Billboard Family
Dolly Parton has stepped into the Wiggles‘ world for the children’s group’s upcoming country album, Wiggle Up, Giddy Up. Album track “Friends!” — penned by Parton, and featuring the country icon on lead vocals — was released on Thursday (Feb. 20), as well as “Counting 1 to 5,” which has the Wiggles reimagining a Parton classic.
“Friends! Everybody shout it/ Friends! No doubt about it/ Friends! Make the world go round/ We can depend on friends! / Someone to lean on, friends!/ Everybody needs one/ Be my friend!” Parton jubilantly sings on the feel-good chorus.
The Wiggles reference Parton’s “9 to 5” on “Counting 1 to 5,” interpolating the melody of the country star’s hit that was originally released in 1980, and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981: “Counting 1 to 5/ Yes, today that’s what you’re learning,” the Wiggles sing to the familiar tune.
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Music videos for both “Friends!” and “Counting 1 to 5” were also released on Thursday, with the double single made available on streaming services including Spotify and Apple Music.
“We Will Always Be Friends,” another single with (and written by) Parton, will be released on March 7 with the full Wiggle Up, Giddy Up collection, which can be pre-saved here. The Wiggles also recorded a cover of Parton’s “Love Is Like a Butterfly” for the album.
“Well, I just wiggled my way out into the Wiggles’ world! I had so much fun being a part of this project, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we have,” says Parton in a press release statement.
The collab is particularly meaningful for Red Wiggle (Caterina Mete), who has a tattoo inspired by Parton and even named one of her twin daughters Dolly. She shares, “Getting to work with my absolute musical hero is beyond surreal. Dolly has inspired me in so many ways, and I know these songs will bring so much happiness to families everywhere.”
“Dolly’s music is pure magic,” Blue Wiggle (Anthony Field) chimes in. “Getting to work with her on these songs is a dream come true. We can’t wait for families everywhere to sing along and share in the joy.”
Lainey Wilson, Orville Peck, Dasha, Morgan Evans, Jackson Dean, Kaylee Bell, MacKenzie Porter, Troy Cassar-Daley, The Wolfe Brothers, Travis Collins, Lucky Oceans and Slim Dusty are all featured on the Wiggles’ Wiggle Up, Giddy Up.
The Wiggles will be touring the U.S. and Canada in June. Dates and ticket information for the group’s Bouncing Balls Tour are available here.
Check out the joyous “Friends!” video, and the educational “Counting 1 to 5” video — which not only teaches little ones about counting, but also features a fun country line dance — with your kids below.
The CoComelon: Sing-A-Long Live Tour, a fresh production featuring the characters of CoComelon that made its debut in South Africa in late 2024, will make its way across North America beginning in spring 2025, Round Room Live and Moonbug Entertainment announced on Tuesday (Feb. 18).
Tickets for the just-revealed CoComelon tour dates are available via presale starting today, with a general on-sale scheduled for Friday, Feb. 21. Visit the tour’s website, cocomelonontour.com, for date-specific ticket information.
The cast and crew will kick off CoComelon’s musical journey in the U.S. and Canada with an April 24 opening date in Roanoke, Virginia, and by June 29 will end up in Louisville, Kentucky. Along the way, the CoComelon: Sing-A-Long Live Tour will visit a long list of markets, including Atlanta, Providence, Boston, Nashville and more. (See all the tour dates below.)
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CoComelon is a familiar name to many young ones who tune in to children’s programming on YouTube, where the CoComelon channel has 190 million subscribers, and Netflix, which has the original series CoComelon Lane. Spin-off series CoComelon Classroom debuted on YouTube in fall 2024.
Wondering what to expect from the live, kid-friendly production when it arrives in your city? “CoComelon’s favorite teacher Ms. Appleberry welcomes JJ, his friends and you to come along on a Melon Patch Musical field trip! In CoComelon: Sing-A-Long LIVE, dance and sing along with JJ, Nina, Cody, Cece and all of their friends to some of your favorite bops, including ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It,’ ‘Wheels on the Bus,’ ‘Animal Dance,’ ‘Head Shoulders Knees and Toes,’ ‘Freeze Dance,’ and many more,” reads a show description released on Tuesday.
The live production is the latest family entertainment tour to be produced by Round Room Live, the company behind recent live stage shows for children like Sesame Street Live! Say Hello and the Blippi: Join the Band Tour.
