Collection received minimal-intermediate preservation processing in August 2015 by processing archivist Greg C. Adams and intern colleague Anne E. Stickley. The collection was received in four shipping boxes. Before arriving in the archives Stickley created a preliminary inventory, elements of which were incorporated into this finding aid. As part of the processing effort, the collection received integrated pest management review, basic preservation rehousing, and preliminary arrangement, culminating in the creation of this finding aid.
Robert Howard Susser (b. 1942) is a musician, producer, and songwriter based in New York City.
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Smithsonian Folkways acquired the Bobby Susser Songs for Children Records directly from Bobby Susser in August, 2015.
Bobby Susser Songs for Children Records, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
The Bobby Susser Songs for Children Records are divided into two series: 1) production files and 2) sound recordings. The production files series is arranged in alphabetical order by folder titles. Most titles were retained based on the documentation and original order created by Susser. In some instances, new folder titles were supplied by the processing archivist. Additional notes are available where further analysis is required.
The sound recordings series is divided into two subseries: 1) Audio Production Elements and 2) Commercial Releases. Audio production elements consists of three Ampex two-inch audio tapes and a group of production CDs and DVDs. The commercial recordings consist of LPs and cassettes.
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage acknowledges and respects the right of artists, performers, Folklife Festival participants, community-based scholars, and knowledge-keepers to collaboratively steward representations of themselves and their intangible cultural heritage in media produced, curated, and distributed by the Center. Making this collection accessible to the public is an ongoing process grounded in the Center's commitment to connecting living people and cultures to the materials this collection represents. To view the Center's full shared stewardship policy, which defines our protocols for addressing collections-related inquiries and concerns, please visit
Folders are arranged in alphabetical order. The five folders listed as "Group 1" through "Group 5" require more definition in order to supply a more accurate title; each folder includes hand written notes relating to the catalog numbers listed after each group name.
Contracts came in a single envelope with the following information indicating Bobby Susser's ownership of the 12 albums that include agreements to pay vocalists, musicians, and a few co-producers (all agreements are works for hire, except Ben E. King):
Paula Atherton For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 12/21/2011
Manny Barker For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs on "Wiggle Wiggle". Signed: 01/12/1995
Tony Brown For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "I Am Not So Different (When You Get To Know Me). Signed: 09/20/1993
Deanna Jones Falchook For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "It's The Flag Along The Way" "All Over The World" "We Must Be Doing Something Right". Signed: 10/21/1992
Deanna Jones Falchook For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "Good Friends Forever" "We'll Figure It Out". Signed: 10/20/1992
Deanna Jones Falchook For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 09/24/1993
Deanna Jones Falchook For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 04/27/1993
Deanna Jones Falchook For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "When We're All Standing Together" "Oh What A Sight". Signed: 04/27/1993
Deanna Jones Falchook For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "It's Nice to Be Nice". Signed: 10/01/1993
Deanna Jones Falchook For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 07/05/1994
Deanna Jones Falchook For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 02/20/1995
Deanna Jones Falchook For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 08/18/1995
Deanna Jones Falchook For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 07/03/1996
Mark Falchook For: To serve as vocalist/musician/arranger. Signed: 02/17/1993
Mark Falchook For: To serve as co-producer. Signed: 03/20/1993
Mark Falchook For: To serve as vocalist/musician/arranger. Signed: 09/06/1993
Mark Falchook For: To serve as co-producer. Signed: 09/20/1993
John Gatto For: Vocalist/musician for various songs. Signed: 11/15/1991
John Gatto For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 05/1/1992
John Gatto For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 04/10/1992
Mark Gaide For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 07/29/1994
Fred Gaurino For: To serve as co-producer. Signed: 06/11/1992
Lou Gimenez For: Serve as co-producer for "WO!" Signed: 12/08/2011
Lou Gimenez For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "Early Learning Sing-Along" "My Day/In Motion And Play" and "All Roads Lead to Home". Signed: 01/19/2012
Lou Gimenez For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "America!" and "WO!" Signed: 01/19/2012
Contracts came in a single envelope with the following information indicating Bobby Susser's ownership of the 12 albums that include agreements to pay vocalists, musicians, and a few co-producers (all agreements are works for hire, except Ben E. King):
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician for various songs. Signed: 11/15/1991
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 05/01/1992
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 05/19/1992
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 06/09/1992
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 08/17/1992
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 08/25/1992
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger on "Getting To Know Each Other". Signed: 10/05/1992
