‘Momma Lizzy’ and ‘Farmer Jared’ offer songs and stories for area kids
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
All new parents face change when their baby is born, They typically get less sleep, don’t get to socialize as much, often put their own needs aside for those of the baby. But, when little Maybelle was born to musicians Jared and Liz McGovern two years ago, the new parents have even changed the songs they sing.
As part of the “hillbilly swing” trio Urban Pioneers, Liz and Jared tend to play before large audiences, and their song lists include tunes such as “High on a Mountain,” “Walk This Earth” and “Never Had a Waffle at the Waffle House.”
Two-year-old Maybelle McGovern dances during the Children’s Songs and Stories program last month, while her parents, Liz and Jared, provide the music. Click here to see a photo gallery from the event. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/ Breckenridge Texan)
But, last month, the couple, who live on a ranch between Woodson and Albany, launched the Children’s Songs and Stories program at the Woodson Town Hall. For an hour, their main audience was quite a bit younger than most of the crowd at an Urban Pioneers concert.
As they prepared for the first program, Liz unrolled a colorful rug featuring the solar system and Jared set up some folding chairs for the parents and kids. They unpacked their guitar and fiddle while their daughter, 2-year-old Maybelle, checked out the room.
Shortly before 5 p.m. on the Thursday afternoon, the families started showing up, and it wasn’t long before the room was filled with excitement. The first program included 12 kids, including some from Breckenridge.
“Momma Lizzy” and “Farmer Jared” sang a variety of songs, including “The More We Get Together,” “Old McDonald Had a Farm,” “We Are the Dinosaurs,” “Heads and Shoulders, Knees and Toes,” “The Animal Dance” and more. Throughout the program, the kids were encouraged to join in the singing, and they even got a chance to help make music with egg shakers during one song.
When they sang “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad,” Jared switched caps to a classic, striped train conductor’s cap.
Additionally, Liz read a couple of children’s stories to the kids — “How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?” and “The Little Mouse, the Red, Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear.”
Liz and Jared said that they decided to offer the program for a couple of reasons, including wanting a way for Maybelle to be around other kids. Additionally, living out in a rural area, they know that activities for young children are limited.
“This is awesome, y’all!” Jared told the small crowd as he talked to the children about their favorite animals.
The Children’s Songs and Stories program will be offered the second Thursday of every month at the Woodson Town Hall, at 221 U.S. Highway 183 in Woodson, from 5 to 6 p.m. The program is aimed at kids ages 2 to 7, but children and adults of all ages are welcomed. There is no charge to attend and participate; any donations received will go to a fund for a new Woodson Community Center.
The September program will be Thursday, Sept. 8, and will have an aquatic theme.
Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan’s photo gallery from the August program.
Liz McGovern reads “How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night” during the August Children’s Songs and Stories program at the Woodson Town Hall. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
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