Music Reviews

PEOPLE MAGAZINE May 11th 2009, the double 'Beautiful People' issue with the very beautiful Christina Applegate on the cover: In a feature on "KIDS AND BABY CDs that says, "whether you've got newborns, toddlers or grade-schoolers, these news discs will soothe and amuse. Listed among this who's who of performers with new children's CD's is Come On Get Happy (The Best of Daddy A Go Go Vol. 1). Thus we quote: Kids' Rocker John Boydston (a.k.a Daddy A Go Go) brings a percussive beat and sly humor to songs like "I Caught My Daddy Watching Cartoons."

Georgia Music Magazine - (May 2009): Children's music by rockers is usually a creepy exercise in baby-talk pandering and tame musicianship, and often serves as a sad extension of a career long-ago extinguished. Thankfully, Atlantan John Boydston (recording under the non-de-pop Daddy A Go Go) avoids all the negatives and serves up a giddy and unrelentingly positive blend of excellent performances filled with clever word-play and enough family-friendly good times to satisfy even the sourest elitist. Come On, Get Happy is an invitation to sample the best of his delightful ditties which were carefully culled from his catalog of silliness and sincerity. The title track, better known as the theme to The Partridge Family, "Best Friend" (featured in The Courtship of Eddie's Father) and "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?" complete the candy-coated culture-smart universe of tunes. -- LEE VALENTINE SMITH


Parenting (Early Years) - April 2009. COOL THINGS: Enjoy a decade's worth of the funky father's relaxed ditties, including "I Caught My Daddy Watching Cartoons" Ages 2-5.

Kids Music/About.com "compiles some of John Boydston's most rockin' Daddy A Go Go music from the six albums that span his ten-year kids' music career. Hopefully Volume 2 is in the works, 'cause it's crazy not to include on this first volume the tunes "Rock of Ages" and "Idaho!" from 2008's Rock of All Ages, or Daddy A Go Go's best song ever, "For Those About to Walk (We Salute You)," from the 2006 CD Eat Every Bean and Pea on Your Plate."

"Father Knows Best How to Rock and Roll"- story from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution March 19th, 2009 Read the story here.

http://outwiththekids.blogspot.com "To pull off a Greatest Hits set one cannot be a Johnny-come-lately to the realm of prepubescent rock. That's why John Boydston's Daddy A Go Go may be one of only a handful of children's acts with the catalog, and the audacity, to make it happen.

Typically when a band releases this kind of retrospective, the audience is going to be familiar with a majority of the cuts included. But because Daddy A Go Go is not, say U2 or Aerosmith, "Come On, Get Happy" is also capable of being treated as an album of brand new music for most listeners.

This is why I think that releasing a "Best Of" is such a win-win for John Boydston. First, it is extremely eye-catching. Just the fact that a relative unknown (he's not Zanes or one of the John's from TMBG) has put forth such a disc is cause for discussion. Secondly, for many listeners this will be their first Daddy A Go Go record and therefore stands in admirably for an album of brand new tunes.

So how's the music? If you're a fan of a tried and true rock-n-roll sound, think a less-bluesy George Thorogood for kids (or The Hold Steady - as I said in my review of his last album "Rock of All Ages"), you're probably going to love Daddy A Go Go. Boydston doesn't need to employ poetic string fills, gorgeous horn sections or a diverse array of instruments to make a quality record. What he does, and does very well, is show an unabashed love of just rockin' out. Songs like "I Caught My Daddy Watching Cartoons" and "It's a Kid's World" are terrific examples of his witty parental observations and his classic rock musical chops.

While I tend to prefer the musical embellishments (cutesy as they may be) that spawn from indie rock's experimental side, I think what Daddy A Go Go does is pretty damn cool. Ernie and Neal do it as well, but there aren't a lot of other acts in the children's music space that have the willingness to put the pedal to the metal and play straight forward, fun rock and roll. So for that, Daddy A Go Go is a kiddie music treasure.

Stomp and Stammer - "After ten years and a half-dozen albums, Atlanta’s preeminent “kid rock” band Daddy A Go Go have earned the right to put out a “best of” retrospective. After all, songwriter and group leader John Boydston’s own kids – the inspiration for the start of the group in the first place (and now members of the band) are all gonna graduate high school soon! Come On, Get Happy: The Best of Daddy A Go Go, Volume 1 collects 15 goofy, pun-heavy originals and choice covers such as “Best Friend” (the theme from The Courtship of Eddie’s Father), “Scooby Doo, Where Are You?” and the clap-along title track (from The Partridge Family – obviously early ’70s TV had a major impact on Boydston!). They’re all totally silly, funny and thankfully free of poop humor or street slang, and listening to them makes me wish I was a kid again! A must-have for children of all ages."

