Rachel Sumner

Friday, November 24th, 2017 3:10 PM
Christmas Recording Jingle All the Way

Prepare for the holidays with my Christmas CD or an mp3 of Jingle All the Way!
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/rachelsumner3
 

I just learned that I've received a nomination from Just Plain Folks for their annual music awards, the largest in the country! Tap Those Toes is nominated for Best Children's album in the Just Plain Folks 2017 awards.

Thursday, September 29th, 2016 8:04 PM
Our 6th episode TV show "My Storytime Place" will air soon.

I just turned in our 6th episode. Our show airs six times a week!
"My Storytime Place" airs in Middle TN on Comcast's IQtv channel 10 every Mon 8 a.m., Thurs 12:30 p.m. & Sat 9:30 a.m. It airs on channel 19 every Tues & Wed at 7 a.m., & Sat at 2:30 p.m.
 
You can view it any time online too. Just click on the link below. Then, click on "View Schedule" and do a search for our show! www.necatnetwork.org/iqtv-education/

Tuesday, February 9th, 2016 9:38 PM
Regular time slots for our TV show "My Storytime Place" announced

We have regular time slots for our TV show "My Storytime Place." It airs in Middle TN on Comcast and AT&T Uverse's IQtv channel 10 every Mon 8 a.m., Thurs 12:30 p.m. & Sat 9:30 a.m. It also airs on channel 19 every Tues & Wed at 7 a.m., & Sat 2:30 p.m. It is available online too. Just click on the link below. Then click on "View Schedule" and do a search for our show! www.necatnetwork.org/iqtv-education/

Sunday, January 17th, 2016 3:22 PM
New MP3 single release The Moose Song (There Was a Great Big Moose)

Purchase the audio version for just $.99 on CDBaby then sing along, make your own moose antlers, and have a fun time! www.cdbaby.com/cd/rachelsumner6

View the new music video for this song on my Facebook Fan Page and "Like" me while you are there. The post for the video was on October 31, 2015. www.facebook.com/Rachel4kids

Sunday, January 17th, 2016 3:16 PM
We have regular time slots for our TV show "My Storytime Place"

Exciting news! Children's librarian Donna Reagan and I have been working for over a year co-producing a new children's television show. We turned in our first four shows. They have been approved and have been given regular time slots.

"My Storytime Place" airs in Middle TN on Comcast's IQtv channel 10 every Mon 8 a.m., Thurs 12:30 p.m. & Sat 9:30 a.m. It airs on channel 19 every Tues & Wed at 7 a.m., & Sat 2:30 p.m.

You can view it at any time online too. Just click on the link below. Then, click on "View Schedule" and do a search for our show! www.necatnetwork.org/iqtv-education/

Monday, April 6th, 2015 4:38 PM
My first mp3 single "The Bunny Boogie"

My first mp3 single "The Bunny Boogie" can be purchased on CDbaby for $.99. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rachelsumner5

Thursday, November 13th, 2014 10:49 PM
Review Jessica Lopa, Jersey Family Fun, November 2014

Saturday, October 11th, 2014 4:46 PM
Children's Bookwatch Review of my new holiday CD Jingle All The Way: October 2014

Jingle All The Way is a holiday-themed music CD especially for children, but listeners of all ages will enjoy Rachel Sumner's vibrant performance of classic Christmas songs (plus her high-spirited original composition "I Can't Wait For Christmas"). The upbeat music, featuring the support of multiple band members, is perfect for getting into a festive holiday mood! Jingle All The Way is enhanced with three instrumental tracks ideal for sing-alongs, as well as song credits, lyrics, and a coloring sheet that can be accessed if the CD is placed in a computer....

Listen/buy at http://www.rachelsumner.com/music
 

Saturday, May 10th, 2014 11:28 PM
Summer reading programs will start soon

I'm looking forward to performing at the libraries.

Sunday, December 8th, 2013 10:18 PM
My new CD "Jingle All The Way" is now available digitally!

You can hear samples and download the recording at 
 
I'm not officially releasing it until September 2014 but friends and fans can get it in time for Christmas 2013. Let me know what you think. Merry Christmas!
 

Sunday, October 13th, 2013 12:25 AM
Jingle All The Way

I'm working on finishing my new recording "Jingle All The Way." I hope to have it available digitally before the holidays for sure. I may need to release it officially next year. My original plan was just to create some good tracks for my Christmas shows this year but they sounded so good I couldn't resist working on a new release. So, right now, I'm racing against the clock to get it done. You can hear a sneak preview on my Facebook page. Like me while you are there!  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151729788634685
 

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013 4:38 PM
Summer Reading Concerts

Watch for me at your library in and near Nashville, TN this summer!
 

