Rock Music for the Whole Family

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Original Rock Music for Kidz
(ages 2 thru 200)
"Connecting the dots between parent & child,
bridging the multi-generation gap!"
(Your healthy alternative to purple dinosaurs and fast food clowns.)

THE MISTER LAURENCE EXPERIENCE is a playful rock music group for kids ages 2 thru 200. Originally a one-man-band,
MISTER LAURENCE now performs with MS. PRINCESS MELINDA and OSO the Drumming Bear.  Together they play and
sing along to their own original prerecorded supporting tracks to create a full-band sound.

Their musical presentation is geared towards the whole family.  Eclectic heartfelt punky-pop with neoclassical overtones and their own idiosyncratic stage presence helps them connect the dots between kids and parents to bridge the multi-generation gap.  Their zany original compositions and unique clever arrangements of popular kiddie classics delivers pure entertainment while reveling in the joy of mixing fantasy and the absurd with honest feelings and life learning lessons.

A one-of-a-kind act, THE MISTER LAURENCE EXPERIENCE is sophisticated enough for the grownup ear, yet playful and age appropriate to keep the little ones glued.

"KIDS' MUSIC THAT ROCKS"

Warren Truitt: New York City Library's Children's Librarian

"There's a musical legend living in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, R. Stevie Moore, who pretty much
invented the Do-It-Yourself ethic in the late 60's, early 70's.  Since that time, he has recorded literally
hundreds of cassette tapes, vinyl LPs, and CDs, all chock full of his off-kilter yet brilliantly perfect
pop compositions, writing, playing, recording, and producing everything himself.

Tucked away in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is Laurence Bond Miller, aka Mister Laurence, the children's music
version of R. Stevie Moore.  Since 1999 Miller has released six CDs; FLAGHORN, TUGBOAT TOW,
BUBBLELAND, PUREGIBBERISH, RECESS FOREVER, and MARMALINE. I can't recommend one
CD over another, so browse Mr. L's witty, silly website and check out the awesomeness of
individual tracks like 'Bubbleland', 'Recess forever', 'Is There an Echo in the Room?',
'Little Flower', 'Jack n Jill's Hill', and the Zen sentiments of 'The Sky is in the Sky!'
and 'We Won't Be Afraid' ("...even if we are afraid we won't be afraid...")

The only group who comes close to his combination of inventiveness and quirkiness
is They Might Be Giants, who would be well advised to team up with Mister Laurence
and create the greatest Kid’s album ever. Hey, it could happen!"

OSO, the Drumming Bear

Kid-sized drum set w/attitude
Photo by Cassady Marie Photography

BOOKING CONTACT:

MISTER LAURENCE
734-883-0964

PUBLICIST CONTACT:
MARY FRANZ

Performing bears are not unknown in the world of kids’ entertainment, having sung, marched, and danced through all manner of musical productions, from The Muppets to The Nutcracker Suite. A legion of ursine heroes can also be found
in children’s literature (Winnie the Pooh), movies (the Bernstein Bears) and on television (remember Yogi, the picnic basket craving character of 60’s cartoon fame?) Nonetheless, when a 4-foot tall animatronic plush brown bear takes to
the stage, positions himself behind the drum kit, and begins to tap out a handy beat while the rock ‘n’ roll band in
front blasts out happy chords, kids are bound to jump out of their seats and take notice.

Meet OSO the drumming bear, the newest addition to the sweetly zany musical collaboration known as the Mister Laurence Experience. A long-beloved children’s entertainer in the Ann Arbor community, Mister Laurence performed as a solo act until last year, when he was joined by sidekick and wife, the incomparable Ms. Princess Melinda. Looking to expand their musical horizons even further, the couple thought long and hard about the right addition to their kiddie rock and roll group.

It was Ms. Princess Melinda who hit on the notion of a mechanized drumming bear. Inspired by the dual muses of Douglas the Singing Fir and Mister Laurence’s Grandma Lucy’s pet bear, OSO was created to provide the duo with “a mean back-beat”.  This rounds out the band’s unique pop sound which now consists of Mister Laurence singing on guitar, Ms. Princess Melinda singing on keyboard, both jamming along with their prerecorded backup group (The Play Money Band)
and newest member OSO, the Drumming Bear!

Designed and built with the help of two engineers, and named after Mister Laurence’s sister’s pet dog (OSO means bear
in Spanish), the mechanical bear’s creation took nearly a year and was not without pitfalls. Notes Mister Laurence: “The making of OSO's authentic paws was a real trick. Black acrylic paint, fake fingernails, and a whole lot of elbow grease. We had troubles finding the right air compressor, too - one to ensure enough drive for a strong back beat, without propelling OSO thru the roof in the process.”

But as the old adage goes, persistence pays off, and in May of 2010 OSO made his debut in their music video, I’m GLAD at You, a 4-minute foray into the madcap, in which OSO deftly delivers the percussive goods, seemingly oblivious to the clouds of smoke and horde of dancing fans that envelop the band as they play. THE MISTER LAURENCE EXPERIENCE made their debut power-trio concert with OSO on drums, December 12th 2010. OSO hasn't missed a beat, since.

Mister Laurence is quite optimistic about the new drummer’s potential, and confident that in time OSO will expand his repertoire and role in the band. “Right now OSO is a little shy with crowds, but clearly has the willingness to rock out, and we’re hoping this time next year he will be executing perfect para-diddles.” 

OSO’s debut performance may be viewed on their YouTube channel FLAGHORN

THE ITSY BITSY SPIDER + LITTLE FLOWER + THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT

LISTEN / BUY CD's & MP3's HERE

NOTE: Support local business in ANN ARBOR by driving over to buy all our cool CD's at
NICOLA'S BOOKS in West Gate Shopping Mall, or OZ's MUSIC at 1920 Packard Rd.