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger on "Getting To Know Each Other". Signed: 02/06/1993
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 05/04/1993
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 09/14/1993
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 09/22/1993
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 05/29/1994
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "Hello Mr. Jack-O-Lantern" "I Love My Coat" "Snowflakes". Signed: 07/29/1994
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "Baseball, Baseball" and "In the Summertime". Signed: 08/19/1994
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 11/26/1994
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 01/12/1995
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 05/13/1995
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 09/16/1995
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 02/23/1996
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 06/04/1996
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 07/26/1996
Mike Green For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 12/11/1997
William Howard For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 01/12/1995
Edward Jackson For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 06/03/1994
Ben E. King Signatories: Bobby Susser and Ben E. King Item Title: Record Artist Agreement For: Bobby Susser Songs For Children From Ben E. King: I Have Songs in my Pocket. Signed: 02/17/1998
Janet Lake For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 01/12/1995
Carol Lane For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "You'll Never Know How Much Fun It Is". Signed: 11/15/1991
Bobby Miller For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "It's Too Hot For That". Signed: 06/03/1994
Bobby Miller For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 01/12/1995
Roberta Nelson For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "I Am Not So Different (When You Get To Know Me)". Signed: 09/20/1993
Dave Newton For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 06/03/1994
Jennifer Orlando For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "Music is Like Magic" "Fill The World With Songs" and "I Have Songs In My Pocket". Signed: 12/11/1997
Barbara Porcelain For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for various songs. Signed: 07/01/1991
Joe Simmons For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "You'll Never Know How Much Fun It Is". Signed: 11/15/1991
Susan Soave For: Vocalist/musician for "Thank The Lord". Signed: 11/07/1991
Susan Soave For: Vocalist/musician for various songs. Signed: 11/15/1991
Susan Soave For: Vocalist/musician for "The Seeds In The Spring Are Going To Grow" and "Just Because We're Small". Signed: 11/29/1991
Susan Soave For: Vocalist/musician for various songs. Signed: 11/22/1991
Alyssa Spooner For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "Music Is Like Magic" "Fill The World With Songs" "I Have Songs In my Pocket". Signed: 12/11/1997
James Thompson For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "Snowflakes". Signed: 07/29/1994
James Thompson For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "We Are Like One". Signed: 05/04/1993
James Thompson For: Vocalist/musician/arranger for "When We're All Standing Together". Signed: 09/20/1993
File includes the following registration number:
Registration Number: SR 195-544 Signatories: Bobby Susser and Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyright Title of Work: Bobby Susser Songs For Children "We Are Better Together" Date Signed: 04/13/1994
Registration Number: SR 203-340 Signatories: Bobby Susser and Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyright Title of Work: Bobby Susser Songs For Children "The Album For All Seasons" Date Signed: 01/05/1995
Registration Number: SR 216-502 Signatories: Bobby Susser and Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyright Title of Work: Bobby Susser Songs For Children "Wiggle Wiggle And Other Exercises" Date Signed: 12/07/1995
Registration Number: SR 216-500 Signatories: Bobby Susser and Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyright Title of Work: Bobby Susser Songs For Children "Respect and Confidence" Date Signed: 01/02/1996
Registration Number: SR 205-498 Signatories: Bobby Susser and Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyright Title of Work: Bobby Susser Songs For Children "Animals At The Zoo" Date Signed: 12/09/1996
Registration Number: SR 256-468 Signatories: Bobby Susser and Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyright Title of Work: Bobby Susser Songs For Children From Ben E. KIng "I Have Songs In My Pocket" Date Signed: 06/03/1998
Registration Number: SR 308-373 Signatories: Bobby Susser and Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyright Title of Work: Bobby Susser Songs For Children "I Need You And You Need Me" Date Signed: 03/27/2002
Registration Number: SR 314-862 Signatories: Bobby Susser and Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyright Title of Work: Bobby Susser Songs For Children "Early Learning Sing-Along" Date Signed: 01/09/2003
Registration Number: SR 354-678 Signatories: Bobby Susser and Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyright Title of Work: Bobby Susser Songs For Children "My Day/In Motion And Play" Date Signed: 06/28/2004
Registration Number: SR 619-319 Signatories: Bobby Susser and Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyright Title of Work: Bobby Susser Songs For Children "All Roads Lead To Home" Date Signed: 05/28/2008
Registration Number: SR 659-104 Signatories: Bobby Susser and Maria A Pallante, Acting Register of Copyright Title of Work: Bobby Susser Songs For Children "America: An Album For All Ages" Date Signed: 09/16/2009
Registration Number: SR 699-922 Signatories: Bobby Susser and Maria A Pallante, Acting Register of Copyright Title of Work: Bobby Susser Songs For Children "Wo!" Date Signed: 04/13/2012
Bobby Susser's handwritten notes from when materials were shipped to the Smithsonian.
