Variety Show by Kim Esty

It was during this time, in the early 90’s, that Kim formed a strong friendship and working relationship with renowned Canadian Artist, Producer and Remixer Barry Harris, At the time, Barry was involved in the duo Kon Kan, who had the international hit "I Beg Your Pardon, Harry Houdini". Kim toured and performed with Kon Kan on several occasions through many foreign countries, including Malaysia and Korea and Barry also produced Kim’s CHR track ‘Make You Mine’

"Summer In The Streets" (produced by Kim Esty and Massimo Rosati) was released in 1993, giving Kim her first bonafide radio and club hit. "Summer In The Streets" was promoted by Kim’s good friend and dance music industry icon Rawle James (currently of CeSoul Music- Carl Henry). And although Kim was beginning to make some impressive waves on her

own it was an introduction to the Boomtang Boys that would take Kim’s career to the next level. The duo remixed and re-released a new version of Kim’s single and "Summer In The Streets" became a hit all over again three years later.

While hard at work on compilations with other artists, Kim had another hit with a Stacey Q cover - "Two of Hearts" - on the Club Euro compilation. This one went Gold in Canada, and was produced by Brad Daymond (N’Sync Producer/Writer] and Vince Degiorgio. Once again, however, it was the Boomtang Boys who would have a pivotal impact on Kim’s career. Kim was asked to sing a couple of tracks for the upcoming Boomtang release for Virgin Records in 1998. They had a particular song in mind, one with sexual undertones that they felt would be perfect - "Squeezetoy."

"Squeezetoy" was Kim’s huge break, the push that would send the snowball careening down the mountainside in a controlled path and which would mark the beginning of the "Rubber Ducky Phenomenon".

Kim’s idea to sing the song in a girlish and innocent voice, but with undertones of sexiness, was met with hearty approval. With a great song, a cool idea, and excellent musical chemistry, how could anything go wrong? It didn’t. Kim also sang a cover of Billy Idol’s "Dancin’ With Myself," and "Pictures" which is Kim’s personal favourite, on the Boomtang Boys Greatest Hits Album.

Kim went on tour as the album was about to be released. Accompanied by her talented dancers, Kim joined the Boomtang Boys and the Moffats on their 1999 Canadian tour. "Squeezetoy" debuted at #1 on Billboard and stayed there for 4 weeks, a historical record. So far only Shania Twain and Alanis Morrisette have managed to debut at #1, as well. The Boomtang Boys gave out yellow rubber duckies at concerts and Kim and her "Squeezetoy" single proved to be a huge success. This fact was irrefutable as over 50,000 copies of the album were sold and "Squeezetoy" hit Gold status. Today it has surpassed over 150,000 units sold. The 1999 Much Music Video Awards saw "Squeezetoy" receive the award for "Best Dance Video," a great moment for the Boomtang Boys and Kim

Following the phenomenal success of "Squeezetoy", Kim released "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy" on the YTV compilation with friend and producer Colin McMillan. As well, there have been re-releases of "Funky Little Beat" and "Two of Hearts" on compilation albums.

From the success of "Squeezetoy" came Kim’s idea to open up her Squeezetoy Studios (incorporating the talents of Engineer/Producer Richard Uglow.). The ‘logo’ for the studio was a cartoon illustration of Kim the "Squeezetoy Girl" and, hence, the "gang" for the "Kartoon Kids" project was born.

In 2002, Kim Esty became the voice and the creator behind the "Kartoon Kids," a group of hip and youthful characters and their pets with catchy lyrics and upbeat music geared to 2-7 year olds. Recently featured on the CANADIAN PRESS newswire, GLOW magazine and many other publications across the country, Kim says of her "Archie gang-style group" - "The Kartoon Kids are about education, discovering individual talents, kids becoming who they want to be and knowing that dreams can be achieved with hard work and perseverance." And who better to teach this lesson than Kim Esty?

But Kim has never veered from her path as Canada’s much-loved pop/dance artist. By incorporating her varied experiences in the ‘industry’, the many inevitable ups and downs, the pop and the dance music scenes, the concept for Kim’s new, full length release ‘VARIETY SHOW" was developed.

"VARIETY SHOW" is Kim’s debut album as a pop/dance artist. There was no hesitation from around the world to combine efforts in support of their old friend’s dream of a full-CD release. Barry Harris (now better known as half of the renowned remixing team Thunderpuss along with partner Chris Cox) once again came forward and contributed his re-mixing talents to "VARIETY SHOW". Thunderpuss has been busy over the years working out of Los Angeles remixing some of the world’s biggest stars, including Janet Jackson and Enrique Engliesis.

"VARIETY SHOW" also saw some collaboration from the remixers "Widelife," a popular name in the nightclub scene since 2002. The single "I Don’t Want You" was Widelife’s first release, and was a smashing success. Widelife is Ian J.Nieman and Rachid Wehbi, both rather well known names in the music industry. Widelife and Thunderpuss have collaborated before, so in a way "VARIETY SHOW" is like a "reunion of friends". Of course, Richard Uglow, engineer, was also a key collaborator in the musical arrangement of a number of the songs on this release

With such outstanding talent at work, "VARIETY SHOW" promises to be, without a doubt, a debut disc full of hits that can only promise to turn Kim’s dreams into a reality!

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