LA Parent - (May 2009) "Atlanta-based “pop” rocker John Boydston has cherry-picked 15 top tunes
from his six CDs, mixing renditions of Boomer Generation theme songs to Scooby Doo, The
Courtship of Eddie’s Fatherand the Partridge Familywith his own fun originals, like the comical ditties “I Caught Daddy Watching Cartoons” and “Pink Floyd Saves Hugh Manatee.” (say “hugh manatee” five times fast to get the joke). A still young-at-heart rock ‘n’ roller, Boydston serves up a platter full of energetic tunes."

A Family Runs Through It (Family Blog) -"Children's musician Daddy A Go Go released one of the most memorable CDs of 2008 with Rock of All Ages (read my review). He's kicking off 2009 in style with a career spanning "best of" compilation, drawing favorite songs from the six amazing kids albums he's produced over the past ten years.

"Come On, Get Happy - The Best Of Daddy A Go Go' features 15 toe-tapping tracks that are sure to bring a smile to your child's face. John Boydston is the man behind these tunes, and what I like about him is that he's a natural rocker who keeps his songs centered on the kids and what makes them tick. He's very clearly playing for the kids, with the occasional wink to the parents, rather than the other way around. John covers a couple of familiar songs, like the themes to The Partridge Family, Scooby Doo, and The Courtship of Eddie's Father, but it's the original numbers that really shine on this compilation. My kids especially like 'I Caught My Daddy Watching Cartoons.' The Daddy A Go Go sense of humor gets a big thumbs-up in our house. This sampler is a great way to introduce yourself, and your children, to the music of Daddy A Go Go."

Amazon.com's Top 5
Best Kids CDs of 2008List!

In a round-up headlined "Children's Music Enters the Next Generation" The Los Angeles Times says: In his sixth family CD, “Rock of All Ages” Atlanta's John Boydston celebrates kids and classic rock with slick '60s pop references, entertaining lyrics with a froth of good-for-you messages and feel-good, sing-along bounce.

Sample highlights: 'Round and 'Round' with its dance-happy drive, and "' Lost My Teddy Bear,' a kid's lament for the loss of childish things -- tinged with suspicions of parental involvement. (April 30th, 2008)

The School Library Journal - Rock of All Ages is "a must-have for all libraries....Parents-Choice Award-winning musician John Boydston rolls out his sixth album, full of good time, classic rock and roll which 'pays tribute to kids and modern family life.' Performing mostly on guitars and drums, he is joined by his two sons who complete the Daddy A Go Go Band. Nine of the songs are Boydston originals. Among them are "Get Yer Yo-Yo's Out," a nod to the Rolling Stones' classic "Get Your Ya-Ya's Out," and "John Barleycorn Must Dye" (the ballad of a boy who lives to tie dye), a wink to Traffic's classic "John Barleycorn Must Die." He also offers a rip-roaring rock cover of "What a Wonderful World." Boydston's "Mono Mojo Mix" of "Snoopy vs the Red Baron" sounds very similar to the original; and he gives a great performance of Chuck Berry's "Round and Round." Among the other songs are "Rock of Ages," "School Bus Driver," and "The Root Beer Song." (May 2008)

Nashville Parent - "Daddy A Go Go, aka John Boydston, marks his 10th anniversary of creating cool rock tunes for kids with this spectacular new CD. Daddy continues to shine with clever tunes that keep things real on the kid level, like the way the backup kids emphasize the wrong word in The Root Beer Song. Driving beats provide the perfect musical backdrop to the pure fun and silliness in some of the cuts, including Get Yer Yo-Yo s Out and Nana-Nana Boo-Boo. An upbeat, rockin version of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World completes this must-have album for kids of any age." (April 2008)

Stomp and Stammer - "There seems to be no shortage of aging alt-rockers going the kiddie music route these days, from Dan Zanes to "Farmer" Jason Ringenberg to They Might Be Giants. But none of those well-known acts employ actual kids in their bands. Atlanta's prolific Daddy A Go Go may be masterminded (and largely played) by John Boydston, but when they perform live his boys Max (13) and Jake (16) play guitar and bass respectively, while family friend Jonathan Paz (16) keeps the drumbeat going. All of them play on Rock of All Ages the groups newly released sixth album, along with a few local ringers like Dave Michaelson and Walt Brewer. It's more of the upbeat, wildly entertaining rave-ups, sing-alongs and silly puns that have endeared the group to kids (and their parents) nationwide for ten years now. And "Get Yer Yo-Yo's Out" gets the award for funniest song title I've heard in a long time." (April 2008)

Midwest Book Review - "A treat for families to share, especially when getting fired up in the morning for an exciting day ahead...a CD full of toe-tapping songs for young people to enjoy...featuring rock-n-roll rhythms the whole family can enjoy. Rock of All ages blends guitar, vocals, bass, and drums into an energetic, enthusiastic experience."

Kidsmusicthatrocks.com - "Amps to eleven, Fenders to the fore ... Daddy A Go Go is back in town! Everybody's favorite guitar dude returns with his sixth album for kids, Rock of All Ages, a CD full of puns, parental pop music winks, and headbanging riffs. There are allusions to "Roll Over Beethoven", "Be-Bop-A-Lula", "She Caught the Katy", Dark Side of the Moon, and American Bandstand ... and that's just in the first song! (Hey, the album title is a Badfinger tune!) From the rave-up "School Bus Driver" to the anthemic travelogue "Idaho!" to the absolutely ridiculous "Root Beer," John Boydston lets the jokes fly and the rock and roll thunder.

