouraged.

2nd Wednesday (02/08/12, 05/09/12 & 08/08/12), 10:00-11:00 am:  Manassas Mall (JC Penney Court - Mall Entrance 4), Movers & Shakers Kids' Club, Manassas, VA.  Free admission; tipping welcomed.

Additional Public & Private Events with mister don for Kids and Families:

Every Monday 9:30-11:30 am:  Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School, Delmar, DE. 

Every Monday 3:00-4:30 pm:  Little Lambs Learning Center, Berlin, MD. 

Every other Wednesday 8:30-9:30 am:  Cozy Critters Child Care, Frankford, DE. 

Every Wednesday 10:30 to 11:15 am:  "Music & Movement with mister don" for ages 1-4 @ the Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, MD 21811. Cost is $30 for Ocean Pines residents and $35 for non-residents for the entire six-week program. Call (410) 641-7717 for information or to register.  See information below for specific dates.

Every Wednesday 1:00-4:00 pm:  The Next Step Learning Center, Selbyville, DE.

Every Wednesday 6:00 to 6:45 pm:  "Music & Movement with mister don" for ages 1-4 @ the Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, MD 21811. Cost is $30 for Ocean Pines residents and $35 for non-residents for the entire six-week program. Call (410) 641-7717 for information or to register.  See information below for specific dates.

Every Thursday 9:00-10:00 am:  Friends Forever Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

2nd & 4th Thursday each month 10:30-11:30 am:  Little Bears & Sunflowers Learning Center, Berlin, MD. 

3rd Thursday each month 10:30-11:30 am:  The Beary Best Daycare Center, Berlin, MD.

Every Thursday 3:00-4:00 pm:  Carmella's Kids Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

Every other Friday 10:00-11:00 am:  Wonderland Day Care Center, Ocean City, MD. 

Every other Friday 3:30-4:30 pm:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.  mister don teaches music every other Friday to the 3 and 4 year old classes.

Every other Friday 3:30-4:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy II Infant & Toddler Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.  mister don teaches music every other Friday to the 2 year old classes.

Every other Friday 4:30-5:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.  mister don teaches music every other Friday to the Kindergarten/School-age classes.

01/04/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 1 of 6.  Pre-registration required.  $30 for Ocean Pines residents/$35 for non-residents for the entire six-class session (1/04, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/01 & 2/15; no class on 2/08).   For info or to register, call (410) 641-7717.  Partial registrations (less than 6 weeks) will be permitted if space is available.

01/04/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 1 of 6.  Pre-registration required.  $30 for Ocean Pines residents/$35 for non-residents for the entire six-class session (1/04, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/01 & 2/15; no class on 2/08).   For info or to register, call (410) 641-7717.  Partial registrations (less than 6 weeks) will be permitted if space is available.

01/20/12 Fri. 10:00-11:00 am:  Wonderland Day Care Center, West Ocean City, MD.

01/20/12 Fri. 3:30-4:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy II Infant & Toddler Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

01/20/12 Fri. 4:30-5:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

01/22/12 Sun. 1:30-2:30 pm:  Private birthday party in Washington, DC.

01/23/12 Mon. 9:30-11:30 am:  Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School, Delmar, DE.

01/23/12 Mon. 3:00-4:30 pm:  Little Lambs Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

01/25/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 4 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

01/25/12 Wed. 1:00-4:00 pm:  The Next Step Learning Center, Selbyville, DE. 

01/25/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 4 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

01/26/12 Thu. 9:00-10:00 am:  Friends Forever Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

01/26/12 Thu. 10:30-11:30 am:  Little Bears & Sunflowers Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

01/26/12 Thu. 3:00-4:00 pm:  Carmella's Kids Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

01/26/12 Thu. 6:00-7:00 pm:  Bounce for Ava fundraiser @ Coco's Funhouse, 337 Civic Avenue, Suite 500, Salisbury, MD 21804.  410-860-0404.  $10 per ticket includes open play from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, pizza, and music from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.  100% of the proceeds go to Ava DelRicco and her family.  For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Steph Amsel at stephamsel7@gmail.com.

