Miss Amy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Miss Amy
Miss Amy on the Red Carpet at the 54th Grammy Awards
Background information
Birth name	Amy Lynne Skelton
Also known as	Amy Otey
Born	(1962-09-08)September 8, 1962 Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Genres	Children's music, Americana, country, folk-rock, pop
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, author, performer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	1990s–present
Labels	Ionian Productions, Inc.
Associated acts	Miss Amy & Her Big Kids Band Off The Map With Miss Amy

Amy Otey (born September 8, 1962), known as Miss Amy, is an American singer, songwriter, and author. She is famous for her fun songs and activities that help kids stay healthy and active. While she focuses on children's music, she also sings country, folk-rock, and pop songs.

Miss Amy has released five albums. Her fifth album, Fitness Rock & Roll, was nominated for a Grammy Award. She also appeared on two other Grammy-nominated albums: Healthy Food For Thought: Good Enough To Eat and the Grammy-winning album All About Bullies... Big And Small.

She often performs with her band, Miss Amy & Her Big Kids Band. In 2013, she released an album called Angels Riding Shotgun with her Americana rock band Off the Map. Miss Amy has also written a book, Keep Kids Fit! Classroom Activity Breaks, which helps teachers and parents find ways to keep children moving.

Early Life and Music Journey

Amy Skelton was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on September 8, 1962. She grew up in Kansas City. Music was a big part of her family. Her great-grandmother played piano for silent movies, and her grandfather was involved in musical theater. Her mother also loved to sing and play piano.

Amy started piano lessons in third grade. In high school, she enjoyed musical theater and singing in choirs. Later, she met her husband, Alex Otey, who is a music producer. They began playing music together in jazz, folk, and rock bands.

Miss Amy is also a certified fitness instructor. She has special training in fitness for kids and teens, yoga, Pilates, and other activities. This background helps her create her unique fitness-focused music programs.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Children's Music

Miss Amy began her career in children's music in the mid-1990s. This happened after her first son, Phillip, was born early. She would sing songs to him while he was in the hospital. As he grew, she continued to make up songs that encouraged him to move. She realized that children learn best through movement.

She started performing for local moms' groups, then at libraries, holiday events, and birthday parties. She trained as a children's music instructor and developed her special program. Her students gave her the name "Miss Amy." Her programs teach the "ABC's" of fitness: agility, balance, and coordination.

In 2007, she became a President's Challenge Advocate. This program encourages people to be active. In 2010, she was named a President's Challenge All-American.

Miss Amy and Her Big Kids Band

Miss Amy often performs live with her group, Miss Amy & Her Big Kids Band. The band members are experienced musicians who play rock, jazz, funk, and classical music. They have all earned the President's Active Life Style Awards, showing their commitment to fitness.

Current members

• Miss Amy – vocals, guitar
• Alex Otey – trumpet, keyboard, vocals
• Ryan Ross – percussion
• Chris Clark – double bass
• James Popik – electric guitar

Solo Music and Awards

As a singer-songwriter, Miss Amy has released five albums. She usually writes both the words and music for her songs. Her husband, Alex Otey, helps her arrange the music and add instruments.

Her albums have received Grammy nominations. In 2010, the album Healthy Food For Thought, which included two of her spoken word pieces, was nominated for a Grammy Award in the "Children's Best Spoken Word" category.

Miss Amy performed at the White House Egg Roll event in 2010. The event's theme was based on the Let's Move! initiative by First Lady Michelle Obama, which encouraged kids to be active. Other famous performers at this event included Justin Bieber and the cast from Glee.

In 2011, her album Miss Amy's Fitness Rock & Roll was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Children's Album." That same year, she was featured on the Grammy-winning album All About Bullies... Big And Small. She also won the "Best Children's Performer" award at The Lehigh Valley Music Awards. Miss Amy has appeared on TV shows and was recognized as a "Top Woman Entertainment Industry Professional" by Shine On Hollywood Magazine.

She also wrote the book Keep Kids Fit! Classroom Activity Breaks Volume 1 Fitness Rock & Roll, which was released in 2013.

Off The Map

In 2013, Miss Amy released Angels Riding Shotgun. This was the first album from her Americana rock band, Off the Map With Miss Amy. The band has the same musicians as Miss Amy and Her Big Kids Band.

Miss Amy is an active member of important music groups like the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (which hosts the Grammys) and the Americana Music Association.

Personal Life

Miss Amy lives in West Trenton, New Jersey, with her family.

Discography

Miss Amy and Her Big Kids Band

• Underwater (2004)
• Wide Wide World (2005)
• My Precious One (2006)
• I Wanna Know How It Works! (2007)
• Fitness Rock & Roll (2010)

Off the Map with Miss Amy

• Angels Riding Shotgun (2013)

Compilations

• WXPN's Kids' Corner 20th Anniversary Compilation (2008)
• Wildflower Compilation (2010)
• Healthy Food For Thought, Good Enough to Eat (2010)
• All About Bullies... Big And Small Compilation (2011)
• Move This World (2013)

DVDs

• International Baby 101 DVD (2003)

Grammy Awards

Publishing History

• Keep Kids Fit! Classroom Activity Breaks Volume 1 Fitness Rock & Roll (2013, Open Door Publications)