Joe Scruggs

Joe Scruggs (born June 21, 1951) is an American singer-songwriter widely acclaimed for his children's and folk music output.[1] He was also a major personality as a children's entertainer, touring schools across America[2] and making television appearances on shows ranging from Barney & Friends to The David Letterman Show.[3]

For the American football coach, see Joe E. Scruggs.
Joe Scruggs
Born (1951-06-21) June 21, 1951
El Paso, Texas, United States
OccupationMusician, singer-songwriter
Period1979-2012
GenreChildren's music, Folk music

Background

Joe Scruggs grew up in El Paso, Texas, making his first performances as a member of youth choirs in the Methodist Church.[4] As a child of the 1960s, he sang in a group that performed folk songs that would influence his future compositions.[3][5]

Scruggs attended the University of Texas at El Paso. He later received an MA from Texas Tech University.[6]

By the 1980s, he had married and brought his brand of folk music to the kindergarten classroom, where his wife taught. His songs received the acclaim of teachers and students alike.[3][7]

After performing in shows in the early in the early 2010s and around San Antonio,[8] and at Manchester College,[9] he celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Children of Woodlands.[10]

Career

1980s

Scruggs released his debut studio album, Late Last Night, in 1984. It featured "catchy lyrics and professional arrangements", catching the attention of the Children's Radio Network. He built upon his musical canon by releasing his next four albums in the four years following.[11] This output netted him many awards, and got him featured on Today and The David Letterman Show.[3] The decade ended with the release of a Christmas album.[11]

1990s

Bahamas Pajamas released in 1997, followed by the LP that would be his last, Ants.[11] However, Scruggs continued to perform for children nationwide and was featured in the PBS' Barney & Friends episode "The Exercise Circus!" in 1993. In the gap between Bahamas Pajamas and Ants, Scruggs released two live concert videos to heavy praise.[11]

2000s

Scruggs partnered up with his high school friend, Pete Markham, to tour the country performing his show called the Nanny Nanny Boo Boo Revue. The creative force of Scruggs's career culminated in a musical theater piece called Not Afraid of the Dark, for which Scruggs wrote the songs. His music was arranged by Gary Powell, and together with Stephen Mills and the Ballet Austin organization Joe's fun and magical music was put to the stage.[12]

Personal life

Scruggs has retired from the children's entertainment business. He currently lives with his wife and two children near Austin, Texas. On October 28, 2022, Scruggs made his return to children's entertainment with a remake of his song "Belly Button", which he renamed "Belly Button Hoo Doo." This marks Scruggs' first release since 1994.[3]

Awards and recognition
  • Parents' Choice Honor Recording (1986), Abracadabra[11]
  • Parents' Choice Gold Award (1987) Deep in the Jungle[11]
  • 1st Place, U.S.A. Film Festival (1991) Skateboard[11]
  • California Children's Video Award (1991)[11]
  • Oppenheimer Gold Seal Award (1987, 1991) Deep in the Jungle, Bahamas Pajamas
  • Parents' Choice Gold Award (1991) Bahamas Pajamas
  • Notable Children's Video Award (1993)
  • American Library Association Notable Award (1994)
  • Cable Ace Award (1996)
  • BMI TV Music Award (1997)

Works

Albums
  • Late Last Night (1984)[11]
  • Traffic Jams (1985)[11]
  • Abracadabra (1986)[11]
  • Deep in the Jungle (1987)[11]
  • Even Trolls Have Moms (1988)[11]
  • Merry Christmas (1989)[11]
  • Bahamas Pajamas (1990)[11]
  • Ants (1994)[11]
Late Last Night (1984)
  • "Late Last Night"
  • "Wiggle in My Toe"
  • "Ants in My Pants"
  • "Belly Button"
  • "What Do They Do With the Children?"
Traffic Jams (1985)
  • "Goo Goo Ga Ga"
  • "In the Freezer"
  • "Under Your Bed"
  • "This Little Piggy"
Deep in the Jungle (1987)
  • "Deep in the Jungle"
  • "By the Way"
  • "Skateboard"
  • "Green Peas"
  • "Rock-n-Roll MacDonald"
  • "Put Your Thumb in the Air"
Even Trolls Have Moms (1988)
  • "Even Trolls Have Moms"
  • "Swing Low, Saint Mountain"
  • "Talking Toybox"
Bahamas Pajamas (1984)
  • "Bahamas Pajamas"
  • "Busy Box Band"
  • "Swing Low, Saint Mountain"
  • "On Halloween Night"
  • "Gingerbread Man"
Ants (1994)
  • "Big Underwear"

Filmography
  • Joe's First Video (1989)[11]
  • Joe Scruggs in Concert (1992)[11]

Musical theatre
  • Not Afraid of the Dark (2012)[12]

References
  1. "Best Best Children's Entertainer: Joe Scruggs". www.austinchronicle.com. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  2. March 1989 0, Anne Dingus (1989-03-01). "Songs of Innocence". Texas Monthly. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  3. "About Joe Scruggs". hellojoe.com. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  4. Gossard, Jason. "SUPER JOE SCRUGGS". San Antonio Current. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  5. Staff Writer. "Round Rock athletic complex named for late coach Kelly Reeves; Austin hosts forum on special education services". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  6. "Joe Scruggs | Music Biography, Credits and Discography | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  7. "Joe Scruggs (Singer/Songwriter) || Ep. 28". jakeshappynostalgiashow.sounder.fm. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  8. Express-News, San Antonio (2010-05-06). "For kids: Joe Scruggs, 'Darwin the Dinosaur'". mySA. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  9. "Joe Scruggs coming to Manchester College". www.manchester.edu. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  10. ROWE, DEBORAH (2006-04-19). "Joe Scruggs leads 25th anniversary celebration for Children of The Woodlands". Chron. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  11. "Shadow Play Records & Video" (PDF). 31 October 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2014-07-08.
  12. "Not Afraid of the Dark: The Show That Glows | Ballet Austin". balletaustin.org. Archived from the original on 2013-04-26. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
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