Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band

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Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
Genres
  • Children's
  • Latin
  • Kindie
Years active2010–present
Members
Past members
  • Theron Derrick
  • Deacon Marrquin
  • Kurtis Keber
  • Michael Klooster
  • Michael Farkas
  • Gee Rabe
  • Joe Harpcat
  • Eric Morones
  • Dale Edward
  • Wesley Switzer
  • David Longoria
  • Henry Hofman
  • Robert Eibach
Websitehttp://luckydiazmusic.com
Alisha Gaddis and Lucky Diaz

Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band (also known as Lucky Díaz y La Familia Música, and The Lucky Band) is the husband and wife team of Lucky Diaz and Alisha Gaddis.[1] The Grammy and Emmy-award-winning duo plays bilingual indie music for kids described by The Washington Post as "a hip-shaking, head-bopping, Los Angeles–based explosion of 'kindie' rock."[2] They are known for whimsical children's songs which they also incorporated into a television show. Diaz graduated from Berklee College of Music and Gaddis graduated from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.[3]

Billboard recognized the band as among Latin Children's Music Artists You Should Know, describing them as "kind of like a bilingual B-52's for kids"[4] and People Magazine listed their album A Potluck first in cool kids albums.[5]

Awards[edit]

The Lishy Lou and Lucky Too television show has won multiple Emmys. Gaddis also won an Emmy for Best Performer for her work on the show.[6]

The National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA) recognized Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band's album A Potluck with an Honors Award and recommended the album to "families who enjoy their rock in a variety of styles."[7]

They won a 2013 Latin GRAMMY Award for Best Latin Children's Album for ¡Fantastico![8] making Diaz and Gaddis the first Americans to win a Latin GRAMMY.[1] Their album Adelante was a 2015 Best Latin Children's Album GRAMMY Nominee at the 16th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards.[9] In 2019, they won their second Latin Grammy Award for the album Buenos Diaz under the name The Lucky Band.[10] The album Paseo Lunar was nominated for a 2020 Latin Grammy Award in the Children's category making this the fourth nomination for The Lucky Band.[11][12]

The albums Crayon Kids (2021) and Los Fabulosos (2022) were nominated in the Best Children's Album category for the 64th Grammy Awards and 65th Grammy Awards respectively.[13]

The band was the recipient of the Parent's Choice Gold Award from the Parent's Choice Foundation which rewards excellence in children's entertainment, for Oh Lucky Day (2011).[14]

Activism[edit]

Along with Polly Hall and Andrew Barkan (Andrew and Polly) and CJ Pizarro (Mista Cookie Jar), Diaz and Gaddis produced the album Hold Tight, Shine Bright to help separated immigrant families and promote "the preservation and promotion of love, hope and family." The proceeds will go to Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) to be used for legal aid for families affected by the current immigration crisis.[15]

Television appearances[edit]

Diaz and Gaddis co-executive produced and co-starred in the live-action television show inspired by their act called Lishy Lou and Lucky Too. It centers around the characters Lishy Lou, Lucky, and their friend Thingamajig and teaches values, social skills, and Spanish through music and dancing.[16]

Their song Falling was featured in a Coca-Cola commercial.[17]

Additional and touring members[edit]

Touring and additional band members have included Theron Derrick,[18] Deacon Marrquin, Kurtis Keber, Michael Klooster, Michael Farkas, Gee Rabe, Joe Harpcat,[19] Eric Morones, Dale Edward, Wesley Switzer, Robert Eibach, David Longoria and Henry Hofman.[20]

Discography[edit]

  • Luckiest Adventure (April 2010) CD Only
  • Oh Lucky Day (April 2011)
  • A Potluck (May 2012)
  • ¡Fantastico! (May 2013) – Best Latin Children's Album GRAMMY Winner, 2013[8]
  • Lishy Lou and Lucky Too (October 2013)
  • Aquí, Allá (May 2014)
  • Adelante (May 2015) – Best Latin Children's Album GRAMMY Nominee, 2015[9]
  • Greatest Hits Vol 1 (July 2016)
  • Made in LA (July 2017)
  • Hold Tight, Shine Bright (August 2018)
  • Buenos Diaz (April 2019)
  • Paseo Lunar (May 2020)
  • Crayon Kids (June 2021)[21]
  • Los Fabulosos (April 2022)

Books[edit]

Lucky Diaz published his first children's book "Paletero Man" with HarperCollins Children's Books, in June 2021.[22]

Personal life[edit]

Diaz and Gaddis met at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles, California.[6] They married in 2012[23] and are raising two children together.[24]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Troubadour Radio: 'Jam Band' Releases A New Album For Kids". Npr.org.
  2. ^ "- The Washington Post". Washington Post.
  3. ^ "Lucky Díaz Hits the Musical Note on the Head | River City Atttractions". www.rivercityattractions.com. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  4. ^ "5 Latin Children's Music Artists You Should Know". Billboard.com.
  5. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: 8 Cool Kids' Albums Now!". People.com.
  6. ^ a b "Alisha Gaddis & Lucky Diaz: Family Life in Showbiz". Apartment Therapy.
  7. ^ "2012 NAPPA Awards: Music - Philadelphia, PA". Metrokids.com.
  8. ^ a b Khoshaba, Christy. "Latin Grammys 2013: The complete list of winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times.
  9. ^ a b "Latin Grammys 2015: See the Full Winners List". Billboard.com.
  10. ^ "2019 Latin GRAMMY Nominees & Winners List". Grammy.com. 2019-09-24. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  11. ^ "2020 Latin GRAMMYs: Complete Winners & Nominees". Gammy.com. 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2020-11-27.
  12. ^ "The Lucky Band - Paseo Lunar". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2020-11-27.
  13. ^ www.grammy.com https://www.grammy.com/artists/Lucky-Diaz-And-The-Family-Jam-Band/38606. Retrieved 2023-03-07. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ^ "Oh Lucky Day!". Parent-choice.org.
  15. ^ Musbach, Julie. "'Hold Tight, Shine Bright' Album to Benefit Detained Immigrant Children". BroadwayWorld.com.
  16. ^ "Lishy Lou and Lucky Too". IMDb.com.
  17. ^ "Interview with Lucky Diaz of the Family Jam Band". Blastingnews.com. July 22, 2017.
  18. ^ Heffley, Lynne. "Half Lucky, full jam band to play at Descanso Gardens". Los Angeles Times.
  19. ^ "Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band". Bandsintown.com.
  20. ^ "Welcome to Grand Performances". Grandperformances.org.
  21. ^ "Crayon Kids - Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band | User Reviews". AllMusic.
  22. ^ "Paletero Man". HarperCollins.com.
  23. ^ "Alisha Gaddis". IMDb.com.
  24. ^ "Lucky Diaz's Bilingual Summer Song 'Paletero Man' Is an Immigrant Anthem For Kids: Video Premiere". Billboard.com.

External links[edit]

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