Thursday, September 27th, 2012 4:46 PM
Parents' Choice Award

Yippee!!! We won a Parents' Choice Gold Award for the TPAC Education CD we made last year called "Give Yourself A High Five." Congratulations to all of us: Ginger Sands, Jamie D. Robbins London, Kathleen Lynam, Jocelyn Jones Sprouse, Dann Sherrill, Lattie Brown, and our dear friend Mary Lafleur (who died from cancer a few years back & also won a NAPPA Award last week). It is an honor to work with all of you and to keep Mary's music and poetry alive together. http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=31092&StepNum=1&award=aw

Monday, May 14th, 2012 2:32 PM
An article in the Informer about my radio show

“Rachel’s Fun Time” radio show proves a sweet treat for kids across the globe through Radio Lollipop
 
(Nashville, TN) When songwriter and entertainer Rachel Sumner performs for youngsters in the Nashville area, it’s extremely common to see toothy grins, hear contagious giggles and high-pitched squeals of delight. Fortunately, children across the globe are now enjoying that same opportunity since Rachel’s Fun Time weekly radio show began broadcasting on the intercontinental airwaves of Radio Lollipop.

Monday, May 7th, 2012 8:48 PM
Rachel's Fun Time Radio Show airs weekly in 27 children's hospitals!

I'm proud to have my show in children's hospitals at 27 Radio Lollipop locations including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia as well as domestic medical centers in Los Angeles, Houston, and Miami. Learn more.
 

Friday, May 4th, 2012 11:54 AM
My new obsession? Making rabbits and chicks out of hard-boiled eggs!

Here are pictures from my Facebook fan page of my chicks
Here is a picture of one of my bunnies! Click here.

Sunday, October 30th, 2011 2:25 PM
My "Tap Those Toes" CD was reviewed in School Library Journal

School Library Journal November 2011
Tap Those Toes. CD. 65:10 min. Rachel's Records. 2011. ISBN 978-1-886673-16-8. $15. PreS-Gr 3 - Award-winning performer Rachel Sumner's seventh album features 14 original and traditional songs and two stories. Excellent vocal and instrumental performances on keyboard, flute, mandolin, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, brass, drums, percussion, and washboard enhance the songs, which are performed in a variety of musical styles, including swing, jazz, reggae/ska, Latin, sea shanty, rock, and folk. "Tap Those Toes" and "Doctor Knickerbocker" include participatory movements. "All Around the World" teaches phrases from Spanish, French, German, and Japanese. "Funga Alafia" is a West African welcome song, and "La Mariposa" is a traditional Bolivian song. "Cookin' in the Kitchen" encourages listeners to perform on pots, pans, wooden spoons, turkey basters, and other kitchen implements.
 
Other songs include "The New Itsy Bitsy Spider," "I'd've Baked a Cake," "Goldilocks," "Dry Bones," "Catch the Reading Bug," and others. Sumner expressively reads two stories. An adaptation of a traditional African folktale, "Imani's Trick" tells how a conflict arose between the flamingoes and the crabs at the local watering hole, resulting in flamingoes learning to stand on one leg. In "Chester's Surprise," Chester Chipmunk learns that caterpillars metamorphose into butterflies. The enhanced CD contains lyrics, downloadable coloring sheets, and videos (how to make slide whistle sounds with a turkey baster and footage of caterpillars turning into butterflies). This exuberant album will be a great contribution to multicultural programs.
 
-Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX
 

Thursday, September 8th, 2011 9:39 AM
September Plans

This month, I'm working on getting Tap Those Toes mailed out to children's radio and satellite programs and to reviewers and awards. It was submitted to the Grammy committee. Keep your fingers crossed!
 

Thursday, September 8th, 2011 9:33 AM
Woo-hoo! My new CD had a wonderful review from Children's Bookwatch July 2011

Tap Those Toes is a children's music CD featuring award-winning music and stories from Rachel Sumner. Educational as well as entertaining, Tap Those Toes features catchy, exuberant songs brimming with vigor and love. Putting the CD in one's computer yields bonus material: song lyrics, activities, pictures, and more. Highly recommended, especially for children's library collections.
 

Friday, May 27th, 2011 12:51 AM
My New CD "Tap Those Toes" is Here!

