Smithsonian Folkways, the nonprofit record label dedicated to preserving cultural heritage, has announced its acquisition of Young People’s Records, an innovative label that spearheaded the record club sales model and released high-quality, interactive music for children. This acquisition of 135 releases and approximately 300 tracks will make select titles available to the public for the first time in decades—including 10 works by American folk singer and songwriter Tom Glazer, best known as the writer of the classic children’s song “On Top of Spaghetti”—available to stream and download.

Founded in 1946 by musician, Juilliard graduate, and former Sarah Lawrence College professor Horace Grenell, Young People’s Records was one of the first labels to focus on creating engaging, educational music specifically for elementary and preschool-age children. The catalog, generously gifted to Smithsonian Folkways in 2021 by Susan Brown, Laura Maslon, and Francine Ringold, brings this collection under the Smithsonian Folkways umbrella for new generations to enjoy.

Young People’s Records joins a growing group of over twenty legacy labels acquired and integrated by Smithsonian Folkways since the original Folkways Records catalog was acquired by the Smithsonian in 1987. These include Arhoolie Records (2016); Fast Folk Records (1999); Paredon Records (1991); Folk-Legacy Records (2019); and more—each selected for its cultural significance and unique contribution to Smithsonian Folkways’ expansive archive of sound and music from around the globe.

The label played an integral part in shaping the landscape of children’s music during the 1940s-’60s, most notably through the contributions of legendary artists such as Pete Seeger, Oscar Brand, Charity Bailey, and especially Tom Glazer, who recorded countless records aimed at young audiences. In its first five years, Young People’s Records sold thousands of albums exclusively through mail-order catalogs, and it later became part of the Children’s Record Guild, owned by John Stevenson, one of the first commercially significant record clubs in the world.

Known for its innovative approach to distribution, the label adopted vinyl for its 10” records at a time when shellac was still standard, pairing the format with colorful, interactive packaging designed to engage children. Instead of relying on fairy tales or fantasy, the music addressed real-life subjects, ranging from folk tales and music education to everyday themes that children could relate to in their own lives. The label's sing-alongs and dramatic play music aimed to make learning fun, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of children’s entertainment.

Susan Brown, who with her siblings, donated the catalog, said, “Like millions of other children, we grew up singing, dancing and learning from the extraordinary artists on the YPR and CRG labels. We loved everything they offered – from the bloom of carrot seeds to the rumble of trains to the promise of space. Our father, John Stevenson, proudly brought Horace Grenell's musical and educational vision to a whole generation of young Americans. Today, through our archival donation, Smithsonian Folkways is making these groundbreaking records available again to enrich the lives of generations to come! We can not think of a more meaningful and loving way to honor our father's pioneering legacy.”

Preserving cultural heritage and advancing education are core to the Smithsonian Folkways’ mission, exemplified by its ongoing initiatives for children’s music and learning. Folkways has also been instrumental in releasing works by influential children's music artists like Ella Jenkins – often called the "First Lady of Children's Music" – who inspired generations of children and educators through her participatory style. The label also stewards the catalog of Educational Activities, which includes numerous records by children’s musician Hap Palmer. Mirroring the founding vision of Young People’s Records, Smithsonian Folkways strives to give today’s children, like those of earlier generations, access to music that not only entertains but also teaches, fosters understanding, and builds cultural connections.

Select Tom Glazer works from the Young People’s Records catalog are now available to stream and download on digital platforms including our website. (Additional titles are planned for future release):

Hooray! Today Is Your Birthday (1951)

The Adventures of Daniel Boone (1949)

Let's Go to the Rodeo (1951)

The Big Rock Candy Mountain (1951)

When the Sun Shines (1947)

Around the World (1948)

Building a City (1948)

The Circus Comes to Town (1948)

Out-Of-Doors (1949)

When I Grow Up (1949)