01/27/12 Fri. 3:30-4:30 pm:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

01/30/12 Mon. 9:30-11:30 am:  Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School, Delmar, DE.

01/30/12 Mon. 3:00-4:30 pm:  Little Lambs Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/01/12 Wed. 8:30-9:30 am:  Cozy Critters Child Care, Frankford, DE.

02/01/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 5 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

02/01/12 Wed. 1:00-4:00 pm:  The Next Step Learning Center, Selbyville, DE. 

02/01/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 5 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

02/02/12 Thu. 9:00-10:00 am:  Friends Forever Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/02/12 Thu. 3:00-4:00 pm:  Carmella's Kids Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/03/12 Fri. 10:00-11:00 am:  Wonderland Day Care Center, West Ocean City, MD.

02/06/12 Mon. 9:30-11:30 am:  Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School, Delmar, DE.

02/06/12 Mon. 3:00-4:30 pm:  Little Lambs Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/08/12 Wed. 10:00-11:00 am:  Movers & Shakers Kids' Club, Manassas Mall, Manassas, VA.

02/09/12 Thu. 9:00-10:00 am:  Friends Forever Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/09/12 Thu. 10:30-11:30 am:  Little Bears & Sunflowers Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/09/12 Thu. 3:00-4:00 pm:  Carmella's Kids Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/10/12 Fri. 10:00-11:00 am:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

02/10/12 Fri. 3:30-4:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy II Infant & Toddler Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

02/10/12 Fri. 4:30-5:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

02/13/12 Mon. 9:30-11:30 am:  Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School, Delmar, DE.

02/13/12 Mon. 3:00-4:30 pm:  Little Lambs Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/15/12 Wed. 8:30-9:30 am:  Cozy Critters Child Care, Frankford, DE.

02/15/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 6 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

02/15/12 Wed. 1:00-4:00 pm:  The Next Step Learning Center, Selbyville, DE. 

02/15/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 6 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

02/16/12 Thu. 9:00-10:00 am:  Friends Forever Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/16/12 Thu. 10:30-11:30 am:  The Beary Best Daycare Center, Berlin, MD.

02/16/12 Thu. 3:00-4:00 pm:  Carmella's Kids Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/17/12 Fri. 10:00-11:00 am:  Wonderland Day Care Center, West Ocean City, MD.

02/17/12 Fri. 3:30-4:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy II Infant & Toddler Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

02/17/12 Fri. 4:30-5:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

02/20/12 Mon. 9:30-11:30 am:  Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School, Delmar, DE.

02/20/12 Mon. 3:00-4:30 pm:  Little Lambs Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/21/12 Tue. 10:45-11:45 am:  Emeritus at Arlington, VA.  Residents & their families only.

02/21/12 Tue. 3:15-4:45 pm:  Annandale United Methodist Church Child Development Center, Annandale, VA.

02/21/12 Tue. 6:00-8:00 pm:  Merrifield Silver Diner Kids' Night, Merrifield, VA.

02/22/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 1 of 6.  Pre-registration required.  $30 for Ocean Pines residents/$35 for non-residents for the entire six-class session (2/22, 2/29, 3/07, 3/14, 3/21 & 3/28).   For info or to register, call (410) 641-7717.  Partial registrations (less than 6 weeks) will be permitted if space is available.

02/22/12 Wed. 1:00-4:00 pm:  The Next Step Learning Center, Selbyville, DE.

02/22/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 1 of 6.  Pre-registration required.  $30 for Ocean Pines residents/$35 for non-residents for the entire six-class session (2/22, 2/29, 3/07, 3/14, 3/21 & 3/28).   For info or to register, call (410) 641-7717.  Partial registrations (less than 6 weeks) will be permitted if space is available.

02/23/12 Thu. 9:00-10:00 am:  Friends Forever Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/23/12 Thu. 10:30-11:30 am:  Little Bears & Sunflowers Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/23/12 Thu. 3:00-4:00 pm:  Carmella's Kids Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/24/12 Fri. 3:30-4:30 pm:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

02/27/12 Mon. 9:30-11:30 am:  Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School, Delmar, DE.