A lot's happened since the release of 2006's Eat Every Bean and Pea on Your Plate: Boydston and his two sons played gigs as the Daddy A Go Go Band at both the Austin Kiddie Limits Music Festival and the SXSW Music Festival, and guitar slinger Rick Derringer recorded one of Boydston's songs for his latest album Rockin' American. Not bad for a dad from Atlanta, huh?

"Rock of Ages" kicks off the album with a buzzing six-string and a karate kick, followed by two singalongs, "Nana-Nana Boo-Boo" and "School Bus Driver", that are perfectly crafted for live show audience participation. And if KISS made kids' music, I think it would sound kinda like "Idaho!", featuring drum/cowbell breakdown.

Then comes a pummeling version of "What a Wonderful World", via Joey Ramone; and the deliciously corny campfire tune "The Root Beer Song", in which Boydston stops the kids' accompaniment due to their overzealous emphasis on the wrong word in the chorus, and making him think twice about teaching the kids songs about Helsinki and Amsterdam. -- Warren Truit, http://kidsmusicthatrocks.blogspot.com

A Family Runs Through It -- Rock Of All Ages gets a big thumbs-up from my family! John Boydston is a stay-at-home dad who knows how to rock. He's been performing under the name Daddy A Go-Go since 1998, and has six CDs of rock 'n' roll music for kids in release. His latest, Rock Of All Ages, has just hit the stores. It's another lively collection of family-friendly songs that mix humor, learning, and good times.

The Daddy A Go-Go sound can best be described as classic rock meets garage band meets campfire sing-along. Boydston always mixes in a few cover songs with his originals. On past CDs, he's put his personal stamp on such classics as "Go Speed Racer Go," "Linus and Lucy," "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah," and "Blitzkrieg Bop." This time around he covers "Snoopy vs. The Red Baron" (one of my own childhood favorites) and "What A Wonderful World."

But it's the high-energy originals that will really make your kids get up and dance around. There are songs about school buses, root beer (my son's fave), and yo-yo's, but the one song that jumped out at me was what should be the new Official Rock Anthem for the State of Idaho...

Like the CD title says, this is music for all ages, especially elementary school kids who want to rock out and play some air guitar while you're driving around town in the mini-van. (by Phil Corless)

Out With The Kids (cool family blog) - "So there's this Dad in Atlanta who, with the help of his sons, has been pumping out good old fashion rock and roll for the kiddie set for nearly a decade. John Boydston is his name and Daddy-A-Go-Go is his musical moniker. John's story is an interesting (and inspiring) one as he abandoned the corporate TV news biz to be a stay at home dad. Now he hits the road with his rock and roll boys and a family friend playing Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and other shows across the country. Talk about a cool dad!

Daddy-A-Go-Go's new disc "Rock of All Ages" (clever title playing homage to The Band's classic live 2-disc collection) blends surf, punk and classic rock but reminds me of two acts: The Hold Steady and George Thorogood. The music is familiar because who hasn't heard that classic rock three-cord guitar riff, but it is very refreshing in the kid's music space because it's truly not a sugary-sweet or dumbed-down version of the guitar rock genre. Rather, it is a true recreation of a classic sound with lyrical content that is slightly goofy and accessible for kids of all ages while containing a few 'wink-wink' phrases just for us older folks.

"Rock of All Ages" contains two terrific covers, neither of which you would probably ever expect to find on a kid's rock and roll record. Boydston and his "boy band" (sorry, I just couldn't help myself) breath new life into "What a Wonderful World", one of the best songs ever. The track is very cool, the band does a nice job with a legendary tune. The other cover is their rockin' take on "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron".

What makes Daddy-A-Go-Go's "Rock of All Ages" work so well is that Boydston portrays the corny rock and roll dad, you know the 40-ish guy playing air guitar around the house, but he does so without making you cringe. In fact, his speaking/singing vocal delivery and story telling style will surely put a smile on your face from start to finish and his sing-along choruses and catchy hooks will have the songs stuck in your head all day. It is fun rock music for, like the title says, All Ages."

• Amazon.com's Top 5
  Best Kids CDs of 2006 List!

