Class Clown by Daffy Dave

His TV Show received 2nd Place (out of 14 Children's Television Shows Nationwide) in the 2003 Hometown Video Awards. Dave's CDs and Videos are sold internationally and his Internet Safety Song (written with Larry Magid of SafeKids.com) is downloaded 1,500 times per month. Daffy Dave also has an official Fan Club and interactive website (daffydave.com) with members locally and around the world. His songs have been featured on The NBC Today Show ("Soccer Rock N Roll" aired on June 1, 2005), pod-casts, and radio stations including KFJC in Los Altos, California and on the nationally-syndicated "Dr. Demento" radio program. Recently, Dave won The 2005 Children's Music Web Award (www.childrensmusic.org) for Best Pre-School Songs "The Hop, Hop Song", "Red Light, Green Light!", and Best Classic Recording (children ages 5-8) for "Get Down with the Clown!" His latest CD, "Silly Party Songs" (a Best Hits CD from his first two albums), was just released for digital and general distribution in 2006. He is now published under the "Friendly Takeovers Music" label and is an BMI affliliate.

Here's a review of Class Clown from School Library Journal:

Daffy Dave

Class Clown CD

Multimedia Review

School Library Journal

Feb. 2007, Vol.53 Issue 2, p66

by Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Branch Library, OH

Editor: Phyllis Levy Mandell

PreS-Gr 2-- Dave Mampel, a former minister who now sings and tells stories in the San Francisco/Silicon Valley area, serves up his fourth CD. The 12 songs were either written and/or arranged by Mampel. Opening with a 1950s Elvis-channeled "Class Clown", Mampel alternates between singing a refrain about a disruptive kid who cuts-up in class and telling jokes accompanied by canned laughter. Other slapstick numbers include "Grown-Ups Get Angry Too" (a story/song about parents needing time-outs), the Caribbean-inspired "Miranda the Panda" (a clever play on word sounds), the Hawaiian-style "Da Pidgin English in Hawaii" (a song full of irreverent information about things Hawaiian), and the upbeat tune "No School Today" (a celebration of this event featuring accordion accompaniment). Daffy Dave uses back-up singers to achieve a 1960's rock 'n' roll sound on "Silly Rock 'n Roll," and alters his voice to achieve a hollow 1920's sound in "Growing Up in a Box." Good advice is given in the toe-tapping "Safekids Online Song." Story.songs round out the recording. Mampel, a 2005 Children's Music Web Award winner, will find plenty of new fans with this charming offering.

Here's a great review from another popular CD of mine, Silly Party Songs, from the July 1, 2006 issue of School Library Journal

Daffy Dave: Silly Party Songs. 1 CD.

72 min. Prod. by Daffy Dave. Dist. By CDBaby.com. 2006. $12.97.

PreS-Gr 2 –

Singer/songwriter Dave Mampel, a.k.a. Daffy Dave, offers an upbeat collection of 26 previously released and two new songs meant to get youngsters up and moving. Listeners will find it difficult to sit still when they hear toe-tapping, hand-clapping songs like “Cuckoo Train,” “Yahoo & Scheechness!” and “Choo Choo Train”. Songs like “The Hop Hop Song” and “Shake a Hand, La, La, La” encourage participation While “One, Two, Smelly Shoe” appeals to the silly side and “De Dinosaurs” evokes a feeling of the islands. Also included are delightful takeoffs on traditional tunes. “Hurry, Hurry, Fire Truck” is sung to the tune of “10 Little Indians” and “Twinkies, Twinkies, Candy Bars” is sung to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Featuring strong, clear vocals and great instrumentation, these songs will delight children in story time or in their own living rooms. A fantastic addition to all collections.

Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL.

Amy (and Dave)...

We are currently playing the title track, "Class Clown", and will likely add other tracks soon.

-Bill

Bill Cooper

General Manager

AM-1450 KBPS Radio

Benson  Polytechnic High School

515 NE 15th Avenue

Portland, Oregon 

Here are some Daffy Dave Fan comments about his music, shows, etc.:

"Your songs are really very funny but not stupid. Each one is meant to teach but in a very original way. You matched popular songs, rock and roll, cool music with fun and education. . .and you hit the mark!!!"

Piera Vernice, Teacher, Rome, Italy

"My kids are always so excited to hear your (CD) and now they have their favorite requests. I put on (the) CD in the car for crowd control and everyone gets a turn picking out the next song -- whew!"

