Episode 61: Peek inside the childlike mind of Chris Ballew and meet Caspar Babypants

Part 1: You Don’t Wanna Be a Rock-and-Roll Star 

Chris Ballew lived the rock-and-roll life. 

As frontman for the late, great Presidents of the United States of America, he wrote infectious, goofy, catchy hits about “Peaches” and a “Dune Buggy” when heavy grunge dominated Seattle’s FM radio waves. He toured all over the world. He played to packed arenas and stadiums. He even won a Grammy award. 

But that’s the old Chris Ballew. 

Today, Ballew is a genial, funny everyman who now can laugh about his discomfort with his “Presidents” fame. He’s still well-known and beloved in the Seattle music scene. He still makes infectious, goofy, catchy music that his fans love. 

And those are fans of Caspar Babypants. 

Yes, Chris Ballew has become a children’s musician. He loves it. Little kids love it. And the kids’ parents, who grew up listening to the Presidents of the Unites States of America, they love it, too. 

We told a friend about our Check It Out! podcast interview with Ballew. 

“Caspar Babypants, you mean the guy from The Presidents of the USA? COOL!!” 

Yes, Check It Out! podcast hosts Kurt Batdorf and Paul Pitkin found it very cool to talk about music and creativity with the one and only Caspar Babypants.