Congratulations to Random.org’s winner=#9! Erin Nieman won Brady’s new CD. Please share about Brady’s CD as a thank you for his reaching out to the autism community! Remember you can download a FREE song, sign up for his newsletter, and order the CD HERE!

A small envelope was hiding in our mailbox yesterday. It containeda brand new CD from Grammy nominated singer Brady Rymer- Love Me for Who I Am. It is coming out TODAY for Autism Awareness Month. I told Dr. J, “Look! I’m SO excited! Someone sent us music just for kids with Aspergers! Isn’t that exciting?” Dr. J smiled and said, “YES!”

I popped the CD in the computer, pushed play, and left the room to get something. As soon as the music started, I started dancing and was taken back 4 years to a time when my son loved peppy music and we knew nothing of autism….

Our family first discovered Brady’s music when Dr. J was one. I found Brady’s CD “Look at My Belly” at the library. The music was so fun, it quickly became a favorite of our whole family! My husband and I would dance around with Dr. J, belting out, “Look at my belly, look at my belly! Look how big it is!”

When Dr. J became more sensitive to loud sounds, I stopped playing music. My life became much quieter. This musician became a different person.

Then I discovered that Brady is releasing a new CD dedicated to kids on the autism spectrum. Really?! I just had to find out more! I thought Brady was a pretty cool guy already, but when I read that he had been doing yearly concerts and more at a school for children who learn differently, and making connections with many autism spectrum children, I appreciated him even more. His work with these awesome kids inspired some pretty awesome songs!

Dr. J’s favorites are “Soft Things,” “So Many Ideas,” and “I Don’t Like Change.” Ironically, while Brady was singing “I have so many ideas in my head…” Dr. J was busy in his own world, unresponsive but drawing an important picture. You can download Dr. J’s beloved “Soft Things” for FREE over at Brady’s site!

Meatball, my little music man, got up on his couch-stage and started singing the phrase “things stay the same” from “I don’t like change,” the song he had just heard. Meatball liked the peppy songs and was dancing around the room. FYI, if you have a mimicker like me, just want to let you know in the upbeat song “Who Wants to Wear Shoes?” the phrase “darn cute” appears. I know some parents avoid that word.

Watch this video of Brady and the kids at CTC School, and you’ll see all children will be able to relate to various songs on this fun CD that just won a Parent’s Choice award! (Be warned: You will want to dance!) It would make a great gift, and a wonderful addition to collections at libraries and play groups everywhere!

Brady is donating 5% of his CD sales to Autism Speaks, but more importantly he’s donating proceeds back to the kids who inspired the music. Additionally, he found an artist, Zoe Kakolyris, who has Aspergers and is deaf as well. Her drawings express the spirit of the CD perfectly!

Brady Rymer music is happy music. Now, here’s the part that makes me giddy with joy! Brady has agreed to giveaway a copy of his CD on my blog! Giveaway starts NOW and ends Friday at midnight, EST. Open to residents in the US. Please leave a comment for EACH ENTRY!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit Brady’s site, and you will find the playlist from the CD on the right side. Click around and leave a comment saying which song appealed to you and why.

Optional Entries:

While you’re at Brady’s site, sign up for his email newsletter! (orange label under tour dates) Leave a comment saying you did. Good for one entry.

“Like” Brady’s page on Facebook. Good for one entry.

Sign up for my blog–top right! Leave a comment saying you did. Good for one entry.

Share this contest on Facebook and leave a comment. Good for one entry per day.

Copy this phrase to tweet about this contest. Good for one entry per day. “#WIN Brady Rymer’s awesome new CD! In honor of kids on the #autism spectrum, but loved by all! https://wp.me/p1seto-mH @manyhatsmommyMI”

Have fun with the music and remember to leave all your entries! I can’t wait to see which random entry wins. Thank you to Brady for reaching out to our children and making a CD in their honor!