Jim Cosgrove Musician/singer/songwriter
Hometown Born in Kansas City, MO; residing in Prairie Village, KS
Family As the youngest of eight children, Jim credits his family as the driving force behind his career and music. His wife and tour manager, Jeni, really doesn’t mind being called “Mrs. Stinky Feet.” Their daughters Lyda and Willa are a key part of the traveling team.
Education B.A. Journalism, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI M.A. English; University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Influences Woody Guthrie; Pete Seger; Peter, Paul, & Mary; Joni Mitchell; John McCutcheon; Jimmy Buffett; and scads of singing nuns throughout 17 years of Catholic education.
Past lives Jim worked as a New Mexico newspaper reporter, teacher, corporate PR flak in Tennessee, and national public speaker before having the sense enough to get a“real” job helping children laugh.
Birthday April 27, 1965
Discography - lyrics and audio Bop Bop Dinosaur (1998 – re-released 2005) Stinky Feet (1999 – re-released 2002) Ooey Gooey (2000) Stinky Feet Live! (DVD – 2001) Pick Me! Pick Me! (2003) Mr. Stinky Feet’s Christmas (2003) Mr. Stinky Feet’s Road Trip (2005) Mr. Stinky Feet’s Road Trip Live (DVD – 2007) Upside Down (2008)
Awards
2008 Parents’ Choice “Approved” Award for Upside Down
2008 Voted “Favorite Entertainer” in the 2008 Family Favorites Poll by the readers of Kansas City Parent Magazine.
2007 Parents’ Choice “Approved” Award for Ooey Gooey
2007 Parent-to-Parent “Adding Wisdom” Award for entire catalog of music
2006 Kids Radio Mania “Best Concept Album” for Mr. Stinky Feet’s Road Trip
2005 Parents’ Choice “Recommended” Award for Bop Bop Dinosaur
2003 Parents’ Choice “Recommended” Award for Pick Me! Pick Me! National Parenting Publications Award for Pick Me! Pick Me
2002 Parents’ Choice “Recommended” Award for Stinky Feet
Reviews
“…one of the country’s most popular children’s music composers and performers of our day.” -– Midwest Book Review’s Children’s Bookwatch September 2008
“It’s understandable why parents like him.” -- Home Media Magazine
“…a triumphant celebration of fun, on-your-feet, arm-waving tunes.” -- Nashville Parent Magazine in the 2008 release of Upside Down
“An ‘A’ for interactive fun that gets kids off the couch.” -- Chicago Parent
"The Jim Cosgrove concert was perfect. Parents and children alike had lots of fun and enjoyed a pleasant evening together in a beautiful setting." -- COL Timothy A. Weathersbee, Garrison Commander, US Army Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
'Mr. Stinky Feet’s music is always catchy, but this special album of traveling music is a creative blend of songs that the entire family will sing along with." -- 2006 Kids Radio Mania Family Favorite Awards BEST ALBUM CONCEPT & PACKAGING, 1st place Winner - Mr. Stinky Feet's Road Trip
"'The most intriguing children's entertainer out there right now." -- Kansas City Star
"'Kid’s love him" King 5 TV, Seattle
"No more squabbling over which CD to listen to in the car—(Pick Me, Pick Me) will help you satisfy all ears, with 14 breezy tunes about familiar terrain: red wagons, raising your hand, and eating the birthday cake before guests arrive. The diverse mix of sounds, from mellow jazz to grooving rockabilly, is a delight" -- Parenting Magazine
"'Bop, Bop Dinosaur' is lively and bouncy and fun to listen to." -- Kansas City Star Magazine
"Jim Cosgrove has perfected the language of kids." -- Albuquerque Journal
"'Bop, Bop Dinosaur' is about having fun." -- Kansas City Parent
"Singing, dancing, and laughing are a big part of Jim Cosgrove's life." -- Memphis Commercial Appeal
Dedication and Passion Performs nearly 300 shows throughout the country each year. Visits approximately 200 schools annually, presenting character education programs for grades K-6. November 2007 performed a sold-out performance with the Kansas City Symphony. Arranged by Grammy-nominated arranger, composer, producer Don Hart. Has published nearly 100 songs on seven albums and has penned jingles and theme songs for many companies and organizations, including Learning Quest, the state of Kansas' 529 college savings plan. His song "I Like Pickles" was featured in a television advertisement in England for the British company Ross's Pickles. [add link to Youtube video on video page] An advocate of music education. Frequently delivers keynote addresses for educators about the benefits of music and rhythm in a child's cognitive development. His corporate keynote address "Live like a child! Succeed like a child!" has inspired many business audiences to take a more childlike (not childish) approach to life. [add link to “Live Like a Child, Succeed Like a Child” youtube video on video page
Community Leadership Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001, Jim and band mate Mark Thies toured elementary schools on U.S. military bases in Germany and Italy, carrying a message of respect, tolerance, and peace. Founding President of the Kansas City Jiggle Jam, a two-day festival and non-profit organization that provides musical performances and educational activities. Supports scores of non-profit agencies throughout the country by donating merchandise to benefit auctions and other fundraisers. Has collaborated with music therapists, including the production of Let’s Make Music for the Autism and Asperger’s Publishing Company. Brings his music to children's hospitals and pediatric units in towns he visits through The Children’s Miracle Network.
Performance Highlights White House Easter Egg Roll 2005 and 2006, Winnipeg International Children’s Music Festival, Kansas City Symphony Family Series, Ramstein Air Base (Germany), NATO Joint Forces Command (Italy), US Naval Station Rota (Spain), Jammin Java, Chase Children’s Series at Ogle Cultural and Community Center, Florida State University Department of Music Therapy, Jiggle Jam, US House of Representatives Child Care Center, Iowa State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair.
