Kidz World kids featured in video

Children’s entertainer Jack Hartmann stopped by Kidz World to shoot video footage for his new song ‘The Gobble’ for Thanksgiving.

BY SKYLA LUCKEY | Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG — Children’s entertainer and Largo resident Jack Hartmann stopped by Kidz World recently to shoot video footage for his new song “The Gobble” just in time for Thanksgiving.

The video shows Hartmann dressed as a turkey with clips from all around Pinellas County, from children dancing at their schools to elderly people cutting a rug in their retirement homes.

“The Gobble” is a fun song that plays off the dance hit “The Wobble.” He hopes “The Gobble” will inspire people to shake their tail feathers and have some fun at this year’s Thanksgiving celebration.

“It’s a fun song and a fun dance for Thanksgiving time,” said Hartmann. “We just came up with it in the studio.”

The nationally recognized children’s singer/songwriter and author had 95 percent of the video completed when he asked Kidz World owner Arthurene Williams if he could feature some of her kids. She jumped at the chance, and he came out Friday afternoon to shoot the final shots.

Hartmann, who has been in the children’s entertainment industry for 35 years, has written 99 percent of his songs and recorded over 700 songs on 26 albums for children. He’s even a hit in Europe.

He and his wife Lisa founded Hop 2 It Music when she was a kindergarten teacher, and he was a social worker. He always did music on the side, but now, since he’s retired, he is able to put all of his energy into entertaining children. Now, classrooms all over the United States and worldwide have used his educational songs as learning tools.

His music includes different genres such as reggae, hip-hop, Latin, country, gospel, rock, Caribbean, African, and pop. He offers workshops to schools, daycares or anywhere children can learn. His songs and dances focus on early childhood topics such as spatial awareness, patterning, basic math with counting and language development.

His next concert is scheduled for Jan. 28 at Ruth Eckerd Hall. For parents who would like to take their children or teachers planning a field trip for their students, log onto www.jackhartmann.com/concerts for registration information.

If you’re interested in Hartmann performing a workshop at your school or in his learning materials, visit www.jackhartmann.com or contact him at (727) 393-7012.