Hap Palmer

Hap Palmer stands out as one of the rare musicians who has steadily focused on the learning requirements of infants and preschoolers by crafting straightforward tunes intended solely for that audience. In response, preschool instructors and caregivers embraced his output so widely that his pieces rank among the most familiar and cherished selections heard daily in childcare facilities and early-education centers nationwide. Hardly any preschool child lacks familiarity with moving along to "Song About Sammie" or the "Color Song" ("Red stand up, green stand up, yellow and blue sit down").

Palmer launched his recording career in 1969 through the appearance of the enduring album Learning Basic Skills Through Music, Vol. 1. Presented with an unadorned black-and-white front cover, that project reached its audience chiefly via catalogs devoted to classroom supplies, yet teachers and daycare operators quickly acquired it in volume. He sustained this understated shift in children's music across the 1970s and 1980s while also leading concerts and workshops for parents and educators throughout the United States. Palmer has created more than 300 songs and moved millions of units of his recordings. The "Baby Songs" series later expanded into a widely successful line of videos. His audio and visual releases have earned multiple distinctions, among them the Parent's Choice award, the National Parenting Publications Award, and the American Library Association's Notable Recording designation as "Best of the Best for Children."