“My whole heart has gone into making music for kids,” says Petaluma’s Arann Harris. Known as Farmer Arann, he puts on shows and music education programs at his family’s Windrush Farm on Chileno Valley Road, just west of Petaluma. He also runs a summer farm camp and performs monthly at Little Saint in Healdsburg. Harris’s family sing-alongs are joyful affairs mixing original tunes with a bubble machine and a giant green marching-band-style drum emblazoned with the word “YES!”
Harris grew up in Oakland but knew he wasn’t a city boy. In his 20s, he worked as a rafting guide, an outdoor ed teacher and an Outward Bound leader. In the 2010s, he was a fixture of the Bay Area’s live music scene with his group The Farm Band. But the late nights of a working musician were at odds with raising two kids and working life on the farm. Bringing children and their families to the property for music and nature education brought all aspects of his creativity together.
Gregarious and larger than life, Harris creates music that feels genuine and fun. “I’m trying to get people involved, engaged and smiling — moving their bodies and just enjoying being together.” myanimalmusic.com
Music for kids
“I feel like I was always a kids’ musician. Some musicians need a quiet audience, but I’m fine with kids going all over the place and having energy. I want that. I thrive on that.”
Finding his place
“After being a touring musician and sort of getting beaten by that world, it gives me value to see pure joy in kids. It really allows me to enjoy music again.”
Come on in
“I have a welcome song called “Come On In,” that plays on the idea of being neighborly and that this stranger with a guitar is safe. That’s the energy I want to give the world, welcoming people to my campfire, to my farm.”
Routine brings comfort
“The kids come in and there’s giant sheep and giant drums. We start with the same songs; we end with the same songs, so we have a routine that we do every week. You see kids light up and get that they’re allowed to move their body to the rhythm, and they’re allowed to smile. It brings great joy to see kids just being themselves.”
Spring forward
“The upcoming sessions are really exciting because the baby lambs are arriving. People get to interact with the babes and green grass, and it’s warming up. It’s just a real nice time on the farm.”