“I was delighted to see so many families come to the library on such a cold evening and enjoy the wonderful family program,” remarked Ilene Gavenman, Children’s and Young Adult Librarian. “I just feel that Putnee has a very imaginative way of entertaining young children with his voice, guitar and costumes. It’s all tied into having listening time and action, wonderful components for a great program.”Putnee performs at schools, libraries and birthday parties. “I’ve been doing this for 25 years,” Putnee recalled. “Someone told me that I should do children’s music and I said, ‘I think you are right.’ So I’ve been doing this a long time. I have a master’s degree in psychology to work with families, but this is my real love, playing music and writing songs.”“That’s part of my life, that I love what I do,”said Putnee. “I feel really blessed that I get to do what I love. A lot of my songs come out of my experience with the kids - if something works, then I will use it again. They don’t care too much if it isn’t perfect, and a lot is improvisational. I keep many of the songs in my head and they’re not even written down.” Putnee is doing what he loves, and to the kids in Santa Paula, he’s a star.
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“My name is Putnam Lee, but the kids just squish my names together and call me Putnee.” Putnam Lee played the guitar and sang, and the children became part of the musical tales; laughing, dancing and singing. “I do story songs mostly, with costumes,” he explained. “The kids can wear the costumes and play out the songs - like the ‘Gingerbread Man,’ ‘Rapunzel,’ and ‘Billy Goat Gruff.’” Photo by Susan Branham |
Putnam Lee plays the guitar, sings, children became part of the musical tales
February 02, 2007
Santa Paula News
By Susan Branham
Santa Paula TimesThe children were the story when Putnee visited Blanchard Community Library one recent night. Community children became the characters as he wove his musical magic with the guitar. Putnee combined music, story songs and costumes with imagination and energy - and created a special night for community children, as the first family program of the year came to the library. “My name is Putnam Lee, but the kids just squish my names together and call me Putnee.” Putnam Lee played the guitar and sang, and the children became part of the musical tales; laughing, dancing and singing. “I do story songs mostly, with costumes,” he explained. “The kids can wear the costumes and play out the songs - like the ‘Gingerbread Man,’ ‘Rapunzel,’ and ‘Billy Goat Gruff.’”The children became part of the Nutcracker Ballet as they danced as swans and fought as rats. They also enjoyed the classic tale about Rapunzel. “I write the children’s stories into songs, and the kids get to be the characters. I do a lot of traditional children’s music, too,” Putnee said.Putnee enjoys the performances as much as the children do. “It is a lot better to fall forward on something you love than to fall back on something that you don’t want to do,” said Putnee. “I fell forward on children’s music.”