02/27/12 Mon. 3:00-4:30 pm:  Little Lambs Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

02/28/12 Tue. 10:30-11:30 am:  Berlin Branch Library, 220 North Main Street, Berlin, MD.

02/29/12 Wed. 8:30-9:30 am:  Cozy Critters Child Care, Frankford, DE.

02/29/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 2 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

02/29/12 Wed. 1:00-4:00 pm:  The Next Step Learning Center, Selbyville, DE. 

02/29/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 2 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

03/01/12 Thu. 9:00-10:00 am:  Friends Forever Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/01/12 Thu. 3:00-4:00 pm:  Carmella's Kids Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/02/12 Fri. 10:00-11:00 am:  Wonderland Day Care Center, West Ocean City, MD.

03/02/12 Fri. 3:30-4:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy II Infant & Toddler Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

03/02/12 Fri. 4:30-5:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

03/05/12 Mon. 9:30-11:30 am:  Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School, Delmar, DE.

03/05/12 Mon. 3:00-4:30 pm:  Little Lambs Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/07/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 3 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

03/07/12 Wed. 1:00-4:00 pm:  The Next Step Learning Center, Selbyville, DE. 

03/07/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 3 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

03/08/12 Thu. 9:00-10:00 am:  Friends Forever Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/08/12 Thu. 10:30-11:30 am:  Little Bears & Sunflowers Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/08/12 Thu. 3:00-4:00 pm:  Carmella's Kids Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/09/12 Fri. 3:30-4:30 pm:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

03/12/12 Mon. 9:30-11:30 am:  Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School, Delmar, DE.

03/12/12 Mon. 3:00-4:30 pm:  Little Lambs Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/14/12 Wed. 8:30-9:30 am:  Cozy Critters Child Care, Frankford, DE.

03/14/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 4 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

03/14/12 Wed. 1:00-4:00 pm:  The Next Step Learning Center, Selbyville, DE. 

03/14/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 4 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

03/15/12 Thu. 9:00-10:00 am:  Friends Forever Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/15/12 Thu. 10:30-11:30 am:  The Beary Best Daycare Center, Berlin, MD.

03/15/12 Thu. 3:00-4:00 pm:  Carmella's Kids Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/16/12 Fri. 10:00-11:00 am:  Wonderland Day Care Center, West Ocean City, MD.

03/16/12 Fri. 3:30-4:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy II Infant & Toddler Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

03/16/12 Fri. 4:30-5:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

03/19/12 Mon. 9:30-11:30 am:  Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School, Delmar, DE.

03/19/12 Mon. 3:00-4:30 pm:  Little Lambs Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/20/12 Tue. 10:45-11:45 am:  Emeritus at Arlington, Arlington, VA.  Residents & their families only. 

03/20/12 Tue. 3:15-4:45 pm:  Annandale United Methodist Church Child Development Center, Annandale, VA.

03/20/12 Tue. 6:00-8:00 pm:  Merrifield Silver Diner Kids' Night, Merrifield, VA.

03/21/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 5 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

03/21/12 Wed. 1:00-4:00 pm:  The Next Step Learning Center, Selbyville, DE. 

03/21/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 5 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

03/22/12 Thu. 9:00-10:00 am:  Friends Forever Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/22/12 Thu. 10:30-11:30 am:  Little Bears & Sunflowers Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/22/12 Thu. 3:00-4:00 pm:  Carmella's Kids Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/23/12 Fri. 3:30-4:30 pm:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

03/26/12 Mon. 9:30-11:30 am:  Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School, Delmar, DE.

03/26/12 Mon. 3:00-4:30 pm:  Little Lambs Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/27/12 Tue. 9:00-10:00 am:  Friends Forever Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/28/12 Wed. 8:30-9:30 am:  Cozy Critters Child Care, Frankford, DE.

03/28/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 6 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

03/28/12 Wed. 1:00-4:00 pm:  The Next Step Learning Center, Selbyville, DE. 

03/28/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 6 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

03/29/12 Thu. 9:30-11:00 am:  Federal Children's Center, Herndon, VA.

03/29/12 Thu. 3:00-4:00 pm:  Carmella's Kids Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

03/30/12 Fri. 10:00-11:00 am:  Wonderland Day Care Center, West Ocean City, MD.

