Member of the Wiggles, children’s singing group, enjoys interaction and play

Written on July 18, 2011 – 2:11 am | by Jaxon Hallahan

Their colors are recognizable all over the world. The songs are catchy and fun, and though their crowd may be a bit young, its no doubt they love do what they do.

Were speaking, of course, about the Wiggles, the beloved Australian childrens singing group. Anthony Field, Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt and Sam Moran and perhaps Captain Feathersword as well. They performed Thursday at the Hershey Theatre, as part of their Big Birthday! tour, which celebrates their 20th anniversary.

The group recently held a contest over YouTube to invite parents to audition to be the fifth Wiggle at their concerts in the U.S. and Canada. Tania Lamb of Virginia was named the contest winner for the Hershey stop and will perform on stage with the group during the song Fruit Salad.

The red Wiggle, a.k.a. Cook, recently talked about how technology and their touring schedule has changed how the group has performed over the past two decades, as well as ways in which things still remain the same.

Q: What do you like most about performing with the Wiggles?

A: The joy that is involved and playing with the children. Its innocent and fun. We sing about food and going for a drive.

Q: Whats your favorite Wiggles song, and why?

A: I guess my favorite is Hot Potato. Its been around for awhile for now and it has stood the test of time. It has seven words and people just really love it. I just really like playing it, and it still makes me smile. I love the reaction that it gets, theres a real buzz in the audience when we introduce it.

Q: What do you try to teach children through song and dance?

A: There are different messages in different songs and some songs dont even have messages. Fruit Salad has a healthy eating message. It talks about the ideas about healthy eating without going into details.

There are a lot of other messages in different songs. There are numerous issues like counting and educational elements. Music is fun and a great part of your life and its great to get involved in it.

Q: Do your own children watch you? What do they think about their dad being a Wiggle?

A: Mine did when they were young. My daughter is 17 and my son is 14 right now. It was one of those things they didnt think to much about. My son sees it now as a source of some embarrassment, but all dads embarrass their sons at 14.

Q: Youre celebrating your 20th birthday. What has changed in those 20 years?

A: I think the audience havent changed much. Its more about the way we deliver. The technology has changed quite a lot. Theres Facebook and YouTube but the children are pretty much the same. Theyve just been exposed to the technology.

Were playing to larger crowds and traveling more. At first we were traveling around Australia and were close to home. Now were in North America and the U.K. and Europe. The show gets more people on stage, but the elements in the same

Q: What do you think has made the Wiggles last for 20 years?

A: We have a background in education. We know how to talk to children on their level. The songs are catchy and resonate with adults and children. Adults are happy listening to it. We also get along with each other and I think that comes across to the audience.

Music For Teenagers