Concept Album: Everyone Needs a Friend (A Musical Tale of Two Best Buds Named Jon Jon and Tito)

"Everyone Needs a Friend" is a children's/family concept album written, performed, and produced by James "Tito!" DeWolf. The concept of the record is essentially a musical day in the life of Tito! and his best bud/waiver client Jon Jon. Each and every song on the album is personally inspired from their unique and special friendship which they have built from working together, five days a week, for about the last five years. Throughout all of their time together, many fun characters have naturally developed over the years. From the cantankerous duo of geese named "Gerry and Gary" who always seem to follow them around the community, to the funky frog dubbed, "Freddy Funkmaster Frog" who they would routinely see outside of a local elementary school when they'd go to shoot hoops, an entire world of possibilities have opened up in the most organic way imaginable. 

This concept record is just the foundational beginning of what is possible with the world that has been created here. The opportunity for children's books or even a cartoon series to accompany the music is very fertile. The sky really is the limit! The adventures of Jon Jon, Tito, Freddy, Polly, Gerry, Gary, Pickin' Jonny Pickens, etc. have endless possibilities. The prospect of having a cartoon series with a central character who is on the spectrum in and of itself would be a powerfully positive message for kids to experience.

The central message of the album is one which couldn't be more important for kids to learn at an early age: Like the song says, "Different Isn't Bad". To the child who may be reticent to give someone who seems different a chance, it's a vitally important lesson to teach that people who may seem "different", whether that be in terms of being on the autism spectrum or just someone who may be different than what you may be used to, are some of the absolute best people to get to know. And, those relationships can end up being some of the most rewarding relationships you'll ever have in life going forward. To quote the song once more, "Some of the coolest people you'll meet, they have special needs".  After all, "Everyone Needs a Friend...Yeah, even you."