03/30/12 Fri. 3:30-4:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy II Infant & Toddler Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

03/30/12 Fri. 4:30-5:00 pm:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

04/02/12 Mon. 9:30-11:30 am:  Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School, Delmar, DE.

04/02/12 Mon. 3:00-4:30 pm:  Little Lambs Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

04/04/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 1 of 6.  Pre-registration required.  $30 for Ocean Pines residents/$35 for non-residents for the entire six-class session (4/04, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/02 & 5/16 -- no class on 5/09).   For info or to register, call (410) 641-7717.  Partial registrations (less than 6 weeks) will be permitted if space is available.

04/04/12 Wed. 1:00-4:00 pm:  The Next Step Learning Center, Selbyville, DE. 

04/04/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 1 of 6.  Pre-registration required.  $30 for Ocean Pines residents/$35 for non-residents for the entire six-class session (4/04, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/02 & 5/16 -- no class on 5/09).   For info or to register, call (410) 641-7717.  Partial registrations (less than 6 weeks) will be permitted if space is available.

04/05/12 Thu. 9:00-10:00 am:  Friends Forever Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

04/051/12 Thu. 3:00-4:00 pm:  Carmella's Kids Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

04/06/12 Fri. 10:30-11:00 am:  Cabin John Kids, Cabin John Mall, Potomac, MD.

04/06/12 Fri. 3:30-4:30 pm:  Bundles of Joy I Learning Center, Salisbury, MD.

04/09/12 Mon. 9:30-11:30 am:  Lil' Red Hen Nursery & Pre-School, Delmar, DE.

04/09/12 Mon. 3:00-4:30 pm:  Little Lambs Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

04/11/12 Wed. 8:30-9:30 am:  Cozy Critters Child Care, Frankford, DE.

04/11/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 2 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

04/11/12 Wed. 1:00-4:00 pm:  The Next Step Learning Center, Selbyville, DE. 

04/11/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 2 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

04/12/12 Thu. 9:00-10:00 am:  Friends Forever Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

04/12/12 Thu. 10:30-11:30 am:  Little Bears & Sunflowers Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

04/12/12 Thu. 3:00-4:00 pm:  Carmella's Kids Learning Center, Berlin, MD.

04/17/12 Tue. 10:45-11:45 am:  Emeritus at Arlington, Arlington, VA.  Residents & their families only. 

04/17/12 Tue. 3:15-4:45 pm:  Annandale United Methodist Church Child Development Center, Annandale, VA.

04/17/12 Tue. 6:00-8:00 pm:  Merrifield Silver Diner Kids' Night, Merrifield, VA.

04/18/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 3 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

04/18/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 3 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

04/25/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 4 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

04/25/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 4 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

05/02/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 5 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

05/02/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 5 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

05/09/12 Wed. 10:00-11:00 am:  Movers & Shakers Kids' Club, Manassas Mall, Manassas, VA.

05/09/12 Wed. 2:15-4:00 pm:  Emeritus at Arlington, VA.  Residents & their families only.

05/15/12 Tue. 3:15-4:45 pm:  Annandale United Methodist Church Child Development Center, Annandale, VA.

05/15/12 Tue. 6:00-8:00 pm:  Merrifield Silver Diner Kids' Night, Merrifield, VA.

05/16/12 Wed. 10:30-11:15 am:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 6 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

05/16/12 Wed. 6:00-6:45 pm:  Music & Movement with mister don (for ages 1-4) at the Ocean Pines Community Center, Berlin, MD.  Session 6 of 6.  Pre-registration required.

06/19/12 Tue. 10:45-11:45 am:  Emeritus at Arlington, Arlington, VA.  Residents & their families only. 

06/19/12 Tue. 3:15-4:45 pm:  Annandale United Methodist Church Child Development Center, Annandale, VA.

06/19/12 Tue. 6:00-8:00 pm:  Merrifield Silver Diner Kids' Night, Merrifield, VA.

07/07/12 Sat. 2:00-2:45 pm:  Rust Library 3rd Birthday Celebration, 380 Old Waterford Road, N.W., Leesburg, VA 20175.

