07/ 25/ 2007
by Millo Johnston
Can't sleep? Lisa Roth has the cure: Baby Rock Records, CDs that turn hard-rock riffs into soothing sleep-inducing songs for babies and parents alike.
Roth became frustrated with the usual children's music selection when shopping for a baby shower gift a couple of years ago. "I was underwhelmed by the options," she says.
Before babies, CMH Records, the parent company of Baby Rock Records, where Roth serves as vice president, had been delighting bluegrass fans everywhere with its "Pickin' On" series featuring instrumental bluegrass renditions of songs from artists like George Strait, U2 and the Grateful Dead. So why not please sleep-deprived parents, too?
Baby Rock Records was born in August 2006 and now features 19 titles, from timeless hits like the Eagles and Led Zeppelin to current favorites such as Coldplay and No Doubt.
Percussion instruments like the glockenspiel and vibraphone join the harp and bells to create soothing lullabies, giving parents the chance to sing along to their favorite songs while lulling their babies to sleep.
As the album list grows, so does the appeal of Baby Rock Records, which has been featured in the New York Times and Esquire magazine. Sample CDs even made it into the 2006 Grammy gift bags given to presenters and performers. "I get flooded with e-mails every day," Roth says. "Some are from fans thanking us for the CDs; others are fans requesting us to cover their favorite bands."
She's working on it. Next up are lullaby renditions of AC/DC, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, Depeche Mode and Black Sabbath.
"It's all about capturing what the mommy needs while keeping the music true to form," Roth says.
