Coy Bowles, the multi-talented musician known for his work with the Zac Brown Band, has expanded his creative horizons by crafting music specifically for children. After co-writing hits like "Colder Weather" and "Knee Deep" and earning Grammy wins, Bowles has turned his attention to creating engaging and meaningful songs for his youngest listeners.

Bringing a Modern Twist to Kids' Music

Blending Levity and Authenticity

Bowles' latest children's album, "Up and Up," showcases his ability to craft tunes that resonate with young audiences. Collaborating with Carlos Sosa, who has also toured with Zac Brown Band, Bowles has created a collection of 13 songs that strike a balance between lighthearted fun and genuine emotional expression. Tracks like "Dance, Dance, Dance" and "I'm Hungry" capture the playful energy of childhood, while songs like "How Do You Feel" tackle more complex emotions in a thoughtful manner."These songs aren't always just sunshine every day," Bowles explains. "The song 'How Do You Feel' is about doing tough things. It's not toxic positivity. There's real songs about 'I miss my mom' or 'I'm pretty sad right now, but I know things will change and we all go through things.'" By addressing a range of emotions, Bowles aims to create music that authentically reflects the experiences of young listeners.

Crafting a Modern Sound

Bowles' goal was to create children's music that felt contemporary and in line with the sounds and melodies that kids are exposed to today. Drawing inspiration from the timeless appeal of Run-D.M.C.'s "It's Tricky," Bowles and Sosa sought to infuse their songs with a modern, catchy production style. This approach allows the music to resonate with young audiences while still maintaining the educational and developmental value that parents and educators seek.

Incorporating Feedback from His Daughters

Bowles' own daughters, Hattie and Millie, played a significant role in shaping the direction of "I'm Hungry," one of the album's standout tracks. As Bowles and Sosa worked on the song, Bowles' daughters would come in and offer their honest feedback, often simply stating, "Dad, I'm hungry." This real-life interaction inspired the creation of the song, which celebrates the relatable experience of a child's constant hunger."They would come down and listen to a song and be like, 'Dad, I love it. I'm hungry,'" Bowles recalls. "I'd give 'em some food, we'd work on a song more, and they'd come down later, listen to it and say, 'Oh, it's even better now. Dad, I'm hungry.'" This organic process allowed Bowles to infuse the song with a genuine, kid-centric perspective.

Expanding into Children's Books and Educational Content

Bowles' creative endeavors extend beyond music, as he has also authored several children's books since 2012. His debut book, "Amy Giggles, Laugh Out Loud," was inspired by the story of a friend who was bullied for her laugh as a child. The book's anti-bullying message resonated with teachers and students, leading Bowles to further explore the intersection of education and creative content.In the years since, Bowles has released additional children's books, including "When You're Feeling Sick," "Will Powers: Where There's a Will There's a Way," and "Behind the Little Red Door." Recognizing the importance of supporting teachers, Bowles has also engaged in public speaking to encourage and uplift educators.

Providing Practical Resources for Classrooms and Homes

Bowles' commitment to education extends beyond his creative work, as he has actively provided content that parents and educators can utilize in their classrooms and homes. This includes a social-emotional learning kit, developed in collaboration with Lakeshore Learning, that incorporates songs from his first children's album.Building on this success, Bowles and his team have created a new kit with Lakeshore Learning that features songs from "Up and Up." These kits include transition songs, such as those about washing hands or leaving school, designed to help structure the daily routines of young learners."My goal is to be one of the nimblest companies, hopefully creating content that's viable for what teachers are going through," Bowles explains. "Because we self-publish, there's not a lot of red tape. If I sit down with teachers and they are like, 'We are seeing difficulty with mental health right now,' a few months later I can have a book and some songs and videos ready to be played in the classroom or at home."Through his company, CoyCo (Creative Opportunity Yields Creative Output), Bowles continues to expand his offerings, providing a range of products, including worksheets and other educational resources, to support the evolving needs of both teachers and families.