Justin Caldwell Music

The Trouble With Bears and Rock n’ Roll

Hear about the animated kid’s bear that won the Grammy?

That’s right, the internet’s abuzz with Bonnie Bear, the cuddly little gramophone-toting (oddly enough) bear that won Best New Artist.

And I’m so pumped about this because I’ve produced children’s music for such gems as The Hungry Caterpillar and an assortment of Dr. Seuss books. (One of my biggest clients is South Korean…if you can read this I’ll give you a gold star.) So I feel kid’s music deserves a Grammy. And I’m not saying that just because I produce it.

Ok…I am.

But, it turns out that all the praise rightly belongs to the band Bon Iver.

Yep, seems a lot of people heard the pronunciation of Bon Iver (French for something or other) and thought it was “Bonnie Bear.” Almost immediately the Internet was a seething cauldron of confusion, panic, and sheer rage. No one could understand how an awkwardly kid-friendly animal could steal the Grammy away from Nicki and Skrillex like an unfortunate camper from his sleeping bag.

Fortunately, it all worked out in the end because as it turns out, Bon Iver isn’t too big on recognition. Justin Vernon, the lead singer, said, “It’s hard to accept (this Grammy) because when I started to make songs, I did it for the inherent reward of making songs, so I’m a little bit uncomfortable up here.”

So I guess it’s all for the best. Maybe Bon Iver can stay incognito and book daycares.

Bonnie would be proud.

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