Amazon.com, Tammy La Gorce
"A funny thing happens when you hear Daddy a Go Go for the first time, whether it's on this disc or any of the four preceding it: You can't help but wonder with mounting incredulity and a creeping sense of indignity how it is that this dude's not huge. John Boydston, who writes and records all his songs somewhere in the recesses of his crawling-with-kids suburban home is a master of the ridiculous. Between carpool rounds and hockey drills, he dreams up songs about pink flamingos named Floyd (get it? Pink Floyd?) who get tangled up with manatees called Hugh (Hugh-manatee, from the song "Pink Floyd Saves Hugh Manatee"), impossibly exasperating siblings ("He'll bother you more than a 25-pound mosquito/He'll scare you more than a broccoli burrito," from "Irritation Man"), and the losing-est baseball team since Billy Bob Thornton mixed it up with the Bad News Bears ("Cryin' in the Dugout"). Where his true brilliance emerges, though, is in his jangly, loose-limbed, California-sunny rock-pop. The Jammys don't have a kids' music category yet, but that's only because they haven't taken Daddy Boydston for a spin in the station wagon. Beans and peas be damned, Daddy a Go Go whips up his own kind of sustenance. Anybody with kids over age three ought to line up at the buffet table."

Jem Aswad, TIME OUT NY KIDS May/June 2006
"What separates Daddy A Go Go's John Boydston from the rest of the alt-kids pack is his unfettered willingness to rock: While many (if not most) others in his field seem to do so tentatively, fearful of offending tender ears, this Atlanta-based father seems to know intuitively that rock is practically encoded into kids' DNA; as a result, he has always embraced power chords and driving rhythms with glee. This latest LP finds Boydston inhabiting largely familiar territory. The best (and funniest) track is undoubtedly the almost-toddler anthem "For Those About to Walk, We Salute You." Other highlights include an ode to self, "Dads who Rock" and the amusing "Irritation Man." A cover of Spinal tap's "Listen To the Flower People" is a welcome surprise. Despite a slightly superfluous reworking of the Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop" and a puzzling instrumental version of "To Sir, With Love" Eat Every Bean once again has Boydston redefining 'kiddie-rock.

Kenny Curtis, The Decider @ XMKIds Radio
"I think it's my favorite Daddy a Go-Go CD, and that's saying something - full of whimsy, clever lyrics, catchy melodies and guitar-work that's so professional it makes parents check to make sure they're still listening to the kids CD."

Moira McCormick, FamilyFun Magazine
FILED UNDER: Things We Love in the June 2006 issue of FamilyFun Magazine "John Boydston - aka Daddy A Go Go - is one rockin' pop, and he proves it again on his latest CD, Eat Every Bean and Pea On Your Plate. Boydston sprinkles solid fatherly advice throughout, including the nutritional urgings of the title track, the anti-cell phone 'Hang Up and Drive,' and the chin-up sentiments of 'Cryin' in the Dugout.' But it's his unreconstructed rock 'n' roll soul that makes Daddy a Go Go such a blast to listen to. "

Publisher's Weekly, June 15th 2006
FROM PUBLISHERS WEEKLY -- "Looking for kids' music with a true rock vibe? The 5th release from Daddy A Go-Go (aka Atlanta Dad John Boydston) is the ticket. With tongue in cheek, Boydston has some puntastic fun with vegetable names on the title track: 'Okra? I love her show!./Honeydew, We Canteloupe.' The clever turns of phrase that will have parents of a certain age cracking up and kids singing a long are sprinkled throughout on cracks such as 'For Those About to Walk, We Salute You' and 'Pink Floyd Saves Hugh Manatee,' about a famous flamingo who rescues a manatee pal. The Ramones receive homage in the slightly doctored 'Kids Beat Bop' (Blitzkrieg Bop),' which includes drum, guitar and bass playing by Boydston's sons Jake and Max. A sobering idea is handled with a deft touch in 'Hang Up and Drive' about the potential hazards of driving while chatting on a cell phone. And serving as a quirky intermission of sorts is a nifty instrumental version of "To Sir With Love' originally made famous by Lulu. NO WORRIES: THERE'S PLENTY TO LAUGH AT AND TAP TOES TO ON THIS FULL-BODIED FAMILY RECORDING."

School Library Journal, June 2006
"This collection, sure to be a hit, IS A MUST HAVE FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES.The catchy, upbeat songs will appeal to adults as well as children. The title song is a testament to encouraging children to eat healthy foods. 'Irritation Man' is an ode to the annoying younger sibling which includes the lyrics, 'He'll bother you more than a 25-pound mosquito. He'll scare you more than a broccoli burrito.' Parents will appreciate the humor on tracks such as 'Dads Who Rock' and 'For Those About to Walk, We Salute You."

Los Angeles Times May 11th, 2006
"Atlanta musician John Boydston is anything but mellow. He's a rowdy rocker fueled by old-school punk and alt-rock influences. And a sense of humor: Just say the title out loud. Or, try 'Pink Floyd Saves Hugh Manatee.' But Boydston, whose sons play instruments (drums,bass & guitar) on a hard-bouncing 'Blitzkrieg Bop' track (the Ramones song, with appropriately altered lyrics), is kid-savvy in other ways. His comic lyrics tweak everyday ups and downs ('Cryin' in the Dugout,' 'Irritation Man') and contain a few pointed messages besides ("Hang Up and Drive")."

Phil Dirt, Reverb Central
"Yet another excellent children's rock'n'roll record from Daddy A Go Go, and as usual, it includes two fine instrumentals. The surf-instro roots and appreciation are clear in several of the vocals as well. Great songs that treat children with respect instead of talking down to them like so many. Aces!"

