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, known as Miss Amy, is an American singer, songwriter, and author. She was born on September 8, 1962. Miss Amy is famous for her fun music that helps kids stay healthy and active. Her songs also include styles like country, folk-rock, and pop.

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

Miss Amy 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. This band has the same musicians as her Big Kids Band. Her first book, Keep Kids Fit! Classroom Activity Breaks, was released in the Fall of 2013.

Miss Amy's Early Life and Learning

Amy Skelton was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on September 8, 1962. She grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City. Music was a big part of her family. Her great-grandmother played piano for silent movies. Her grandfather directed and acted in local musical theater. Amy's mother also enjoyed singing and playing ragtime piano.

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

She studied Strategic Management at the University of North Texas. She also earned a certificate in Gerontology from Rutgers University. As a fitness instructor, she has many certifications. These include Kids & Teen Fitness, Yoga, Pilates, and Strength Training. She is also a certified Youth/Adolescent Fitness Trainer.

Miss Amy's Music Journey

Starting Her Career

Miss Amy began playing guitar in her late 20s to help her write songs. Her career in children's music started in the mid-1990s. This was after her first son, Phillip, was born early. She made up songs to sing to him in the hospital. She continued singing to him as he grew. When he started moving to the music, she made the songs into routines for him to follow.

She moved to New Jersey in the 1990s to raise her family. Miss Amy has said that having a child with health needs changed her focus. It became all about helping her child grow up healthy.

After Phillip was born, she joined a local moms' group. She sang with the moms and their children at gatherings. Soon, people asked her to perform at libraries, holiday events, and birthday parties. She then trained to be a children's music instructor. She developed her interactive music program. She also continued her fitness training.

Her students gave her the name "Miss Amy." Her programs teach the ABCs of fitness: agility, balance, and coordination. In 2007, she became a President's Challenge Advocate. She was named a President's Challenge All-American in September 2010.

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. They have played rock, jazz, funk, and classical music. Each member has also earned a President's Active Lifestyle Award.

Current members

• Miss Amy – sings and plays guitar
• Alex Otey – plays trumpet, keyboard, and sings
• Ryan Ross – plays drums
• Chris Clark – plays double bass
• James Popik – plays electric guitar

Miss Amy's Solo Music

As a singer-songwriter, Miss Amy has released five albums. Her first album, Underwater, came out in 2004. She usually writes both the words and music for her songs. Then, she arranges them and adds instruments with producer Alex Otey.

Her albums have received Grammy nominations. In late 2010, Healthy Food For Thought was nominated for a 53rd Grammy Award. This album featured her spoken word pieces, "Bananas" and "Imagine a Garden."

Miss Amy performed at the White House Egg Roll event on April 5, 2010. The event's theme was based on the Let's Move! initiative by First Lady Michelle Obama. Other performers at this event included Justin Bieber and the cast from Glee. Miss Amy also headlined Kidstock 2010.

Her 2011 album, Miss Amy's Fitness Rock & Roll, was produced by her husband, Alex Otey. It was released on his label, Ionian Productions. This album features many talented musicians.

In November 2011, Fitness Rock & Roll was nominated for a 54th Grammy Award. It was nominated in the "Best Children's Album" category. That same year, Miss Amy also appeared on the Grammy-winning album All About Bullies... Big And Small. In December 2011, she won the "Best Children's Performer" award at The Lehigh Valley Music Awards. She has appeared on TV shows like NBC 10!. In March 2013, Shine On Hollywood Magazine featured her as a "Top Woman Entertainment Industry Professional."

Her book, Keep Kids Fit! Classroom Activity Breaks Volume 1 Fitness Rock & Roll, was published in 2013 by Open Door Publications.

Off The Map Band

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 members as Miss Amy and Her Big Kids Band.

Miss Amy is an active member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. She is also part of the Americana Music Association.

Miss Amy's Personal Life

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

Miss Amy's Music Albums

With 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)

With Off the Map with Miss Amy

• Angels Riding Shotgun (2013)

Compilation Albums

• 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 Award Nominations