Just a few yards past some old train tracks, there's a red dirt road that will bring you to a house with an old cabin in the back nestled in the Cumberland Mountains of middle Tennessee. It's less than an hour from Music City, USA but you feel a lifetime away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Nashville. Don't be surprised to be greeted by a stray dog, a neighbor's cow or the strum of a banjo on the porch.

Jack Norton is an award-winning children's musician, educator and television host. He specializes in performing original, organic music for families and is committed to bringing age-appropriate music to preschool children in a gentle and friendly manner. He and wife Kitty recently settled in Tennessee and their band Conductor Jack and the Zinghoppers was described as "Leon Redbone meets Sesame Street Live" by Billboard Magazine.

"I love that description," jokes Jack as he makes me a cup of chai tea. We're sitting on the porch of the couple's cabin which doubles as a recording studio and makeshift office. By combining acoustic instruments such as the banjo, tuba, string bass, washboard, fiddle and clarinet with the adorable costumed characters from their TV show, their music has been called "jug band for preschoolers" or "toddler bluegrass".

"I grew up on Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly, Bob Dylan and Raffi - so we have a strong folk influence in our music. My great-grandpa was a vaudeville comedian and musician, and I can't tell you how many aunts and uncles, cousins and kin all make music. My wife Kitty writes most of the songs we perform and she grew up in Jamaica singing work songs, children's ditties and gospel hymns," says Jack.

He continues, "folks 'round here often say you can define country music as "three chords and the truth" - I'd have to say that's a perfect description of children's music too." The Washington Post hailed Jack as "a near brilliant children's songwriter".

One of the hardest working children's musicians touring today, Jack performs an average of 350 shows a year (both solo and with his backup band the Zinghoppers) at performing art centers, theaters, libraries, malls, fairs and festivals. He recently toured Tennessee with Governor Phil Bredesen to promote Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program, and is the only children's musician to ever have a featured night at the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

"We'll play anywhere families want to have a funky-folky, sing-a-long, toddler dance party," laughs Jack.

Despite his background in Early Childhood Education, Jack doesn't consider himself a "children's musician". He explains: "My goal is to bring families together through music so I call what I do 'family music' - because adults are a huge part of my audience - and so are their children. I love to see families come together through old-fashioned singing and dancing."

In addition to his busy touring schedule, Jack and wife Kitty have created the children's TV show, "The Zinghoppers Show", which has been seen on PBS, NBC and FOX stations. The stars of this show - Penelope The Possum, Olo The Donkey and Coconuts The Kangaroo - have toured the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, England and Australia with Conductor Jack. Parent Magazine called the TV show, "engaging and educational, mesmerizing and captivating."

"I love performing solo and with the band. It was important for us to combine live music with costumed characters. We hope to engage children with characters they can relate to while providing an organic musical experience for everyone," explains Jack.

Clearly their "Wiggles meets Dan Zanes" performance style is working. Through his corporate partnership with Whole Foods Natural Marketplace, Conductor Jack hosts engaging in-store events which are aimed to present healthy lifestyle choices for preschoolers across North America. His group has also appeared at the Mall of America, CMA Music Festival Fan Fair in Nashville, Minnesota State Fair, Arizona State Fair, BBC's Radio 1 in England and provided entertainment for the families of the New England Patriots at Superbowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona.

Jack's dedication to his craft, energetic live performances, and his respect and honor of children, makes him one of today's foremost family-friendly entertainers.

As friendly in person as he is on stage, Jack's genuine love of music is apparent as he encourages me to go back to the car to get my accordion. The interview is over. Kitty is starting a fire and is calling bandmates, friends, family and neighbors. Within minutes a large crowd of people - young and old - have gathered to jam in the couple's back yard. As the sun goes down in the hills of Tennessee, Jack leads us in a rousing version of "I've Been Working On The Railroad". Even though I'm miles away from Nashville, it's in this setting that I realize Music City isn't a place, it's a state of mind - and it's where Conductor Jack lives.