The Sing Out Loud American Rhythms CD includes a variety of musical genres from many different artists in the U.S.A. These songs will appeal to teens and young adults. This “hybrid” CD also contains a teacher’s guide to using music in the classroom.

“Lessons in Life” is a song from the upcoming album American Rhythms.

The Arizona-based band Hacienda Brothers describes their music as “western soul”, as they blend together country music and R&B (rhythm and blues).

In the song El Paso, folk indie singer, songwriter and internet sensation Danielle “Ate the Sandwich” Anderson thinks back on the experiences she had in a place that she now has to unfortunately leave behind: El Paso (Texas).

In “Further Down” singer Kris Gruen combines catchy lyrics (and an especially catchy chorus) with the soft sound of the acoustic guitar, making this song an endearing example of what is called indie-folk music.

“Supertalents” is one song from the upcoming album American Rhythms.

From a young age, Zach Ladin developed a liking for music and the outdoors.

Baltimore-based ukulele player Victoria Vox writes honest, heartfelt lyrics. This song, America, is part of the album Vox Ukulele Cello, which won the 2011 Wammie award for Folk Contemporary Album of The Year.

Kermit Ruffins, a jazz musician from New Orleans, Louisiana has decided in this song to sing about the grandiosity of his native city. Sometimes we simply love a certain place and all the things associated with it. This is how Kermit Ruffins feels about New Orleans.

The Texas-based bluegrass-folk group Austin Lounge Lizards defines themselves as “the most laughable band in showbusiness”. The group uses humor in their songs in order to discuss various social and political topics such as love, politics, health care and religion.

In Simple Down, California-based artist Lael Neale uses guitars and the banjo to sing about living a simpler life. Many of us have probably at some point in our lives desired a simpler life, in which we give importance only to the things in life with a deeper meaning.

Some bands have an incredibly broad set of musical genres.

Lyrics and Classroom Activities
Do you want to use this song in your classroom? Here are the lyrics and classroom activities to get started.

Daniel Ho, a musician native to Honolulu, Hawaii, has helped bring Hawaiian music to the popular scene. In Stronger & Stronger, the singer has a clear and empowering message in his voice and lyrics.

In their song Not Afraid, Turning Pointe wants people everywhere to know that each of us has the strength to fight for our dreams and continue on our journey through life. The implicit message in the song lyrics is one of hope and perseverance.

This song was written by Honolulu-based Hawaiian singer Kelli Heath. In the song, Heath discusses some of the problems she sees in the way a large number of people live their lives nowadays. The singer talks about our tendency to only feel strong when we make others weak, our incapacity to learn from our mistakes, our constant need to get defensive, and our occasional avoidance of social contact.

The song You Made Me Laugh by Omar Kent Dykes, a blues guitarist and singer, is an engaging example of Texas blues-rock. Texas is one of the places (in addition to cities such as Chicago and Memphis) where the original blues became very popular before spreading to other parts of the U.S.A.

In this song, Hawaiian singer and pastor David “Kawika” Kahiapo sings about having done the best he can in his life and always having the strength to fight for his dreams. Kawika invites those listening to his song to also believe in themselves and fight for their dreams, without being discouraged by those who do not believe in their success.

Zach Ladin, who grew up in a family of musicians in New England, has been involved with music his entire life. His passion for all things nature-related has led him to bring together his love of music, his love of nature, and his background in ecology and education in his environmentally themed children’s music.

Travis Haddix’s song The Time is Now is another soul-searching examples of blues music. Blues guitarist Travis “Moonlight” Haddix was born in Walnut, Mississippi, only 30 miles south of Memphis.

The song Count your Sheep involves a partnership between Honolulu-born ukulele player and singer Daniel Ho and singer Bridgette Bryant. The song talks about counting your sheep, which is something many children in the USA and around the world are advised to do when they are having trouble letting go of the excitement of the day and going to sleep.

The folk song We Dig Worms is one of the ways that singer Zach Ladin has found to remind listeners young and old of the importance of all creatures in nature. Ladin, who has an academic background in urban ecology, uses his music to educate children about nature, as well as promote an appreciation for all the things that Earth and nature gives us – even worms and bugs!

Jazz musician Kermit Ruffins performs along with a talented group of children in Breakfast Lunch and Dinner. In the song, listeners can hear two points of view about eating right: a group of children who claim that they only need sweets and other unhealthy foods, and the adult perspective of the need for balanced meals.