Vicki Wegman

"Daffy Dave I really like your CD because it is very funny. Can you try your hardest to come to my birthday party?"

Isabel and her brother Ellis

"Hey Dave, We wanted to thank you for creating such a swell CD. We start every day with it and have learned all the songs by heart."

The Lonskys

"You know why I like Daffy Dave? He makes me pee my pants!"

Connor, age 5

Dear Daffy Dave,

My son received a gift of your cd when my daughter was born. It has grown into his all time favorite cd. He is 2 1/2 years old and we listen to your cd at least 5 times per day. The first thing he does when he wakes up in the morning is turn on his cd player and dance. Everyone who comes over to our house he makes dance with him. He likes you better than the Wiggles! Anyway, if we ever plan a trip out to California, we will need to come to one of your shows. Until then, we will continue to enjoy your music on our cd player.

Thank you,

Deborah O'Neill

Stoneham, MA

Daffy Dave is one of the rare performers who appeals to adults and children equally...

...Many of the songs on the CD are Dave's original tunes, like "Nanny-foof-N-Nanny" and the story song "What Shall We Do with a Scary Monster?" These will appeal most to kids who have seen one of Dave's numerous shows in the Bay Area...

...Several of the songs will get listeners up and dancing (or if they are in the car, at least they can clap along), including "The Hop-Hop song." In "Elvis Pokey" Dave imitates Elvis while singing "The Hokey Pokey," and he invokes Bob Dylan when singing "If You're Happy and You Know It." This recording will be a sure-fire hit with wide range, will appeal to audiences who have seen Daffy Dave, and will create a demand for new audiences to have Dave visit their libraries.

Penny Peck

San Leandro Public Library

San Leandro, CA

(Here's a review from another satisfied family. It also includes mention of the Daffy Dave Tree Fort Video which will be re-released into DVD format in the fall of 2006):

"Our whole family loves Daffy Dave's Tree Fort. My children laugh hysterically every time they watch it. I love the environmental messages that permeate throughout the video. We need more opportunities to smile and laugh while taking care of Mother Earth. Thank you Daffy Dave and Friends for all that you do!"

Alisa Greene MacAvoy, mother of two girls and former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Manager

ps.

Clara and Marissa listen to your bedtime CD every night before bed and have for the last month. They love it!

And, of course they still watch your DD Tree Fort Video and listen to the other CDs

And some more:

Hi Dave,

We have all missed you since our move to Portland. Seems like Hope is now a bigger fan than Wiley but that's probably mostly because she is still happy with the repetition of seeing the same videos and listening to the same CDs over (and over and over) again. We wish we could be at Taxis to see you and get a silver balloon light saber and a pink puppy.

Hope is here with me. She says she wants you to come to her house for a party.

Really if you are ever in Portland, please look us up, we can show you around.

And more...

jackie says she only wants daffy dave everytime everywhere! you were a

big hit. we thank you so much and hope to see you at more of the

parties in our area. all of the moms loved you too:)

barbra (Barbra Ross, MD, Belvedere, CA)

Here's another:

"Dave, thanks for the CD's. My mom's friend has a daughter that thinks you have "hung the moon!" You are her favorite. She loves you. Two friends of mine have kids who are dying to meet you. What is your secret power over kids? If you bottled it, you could make millions!

Cheers!

Steve Stanley

(trumpet player for "Big Bang Beat", "Aja Vu", and on Daffy Dave's 2nd album)

Dave,

.I'm always looking for fun, creative songs that I can picture kids enjoying. Yours are great.

I don't even know you and can tell you are gifted person who is truly blessed with a wonderful talent. You are obviously fully alive, which is refreshing anywhere!

Thanks again and I will be buying more of your CDs. I already got some from Itunes...I'll recommend them to others.

Carla Smith

Kentucky

Hi Dave!  I've been meaning to send you a quick thank you note and I'm sorry this is a bit delayed.  I wanted to let you know what a wonderful show you put on for my 5 year old twin boys, and their friends ages ranged from 2-7 years old, including all the parents.  I have never seen a group so engaged, belly laughing and screaming with delight, and that included the parents.  Your comedy and magic enthralled EVERYONE and we can't thank you enough.  One of the parents of a 5 and 7 year old told me that your comedy was perfect for the kids and she was suppose to just drop them off at the party but ended up staying. Once your show started, she didn't want to leave.

Again, thank you for a memorable show!!

Regards,

Kathy Reed

Mill Valley, CA

Average Customer Review: