Awards, Reviews And Endorsements From Clients:
Photo by Exit Hibernation Media
Gold Award
Awards & Honors:
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- Citation From The United States Congress for the Children's Album "All About Bullies...Big And Small"​
- 54th GRAMMYⓇ Award For Best Children's Album "All About Bullies...Big And Small"
(Lead Producer, Creative Director, A&R Coordinations, Contributing Artist & Chief Writer)​
- 53rd GRAMMYⓇ Nominee, Best Spoken Word For Children, "Healthy Food For Thought"
(A Lead Producer, Creative Director, Contributing Artist & Chief Writer)
- Citation From Artist Peter Max for Producer and Writer work on "Healthy Food For Thought" CD
- Served a term on the Local GRAMMY Board of Governors (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences)
-Steve's songs listed him as a top 200 airplay artist in the "International Country Music Chart."
- 14 NAPPA AwardsⓇ in "Children's Audio" three listed for: Gold Seal Awards
- 8 Parents' ChoiceⓇ AWards plus Parents' ChoiceⓇ Gold Award for "All About Bullies...Big And Small",
Lead Producer, chief writer and contributing artist
- 5 Parents ChoiceⓇ Recommended Awards
- 3 Parents' ChoiceⓇ Approved Awards
- CMW Nominee as "Best Music for Young Children"
- "Caring Community Award," BCS Education Unit, Artist Residencies in Special Needs BCIU#22 & Grants
- Collaborated in two PRPS Excellence Awards for Programming: Dr. Seuss' 100th Birthday & Sing N' Sketch
LVMA Award for Best Spoken Word Recording
- Regional Accomplishment in the Arts Proclamation
-4 time LVMA Nominee for Best Children's Entertainer
- Art Director's Club Of NJ Award for Project Design of "A Big Bowl of Musicroni"
- Four time "Hot Diggity Awards in Children's Audio
Steve Pullara's recordings and art have merited recognition from these organizations and periodicals:
- U.S. Congressional Record
ASCAP Plus Awards for airplay & concerts
- ASCAP Magazine
- The Washington Post
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
- Musikfest
- Radio Disney
- Sirius XM Kids Place Live
- MetroKids Magazine
- LA Parent Magazine
- Parents' Choice Awards
- NAPPA Awards
- National Bullying Prevention Center (Pacer Center)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Communication Arts Magazine
- School Library Journal
- Publishers' Weekly
- "Something Musical Happened At The Library" by Rob Reid (national textbook for librarians)
- "Shake & Shout 16 Noisy, Lively Story Programs" by Rob Reid (national textbook for librarians)
- "Studio Secrets For The Graphic Artist" by Susan Davis published by North Light
- New Jersey Monthly Magazine
- The Prudential
- The Courier Times
- The Intelligencer
- The Morning Call
- WXPN-FM Kids Corner "Year End Top Ten Song Countdown" (Numerous Times)
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The Endorsements and Testimonials below are for "Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band" recordings. For info regarding the GRAMMYⓇ award winning album "All About Bullies," first click the tab "Biography." Then click tab #3 under it entitled "GRAMMYⓇ for Best Children's Album." For additional info on that album and CD samples with reviews from many other albums that Steve's work is in, click the tab for "Albums." All his recordings are shown with web pages of their own under that tab. For your event planning regarding booking Steve's concerts and programs, click the tab labeled "Types of Concerts." There are blue "Booking Inquiry" links in each page throughout these website pages including this one. Enjoy!
"From the whimsical to the wondrous, “Butterflies Wear Sneakers” by Steve Pullara and His Red Eared Sliderz, is a tuneful, and sometimes thought provoking Americana "Family Friendly Recording" with echoes of bluegrass, country and folk. At times toe-tapping, then sweetly thought provoking, Pullara’s latest 11-track album highlights his delightful versatility and huge crossover popularity with world-wide audiences. As a singer/songwriter and GRAMMY winning producer, Pullara hits another one out of the park with this delightful album for all ages. Don’t be surprised if it will prompt you to have your own in-home hootenanny!"