Series consists of sound recordings that includes production elements and copies of commercial recordings.
Ampex 456 Grandmaster Reel Box Track Sheets: Lyric, Notes, Note which says "Also might contain 'Bikewell Bear' and 'St. Jude'" Handwritten on reel box Client: New Hope Records Project: Songs for Your Day Producer: Bobby Susser Engineer: Fred Guarino Asst Eng: Brian Montgomery Date: 4/10/1992 Reel: 1 Studio: A Tracks: 24 IPS: 15 N.R.: No Original
Ampex 456 Grandmaster Reel Box Track Sheets Note which says "Also might contain 'Bikewell Bear' and 'St. Jude'" Handwritten on reel box Client: Bobby Susser/New Hope Artist: Bobby Susser Project: Growing Up With A Song #214 Producer: Bobby Susser Engineer: Fred Guarino Date: 10/21/91 Reel: 1/1 Studio: A Tracks: 24 IPS: 30 N.R.: No Original Speed: 15 Red Noise: No Tape: 456 Level: +2/250 Analog Tails Out
Ampex 456 Grandmaster Reel Box Track Sheets Lyric Sheets with handwritten notes Handwritten on reel box Client: New Hope Records Artist: Bobby Susser Project: Album-3: "Everybody Needs Somebody" Producer: Bobby Susser Engineer: F. Guarino Date: 9/15/1992 Reel: 1/1 Studio: A Tracks: 24 IPS: 15 N.R.: No Original
1) Bobby Susser Multitracks for Albums #s 251, 236, 253, 232, misc. songs, "70", "Bikewell Bear", (St. Jude Theme Song), "Oh What A Sight"
2) Re: masters: 1) Wiggle Wiggle, 2) DVD Wiggle Wave Files, 26 Compilation: 1) Mixed Master, 2) DVD Wave Burner Files, PMCD For #260, 1) Wave Burner & audio, 2) Data for #260, 3) Mixed "I'll Always Remember" & "We're Never Far from Home" & All Roads Lead To Home at 24 bit, 1) Song "70 Seventy", 2) Mixed Mastered & DVD & #268 America Album #276 Wo!
3) Mixed Masters PMCDS #s 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 235, 236, 251, 253, Bobby Susser, Multitrack audio & Logic, 9 Files for albums, Extra Song Files, Growing Up With A Song, Just Because We're Small, Thank The Lord, We Deserve The Best, It's The Flag, Dear Mr. President
4) America: 1) Mixes of Songs 24 Bits 2) Duds of Songs, Multitracks
5) Mixed Masters Bobby Susser "WO!" 24 bit & Audio Files CD
6) Multitracks: Let's Dance, Wave Burner DVD For Each Song, Album WO! Entire Album & Individual Songs
7) America: 1) Mixes of Songs-24 bit
Packaged Vinyl Copies 226D-The Album for All Seasons-5 copies To be used for logos etc
Packaged Vinyl Copies 224D-We Are Better Together-5 copies Character has hat. DO NOT use this logo
Each CD contains the following tracks on the packaged CDs:
224D-We Are Better Together 1) I'm Not So Different (When You Get To Know Me) 2) It's Nice To Be Nice 3) Dear Mr. President 4) Once We Help Each Other 5) We Are Better Together 6) We Could Understand 7) Oh What A Sight 8) When We're All Standing Together 9) We Ought To Be Each Other's Friend (Why Shouldn't We Be) 10) Trading Places
226D-The Album for All Seasons 1) Cool, Cool, Cool 2) Hello Mr. Jack-O-Lantern 3) The Green Leaves 4) I Love My Coat 5) Snowflakes 6) I Can Hear The Sleigh Bells Ringing 7) Springtime Is Here Again 8) Baseball, Baseball 9) You Can Feel The Spring 10) In The Summertime 11) It's Too Hot For That 12) Fireflies
228D-Wiggle Wiggle And Other Exercises 1) Wiggle Wiggle 2) March Around In A Circle 3) Shake It And You'll Be Happy 4) Simple Exercise 5) Let's Pretend 6) Stretch Your Arms Way Out 7) The Jumping Exercise 8) We Exercise 9) Hello Hello Goodbye Goodbye 10) Rest Awhile
230D-Respect And Confidence 1) Respect And Confidence 2) When I Really Know 3) When I Try Try Try 4) My Shoelaces 5) I Like To Be Me 6) Don't Treat Me Like A Baby 7) Charlie Lika And Bobby 8) Mr. Richard 9) It's Such A Beautiful Day 10) Things That I Like 11) Respect And Confidence (Reprise)