New York Post, June 3rd, 2006
"John Boydston is Daddy A Go Go, a rocking musician for kids. "Eat Every Bean and Pea on Your Plate" (get it?) consists of songs he's written, along with covers of popular rock songs. "Cryin' in the Dugout" - a portrait of a kids' baseball team in despair as they lose every day with no hope in sight - and the ridiculously punny "Pink Floyd Saves Hugh Manatee" are great examples of the witty yet kid-friendly songwriting here. But what's really entertaining is a cover of the Ramones' punkfest "Blitzkrieg Bop," now officially known as "Blitzkrieg Bop (Kids' Beat Bop)." It's a great intro to rock, but also just a ton of fun. I'm still listening to this one."

Commonsensemedia.org Aug, 2006
FROM COMMON SENSE MEDIA -- "Bottom line: If CDs were made of vinyl your kids would probably wear it out! This is a fun CD for the whole family to enjoy. Daddy A Go Go, aka John Boydston, who produced and played the instruments and sang the songs on EAT EVERY BEAN AND PEA ON YOUR PLATE (pun intended), is assisted by a crew of able-bodied musicians and singers that include his family. They power their way through a fifth offering of squeaky-clean, kid-friendly songs...Daddy A Go Go certainly does rock, but is probably best appreciated after repeated listens as the various references to rock bands and songs become more obvious. Parents need to know that there's nothing offensive here. Families can talk about what makes rock and roll so enjoyable. They can also discuss some of the songs' themes, such as good nutrition and dealings with siblings, or they might just want to have a living room dancy party! "

Kidsmusicthatrocks.blogspot.com, May 25th 2006
"With songs named "For Those About To Walk, We Salute You", and "Pink Floyd Saves Hugh Manatee", and a cover of a Spinal Tap tune (yes, that Spinal Tap), you know something goofy's goin' on. "It's a kids' world, yeah yeah yeah, and everybody else just gets to dance in it," goes a line from Daddy A Go Go's newest CD, Eat Every Bean and Pea on Your Plate. From the CD title's pun to John Boydston's running standup act, this is definitely a kids' CD, and it is guaranteed to cause third graders to both giggle and air guitar. Boydston, an Atlanta resident and Oklahoma native, has released four CDs on his own Boyd's Tone Records and his fifth is a full-on rock and roll extravaganza, powering along with the same stumbly swagger that fellow Georgians the Black Crowes and the Georgia Satellites learned from the Stones. While grownups play spot the influences (listen for ACDC, the Rolling Stones, the Ramones, Lulu, Pink Floyd, the Replacements, the B52s, Spinal Tap, and the Beatles), kids can laugh out loud at songs about having to play on the crappiest little league team ever, brothers and sisters who bug the snot out of you, and the album-closing saga of a guy who absolutely cannot make a rhyme. With two twangy instrumentals rounding out the set, this is the perfect album for any guitar loving pre-teen. It's great to find a kids' musician who rocks out unapologetically, who believes in the universal appeal of the powerchord, and who delivers his message without a smidgen of self-consciousness. Daddy A Go Go.[insert cannon fire here], we salute you. ."

Cookie Magazine, May 2006
"When a rock-fan dad gets fed up with the usual kindergarten fare, results include kid-friendly covers of Ramones and Spinal Tap songs and the AC/DC spoof 'For Those About to Walk, We Salute You.'... the fun he's having is infectious."

Canadian Family, April/May 2006
"This Kidzapalooza performer's latest combines classic blues, southern rock and jazzy alternative with New Age melodies (what the heck? - ed.) to make this head-bobbing, catchy singalong CD. It also offers useful everyday lessons for toddlers like the importance of eating vegatables and making peace with siblings. Delightful humor."

• Amazon.com's Top 10 Best Kids CDs of 2000!
• A 2004 "Parents Choice© Approved" Award Winner!
• A 2004 Children's Music Web Award Winner -- "Best Recording for Older Kids"

From the Chicago Tribune, July 23rd, 2005
by Monica Eng

"When I called Lollapalooza performer John Boydston for an interview recently, I got no answer. Turns out he was mowing the lawn and couldn't hear the phone. Boydston, who fronts the band Daddy A Go Go, is not a young spoiled rock star but rather a self-described "suburban middle-age dad who just happens to spend a lot time in the basement making rock 'n' roll records." And what rock 'n' roll records they are. Three of his four basement kids' rock albums have landed on Amazon's yearly top 10 list of Best Kids CDs, and he was the recipient of a 2004 Parents' Choice award. Plus, he has been asked to play Lollapalooza Saturday and Sunday, albeit in the Kidzapalooza family area. Still, the fortysomething Atlanta father of two, who goofed around in a band during college, never even wrote a song before age 40, and he never really thought he would.