It looks wonderful and sounds good too. If you put the CD in your computer you can get a pdf of the song lyrics, fun activities, links to coloring sheets, movies, and more.
 
To listen and order see: http://www.rachelsumner.com/store
 
This is what librarians and educators are saying about it:

"Tap Those Toes is a multicultural delight, sampling songs and styles from around the world. These songs and stories celebrate the joys of friendship, movement, and reading."
– Jeanne Steinbrenner, Children's Librarian, Pittsford Community Library
 
"Rachel's music is a dance teacher's wish come true. If you are looking for fun, sophisticated music for intelligent children  - you've found it!"
–Marci Murphree, Second Story Dance Studio
 
"...will delight kids, parents, and teachers everywhere....kids will be on their feet to tap and sing along!"
– Melissa Javors, Paragon Mills Elementary, Music and Elementary Educator
 
"From the first note to the last: a happy experience!"
–Donna Reagan, Children's Librarian, Bellevue Library
 

Thursday, May 5th, 2011 1:52 PM
New song "Tap Those Toes" will be released June 1st!!!

Pending any issues at manufacturing, my new CD is on schedule to be released on June 1st just in time to kick off library summer reading season!!! Be the first to get your copy and come to my shows that week at the East Nashville & Edmondson Branch libraries or in Carthage at the Smith County Agricultural Center.
 

Monday, January 24th, 2011 12:33 PM
New CD update! We are getting close to being done in the studio!

We almost have all the tracks recorded. I'm bringing in a male singer (a bass) to sing back up on a few songs and then we will be ready to mix.

Friday, January 7th, 2011 6:16 PM
New song "Tap Those Toes" from my new CD - hear a segment of it and enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/v/1800354969172
 

Friday, December 24th, 2010 3:51 PM
My new radio program airs every Sunday 6 PM (EST)

It is called "Rachel's Fun Time." No matter where you live you can hear it online at www.919witt.org every Sunday 6 PM (EST).
 
Learn a little more about it at this link
http://www.rachelsumner.com/radio_show
 

Friday, December 24th, 2010 3:47 PM
I'm working in the studio on a new CD!

See a short movie with a sneak preview of it.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RasmwXKG3pM
 
Behind the scenes as we work in the studio! Hear segments of some of the new songs and a story. See and hear the musicians in the studio.
 

Sunday, April 18th, 2010 8:02 PM
New MP3s - A Retrospective especially for Rachel's adult fans

Do you enjoy country or jazz standards?
 
I've just released a few songs from past recordings I did for adults before my children's music career took off. For many years, I made my living as a professional singer for 21-piece orchestras, bands, The Rachel Sumner Trio, and a variety of popular duos. They are available as MP3 downloads only for $.99 each and can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the page on my music link http://www.rachelsumner.com/music
 
I'm offering 4 songs right now and plan to offer more later:
Full Moon Full of Love
Rocky Top
Sweet Dreams
Besame Mucho
 

Monday, August 3rd, 2009 4:43 PM

I just returned from a week tour working in Western PA for the Be Creative @ Your Library Summer Reading Concerts. The kids ranged from infants to 16-year-olds. It was wonderful to have the older kids participate. They played the washtub bass, canjos, balanced peacock feathers, and participated in the fashion show. I met a wonderful 8-year-old boy who heard me at the Jazz Festival in Erie 7 years ago. I made some new friends and got a few new chicken jokes that made me laugh.
 

Monday, July 20th, 2009 12:41 AM
My new CD is finally back from manufacturing.

Check out my music link http://www.rachelsumner.com/music and scroll down to Rachel's Lullabies Old & New. You can purchase CDs. I'm working on MP3s. It will probably be August before I can do this.
 

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 11:59 PM
Rachel's Lullabies Old & New coming on CD and MP3 soon!

I've been working to produce this project on CD. The manufacturer that did my cassettes sold their company and my MASTER was in their warehouse! The company they sold it to couldn't find it so I have to go back to my safety reel-to-reel master, get it burned onto CD, and re-master it.
 
I'm working on new artwork right now. I hope to have it on CD in a couple of months and for MP3 download very soon.

