Production of Children’s Music CD by Albertan singer-songwriter for free distribution.

The Cause

I’m Eddie Wiens, and I’m an emerging singer/songwriter in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada who writes, produces, records, and performs music “for kids and anyone who was ever once a kid!”

My songs are engaging for kids (as well as for parents and family members who will enjoy remembering back when they were kids). Songs include some of the wonderful things about childhood such as building snow forts and making snow angels, or about some of the challenges we all faced as kids, while others are more character-driven within storytelling formats. My music for children is friendly, family-oriented, and respectful of diverse audiences. More information on me and my music can be found at www.EddieWiens.com and I have several videos at: https://www.youtube.com/@eddiewiens (my last video was about building snow forts as a child, called “Castle in the Snow” at https://shorturl.at/LuWrA ).

My personal mission is to entertain as well as to inspire creativity and imagination in children through my original music and songs, and to contribute to children experiencing a good, happy, and enriching childhood.

I’ve been playing live music now for just over one year, mainly as a volunteer for events within our local community. Within that year, I won a national contest at Long & McQuade Music Stores, and recently one of my songs was accepted to appear on a CD of Children’s Music to be produced by the Edmonton Public Library (10,000 copies will be distributed for free to new mothers in Edmonton). I have also recorded 12 of my original songs in my home recording studio.

My idea is to produce and manufacture a limited run of an album (CD) containing 12 of my original Children’s Music songs to be distributed for free at events where I will be playing live. The intention will be to give children the gift of locally produced music from a singer-songwriter who creates music just for them.

My background includes working in graphics for museums and historic sites across Alberta with the Government of Alberta where I gained a love of the province, its people, and various cultures and history. During this time, I also began recording original music for video soundtracks and as background music for interactive displays. I also worked as a cartoonist on a family-friendly feature called “Glitch!” that was self-syndicated in Canada from 1996 to 2001.

Who Will it Benefit?

Children who will receive the free CD of my music will benefit by being able to enjoy music that is made specifically for them by an Albertan singer-songwriter. They would hear songs that talk about life as a child – the fun aspects as well as some of the challenges, while some songs are just for fun and just to dance to. My songs contain positive messages such as in “You Can Do It” with a message of encouragement to try things. Or, in a fun way, the song, “I Am Big,” talks about kids viewing the world while still little. One song, “Better,” was written specifically for children who are sick and who want to “feel better, get better, and be better.” Other songs are just for fun like “Milkbeard the Pirate Cat,” “Ronald the Worm,” and “Cozy Little Cuttlefish.”

Parents would be able to give music to their children where, in some cases, they might otherwise never get exposed to it. Parents will also enjoy the music because the songs aren’t made to be repetitious, or overly simplistic, and will feel assured and confident that the music is appropriate for children, does not contain any contentious issues, and is empathetic to a wide range of cultures.

Field Law would benefit by showing their support for children and the arts through the recognition listed on the printed CD jacket and by verbal recognition at events. The Field Law Community Fund Program would be fulfilling a portion of their core value in giving back to the community, and obviously, children are a big part of all of our communities. While there are other groups and organizations that do vital work in supporting children’s education, health and safety, my work adds fun and imagination to children’s lives to support their well-being.

My career as a Children’s Musician would also benefit by being able to take my already recorded songs and have them mastered by a professional studio sound engineer and manufactured into a professional CD. By giving out the original limited run of 250 copies, it would assist me in raising awareness of my music in Edmonton. Additionally, if I were to order additional runs of CDs in the future, to give away or to sell, it would streamline that process as the sound files will be ready to go for future production. Additionally, the awareness that would be created would help me to perform at more functions such as charity, non-profit, or paid performances.