But about 10 years ago, things started to change: Boydston's first child was born, prompting the longtime TV news producer to quit the business and become a full-time dad. In his new job, Boydston watched both of his sons learn to walk. He watched them graduate from diapers to big boy pants. And one day, around the time his first son hit kindergarten, he watched as the tot came face-to-face with a shattering discovery: "that `Barney' music is for babies." So naturally they turned to Dad's collection of "Beatles records and surf music like Los Straitjackets," Boydston recalled. "I noticed it was all very beat specific and danceable and so in my spare time, I started writing simple rock songs for them."

Soon Boydston was performing the homemade ditties for his son's kindergarten class, and to such a warm reception that the teacher suggested Boydston record them. Holing up in his basement and playing nearly all the instruments himself, Boydston emerged after a few weeks with a collection of surfy, poppy, catchy tunes titled "Cool Songs for Cool Kids." Songs bore names such as "Brush Your Teeth," "Daddy's Diaper Blues" and "Adventures in Carpool." I wrote about what I knew. And that's kids and being a parent and family life."

Four CDs after his 1999 breakthrough, Boydston is still cranking out the same kind of smart, funny, ultra-catchy kid rock that landed him on the list to begin with. His latest release is called "Mojo A Go Go" and bears a sound that recalls The Ramones, Los Straitjackets and Springfield, Mo., roots rockers The Skeletons. Most playlists are packed with originals and sprinkled with covers, such as Boydston's own takes on "Go Speed Racer Go," "Snoopy vs. The Red Baron," and "Come On Get Happy," which he says "I took the wimpiness out of." Despite his success, Boydston only does about 10 gigs a year, making his Chicago debut this weekend a rarity. Because he plays most of the parts himself for his records, he doesn't have a band. When he performs, he borrows a couple of sidemen or plays recorded tracks of bass and rhythm guitar. His kids -- now 10 and 13 -- are pretty impressed that he's been asked to play Lollapalooza, but he is coming out by himself (hoping to catch his favorite current band Spoon on the main stage) and then heading back home. And even if this national exposure makes touring offers even more tempting, Boydston says he'll be able to resist. "It would be too ironic for me to suddenly be spending less time with my kids because of something that I started doing for them to begin with."

Copyright © 2005, Chicago Tribune

Tammy La Gorce/Amazon.com
Named one of the TOP 10 Best Kids CD's of 2004 by Amazon.com "THERE IS NOT A SINGLE TRACK YOU WON'T LOVE! This is retro-throwback-goofball-jangly guitar rock reduced to its rowdy good-time elements. Certain music-critic cliches bear repeating, and in the case of Daddy a Go-Go, the one about audible fun--the idea that you can actually hear how much a band is enjoying making its music--applies. A lot. Standouts on Mojo, the fourth in a line of consistently groove-worthy A Go-Go records, include the Radio Disney spoof "Radio Dizzy" (sample lyric: "We'll change our names to Avril Lasagna/Or Broccoli Spears if you'll play our songs, yeah") and leadoff track "I Don't Wanna Go to School Today," a Ramones-inspired hoot-and-howler that proves that while Papa may have a brand new bag, Daddy is off-the-charts hip, too."

Family Fun Magazine, March 2005
Filed under: THINGS WE LOVE -- "MOJO A GO GO is a CD dedicated to the joys of subversive fun. Guitarist John Boydston brings lots of gusto and rootsy style to the self-explanatory 'I Don't Wanna Go To School Today,' while 'Do The Chores' is a spirited screed against the crushing futility of tidying up."

Lynne Heffley, Parents Choice Foundation, November 2004
2004 Parents Choice Award announced for Mojo A Go Go - Real Rock For Kids! " (Daddy a Go Go's) John Boydston is a rockin' dad with an authentic 1960s electric guitar-and-drums Surf City-Liverpool vibe. His boisterous lyrics are aimed as much at baby boomers as young listeners, but he keeps kids in mind as he puts his slick retro spin on songs about doing chores, the school blues and reaching the ripe old age of 8 or 10 in "I'm Too Old for That" ("When I look back at the things I did, back when I was four ..."). "Linus & Lucy" is a stand-out instrumental and "Radio Dizzy" slyly tweaks the mouse ears of a certain kids' radio station for its limited play list."

Los Angeles Times, October 2004
"Sounding like a rowdy 1960s rock 'n' roller, (Daddy A Go Go's) John Boydston serves up comical kid- and parent-centric lyrics and slick guitar riffs in songs with a maximum bounce factor guaranteed to give baby boomers flashbacks to their Beatles-and-Beach Boys days."

Nick Jr. Magazine, October 2004
"Straight up rock and roll that would be considered adult it if weren't for the funny, goofy lyrics delivered in (Boydston's) rootsy twang."

