Photo Credit: Sarah Trott

Today, singer-songwriter Cass McCombs and San Francisco preschool teacher Mr. Greg have announced the August 18 release of their first children’s album, a collection dubbed Mr. Greg & Cass McCombs Sing and Play New Folk Songs for Children. The pair also released the lead single “Wave a Flag for Harvey Milk” and its adjoining music video to preview what’s to come. 

Mr. Greg, also known as Grey Garnder, has collaborated with McCombs since their teen years, skateboarding, making movies, sharing records, and writing so-called “silly songs,” according to their press releases, with San Francisco as their backdrop. Continuing their longstanding tradition of writing ditties, the pair were inspired by Folkways classics by Ella Jenkins, Lucinda Williams, Michael Hurley and Woody Guthrie. 

The collection presents songs Garnder wrote for his students, complimented by the addition of McCombs’ arrangements, and road-tested extensively in the classroom. The songs were directly inspired by what Garnder’s students chatter in school. “The songs were informed by the children’s conversations and interests,” the educator offered before adding that his practice is harnessed to the belief that there is beauty in our differences.

Today’s preview taps into the progressive spirit of San Francisco, referencing local hero and icon for change, Harvey Milk. Gardner says, “A few years ago I created ‘Wave a Flag for Harvey Milk’ as a sing-along coloring book that I wrote and illustrated as a way to introduce my students to some of the positive things that Harvey Milk did for San Franciscans in particular and the LGBTQ+ community at large. Cass and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus then added their musical magic to the song. This year, my students were overjoyed to see the illustrations from the coloring book come to life in a rainbow of colors by the talented animator Cameron Burr. I hope that this video inspires children and their grown-ups to follow Harvey’s lead to make positive changes in the world.”

“Whenever we have a new project or we’re learning about something new in class, I try to make a little song about it,” Gardner said. “I’ve noticed that it’s a fun way to introduce new vocabulary, learn about new subjects, and foster a positive and musical classroom community. And as a kid myself, the things that I remember most vividly are those things that I learned through song. At that age, not everyone wants to sit and listen to the teacher talk, or even listen to a book. But a lot of kids tend to become engaged when there’s movement and song and rhyme.”

On the record, the pair embrace the childlike wonder, tapping into a youthful spirit exhibited across the collection. “A lot of what’s called children’s music is just folk music,” McCombs offered. “So I don’t see a big difference between children’s music and adult music. To me, it’s the same.” And, Gardner doesn’t either: “I don’t know if I’ve developed much further than a five-year-old mindset myself. I like all the stuff they’re interested in doing. They like to sing. They like to dig in the sandbox. They like to make art.”

Pre-order Mr. Greg & Cass McCombs Sing and Play New Folk Songs for Children here. 

Stream “Wave a Flag for Harvey Milk” and watch the official music video below. 

Scroll down to view the complete tracking list for the upcoming album. 

Tracklist:

1. Little Wilma Wiggly Worm

2. Friends from All Around the World (Hello Version)

3. J-O-B

4. Requiem for Ruth Bader Ginsburg

5. A Builder’s Got a Hammer and Nails

6. Each One of Us

7. What’s Your Favorite Kind?

8. I’m a Nocturnal Animal

9. Paper Airplane

10. My Skull is Made Outta Bone

11. Wave a Flag for Harvey Milk

12. Things That Go in the Recycling Bin

13. Roll Around Downtown

14. Deciduous Tree

15. We Build a Lot of Muscle as We Exercise

16. The Sounds that the Letters Make

17. Who Are You?

18. Together with You

19. Oona Louise, My Friend

20. Friends from All Around the World (Goodbye Version)