Norman Foote: Difference between revisions

Norman Mervyn Barrington-Foote is an internationally acclaimed musician, songwriter, and comedian for all ages. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, he is best known for his songwriting, outrageous props, and off beat sense of humor in children's music and live performance; he has been nominated for four Juno Awards for Best Children's Album in 1990, 1993, 2001, and won in 2010. Norman has received critical acclaim for his clever songs and engaging concert performances. He has written for Walt Disney Records, Shari Lewis, CBC's syndicated TV show Scoop and Doozie, KOBA's production of Nelvana's Little Bear Live and Backyardigans Live.

Norman Foote received his first guitar from his parents at the age of 11. Influenced by the Beatles, Hank Williams, and Elvis, he soon switched to the electric guitar. This led to performing with garage bands throughout his high school career. At the age of 20, Foote left home to travel Australia and New Zealand and it was while he was abroad and performing with a travelling theatre group in New South Wales, Australia that Foote discovered his passion for puppetry and slapstick comedy.

Foote was one of the first artists to sign on for the Music Box Artist Series with Walt Disney Records. It is with Disney that he recorded his first two albums, FootePrints and If the Shoe Fits. In 1995, Foote teamed up with another children's performer, Fred Penner, and his company Oak Street Music to release his next album Shake a Leg. Oak Street Music continued to be a major contributor in the production of future records, including Pictures on the Fridge, released in 1997.

Foote's songs are witty and humorous, and use examples of life's valuable lessons to find inspiration for new songs. One of his many talents is his ability to take a small aspect of life and turn it into a subject worth singing about. His music is exuberant, good-natured, and fun with refined mannerisms.^[1] While Foote uses only his voice and guitar as instruments, he combines light jazz, pop, and folk music to create his own style that has helped keep his name alive for over 15 years. His first contemporary album, Domestic Rendez-vous, is geared towards an adult audience rather than children's ears. He uses influences such as Randy Newman and Billy Joel to create an edgier, more mature sound while still engaging listeners with his stylistic humor and charm.^[2]

He has performed with numerous symphonies, including the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed at the Montreal Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs and internationally at the Galway Arts Festival in Ireland.

Norman Foote has five children and two grandchildren.

His most recent release, Love My New Shirt won "Best Children's Album" at the 2010 JUNO Awards in St. Johns, Canada.

• Parent's Choice Award - 1992, 1996, 2001, 2002
• Socan's Best Songwriter for Children - 2002
• National Association of Parenting Publications of America Award - 1992, 2002, 2003
• Juno Awards Nominee - 1990, 1993, 2001
• "Juno Awards" Winner - 2010

• FootePrints (1991)
• If the Shoe Fits (1992)
• Shake a Leg (1995)
• Pictures on Fridge (1997)
• Step To It (1999)
• One Thousand Pennies (2001)
• Domestic Rendez-vous (2005)
• Love My New Shirt (2009)

• Norman Foote. Retrieved October 14, 2008.
• Thomas Walker Productions. Retrieved October 14, 2008.
• Quills, Quotes and Notes. Retrieved October 15, 2008.

• Norman Foote on YouTube

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