School Library Journal, August 2004
"The coolest dads in the world score another hit with their fourth album of kid-friendly rock and roll. From their covers of cool classics like "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron" and "Linus and Lucy" to original songs like "I Don't Wanna Go to School," "Don't Blame the Weatherman," and "Do the Chores," these high-energy tunes combine humor and toe-tapping beats that will have kids and parents alike out of their seats. Listeners will appreciate the hilarious lyrics of songs like "The Scaredy Cat Cowboy" (whose fears include, among other things, hats and horses and the opera, because the fat lady might sing, "then come over and sit on him and squish him") and 'Of Mice and Mensch,' which lists the many characteristics of a mensch (Yiddish for "admirable person"), such as 'We change our underwear even when they're barely dirty.' A great album for families to enjoy together."

"If you're going to call yourself Daddy A Go Go, you'd better live up to it. John Boydston, the Atlanta father who records under that hipster name, does that and more with his fourth album, Mojo A Go Go. From the opening, Ramones-like "1-2-3-4" of "I Don't Wanna Go To School Today," to the jangly, Byrds-esque guitars of "Radio Dizzy" (a spoof of Mickey's syndicated station), Mojo A Go Go gets the feet going.

New York Post
He's also got a way with words: On "Don't Blame The Weatherman," there's a meteorologist under a lot of "barometric pressure and know he's got the doppler, but that's not making him popular." He even dares to do a cover of the beloved, jazzy Charlie Brown TV-Special song (Linus and Lucy) -- in surf guitar style with an organ riff that sounds ripped from a '60s garage band. This is one hip Daddy!"

Chicago Sun-Times
"With songs like 'I Don't Wanna Go To School Today,' 'Do the Chores' and 'I'm Too Old for That,' kids ages 5-10 will be rockin' out to songs they can easily relate to. The fun, upbeat sound makes this a CD parents will enjoy playing on long road trips. They may even find themselves singing along to a song or two."

Baltimore Parent June 2004
"Get Ready to get rocked! This is not music for those who don't know how to laugh or have the ability to let loose and dance. John Boydston is in business to entertain children and their parents with this original family oriented rock and roll songs. Intended for the 5- to 10-year old set, Boydston has done a tremendous job of demonstrating how to create cross-over appeal that intrigues grownups and kids alike in his newest release... And the key to reaching all ages? Laughter. As a stay-at-home dad, Boydston finds inspiration in his children and the children he sees everyday in carpool. Catchy and easy to tap a toe to, Mojo a Go Go is a definite must-have in that section of CD collection marked For kids and grownups to enjoy together."

Grand Rapids Family, June 2004
"Upbeat and funny...45 minutes of real music that won't grate on captive adult audiences ghrough long car rides or repeated plays on the stereo. Focus on the tunes instead of the lyrics (songs) about school, manners, and chores, etc, and you might think "Mojo A Go Go" could be played on any adult contemporary or light rock station. If your kids enjoy listenening to your Beatles albums, they'll dig Daddy a Go Go."

Publishers Weekly, May 10th
"Consistently catchy songs and a feel-good beat that just won't quit make this a great choice for bopping around town or a family air-guitar jam session."

Parenting Magazine, June 2004
"From the opening track, this CD is a burping, slurping, nose-picking good time. Doing chores, not wanting to go to school, and being afraid to use deodorant are a fact of life on this zany and rollicking rock and roll record from stay-at-home dad, John Boydston, aka Daddy A Go Go. And Boydston plays most of the instruments--guitars, keyboards, percussion--himself."

Stomp and Stammer, August 2004
"Knocking out fun, upbeat twang rock full of goofball, hilarious lyrics, John Boydston's long-running rock-for-kids project Daddy a Go Go is the proud pappy of a new self-released long-player, Mojo a Go Go. Enjoyable for children of all ages, the new CD features...Boydston's own boys on guitars, burps, slurps, and various commentary. Charles Shulz is given tribute with covers of "Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron," and "Linus and Lucy," while elsewhere Boydston asks the question no one else has dared utter, "Where in the World is Sasha Foo?" Well, if its any help, I ran into her in LaGuardia about four years back, but seriously, after four albums on this theme, Boydston has become a master of clever, irresistible kid-pop that will appeal to parents just as easily -- maybe more.

John Wood, Kidzmusic.com
"John Boydston's fourth CD rocks with the best of them - but in a nice and friendly way. And with a song title like 'Of Mice and Mensch' you know parents are going to perk up. So get up and go go with Daddy A Go Go!.

Metro Kids Philadelphia
"A rocking fun collection of original new tunes and new takes on kid-friendly classics such as "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron" and "Linus and Lucy." The latter gets an excellent electric guitar treatment that transforms it from Christmas piano classic to the stuff of rock legends."

Ventura County Parent
"Intelligent...fills the gap between Barney and Blink 182 for kids 3 to 10 years old.

Jim Musser, Iowa Free Press, June 13th 2002
"This may be the best darned rock'n'roll record ever made FOR kids. The original lyrics are funny (and never condescending), the covers are spunky, and the band rocks with unabashed joy. So good I stole it from my kids."

Los Angeles Daily News, July 20th, 2002
"This near-perfect family CD celebrates the important stuff for kids set to 60's-era music that parents can appreciate."

