Parachute Express

Parachute Express

Company type	Musical group
Industry	Children's music
Founded	1984
Founder	Stephen Michael Schwartz, Janice Hubbard, Donny Becker
Defunct	2011
Headquarters	California , United States
Products	Children's music albums, videos

Parachute Express was an American trio based in California, specializing in creating, performing, and producing music for children. The group consisted of Stephen Michael Schwartz, Janice Hubbard, and Donny Becker. They achieved nationwide acclaim through recordings made for Gymboree Play & Music, Walt Disney Records, and Trio Lane Records. Notably, they performed the theme song for Jay Jay the Jet Plane and appeared on television programs such as Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. Rocks and Disney's Kaleidoscope Concerts. Their songs were featured across more than 550 Gymboree locations globally, as well as in preschools, daycare centers, and various informal educational settings. Over their career, Parachute Express produced twelve albums.

History

During the early 1990s, Parachute Express released six albums under Walt Disney Records' Music Box Artist Series. In 1995, they established their own label named Trio Lane Records. Their work received numerous prestigious national honors including awards from NAPPA, the Film Advisory Board, Indie accolades, Toy of The Year distinctions, and multiple Parents' Choice Gold Awards.

The group performed at both the 42nd and 43rd Presidential Inaugural Celebrations, presenting their song We The Children, which First Lady Hillary Clinton included in the Presidential library collection. Additionally, they made several appearances at the White House Annual Easter Egg Hunt.

Their video production Come Sing With Us! was honored with the Parents Choice Video Award alongside an International Monitor Award. Recognized as "Best Group" by the American Academy of Children's Entertainment, Parachute Express toured China in 2010 and 2011 with concerts held in cities including Nanjing, Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The ensemble officially dissolved in late 2011.

Albums

• Feel the Music (1991)
• Circle of Friends (1991)
• Happy to Be Here (1991)
• Shakin' It! (1992)
• Over Easy (1992)
• Sunny Side Up (1992)
• Friends, Forever Friends (1996)
• Who's Got A Hug? (1997)
• Dr. Looney's Remedy (1998)
• Don't Blink (2005)

Song collections

• Gymbo's Play and Pretend Favorites (2007)
• It's a Gymboree Party! (2007)

Singles

• Dr. Looney's Remedy (1995)
• The Coming of December (2005)

Tracks in compilations

• Disney's Music Box: Disney's Spotlight (1992): Smooth Movin' Boogie Express
• The Man Who Ran Away with the Moon (1992): Smooth Movin' Boogie Express
• Pocahontas: The Enchanted Songs (1995)
• Exercise Party: Stretchin' and Jumpin' Songs for Young Children (2003): Can You Show Us; Reach Up High
• Hear and Gone in 60 Seconds: One Minute Songs by an Awesome Array of Award Winning Artists (2003): Alphabet Soup
• Jay Jay the Jet Plane: 24 Fun and Inspirational Stories for Kids (2003): Jay Jay the Jet Plane theme song
• Jay Jay the Jet Plane: 12 Fun and Inspirational Stories for Kids (2004): Jay Jay the Jet Plane theme song
• Songs for Little Boys: Trains, Cowboys, Pirates and More! (2004): I Like Trucks
• Songs for Little Princesses: Ballerinas, Best Friends, Dressing Up and More! (2004): Polka Dots, Checks and Stripes; Dress Up Queen
• Dance Party: Movin' and Groovin' Songs for Young Children (2006): Don't Blink; Dance, Puppet, Dance
• Favorite Lullabies: 15 Gentle Songs to Ease Your Baby to Sleep (2006): Good Night Moon
• Classic Animal Songs (2007): Me and My Dog
• Kindergarten Prep: Songs to Get Your Child Ready to Learn (2008): Tie a Bow; Red Means Stop

Videos

• 1989 - Live In Concert (Gymboree)
• 1995 - Come Sing With Us! (Disney)

Awards

• 1991 - Parents' Choice Award for Feel the Music
• 1995 - Parents' Choice Video Award granted to Come Sing With Us!
• 1995 - International Monitor Award for Best Electronic Effects awarded to Come Sing With Us!
• 1998 - NAPPA Gold Award for Doctor Looney's Remedy
• 1999 - Best Group honor from the American Academy of Children's Entertainment
• 1999 - Indie Award for Best Children's Album for Doctor Looney's Remedy
• 2005 - Creative Child Magazine’s Toy of the Year awarded to Don't Blink
• 2005 - NAPPA Gold Award earned by Don't Blink
• 2005 - Parents' Choice Gold Award received for Don't Blink
• 2008 - NAPPA Gold Award presented for It's a Gymboree Party!

• Emma Stone has acknowledged the Parachute Express track "Polka Dots, Checks, and Stripes" as an influence on her attire at the 87th Annual Academy Awards Nominee Luncheon, highlighting its whimsical combination of patterns inspired by the Michael Kors 2015 Pre-Fall collection.
• The film Not Just a Goof begins with the directors watching "Doctor Looney's Remedy," which originally screened prior to the VHS release of A Goofy Movie.

External links

• [ Parachute Express Bio] at Allmusic