--Paula Slade, Reviewer "Audiobooks, Entertainment and Media" August 2015, Boston, MA
For years, Steve Pullara has been entertaining children with his performances and music. He's always delivered catchy tunes with a message and done it in a way that kids didn't even know they were getting a life lesson! This time around, Steve addresses the adults in his new release ANOTHER HAPPY SOLE. What is magical about this record is that it often takes us grownups back to our childhoods. I felt completely transported during "The Times of John Glenn." Memories came flooding back about how exciting the "space race" was for all of us kids. Plus the musicianship on this song reminded me of the times my dad would put a Kingston Trio record on the turntable and we'd all sing along. Kudos to The Red Eared Sliderz with their banjos and mandolins and dobros and accordions and fiddles which bring these songs to life: a life we can all relate to." -- Debbi Calton, Award Winning Radio On Air Personality of WMGK, Philadelphia, PA
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"Silly, friendly and relentlessly playful - Steve Pullara serves up Kids music with an unbridled enthusiasm that is impossible to contain! Even low-carb listeners will enjoy a big helping of "Pasta, Pasta, Pasta"!
-- Kenny Curtis about a "A Big Bowl Of Musicroni" Program Director, XMKiDS, XM Satellite Radio
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Photos of Steve by BIll Edwards
"Veteran children's musician Steve Pullara does it again with an animal-focused musical romp for kids. Lively, toe-tapping animal dance tunes, such as The Mouse, Dance Like a Duck, and the title tune will have boys and girls up and moving. Pullara also provides topics not covered by other performers, such as Doctor Mindy (The Vet), possibly the only children s song about veterinarians, Migration Sensation, and All Creatures Were Babies, which teaches young children about animals babies. Other musical highlights include A Big Fat Pig, Penguin Rescue, a cover of the classic song High Hopes, and The Elephant Who Couldn't Pay Her Rent, complete with messy (and fun) elephant-trumpeting noises. The musical arrangements are top-notch and the cover photo of Pullara with dozens of animals is extremely eye-catching. This is a great addition to the classroom, the library, and the home." I defy any family member not to immediately tap their feet and sing with Steve Pullara s catchy tunes. All Creatures Were Babies in particular is an amazingly fun way to learn about animal growth (a topic not covered by other children s musicians) and Zooboogie will have the kids and parents bopping along with the animals in the song. Steve Pullara is in the top echelon of professional children s musicians in North America!" --Rob Reid, Author of "Children's Jukebox"
published by The American Library Association
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​"Steve Pullara and his Cool Beans Band provide a fun-filled, animal-focused musical extravaganza on his fifth and latest album. Energetic, dance-inducing tunes include "Dance Like a Duck," "Doctor Mindy (The Vet)," "Migration Sensation," and the swinging "All Creatures Were Babies." Other musical highlights include the snortin' Cajun romp ​"A Big Fat Pig," and the Celtic-inspired "Penguin Rescue." The wonderfully silly "The Elephant Who Couldn't Pay Her Rent" sounds like it was performed by a pachyderm version of Men at Work. The over-thirty set will enjoy Pullara's new renditions of "The Mouse," first sung by Soupy Sales in the early sixties and "High Hopes," originally made famous by none other than Frank Sinatra." --Lahri Bond ©2008 Parents' Choice​, Lahri Bond is a father, a writer and the art director for Dirty Linen: The Magazine of Folk and World Music. His published books include Spinning Tales Weaving Hope (with the Stories For World Change Network) for New Society Press and People of the Earth
(co-authored with Ellen Evert Hopman) for Destiny Books.
"PreS-Gr 3-Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band begin this animal tribute with a boogie-woogie number about animals dancing at the zoo. The other 11 bouncy, toe-tapping songs are about veterinarians, migration, mice, pigs, ducks, elephants, penguins, ponies, and other animals. All of the songs are originals by Pullara except "The Mouse" and "High Hopes." "Dance Like a Duck," to the tune of "Chicken Dance," encourages listeners to flap, waddle, and quack like a duck. Performing in a variety of musical styles, including boogie, jazz, rock, bluegrass, folk, and polka, Pullara and the other musicians perform effortlessly on guitar, banjo, flute, harmonica, jaw harp, bass, drums, keyboards, sax, and tambourine. This fun, entertaining album will be a valuable resource for animal story times." Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX, School Library Journal
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"You have probably heard of Laurie Berkner or the Wiggles, but have you ever heard of Steve Pullara And His Cool Beans Band? When I was recently introduced to Steve Pullara's music and his newest CD called Zooboogie I thought, "How have I been missing out on this?" As a Mom of an almost 4 year old daughter and 2 year old son, I really love it. Not to mention, his upbeat music has my kids dancing in our kitchen everytime! His tunes such as "Dance Like a Duck", "A Big Fat Pig", "Penguin Rescue" and "Zooboogie" bring out the ultimate dance moves, silly giggles and ear to ear smiles in our home. His music even has my husband and I groov'n on our kitchen dance floor. I would describe Steve's music as upbeat, fun, and unique, yet it is also educational. Just look at the cover on his new CD and you can get a feel for how fun his music is. His musical arrangements are professionally put together with creativity & pizazz! I would recommend Steve Pullara's music and especially his Zooboogie CD to any family or school looking for smiles, laughs and fun entertainment."
