Lee Alexander Recording Zappa-Inspired Children's Album

Austin Miller

​Lee Alexander remains one of Houston's most celebrated musicians. He is currently the best male vocalist in the city, but the list of accolades he has acquired over the years goes far beyond mere singing talent. After years composing and performing adult-oriented music, Alexander has decided to pursue the production of a children's album.

The idea came to him as he was driving with daughters Ryan and Emma in the back seat. On the car's sound system was something very few children have heard; Frank Zappa's ' (Apostrophe).

"I noticed in the rearview mirror that my girls were cracking up," said Alexander. "You know, the whole "doggy-doo snow cone...don't eat that yellow snow where the huskies go." They thought it was hilarious."

Intrigued by his children's reaction, Alexander started testing They Might Be Giants on them, as well as humorous material by the Coasters. When they responded with delight, it quickly became apparent to Alexander that music that appeals to children doesn't necessarily have to revile adults.

Alexander gets a good chance to observe the youth of today in his job as a teacher in Katy ISD. He's noticed over the years that kids tend to outgrow the Disney/Nick Jr. music specifically designed for them fairly quickly, and instead make room in their musical hearts for acts like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.

"Aside from being too suggestive and inappropriate for that age, it's just not something a lot of parents like me want to listen to either," says Alexander.

A difficult school year forced Alexander to push the project onto the back burner, but an encouraging chance encounter with Leah White at Katie Stuckey's CD release party invigorated him to pick it up again. Alexander sent us the first rough cut from the album, "Christmas Around the World," earlier this week.

Lee Alexander, "Christmas Around the World"