Singer/songwriter and former Bad Examples leader Ralph Covert was also the the brains, guitar, and voice behind Ralph's World, where he crafted fun, unique songs that had equal appeal for kids and their parents. Covert began writing songs for children shortly after the birth of his own daughter, Fiona; around that time, he was also teaching a music class aimed at young children at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Called "Wiggle Worms," the class spanned traditional kids' music and rock, ranging from "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" to "Ziggy Stardust." In 2000, Minty Fresh label founder Jim Powers approached him to record an album of children's music, and the first, self-titled Ralph's World album -- which featured several members of the Bad Examples, as well as other veteran Chicago players -- arrived in 2001. Musically, Ralph's World is as diverse as the "Wiggle Worms" classes were, embracing folk, country, pop, and rock. Albums such as Peggy's Pie Parlor, Amazing Adventures of Kid Astro, Holly Jolly Ralph's World and Green Gorilla, Monster & Me ensured a growing audience of the young and young at heart. ~ Heather Phares