Friday, July 11th, 2008 10:40 PM
Download a free MP3 and see new sections of my website - summer reading & monarchs

For summer reading show information and to download a free MP3 now through August 10 at http://www.rachelsumner.com/summerreading

Photos of monarchs in different stages of metamorphosis http://www.rachelsumner.com/Monarchs.html

The difference between moths and butterflies http://www.rachelsumner.com/ButDifferencesMoth.html

Sunday, February 17th, 2008 12:03 PM
Website and working on a new look

Watch for some big changes on my website. The nanny for two young fans of mine hooked me up with her talented son who has a passion for web design. His name is Michael McGuire. He lives in Rosemont, MI. I'm thrilled to have him working with me to help make my website look more aesthetically pleasing. 

For a little while, you'll still find a mix of my old black web pages. I've grown EXTREMELY tired of looking at black and a mish-mosh of colored text. 

My goal is to create a look that reflects the imagination of my work and captures my personality. I want it to be more visual, more fun, and provide information that is helpful to you. 

It is a work in progress so let me know what you like or don't like and what you'd like to see on this site. What would be helpful to you as a fan, parent, teacher, or venue manager?

Wednesday, March 21st, 2007 1:37 AM
My new Master Artist Workshop-Cookin' In The Kitchen

I have a new Master Artist workshop with Wolf Trap called "Cookin' In The Kitchen." Participants learn how to play homemade kitchen instruments like wooden spoons, canjo (made out of two cans and fishing line), and a turkey baster. I instruct everyone on simple techniques to play them and how to use them in the classroom to teach curriculum topics. 

I'm traveling to Virginia to present it in May and June. Call Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning in the Arts at (800) 404-8461 to book it at your Early Childhood Center. I present residencies too through them.
 

Sunday, January 21st, 2007 1:06 AM
Selected as an Arts Integration Specialist

I've been excited about being selected as an Arts Integration Specialist with the Tennessee Arts Commission. We attended some fabulous training. Tennessee now has six new Arts Integrated schools. I hope to have the opportunity to do residencies at these schools.

Saturday, September 16th, 2006 6:59 PM
Rachel's Fun Time Too is on CD now!

I picked up the new Rachel's Fun Time Too CD this week. I'm thrilled. I rerecorded three of my old songs, added two new songs, and remixed and mastered the entire recording. 

It also has new artwork by the talented Brian Hull from the main library. What a talent he is! Hear it at http://www.rachelsumner.com/music

Sunday, April 23rd, 2006 12:04 PM

I've been working in the studio on a new CD version of Rachel's Fun Time Too! I've added two new songs (PIZZA and The Wigwam Wiggle) and new recordings of Friends and Peanut Butter and Jelly. We will finish remixing and remastering the entire recording in mid-May. I hope to get it to the manufacturer in late May and have it out sometime early this summer.
 

Thursday, November 3rd, 2005 11:44 PM
I won the District 63 Toastmaster's Humorous Speech contest that was held in Sevierville, TN this fall.

I competed against 5 other excellent speakers from the district, which includes Middle and East TN, southern KY, and southern VA. I demonstrated some of my funny instruments and talked about how I burn everything I cook because the kitchen is filled with glorious distractions. Yes, the turkey baster was included! I also played a funny new instrument that I made. I call it a "Gluteus Rhythm Maker." 

Adults are just big kids. They laughed as hard as the kids usually do. A couple of people couldn't stop giggling. They giggle right through the minute of silence after the speech while the judges tabulated the score. Giggling is such a lovely sound. Don't you agree?

Monday, August 15th, 2005 12:11 AM

I've added two Quicktime video clips of sign language from my instructional video. See one on the link Rachel's Music by scrolling down to the video and looking at the song Friends or type in my secret page http://www.rachelsumner.com/lyrics.html and view them at the bottom of the page!
 

Thursday, August 12th, 2004 9:04 PM

The song Gootcha Gotcha Giggles from Join the Parade (cassette and CD) was just nominated for Best Children's song for 2004 by Just Plain Folks. 140,000 songs were submitted in a wide variety of genres. The winners will be announced at an awards show in Hollywood, CA on November 7, 2004. Wow!
 

Tuesday, July 27th, 2004 8:23 PM
Just Plain Folks Nomination

Keep an eye on my website. I've just learned how to make the updates I want so I'll be making changes and adding areas on my website that I've wanted to do for years! I'm starting with small things like getting all my product for sale on the site and updating my bio. From there I will take on other more involved tasks as I learn more.
 

Tuesday, July 27th, 2004 8:21 PM
Rachel's Fun Time is on CD!
Rachel's Fun Time is now on CD and available on the website. Click on the link "Rachel's Music" or  see http://www.rachelsumner.com/music

You will hear songs that played for years on The Learning Channel like Purple Train, I'm Special, and more.