Do possums fly? They can, if you ask singer/songwriter Grant Maloy Smith, whose new song “Fly Possum Fly” is also a children’s Christmas storybook.
Smith will sign copies of the book and perform songs courtesy of Spellbound Children’s Bookshop in Asheville on Friday, November 9, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. The event will take place at The Hop Ice Cream Café nearby, while the bookstore’s new location is under construction. Admission is free.
“Fly Possum Fly,” which is aimed at young children who are starting to read, is about magical possums that save Christmas by flying Santa’s sleigh, after Rudolph comes down with the flu. Not only did Smith write and illustrate the book, but he also recorded the song with rising teenage country music star EmiSunshine.
Listen to “Fly Possum Fly” here:
(Bluegrass version)
https://soundcloud.com/grantmaloysmith/fly-possum-fly_bluegrass/s-BpVoy
(Country version)
https://soundcloud.com/grantmaloysmith/fly_possum_fly_country/s-j2iba
After writing the song, Smith decided he wanted a youthful voice on the record, so he reached out to EmiSunshine, who has appeared on “The Today Show,” NBC’s “Little Big Shots” and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. She is also featured in the recent Elvis Presley documentary film “The King,” which screened at both Sundance and Cannes.
“The concept may seem silly, but it’s so clever,” EmiSunshine said. “It’s informative and funny. Who knew possums had 50 teeth!”
“When we were in the studio, I felt like I had gone back in time and was singing with a 14-year-old Dolly Parton,” Smith said. “Emi has that kind of voice, that caliber of talent, and such a sparkling personality.”
“Fly Possum Fly” (the song) is available through iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and other digital outlets.
Spellbound Children’s Bookshop will present Grant Maloy Smith and “Fly Possum Fly” at The Hop Ice Cream Shop, 640 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC, on Friday, November 9, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. For information, visit https://spellbound.indielite.org/.
Information about Grant Maloy Smith is available at www.Grant-Maloy-Smith.com. Information about EmiSunshine is available at www.TheEmiSunshine.com.
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@GrantMaloySmith
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