Sharon, Lois & Bram facts for kids

Sharon, Lois & Bram
Sharon, Lois & Bram in 1994
Background information
Origin	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Children's music
Instruments	Sharon: vocals, guitar, piano, tambourine Lois: piano, autoharp, vocals Bram: guitar, banjo, vocals
Years active	1978 (1978)–present (present)
Labels	Elephant, A&M, Drive Entertainment, Skinnamarink Entertainment, Casablanca Kids Inc.
Associated acts	Eric Nagler, Raffi, Fred Penner
Members	Sharon Hampson Bramwell "Bram" Morrison
Past members	Lois Lilienstein

Sharon, Lois & Bram (also known as Sharon, Bram & Friends or Sharon & Bram) was a very popular Canadian children's music group. They started in Toronto, Ontario, in 1978. The original members were Sharon Hampson, Lois Lilienstein, and Bram Morrison.

How the Group Started

Sharon Hampson, Lois Lilienstein, and Bram Morrison were all singers on their own. They met while performing for a program called "Mariposa in the Schools." The three quickly realized they shared the same ideas about making great music for everyone, no matter their age.

In 1978, they borrowed $20,000 from family and friends. They used this money to record their first album, One Elephant, Deux Éléphants. Elephant Records released it, and A&M helped distribute it. This folk-style album had many different kinds of music. It quickly became one of the fastest-selling children's albums ever in Canada.

Producer Bill Usher helped them create their unique singing style. He wanted children's music to be more energetic and different from the old folk style. He looked for songs that used various music types, like rock'n roll, Broadway songs, and calypso. Sharon, Lois & Bram's music appealed to people of all ages.

Their Amazing Career

In the 1980s, the trio starred in The Elephant Show on CBC in Canada. This show later played again on the U.S. cable network Nickelodeon until 1996. Each 30-minute episode had a story, songs, and funny sketches. The trio performed with a human-sized elephant puppet and children's entertainer Eric Nagler. Many special guests also appeared on the show, like Fred Penner.

A second TV series, Skinnamarink TV, had a different format. It featured two new puppet characters. This show ran for 52 episodes on the CBC in Canada and The Learning Channel in the United States from 1997 to 1999.

In 1995, planetariums in Western Canada asked the trio to create a "Laser Sharon, Lois & Bram" show. This show used lights and music to teach children about the solar system in a fun way. Make A Wish with Sharon, Lois & Bram started in June 1995. It played for a long time in Vancouver's H. R. MacMillan Space Centre and Toronto's McLaughlin Planetarium. Also in 1995, their song "Old John Braddelum" from their first album appeared in the movie Billy Madison starring Adam Sandler.

In 1996, Sharon, Lois & Bram became spokespersons for UNICEF Canada's 50th Anniversary. They helped spread the word about UNICEF's important work.

In 2000, Lois Lilienstein stopped touring with the group after her husband passed away. From then on, the group often performed as Sharon, Bram & Friends. The "friends" were life-size animal puppets. Lois still played at special benefit shows and recorded music with the group. Sharon and Bram continued to tour together.

In 2005, Bram shared that he had a non-cancerous tumor that was causing hearing loss in one ear. He had a special procedure to try and stop more hearing loss.

On May 4, 2008, Sharon, Lois & Bram performed together again at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival. This was a rare chance to see all three singers. They also showed their movie 25 Years of Skinnamarink.

On May 10, 2014, a playground was named "Sharon, Lois & Bram Playground" in June Rowlands Park in Toronto. About 2,000 people came to the ceremony. Sharon, Lois & Bram performed several songs. The event ended with the unveiling of an elephant-shaped park sign.

Lois' Passing

Crowd watching Sharon and Bram on stage at the 2017 Peterborough Folk Festival

Sharon and Bram on stage at the 2017 Peterborough Folk Festival

Lois Lilienstein passed away on April 22, 2015, at her home in Toronto. She was 78 years old. She is remembered by her son David and granddaughter Tessa.

Recent Events

After Lois' passing, Sharon Hampson and Bram Morrison continued to perform as Sharon & Bram. In 2018, Sharon & Bram announced their farewell tour.

In May 2019, a children's picture book based on the group's famous song, "Skinnamarink" was announced. It was released in September 2019.

In April 2020, a Sharon, Lois & Bram YouTube channel started. It launched a new series called Sharon's Great Big Life on April 7. The show features Sharon sharing memories from her touring life. This includes filming The Elephant Show and Skinnamarink TV. Each weekly episode includes photos and videos that have never been seen before. It also shows a look at Sharon's life now in Toronto.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Sharon, Lois & Bram won the Juno Award for Best Children's Album three times. They won for Smorgasbord (1980), Singing 'n' Swinging (1981), and Skinnamarink TV (2000). These three albums sold over 100,000 copies each in Canada! Three more of their albums also sold very well: Mainly Mother Goose, In the Schoolyard, and Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show Record. Their influence on children's music spread beyond Canada. By 1991, their international sales were over 2.5 million dollars.

In 1996, Sharon, Lois, and Bram each received an Honorary Degree called a Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL). This was from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In 2002, all three were made members of the Order of Canada. This is a very high honor in Canada. Lois, who was born in Chicago, was named an Honorary Member since she was not Canadian. A video of this special ceremony can be seen in their 25-year anniversary movie 25 Years of Skinnamarink.

Also in 2002, all three received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.

In October 2009, the trio received the Estelle Klein Award. This award is from the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (OCFF). It recognized their important contributions to Ontario's folk music community.

In 2012, all three received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Television Awards

The Elephant Show

• Parents' Choice Award Hall of Fame - Classics Award and Silver Honors Video for Preschool to Kindergarten, 1991
• Ace Award Nomination - Best International Children's Programming Series, 1990
• Gemini Awards Nomination - Best Performance in a Variety, Comedy or Performing Arts Show, 1989
• National Telemedia Council Special Recognition Award - Excellence in Children's Programming, 1988
• National Telemedia Council Finalist - Best Performers in a Variety of Performing Arts Program or Series, 1988
• Parents' Choice Gold Award - Children's Television, 1986 and 1987
• 30th Annual Intentional Film & TV Festival of New York Silver Medal - Television Entertainment Children's Program, 1987
• Parents' Choice Gold Award -Remarkable Home Video, 1987

Candles, Snow & Mistletoe

• Gemini Awards Nomination - Candles Snow & Mistletoe Best Children's Program or Series, 1995

Discography

Filmography

• Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show (TV Series 1984–1989)
• Skinnamarink TV (TV Series; 1997–1999)
• 25 Years of Skinnamarink (2004)
• Many other videos and TV appearances, including Sesame Street and Today's Special.