The Okee Dokee Brothers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Okee Dokee Brothers
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The Okee Dokee Brothers
at the 2016 Minnesota State Fair |
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| Background information | |
| Born | Denver, Colorado, United States |
| Origin | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States |
| Genres | Children's, independent, bluegrass, folk |
| Instruments | Singing, acoustic guitar, banjo |
| Labels | Okee Dokee Music (ASCAP) |
The Okee Dokee Brothers are an independent American bluegrass and American roots children's music duo from Minneapolis. Their 2012 CD/DVD release Can You Canoe?, with music and videos created during a 2011 paddle down the Mississippi River, won a GRAMMY for Best Children's Album in the 55th GRAMMY Awards. They released their second CD/DVD called Through the Woods in May 2014, with music and videos created during a 2013 trek up the Appalachian Trail. The album garnered a GRAMMY nomination in 2014. They traveled through the Southwest for another album and DVD, Saddle Up, which was also nominated for a Grammy in the best children’s album category. Joe and Justin also published two picture books under Sterling Publishing (Sterling Children's) titled Can You Canoe? And Other Adventure Songs and Thousand Star Hotel. Their primary branding artist, Brandon Reese, illustrated the books.
In October 2018, The Okee Dokee Brothers released Winterland, an exuberant yet introspective collection of 16 original songs exploring the wonders and beauty of winter. A voyage from autumn to spring, Winterland presents secular winter music the entire family can enjoy while cozying up around the fire. This album also received a GRAMMY nomination in November of 2019.
Most recently, in May 2020, they released, Songs for Singin, a 2-disc 27-song album full of inclusive songs so fans can join in and belt out. In the spirit of American folk legends, Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, Songs for Singin presents timeless messages of hope and unity. The album includes an illustrated 32-page book with the lyrics and chords to every song to inspire living room sing-alongs.
Contents
Discography
| Title | Album details | Peak positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Folk |
US Kids |
US Heat. |
US Ind. |
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| Kids With Beards |
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— | — | — | — |
| Take It Outside |
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— | — | — | — |
| ¡Excelente Fabuloso! |
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— | — | — | — |
| Can You Canoe? |
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— | — | — | — |
| Through The Woods |
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— | 25 | — | — |
| Saddle Up |
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17 | 5 | 18 | — |
| Winterland |
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— | 4 | 15 | 46 |
| Songs for Singin' |
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— | - | - | - |
Video productions
Each Okee Dokee Brother Adventure Album has an accompanying film that documents Joe and Justin's songwriting trip. These movies tell the story of The Okee Dokee Brothers' travels while including educational segments, camping shenanigans, music videos, interviews with locals, pristine nature scenes, and comprehensive tomfoolery. All the horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, camping, and songwriting footage is filmed on location in the setting of each adventure's theme (The Mississippi River, The Appalachian Trail, and the Great American West). The footage is filmed by Alex Johnson, and Jed Anderson (percussionist for the band) directs and edits the films (JedEditedIt Productions and InTents Studios). The films can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon, seen on the DVDs that come with their CDs, and can be found on YouTube.
The Okee Dokee Brothers released five winter music videos to accompany their album, Winterland, and continue to release music videos for songs on each of their following albums.
Picture books
Joe and Justin are working with Sterling Publishing (Sterling Children's) to publish two picture books that come with CDs of their songs.
In March of 2017, they released a new picture book, Thousand Star Hotel, with Sterling Publishing. Inspired by the folktale "The Fisherman and His Wife," The Okee Dokee Brothers have "created a fanciful story about the things we wish for... and the things we really need." The accompanying CD features 11 nighttime songs and a fully dramatized audiobook of the story, read by The Okee Dokee Brothers.
Their first book, titled Can You Canoe? And Other Adventure Songs, was illustrated by Brandon Reese. The book "invites you to journey cross-country with The Okee Dokee Brothers through twelve of their irresistible, boot-stompin' tunes. You'll encounter hungry black bears and tall-tale spinners; quiet canoes and cozy camping tents; a jumpin' jamboree and a bullfrog opera. As you listen to the songs and follow along with the illustrated lyrics in this collection, you might even be inspired to head out on some outdoor adventures of your own!"
Band members
- Justin Lansing - banjo and lead vocals
- Joe Mailander - acoustic guitar and lead vocals
Additional and touring band members
- Jed Anderson - percussion and backup vocals
- Liz Draper - stand-up bass
- Jillian Rae - fiddle and backup vocals
- Andy Lambert - clogger
- Carlos Medina - accordion