“We are thrilled to embark on the North American tour of CoComelon: Sing-A-Long LIVE, bringing this beloved brand to audiences across the U.S. and Canada,” says Stephen Shaw, founder and co-president of Round Room Live. “This tour continues our valued partnership with Moonbug Entertainment and will delight families worldwide by bringing Moonbug’s engaging content to life. As the leading producer of family entertainment, we are proud to create interactive and memorable experiences that families can cherish forever.”
Susan Vargo, head of experiences at Moonbug Entertainment, adds: “Singing and dancing along to CoComelon tunes is a huge part of why families love to watch CoComelon together. It’s exciting to bring this experience to life in a joyful event families won’t want to miss. After its success around the world, we’re delighted to share this experience with families in the U.S. and Canada.”
Here are the current dates for the CoComelon: Sing-A-Long Live Tour:
Thursday, Apr. 24 – Berglund Center – Berglund Performing Arts Theatre – Roanoke, VAFriday, Apr. 25 – Weldon Mills Theatre – Roanoke Rapids, NCSaturday, Apr. 26 – Bon Secours Wellness Arena – Greenville, SCSunday, Apr. 27 – Fox Theatre – Atlanta, GATuesday, Apr. 29 – State Farm Center – Champaign, ILWednesday, Apr. 30 – Oshkosh Arena – Oshkosh, WIThursday, May 1 – The Sonnentag – Eau Claire, WIFriday, May 2 – Sanford Center – Bemidji, MNSaturday, May 3 – State Theatre – Minneapolis, MNSunday, May 4 – Rialto Square Theatre – Joliet, ILThursday, May 8 – Dort Financial Center – Flint, MISaturday, May 10 – Adirondack Bank Center – Utica, NYWednesday, May 14 – Stranahan Theater & Great Hall – Toledo, OHFriday, May 16 – Hanover Theatre & Conservatory – Worcester, MASaturday, May 17 – Providence Performing Arts Center – Providence, RISunday, May 18 – Artpark – Lewiston, NYTuesday, May 20 – Charleston Coliseum – Charleston, WVWednesday, May 21 – Tennessee Theatre – Knoxville, TNWednesday, May 28 – Cross Insurance Center – Bangor, METhursday, May 29 – Merrill Auditorium – Portland, MEFriday, May 30 – Palace Theater – Albany, NYSaturday, May 31 – Toyota Oakdale Theater – Wallingford, CTSunday, Jun. 1 – Santander Performing Arts Center – Reading, PAWednesday, Jun. 4 – The F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts – Wilkes-Barre, PAThursday, Jun. 5 – Keswick Theatre – Glenside, PAFriday, Jun. 6 – Tilles Center for the Performing Arts – Brookville, NYSaturday, Jun. 7 – Emerson Colonial Theatre – Boston, MASunday, Jun. 8 – Bergen Performing Arts Center – Englewood, NJTuesday, Jun. 10 – Township Auditorium – Columbia, SCWednesday, Jun. 11 – Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts – Greensboro, NCThursday, Jun. 12 – Wicomico Civic Center – Salisbury, MDFriday, Jun. 13 – Chartway Arena – Norfolk, VASaturday, Jun. 14 – Altria Theater – Richmond, VASunday, Jun. 15 – The Modell Lyric – Baltimore, MDTuesday, Jun. 17 – Akron Civic Theatre – Akron, OHWednesday, Jun. 18 – The Capitol Theatre – Wheeling, WVThursday, Jun. 19 – Appalachian Wireless Arena – Pikeville, KFriday, Jun. 20 – The Palace Theatre – Greensburg, PASaturday, Jun. 21 – Taft Theatre – Cincinnati, OHSunday, Jun. 22 – Morris Performing Arts Center – South Bend, INTuesday, Jun. 24 – Brown County Music Center – Nashville, INWednesday, Jun. 25 – Victory Theatre – Evansville, INThursday, Jun. 26 – Peoria Civic Center – Peoria, ILSaturday, Jun. 28 – The Family Arena – Saint Charles, MOSunday, Jun. 29 – Louisville Palace – Louisville, KY
BE@RBRICK, a music-driven, CG-animated comedy series based on the collectible figures from Medicom Toy, is premiering globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, March 21. Timbaland, the Billboard chart-topping and Grammy Award-winning producer, is executive music producer on the show, which is produced and animated by DreamWorks Animation and Dentsu Inc. Featuring original songs, the series […]
Bad Bunny will soon be soothing babies to sleep with Rockabye Baby!’s upcoming album release, Lullaby Renditions of Bad Bunny. The set, featuring instrumental lullaby versions of 14 Bad Bunny songs, is due out on Friday, Feb. 21. Some of Bad Bunny’s biggest hits are on the track list, including the Hot 100 No. 1 […]
The Billboard Family Hits of the Week compiles what’s new and worth your family’s time in music, movies, TV, books, games and more. Forget the mind-numbing scrolling and searching “what to watch for family movie night” … again. The best in family entertainment each week is all in one place, in this handy guide. Isn’t it satisfying to […]
If you’re looking for new family TV shows to watch with your kids, or searching for the 2025 premiere date for the next season of your family’s favorite series, consider this Billboard Family calendar your go-to guide. It’s a handy roundup of new TV series premiere dates, and season premiere dates for returning shows, for […]
Many of music’s biggest stars are up for awards 2025 Grammys, with several expected to make appearances at the show this Sunday (Feb. 2). If you’re raising kids who love music — or just looking for a low-key Sunday night family activity — consider tuning in to watch live performances and see who takes home the top honors this year.