--Kristie Finnan, Author of Mommy's High Heal Shoes. "Mommy's Shoes are tricky to walk in. They flip and flop. Sometimes they fall off!" www.mommyshighheelshoes.com
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Zoo Parade; "Zooboogie" (Cool Beans Music) Warminster resident, Steve Pullara, serves up a frisky set of kids' tunes themed on animals large and small, enlivened with jazz, swing, country and world music-flavors. Some are just plain silly like his remake of Soupy Sales' "The Mouse" and " Dance Like A Duck." But, Pullara also gets the kids thinking about the grand order with "Migration Sensation" and his lengthy list of animal attributes we all use in common speech. "Metaphor Menagerie." You'll hear this music roaring, soaring and selling at (where else?) the Philadelphia Zoo.
--Jonathan Takiff, Music Reviewer, Philadelphia Daily News
Pullara's Broadway-like tunes celebrate a veritable encyclopedia of animals on Zooboogie! This Pennsylvania-based kids' music veteran covers habitats, animal features, and animal baby names, as well as getting in a little metaphor and simile practice. And listen for covers of Sammy Kahn and Jimmy Van Heusan's "High Hopes" and "The Mouse" written by Denny Randell and Sandy Linzer for Soupy Sales!
--Warren Truit, Head Librarian Children's Division,Senior Children's Librarian at the New York City Public Library's Donnell Central Children's Room​
​Steve Pullara​, ASCAP
Box 2091
Warminster, PA 18974
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Ph: 215-675-7743
Fx: 215-675-0747
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"Zooboogie" is way fun. Steve clearly knows kids and how to get them moving and learning with fun music."
-- Cathy Fink, GRAMMY Award winner and lover of great children's music
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​"Steve Pullara claims a place as one of the descendants of Soupy Sales with his updating of Soupy's "The Mouse" on his new CD, Zooboogie. It's good stuff. He has continually delivered quality, amusing songs in perfect bite-size nuggets, designed to entertain and energize kids, no matter what their age! Zooboogie, follows in the footsteps of his previous works, creating a theme to transport the listener into the most magical zoo there is - the one in every child's mind! Another winner! " --Kathy O'Connell & Robert Drake, Host & Producer Kids Corner, WXPN-FM, Philadelphia PA, Peabody Award Winner
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"Zooboogie! offers a collection of thoughtful songs with a variety of well-chosen arrangements and entertaining lyrics that kids and adults can enjoy together. Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band offer something for everyone in this new release." --Larry Berger, Executive Director, SLB Radio Productions, Inc., The Saturday Light Brigade, Award Winning Public Radio for Kids and Adults
"Steve's gone to the dogs this time-but in a good way. Steve Pullara and the Cool Beans Band have created beautiful bestiary of bouncy music and fun sing along songs-with an important message for kids, adults and other animals too." --George Stewart, Shokus Internet Radio
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"Steve Pullara has become a staple throughout the Greater Philadelphia region and beyond! His ability to entertain, both in song and art, as well as his love for history and family, have made him a wise choice for live entertainment at any family-focused event! " --Robert Drake, Producer Kids Corner, WXPN-FM, Philadelphia, PA
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​"Steve's songs make me want to smile, clap my hands and and stomp my feet! These tunes appeal to kids and parents alike. He's talented, a little zany and whimsically dressed! It's always a good time at a Cool Beans show!"
--Kim Alexander, All The Wild Wonders CD Producer, Children With Diabetes Benefit Concert Director
​"Steve Pullara and his Cool Beans Band are hand-clapping, toe-tapping, interactive fun for the whole family."