232D-Animals At The Zoo 1) Animals At The Zoo (Prelude) 2) A Trip To The Zoo 3) A Parrot Can't Keep A Secret 4) A Joey 5) The Friendly King Of The Jungle (Hi There) 6) A Turtle Named Tammy 7) An Elephant Named Ed 8) Matthew The Monkey 9) A Horse With Stripes 10) Alice The Giraffe 11) There's A Seal At The Zoo 12) The Birds Fly And Sing
235D-From Ben E. King I Have Songs In My Pocket 1) I Have Songs In My Pocket 2) Dee Dah Day 3) Music Is Like Magic 4) Bip Bam Boom 5) Sing A Song Each Day 6) There Are Colors All Around 7) Fill The World With Songs 8) Just Do It 9) A Very Special Day 10) Hello Hello Goodbye Goodbye 11) Sleepy Head
236D-I Need You And You Need Me 1) Is Everybody Ready? 2) Good Friends Forever 3) We'll Figure it Out 4) We Must Be Doing Something Right 5) Getting To Know Each Other 6) Everybody Needs Somebody 7) It's All Right 8) All Over The World 9) I Have The Right To Change My Mind 10) Cuddles And Snuggles 11) It's The Flag Along The Way 12) We Deserve The Best
251D-Early Learning Sing-Along 1) I'm Happy 2) We Are Like One 3) Together, Together! 4) It's Raining, It's Pouring, and I'm Wet 5) The Seeds In The Spring Are Going To Grow (With A Little Help) 6) Grandpa Knows So Many Things 7) I Feel So Good When I'm Singing 8) You'll Never Know How Much Fun It Is 9) It's A Kid's World 10) In The Chicken, In The Kitchen 11) I Am A Song (Sing Me) 12) Hug Somebody Today 13) Your Best Friends
253D-My Day/In Motion And Play 1) Good Morning…Good Morning! 2) Don't Forget To Exercise 3) We Better Hurry Up! 4) We Have To Eat 5) Go To School 6) On Our Way Back Home 7) A Daisy 8) I Can't Make Up My Mind 9) Use Your Imagination 10) What Do You Think You'd Want To Be? 11) A World For You And Me 12) I Don't Want To Go To Sleep 13) Lullaby
260D-All Roads Lead To Home 1) We're Never Far From Home 2) All Roads Lead To Home 3) My Room (It's A Wonderful Feeling) 4) Little Brother, Little Sister 5) Grandpa Knows So Many Things 6) We Are Like One 7) All You Need Is Your Family 8) Grandma's Eyes 9) Growing Up With A Song 10) Just Because We're Small 11) I'll Always Remember 12) 70 (Bringin' It Home To You) 13) All Roads Lead To Home (Reprise)
268D-America 1) America 2) Brighter Days 3) Dear Mr. President (Featuring: Mike Green) 4) Lucky Little Man (Living In Louisiana) 5) Building Bridges Today (Featuring Paula Atherton) 6) Hope Is In The Air 7) It's The Flag Along The Way (2009 Version) 8) Fill The World With Songs (Featuring Ben E. King) 9) Dancing In The USA 10) We Can Make It Together 11) Happy Feeling 12) The Res Song (Featuring Paula Atherton)
278D-Wo! 1) Any Time of Day 2) The Wo Wo Song 3) Smiling Face 4) Oooh Good Morning 5) A Party Today 6) Today Is Your Birthday 7) Let's Dance And Dance Forever 8) I'm Ready To Rock N' Roll 9) The Music Gets Us Going 10) On A Train Ride 11) You Ought To Have Fun 12) Good Night
224D-We Are Better Together-6 copies 226D-The Album for All Seasons-6 copies 228D-Wiggle Wiggle And Other Exercises-6 copies 230D-Respect And Confidence-6 copies 232D-Animals At The Zoo-6 copies 235D-From Ben E. King I Have Songs In My Pocket-6 copies 236D-I Need You And You Need Me-6 copies 251D-Early Learning Sing-Along-6 copies 253D-My Day/In Motion And Play-6 copies 260D-All Roads Lead To Home-8 copies 268D-America-5 copies 278D-Wo!-7 copies
226D-The Album for All Seasons-2 packaged copies, plus 1 unpackaged 228D-Wiggle Wiggle And Other Exercises-1 packaged copy, 1 unpackaged copy 230D-Respect And Confidence-2 copies 232D-Animals At The Zoo-5 copies 235D-From Ben E. King I Have Songs In My Pocket-4 copies 251D-Early Learning Sing-Along-2 copies 253D-My Day/In Motion And Play-2 copies