07/17/12 Tue. 10:45-11:45 am:  Emeritus at Arlington, Arlington, VA.  Residents & their families only. 

07/17/12 Tue. 3:15-4:45 pm:  Annandale United Methodist Church Child Development Center, Annandale, VA.

07/17/12 Tue. 6:00-8:00 pm:  Merrifield Silver Diner Kids' Night, Merrifield, VA.

07/20/12 Fri. 10:30-11:00 am:  Cabin John Kids, Cabin John Mall, Potomac, MD.

07/27/12 Fri. 9:45-10:30 am:  Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia Summer Camp, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA 22031.

07/27/12 Fri. 11:30am-12:15 pm:  Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia Summer Camp, 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304.

08/08/12 Wed. 10:00-11:00 am:  Movers & Shakers Kids' Club, Manassas Mall, Manassas, VA.

08/08/12 Wed. 2:15-4:00 pm:  Emeritus at Arlington, VA.  Residents & their families only.

08/21/12 Tue. 3:15-4:45 pm:  Annandale United Methodist Church Child Development Center, Annandale, VA.

08/21/12 Tue. 6:00-8:00 pm:  Merrifield Silver Diner Kids' Night, Merrifield, VA.

Sundays:  mister don has changed home churches! Since moving to Ocean Pines, MD, mister don has been attending SonRise Church, a multi-site, seeker-friendly congregation with three Sunday morning services at Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin, MD. In 2011, mister don has taught Sunday school for the Kingdom Kids (ages 6-9) and has led weekly children's worship (ages 3-13) at the 9:30 am service. He has also been involved in the children's ministry at the Friday night Celebrate Recovery meeting at the church office location at 10959 Worcester Highway in Berlin, MD.  For more information about SonRise Church, go to www.sonrise.cc or call the church office at (410) 629-1901. All are welcome, especially people with questions about spiritual matters!  

Great Music for Great Kids: mister don is no longer offering any of his children's recordings for sale.  Previous recordings that are no longer available include: Shooka-la-la! (6 song CD), mister don (25-song CD), the Wammie-nominated Alive & Kickin' with mister don (17-song VHS video), Bridges To Bliss - Totally for Kids (13-song cassette), and the Wammie-nominated Bridges To Bliss - Kids' Songs! (10-song cassette).  Notice will be posted here if and when these or other recordings become available for purchase.

See the Performance Venues page for complete addresses and other information about the locations of public performances by mister don. Hope to see you at one of them soon!

Navigation Bar
Check out the Navigation Bar menu on the left side of each page. Click on those links to navigate between pages. Your choices include:

Welcome - Brings you back to this home page.

don's Bio - Stuff about don's music & songwriting career.

Performance Venues - Everything that's fit to print about venue locations, dates, and times.

Lyric Pages - Full-text lyrics of don's original and co-written songs will be updated periodically. As any author, creative artist or spiritual being will attest, this is the true heart of the matter.

Just for Kids - The best in Children's music. Pure, unadulterated fun!

Bridges To Bliss - don's award-winning trio from the 1990s with Bobbi Bliss and David M. Scales. Lots of photos.

don's Guestbook - If you'd like to comment on the layout, content, photos or color scheme of these pages, voice your opinions about don's lyrics, recordings or performances, provide suggestions, praise or criticism or air your views on the price of kimchee in Pyongyang, here's your chance. G-rated comments only, please.

Links - A valuable resource to understanding what charges don's batteries. If you figure anything out, feel free to let him know.

Schedule a Show - don is available for birthday and other parties, retirement homes, festivals, fun fairs, coffeehouses, and just about anywhere the smoke isn't too thick and the folks aren't too drunk.

Contact don - Send an email. No attachments or viruses, please.

Listen to An Ardmore Afternoon!

An Ardmore Afternoon, a Wammie nominee for Best Contemporary Folk Recording of 2004, is dons singer-songwriter CD of 13 original songs in a variety of styles.  You can order it for fifteen bucks per disk plus two bucks for shipping & handling from don bridges, P.O. Box 1362, Berlin, MD 21811.  And it's also available online!


Hear or Order An Ardmore Afternoon!

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