Good Rockin' Daddies, an American roots music, educationally based band for kids from Greater Portland will perform as featured foreign guest performers in the international children's music festival, "Flying Elephant '98", to be held in Palanga and Juodkrante Lithuania on July 30 and 31, 1998.

Armed with an official letter of support for their mission from Governor of Maine, Angus King, co-founders Randall Morabito and Ted DeMille are currently seeking funding to help offset travel expenses for this trip. "The festival management has offered to foot all our expenses within Lithuania during the time we will be there," says Morabito, the band's electric guitar player, "but they regret that they are only partially funded by the Lithuanian Cultural Ministry at this time, and cannot pay for our airfare or performance fees."

Although a burdensome and unprofitable scenario, acceptance of these unusual conditions demonstrates the Good Rockin' Daddies' atypical approach as children's performers. "We see this as an unprecedented opportunity to reach out to the children of a newly independent, post-Soviet nation," says DeMille, also a Cape Elizabeth school teacher. "We will be the first Americans many of them have ever seen. Such a representation carries a responsibility not to be taken lightly."

The authentic '50's style band performs original old rock n' roll, blues, and country songs for kids from their album, "Born To Boogie", available in local record shops, at LL Kids, and through their website (www.gwi.net/~bigkid), where they were discovered by the Lithuanian festival manager. "Our music, stage show, and website stay true to a distinct American art form," says Morabito. "I think this is why they were attracted to us. We're excited to be able to present it to them".

Good Rockin' Daddies will perform two shows for the So. Portland Rec. Dept at Mill Creek Park, So. Portland, ME on Mon June 29 at 12:30pm and 1:45 pm. They are also planning a fund raising show at the end of July to help defer travel expenses. Details to be announced. Donations of support are being accepted, and may be sent to:
Good Rockin' Daddies, 172 Lamb St., Westbrook, ME, 04092. (207) 854-0311.