About Lightning's Lessons
Along with our blues all-star lineup of musicians, our bunny rabbit host, "Little Lightning" will take your Pre-K to 2nd graders (& the curious) on a musical learning journey.
Vol. 1 consists of 11 original up-tempo and engaging educational songs (lessons) accompanied by LL's lyrical read-along/sing-along colorful illustration book*.
Our Vol. 1 soundtrack also focuses in the Roots/Blues genre where our songs have been carefully crafted to produce a positive learning environment, to excite and encourage participation, to exploring creativity. So fun and engaging you’ll forget you’re learning! With repeated catchy choruses along with our colorful lyrical songbook we can assist in memorization**, spelling, and literacy.
Our Blues All-Stars in Vol. 1: Tommy Castro, Laura Chavez, Vanessa Collier, Shemekia Copeland, Ray Greene (Santana / Tower of Power), Shari Puorto, Duke Robillard, Curtis Salgado, Chris Vachon, Jimmy Vivino, Victor Wainwright, Doug Woolverton, and many more!
The combination of our lyrical songbook and original songs will be a sure hit with your children, classroom and their learning! Read, interact, and sing-along with our all-stars while flipping through the pages and listening to our soundtrack.
Our mission:
1. To assist in teaching young children (targets PreK to 2nd grade) & curious minds basic learning concepts.
2. To inspire and ignite an early love for Roots/Blues music in a fun and memorable way.
Music lovers, and readers of all ages will thoroughly enjoy Lightning's Lessons!
Vol. 1 outlines basic learning concepts which are perfect for reading aloud with your children or in the classroom. LL's Lyrical book alone can assist in spelling, literacy, and memorization, as our lessons in song were thoughtfully constructed to produce a positive learning environment and encourage participation. So enjoyable, your children will forget they are learning!
'Lightning' (and cast of friends) will take your children on a learning journey focusing on:
the days of the week and months of the year, directions (North, South, East, and West), counting, shapes, manners, eating healthy, the seasons, ABC's, a blues story, and more!
Not only will children have fun, but adults will, too!
Parents, we proudly introduce world-class musicians who will inspire you to sing along with your children. So, join the fun…Snap your fingers, clap your hands, and do the shape dance!
*Sold separately or combo purchases.
**Studies have shown that music produces several positive effects on a human's body and brain. Music activates both the left and right brain at the same time. The activation of both hemispheres can maximize learning and improve memory. “Ever wonder why it’s easier to memorize the lyrics to a song than the periodic table of elements?” That’s because your brain looks for patterns to better understand, recall, and process information.” Florida National Univ. (FNU), www.fnu.edu, Aug 13, 2019.
And, did you know, among many benefits, singing can be a natural antidepressant. An article published in Time magazine reported that singing may release endorphins associated with feelings of pleasure as well as stimulate the release of oxytocin, a hormone that is found to alleviate anxiety and stress. (Aug 16, 2013)
About the Creators
Shari & Little Lightning in Orange CT.
Lightning's Lessons first came to life because Shari Puorto had an idea and a vision.
Shari Puorto - Founder:
“I love music, how it makes me feel, and how it always brings me back to a place and time. I have such fond memories of listening and singing to all sorts of music with my parents when I was little. From southern/classic rock to the blues.
Forever imprinted in my memories were children’s albums like, “Whoever shall have some peanuts” by Sam Hinton, “Free to be You and Me” and of course, “School House Rock”. Then there was Etta James, The Allman Brothers, The Stones, The Eagles and many more! Now as an adult and songwriter, I appreciate well written, thoughtfully produced songs that are “real” and “authentic." Therefore, my vision and dream has always been to introduce young minds (and parents) to Roots/Blues music and top-notch musicians. So, why not learn our fundamentals in the process! Teaching through song on multiple levels! Therefore, with Grammy nominated musician Doug Woolverton (and team), we present you, Lightning's Lessons!
I’d like to personally thank each and every child who gave us your amazing voices, your giggles, and one-liners on our music catalog! You are true professionals. And of course our blues all-stars! You rock! And to Doug, it’s a privilege to share business, life, love, and music with you.
- Shari
Bio:
Shari, raised in Connecticut currently moved to Annapolis, MD from many years living in Los Angeles is an American award-winning roots/rock blues performer and songwriter. Shari performs domestically and internationally and has 6 album releases with Lightning's Lessons being her most recent release. Shari’s music has received international and domestic airplay on well over 200 radio stations across the US and abroad. Her My Obsession release received a first-round nomination by the Grammy committee in three categories and was up for nomination for the 59th Grammy Awards (2017). Shari continues to tour with her band and is currently writing multiple music projects. More about Shari and her band HERE: www.BluesRockMusic.com
Photo credit: David Lee Black
Doug Woolverton co-creator:
Bio: Grammy-nominated & Emmy-nominated professional trumpeter Doug Woolverton has been cultivating his smooth, soulful, yet energetic trumpet sound for audiences around the world, becoming one of the most in-demand, versatile trumpeters of his generation. His sound, style, and beautiful tone have led Doug to his full-time career of performing over 250 shows around the world each year. He has performed/recorded with Aretha Franklin, Warren Haynes, Gov't Mule, John Scofield, Roomful of Blues, They Might Be Giants, The Temptations, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Jerry Jemmott, Bernard Purdie, Delbert McClinton, Victor Wainwright, Shemekia Copeland, James Cotton, Tab Benoit, J. Geils, Johnny Vidacovich, John Herrington, Duke Robillard, Shari Puorto Band, and many others.
Our illustrator, Derek Lavoie
“Derek Lavoie is a freelance Illustrator working in both traditional and digital media. Specializing in children’s book illustrations, his work also includes children’s coloring books, editorial illustrations, technical drawings for “Fine Woodworking Magazine”, people and pet portraits and he even designed the 2018-22 U.S. Olympic Luge Race Suit! He lives with his wife, son and two dogs in the Adirondack mountains of northern NY.”