I remember the first time I heard of the American Girl Dolls, it was around 1990’s and my little cousin asked us to call her Kit. It was as simple as that. In wondering why… she showed me her Kit doll and the story behind her. I was amazed and awed and dazzled with American Girl, and I actually remembering thinking that I wished something like this had been available to me back in the early 1980’s. What a GENIUS idea for a Doll Collection!
Well, fast forward about 20 years…
The American Girl brand is stronger than ever. I haven’t had any daughters (yet) to buy an American Girl Doll for, but I have 2 nieces (both 10) who are as dedicated and devoted to the brand as I expected. It is absolutely adorable and very refreshing to see children learning through play, it’s extraordinary!
Not to mention…someone I just adore (and his daughter) have partnered with American Girl — Harry Connick Jr. and his13 year old daughter, Kate. They have created an original song “A Lot Like Me,” (performed by Kate; written/accompanied by Harry), inspired by the story of two new American Girl historical dolls (set in 1850s New Orleans) that will be launch August 30th. This partnership will mark Kate’s solo debut and is the first time American Girl is launching two characters at the same time – one Caucasian and one African American who become friends despite their differences and work together to save their city. Kate’s song, “A Lot Like Me,” is inspired by the dolls’ friendship.
All proceeds from song downloads from “A Lot Like Me” on iTunes will benefit after-school programming for children at the newly founded Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in NOLA. The center opens August 25 as part of Musician’s Village, a project Harry helped establish with Habitat for Humanity to help NOLA’s musicians after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Located in the heart of Musicians’ Village in the Upper Ninth Ward, the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music provides classrooms, rehearsal space, a recording studio, and a state-of-the-art performance hall. Most importantly, the center ensures that the New Orleans sound will live on and local children will continue to learn from music legends.
As soon as I heard about this, I knew I wanted to help spread the word. I think the message of the song is beyond important…
i’ve got a friend
who’s a lot like me
we don’t look alike
but she’s a lot like me
we come from different places
we’ve got very different faces
but she’s my friend
and she’s a lot like me
… and what will come from the money that it generates in helping after-school programming for children in NOLA is just absolutely incredible. Just a homerun on all sides!
And… I had the crazy-cool opportunity to interview Harry and his daughter Kate on Friday afternoon.
Let me set the scene. I was due in NYC to interview them in-person at 1:10PM. We left our house in Rhode Island at 8AM, and when I say “we”, I mean… husband and my 4 sons. We were going to surprise the boys with a trip to FAO and Central Park before my interview. By leaving at 8AM, we expected to be in NYC around 10:45AM… since we drive this route all the time, we kind of know it in our sleep. Well, I couldn’t have predicted the TRAFFIC on Friday afternoon if you PAID me. We didn’t get into the City till till 2:30PM. Around 12:30PM, I was in a panic about not being there on time… so I called my contact to let her know the bad news. I just remember saying, “What’s the worse case scenario?” and she said, “Well, we can get them on the phone for you!”
Ahh!! YES!!
And so… Harry and Kate hopped on the phone with me, while I was in the car with my husband and sons, and were the coolest and most down to earth people! I apologized for the traffic and for the fact that my sons could scream or shout or yell something at any moment (after all, they’re 6, 5, 4 and 3), and they laughed and said not to worry. It was perfect. I’ve been a huge Harry Connick Jr. fan for years, so getting to chat with him about this partnership with American Girl was truly a dream come true. Here’s what we chatted about…
Why was it important for you to partner with American Girl and create the song, “A Lot Like Me?”
Harry: I first read the story and thought it was a wonderful message. And quite honestly, I couldn’t think of anyone better to deliver that message through the song, but my daughter Kate. I thought she would be more relateable to the audience than me.
I see that all the proceeds from the song’s downloads will benefit after-school programming at Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in New Orleans. How does this feel?
Kate: It feels great. After Katrina hit, many of the musicians had to evacuate the area, it was sad. It’s really great to know that this will help benefit after-school programming in bringing classrooms, rehearsal space and a recording studio to young musicians.
Kate, are you an American Girl fan?
Kate: Oh, yes!
Kate, what are you hoping kinds will take from this song?
Kate: It’s all about the message. It’s so important for kids to listen to it and understand it.
What was it like working together?
Harry: It was a wonderful opportunity and a lot of fun to do this with Kate and American Girl!