--Mary Worth, Home School Mother of Two, Warrington, PA
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​A Big Bowl of Musicroni:​
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"Pullara has a discernable good time serving up a collection of silly, jaunty tunes focusing on his Italian-American heritage. A consistently fun, often rocking beat keeps things rolling along with solid playing of the harmonica, guitar and banjo (much of it by Pullara himself.) From "Lot'sa Cousins" about piling all the relatives into a bus (there are too many for a car) and Ariverderci Nonna," a swaying song about saying farewell to Grandma to "Bada Bing, Buon Natale" and "Don'ta Rocka Da Boat," kids will get a real taste---replete with lot of mentions of parmesan and mozzarella--of life in a boisterous Italian clan.
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One warning: after hearing Pullara give a nod to traditional Italian music, Italian phrases (many Americanized) and copious references to all tasty dishes Italian, listeners will be ready for pizza, spaghetti or lasagna---ASAP! The CD sleeve features helpful and hilarious glossaries of words, phrases and types of macaroni---and cheese."
--Shannon Maughan, "Publisher's Weekly," Excerpts
​"NAPPA's quote is; "A Big Bowl Of Musicroni: "Pullara invites us all to a party to learn about the Italian American culture. Laugh-out-loud songs and danceable arrangements will have you switching cultures pronto!"
--John Wood, Children's Music Reviewer for NAPPA
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A Big Bowl of Musicroni Review:​
Pullara celebrates his Italian heritage and the memory of his Sicilian grandfather in this delicious concoction of 13 songs on this award-winning album (NAPPA Honors for 2005). He gives a flawless performance on many of the background instruments, including guitar, mandolin, flute, jaw harp, banjo, harmonica, and tambourine. Jazz, swing, rock, zydeco, and ballads are blended with Italian-style musical motifs. Pullara uses a lot of Italian words and expressions in his songs, which are defined in the liner notes. In fact, in "Say It Right," his father admonishes him to pronounce the Italian words correctly. Other songs include "Lot'sa Cousins," "Five More Minootsa," "Arrivederci Nonna," "Pasta, Pasta, Pasta" "Hop Along Che Si Dice" (a Spaghetti Western), "Que Sera Sera," "Bada Bing, Buon Natale," and others. This is an album that the whole family can enjoy listening to together."
--Beverly Bixler, "The School Library Journal"
​​​A Big Bowl of Musicroni Review:
"If "musicroni" be the food of love, play on. Singer and songwriter, Steve Pullara, takes a linguine and language approach in this lighthearted, heartfelt tribute to his Italian heritage. There's plenty of pasta, and much toothsome Italian vocabulary-including common culinary words-often relayed in the Sicilian dialect of Pullara's immigrant grandfather. Pullara judiciously sprinkles in some of his grandfather's Italian variations on English, too. His imagination ranges widely, with topics encompassing pizza, family, and dogs, among others. Besides the originals such as "Paesans in History," which reveals just where Yankee Doodle got his macaroni, the CD includes peppy Italian folk songs and the 1950s hit, "Que Sera Sera." Pullara captures the feeling of old Italian pop and folk music through his warm and inviting performance. Highly recommended."--Paul Shackman, "Booklist" of The American Library Association​
​"Steve Pullara is a family music treasure that never stops creating music for us. His music is fun listening for adults and children alike. Steve's own sense of wonder at the world permeates his tunes. When he celebrates his Italian heritage, it's truly a celebration" --Kathy O'Connell about a "A Big Bowl Of Musicroni", Host and Co-Producer ​"Kids Corner" WXPN-FM , Philadelphia
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"I really enjoyed "Lot'sa Cousins" which had that great Italian flavor and was quite original! I also loved hearing the counter-melody behind your clever lyrics. Congratulations on your NAPPA honors, and good luck with the new CD! Bravo!" --Janet-Marie, Executive Producer, danstarproductions.net
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"When I first met Steve, he immediately reminded me of the Zani's in Italy that would roll their wagons into the town square and put on a vaudeville-like show. They would then lead you in singing and laughing while everyone had great old time!" --Don Giovanni about a "A Big Bowl Of Musicroni", Host & Producer Nationally Syndicated ​
"The Don Giovanni Show
"Steve clearly "gets it" when it comes to creating music that simultaneously entertains kids and adults without alienating either audience. Moreover, the songs are well-recorded without excess production and hold up well after repeated listening!" --Larry Berger about "A Big Bowl Of Musicroni", Host & Producer "The Saturday Light Brigade" WRCT-FM, Pittsburgh, PA
"If you have children, or ever were one yourself, you must get Steve's music. "A Big Bowl of Musicroni" tastes really good for every age!" --George Stewart about "A Big Bowl Of Musicroni", Host & Producer Crazy College​