FamilyFun Magazine, August 2002
"Guitars A Go Go would be more like it -- this is the rockingest kids' album around. While purveyors of preschool fare often keep things mellow, (Daddy A Go Go) aims for the 'tweens and turns up the amps, conjuring everything from R.E.M to T-Rex, with results that ensure whole-family enjoyment."

School Library Journal, December 2002
"This sparkling album speaks directly to kids and adults alike, without a trace of treacle. 'I Want To Be an Action Figure' mentions the pop group The Backstreet Boys in one verse and Steve McQueen in the next -- a perfect example of how Daddy A Go Go bridges the gap between parents and kids. Daddy A Go Go scores another hit with this rock n' roll album."

Parenting Magazine, August 2002
"This rockin' CD contains enough irreverence and humor to please any little wiseguy."

Martin Keller, Minneapolis Star Tribune
"You gotta love the brains and instruments behind Daddy a Go Go -- John Boydston, a former CNN producer and current stay-at-home dad who came of age in rock's golden era and is now trying to re-create it for kids. He does it with his original songs, groaner pop culture puns, smart covers and ripping guitar lines. Playing everything but drums, Boydston shows he's as much in touch with his and your kids as he is with patented '60s guitar hooks...this CD is a righteous followup to his first two discs. Daddy a Go Go proves again that he's one of kids-music's rockin'-est rulers."

Tulsa World, April 23rd, 2002
"These are kids songs the way they used to be written -- for kids with brains."

Billboard Magazine, April 13th, 2002
"...designed for kids aged 5-10 -- which sets the band apart from the vast majority of preschool-targeted children's music."

Creative Loafing, April 24th 2002
"...the sweet sounds are bright, upbeat and cheerful...each element is carefully crafted for maximum cross-generation appeal."

Metro Kids Pennsylvania, April 2002
"...nothing has grabbed me like 'Big Rock Rooster.' Aimed for the 5-10 set, you'll join in the enjoyment as well."

Publishers Weekly, March 11th, 2002
"...a top-drawer performance that rivals much of the popular music heard on the radio airwaves. John Boydston and Walt Brewer, the dad duo that comprises Daddy A Go Go, has a jangly good time here on their most rocking album yet. True to the band's motto, original songs penned by Boydston harness themes with appeal for both kids and parents and are part of a world where references to action figures and superheroes are right at home with a mention of the Grateful Dead..."

Tammy La Gorce, Amazon.com
"Dad may spend too much time surfing the Web, swipe the remote, and snore, but when he straps on the Stratocaster, jump back -- if he's Daddy a Go Go's John Boydston, that is. Together with Walt Brewer, a dad who drums, Boydston tears it up a third time on Big Rock Rooster, an album of '60s-esque jangly pop-rock that recalls everybody from Brian Wilson to John Fogerty to the Revolver-era Beatles. The paternal pair has matured a bit this go round -- Rooster aims to rouse the 5- to 10-year-old crowd with tunes like "I Caught My Daddy Watching Cartoons" and the camp classic "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah." Consider it a graduation gift for kids who wore out their copies of Monkey in the Middle. Tucked into the originals, with their loopy, lifted-from-the-living-room lyrics, are parent-pleasers like the Partridge Family theme and the '50s bopper "Rag Mop." The straight-up sound is the thing, though. With surf licks, rockabilly riffs, and New Orleans grooves mixed into their musical stew, the Daddys continue to cook up some of the most energetic, accessible kids' music around."

Yvette Cadeaux, Tower Records' Pulse Magazine, March 2002
"**** (4 stars) -- Big Rock Rooster rips! Daddy A Go Go a.k.a. John Boydston, isn't afraid to rock out (and I mean really rock out in a grungy, garage band sort of way) and he does so with such spirit and good graces that he offends the sedate sensitibilies of neither parent nor child. (Think nuances of the Beatles and the Who toned down to meet the needs of today's busy nuclear family.) Daddy A Go Go's brand of rock 'n' roll is simple and nostalgic with smart retakes (unlike the original, Daddy A Go Go's version of the Partridge Family's "Come On, Get Happy" manages to avoid sounding sappy) mingled with originals. The title track is a down and ditzy rocker that shakes off elements of the B-52's (during their "Rock Lobster" phase) and Southern Culture on the Skids (circa "Dirt Track Date.") But my fave and the CD's final track is "Out in the Garage." Replete with a scratchy vinyl record sound effect, this get-on-the-Hi-Fi-and-shake-your-booty rock and roller sums upt he childish exuberance you feel after discovering a cool new band: kinda the way I feel about discovering Daddy A Go Go."

• Amazon.com's Top 10 Best Kids CDs of 2000!
• A 2000 "Parents Choice© Approved" Award Winner!
• A 2001 Children's Music Web Award Winner -- "Best Recording for Older Kids"

"Children's music isn't just for children any more. It's taken rock 'n' roll a few generations to obliterate the insufferably simplistic melodies and inane lyrics of traditional lullabies, nursery rhymes and nonsense verses that drove your parents and grandparents crazy with repetition, but the transformation appears to be complete.

Washington Post,