Steven Courtney

Sun Hill Market

Steven Courtney — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:17:24 +0000

Steven Courtney — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:46:40 +0000

I have just been honored by the nation’s oldest evaluator of children’s media and toys. I’d like to thank the Parents’ Choice Foundation for giving me a Parents’ Choice Award Recommendation! I appreciate being amongst the few that the program honors for the best material for children’s music.

That’s worth a couple thousand smiles right there!

To see the entire review, click here.

Rock The Block!

Steven Courtney — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:32:56 +0000

Musicampalooza Fun! 4/14/12

Steven Courtney — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:57:06 +0000

Music + fun + children = Musicampalooza!! What a great day the “camp-ers” and I had singing, laughing, eating, playing outside and learning more about instruments, rhythm and music! Thank you to Joyce Courtney for helping with the day and for taking all the photos and video. These pictures definitely paint a thousand words about these music-loving children and the fun afternoon we had!

Parents, if you have a child between the ages of 8 and 10 that would like to experience a Musicampalooza with me, the next one is on Thursday morning, June 14, from 9:00am until 12:00pm. Many of the children have received attending this camp as a gift from Grandma and Grandpa!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sun Hill Market Artwork

Steven Courtney — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:00:07 +0000

“Sun Hill Market” is not just another regular ol’ album folks but a two disc set with 30 new tracks! The two discs include lots of new songs to sing along with, some fresh arrangements of a few of my classics and new twists on traditionals like “This Old Man.” I’ve always wanted to create a double album. You know… “it’s good to have a dream or two… ’cause every now and then a dream comes true.” (lyrics from Bag of Dreams)

Speaking of dreams, I recently remembered a dream I had when I was about 11 years old. I dreamed that I was holding three different record albums and looking at them intently. This was before I had even begun to write songs or had goals of being a performing song-writer and recording artist. In my dream, I looked at the albums and thought, “these are cool looking albums, they look like a set of children’s songs!” As I examined the covers, I realized that the albums had my name on them, Steven Courtney. As I was dreaming, I felt a warm presence all around me and the feeling of light or rays of sunshine. The artwork on the albums, in the dream, were like nothing I had ever seen before. Simple, yet cool. (Back to this story later.)

Over the years I have been blessed to work with many graphic artists to create artwork for my various albums. Sue Capp created much of the material between 1990 to 1994, the albums “Today and Tonight” through “Happy Go Lucky Shoes.” Bill Dussinger, started designing for me in1998 and continues to the present day. He did the artwork during the “Big Happy House” years and lots of fun things: posters, tee shirts, coffee mugs, yo-yo’s and the like. Great stuff! Marty Shaughnessy created designs for projects like “Deep Sea Diver” and “Monkey Business As Usual” as well as graphics for the 2002 TV Show, “The Steven Courtney Channel.” In 2008 my daughter, Brooke, began designing artwork for Steven Courtney Entertainment as well. Brooke is super talented and spends her days as a professional photographer. Along with her husband, T.J. Mousetis, they run their photography business, as well as walk in love. Check out their hip clothing store at the Park City Mall, located in Lancaster, PA.

Phew! All that to say this … (back to dream from 1972). Brooke’s artwork for the album “Sun Hill Market” is so similar to the artwork from that dream! I don’t think I’ve ever told her or anyone about the dream before. When I finally saw the new design for “Sun Hill Market” I thought, “Wow, this is really different. I don’t have any other albums that look like this. Simple, and so cool.” When I held the finished product in my hands for the first time, I felt it again, that warm presence all around me, like light and sunshine.

I hope when you and your family listen to “Sun Hill Market” that you’ll feel it too ~ light and sunshine. s.c.

Musicampalooza – June 16

Steven Courtney — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:45:06 +0000

Musicampalooza + Smilebooth

Steven Courtney — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:03:44 +0000

Last week at Musicampalooza everyone jumped in the Smilebooth for a few silly group photos. You can view and download (low-res) images for free, or can purchase prints if you wish right here.

If you want information regarding Smilebooth rentals and pricing, please fill out the contact form at brookecourtney.com

Thanks again to everyone who came out for the first ever Musicampalooza! If you’re interested in registering your child for the next camp on Saturday, April 14th – please visit our Facebook page for more information.

MUSICAMPALOOZA Debut~ A Smash Hit!

Steven Courtney — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 22:59:44 +0000

Folktowne Studio, Manheim, PA

During Musicampalooza the happy campers were guided through singing, performing and recording a song together!

Before we recorded our song the campers learned about the amazing multi-track recording work station. They loved hearing their voices layered together with their hand clapping and foot stomping!

We explored rhythm, tempo, pitch, tone, melody and harmony!

Happy snack-time, over in the house. Cuz “In This House We Dance In the Kitchen” Lots of snorts and giggles happening here.

A super group of smart musical kids!

Highlight video

facebook registration link-

A few comments from parents of Musicampalooza campers!

“My children had the BEST time at Steven Courtney’s Musicampalooza! (a must do for any music loving kiddo).”

“My daughter loved it!! She really liked Mindy…thought she was very funny. She adores you and just thought it was incredibly cool to have you both treat her like she was equally cool and talented and special. Last night she asked me where she might be able to find someone who could give her ukulele lessons!”

“Thank you Steven Courtney for being such an awesome influence in my child’s life and making her feel special today!”

Thank you to all the children who came to Musicampalooza! I really had an awesome time meeting each of you! Keep learning more about music because it’s “the sport that lasts a lifetime!” I’m looking forward to having more musical fun with music lovin’ kids, at my next Musicampalooza on April 14, 2012!

Love and Sunshine,

Steven Courtney
President of Happiness

Part 1- Making the Album…Sun Hill Market – Sun Hill Market the song

Steven Courtney — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:32:51 +0000

Grab some headphones or ear buds and listen in as producer/songwriter Steven Courtney gives you the inside scoop on the making of the album Sun Hill Market. Part 1 gives us a glimpse into the recording of the albums title track Sun Hill Market.

Artist: Steven Courtney
Title: Sun Hill Market
Info: 2 CD double album, 30 songs
Release date: 4/1/12

Sessions at Folktowne Studio in Manheim, PA

Steven Courtney — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:41:53 +0000

Back in September I started tracking new material for a future album. At this point there are 30 songs in the works. Earlier this week, Suitcase Musicians, Doug Walton, Frank Portaro and Bobby Wehner tracked guitar (DW) trumpet (FP) and penny whistle parts (BW). While tracking with Doug we also recorded foundation tracks for a tune he wrote called “Mindy the Mechanic.”

Today , Suitcase Musicians, Fred McNaughton, Mindy Lapp and Judy Glanc tracked additional parts with Fred on his new coronet, Mindy on Cajon and Brushbox while Judy added trombone to several tracks. Special guest Ryan Shenk riffed it up on the tenor and alto sax adding layers and texture to 5 different songs. ( Ryan played saxophone parts on the Million Smiles To Go album featuring his sax on the new version of Detective Joe)

A release date has not been set at this time for this new project.