JAY — Last week, the Jay PTO organization brought Maine singer/songwriter Rick Charette to the Jay Elementary School for a concert that saw students and teachers alike taking part.

Before the concert, Charette said he is finishing up his 12th CD. It is named 7 Ate 9 and answers the riddle, “Why is 6 afraid of 7?” Because 7 ate 9!

Charette recorded his first LP album, Bubble Gum,  in 1983. Alligator in the Elevator was his first big hit.

Charette often writes songs with kids so they can share the process. He reaches multi-generations with his music. “Parents remember it fondly and are excited to share it with their kids,” Charette said. He spoke of a news article that said, if kids could vote, Rick Charette would be governor.

Charette is definitely a phenomenon. Childhood should be a fun time in a child’s life according to him and that is the essence of his music. He writes happy songs and uses hand motions at concerts so that the children feel like they’re a part of it.

“Everyone fits in with music,” Charette said. It gets the blood flowing and helps with their learning. Children are also better able to focus.

School concerts are a trademark for Charette. He has visited more than 200 elementary schools and loves to be home. He has three children who are grown and grandchildren.

Second grade teacher, and PTO member, Shannon Cuthbertson said the concert was paid for with money raised through the Dunkin’ Donuts Community Mug Program. This was the first year the mugs were used and it brought in a lot of money. “We try to bring in a singer or author at least once a year,” Cuthbertson said. The PTO also funds field trips and other educational presentations.

Charette told the students and staff he was happy to be at Jay Elementary School. “It’s like being at my home away from home, I’ve been here so many times,” he said.

Before singing each song, Charette would give a bit of background information about the song and how he came to write it. Bruce the Happy Vegetarian Moose is based on a true story while I Love Mud came from the time he saw his sixth grade son swimming in a mud puddle. “It formed such a powerful image in my head,” he said. Alligator in the Elevator came about after his 2-year old son got scared when Charette said they would have to get in an elevator and the boy heard the word alligator instead of elevator.

Charette believes in audience participation and includes hand or body motions with each song. He has everyone practice first and most of the staff joined in with the students. He had anyone celebrating a birthday up front and even had kitchen worker Doris Allen come out to be recognized.

Later, Sylvia Desjardins, Lyn DiSotto and Deb Packard were called to the front and recognized as they will be retiring at the end of the school year. Lastly, all teachers were called up front to help him sing The Yellow Bus.

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