Here’s a list of performers the Recording Academy’s revealed as of press time: Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Doechii, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, Shakira and Teddy Swims. Additionally, Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Cynthia Erivo, Herbie Hancock, Jacob Collier, Janelle Monáe, John Legend, Lainey Wilson, Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent and Stevie Wonder are set to play during tribute segments.
And though they haven’t been announced as performers, you can your young BeyHive supporters and Swifties know that Beyoncé and Taylor Swift will indeed be in attendance.
Besides anticipated award categories like album of the year, record of the year, song of the year and best new artist, all of which are usually announced later in the night, one super family-friendly category to pay attention to on Grammy day is best children’s album. Nominated are three talented acts who are no stranger to the genre — Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band, Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats and Divinity Roxx and Divi Roxx Kids — plus two names that are familiar, but new to this particular category: R&B/pop crooner John Legend and Rock for Children, a project of Alice Cooper’s. (Learn more about the best children’s album nominees here, and see list of all of this year’s Grammy nominees here. Plus, check out the video above to see Legend talk about his nominated children’s album in an interview with his daughter Luna.)
This year’s Grammy Awards ceremony, taking place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, will be broadcast live on Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS. You’ll also be able to stream it live and on demand on Paramount+. Beyond entertainment, the purpose of this year’s telecast is also to raise funds to support L.A. wildfire relief efforts and honor first responders.
Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack to the 1975 animated TV special Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown, debuts across an array of Billboard album charts (dated Feb. 1), including top 10 arrivals on Jazz Albums, Traditional Jazz Albums and Indie Store Album Sales. It also takes a bow on the Kid Albums and Top Album Sales charts.
This is the first time the complete soundtrack to the special has been released, as only select tracks from the program have been released previously.
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Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown marked the 13th animated Peanuts special, and premiered on CBS-TV on Jan. 28, 1975. It garnered an Emmy Award nomination for outstanding children’s special.
The soundtrack was issued nearly 50 years to the day after the program’s debut – as the album arrived on Jan. 17, 2025. The 30-track album was released via streaming services, as well as to purchase as a digital download, CD and across three vinyl variants (a standard black vinyl, plus a red-colored edition and pink-colored edition).
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown enters at No. 7 on Traditional Jazz Albums, No. 9 on the overall Jazz Albums ranking, No. 9 on Indie Store Album Sales, No. 18 on Kid Albums and No. 48 on Top Album Sales. The set earned a little over 2,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending Jan. 23, according to Luminate, with nearly all of that sum driven by traditional album sales.
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown is the latest in a series of from-the-vaults Peanuts soundtrack releases Lee Mendelson Film Productions, the company that produced more than 50 Peanuts animated specials. In recent years, the studio has released Guaraldi’s companion albums to You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown; It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
The first Peanuts animated special, 1965’s A Charlie Brown Christmas, launched the evergreen soundtrack album of the same name from Vince Guaraldi Trio. That set has spent more than 100 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Kid Albums chart and has visited the top 40 of the all-genre Billboard 200 in every holiday season for the last 10 years.
Shakira’s two sons, Sasha and Milan Piqué Mebarak, are following their mother’s footsteps, showing off their artistic abilities in a new musical project. As part of the Miami-based Let It Beat! Music Academy — co-founded by Guillermo Vadala and Nerina Nicotra — the brothers showcased their talent on a new album called All for You, […]
The Billboard Family Hits of the Week compiles what’s new and worth your family’s time in music, movies, TV, books, games and more. Forget the mind-numbing scrolling and searching “what to watch for family movie night” … again. The best in family entertainment each week is all in one place, in this handy guide. Isn’t it satisfying to […]