"Making Public Radio Giggle for Over a Fifth of a Century" WDIY, WVUD, WHYY, Wilmington, DE & ​
Philadelphia, PA​
​​​"STEVE PULLARA. ----There is something about a Steve Pullara show that connects with kids in a special way. Maybe it's the infectious joy in his performance. Maybe it's the way he brings together music and art and kids. Maybe it's the good feeling he gives their parents. Parents know that a Steve Pullara show is a friendly, safe, fun experience that their kids will be talking about for days. I often joke that Steve Pullara will show up at the opening of an envelope. The truth is that Steve Pullara's commitment to bringing good music and fun to his audience makes him a welcome addition to any community or event." --Kathy O'Connell about "Spinning Tails", Host and Co-Producer of Kids Corner WXPN, Philadelphia, PA, Peabody Award Winning Program
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​"Everything is so PC today it's unlistenable. Steve is PC, but he also looks outside the box for humor and sees the styrofoam peanut!" --George Stewart, Host and Producer about "Spinning Tails" Crazy College, WHYY-FM, Philadelphia, Educational Novelty Music Radio Program
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​Excerpts from "The School Library Journal" review:​
Pres-Gr.3-- Spinning Tails: "A variety of musical styles are employed including pop rock, folk, bluegrass, r&b, and Latino. "Grandmas' Video Camera" tells of a favorite (and sometime annoying) pastime of many grandmothers with their grandchildren. "Howdja Do That" marvels at the abilities of different animals such as a color changing chameleon. "Make Believe Town" celebrates the joys of model train building. "Cockroach Conga" bemoans the omnipresence of these pests, but in cheerful way. Not bad for a guy who admits he can't read music..."
--Beverly Bixler, about "Spinning Tails!," San Antonio Public Library, TX
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Excerpts from "Publishers Weekly" review:​
​Spinning Tails by Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band-"Pullara, an energetic childrens' performer with a loyal following in the Philadelphia area, returns with his third recording of jaunty original tunes. With his friendly inviting voice and versatile musicianship (he plays guitar, banjo, harmonica, and kazoo, among other things), Pullara creates story-songs that convey the sense of wonder with which kids see the world..."
--Publishers' Weekly Childrens' Audio/Video
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​"Steve Pullara sees the world through a kids' eyes.... or at least it seems that way in this collection of 12 songs, each one punctuated with Pullara's unique, appealing sense of humor. The performers' particular talent is the ability to see and vocalize the marvelous in the mundane, whether it's a fish tank, toy train set, or snowflakes (always magical in small doses!) Farther afield, there are neighborhood streets, ubiquitous "alien babies," conga dancing cockroaches, camcorder-touting grandmas, and most wondrous of all, the "little blue dot" where we all live. Pullara and the Cool Beans Band provide smooth, friendly, diverse musical settings in this gentle crowd pleaser." --The American Library Association, Booklist Magazine
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"This high-energy artist mixes music and art in his live performances to the delight of all ages. On his latest CD, Spinning Tails, Pullara displays growth as a songwriter and performer while maintaining the positive messages and simple sense of fun that appeals to his young audience. Steve's own sense of wonder at the world permeates Spinning Tails. Every family will recognize "Grandma's Video Camera," although I admit this city gal has a soft spot for "Cockroach Conga." I'd recommend Spinning Tails for the younger members of the family, although it's certainly fun listening for everyone." --Kathy O'Connell, MetroKids Magazine: Sound Off! about "Spinning Tails!"​ Music For All Ages, Kathy O'Connell is a contributing writer to MetroKids and host of the Peabody-award-winning "Kid's Corner" on WXPN
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Music and Lyrics with Kids in Mind: Spinning Tails​
"Steve has chosen themes that children relate to, ingenious lyrics they'll sing along to, and catchy music compositions they will love. Many tracks have already been featured on our preschool children's radio program - such as Grandmas' Video Camera, The Little Blue Dot, and Alien Babies and we'll be including many more in upcoming shows. Children need to listen to music and this album is educational, entertaining and well produced. (Earwax - Community Radio 2RSR,
Sydney Australia) --Sandi Pomirski about "Spinning Tails!"Producer and Host, BigPond Radio in Sydney, NSW, Australia
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​Steve Pullara​, ASCAP
Box 2091
Warminster, PA 18974
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Ph: 215-675-7743
Fx: 215-675-0747
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Cool Beans Music® is a registered U.S. Trademark
Owned by Steve Pullara.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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