Westside : Fund-Raising Album Recorded by Children Is a Hit

Instead of singing the blues over the lack of city money, Malibu parents are raising funds for a new playground by selling audio cassettes of beach tunes sung by 75 schoolchildren.

Ranging in age from 6 to 16, the Malibu Kids have banded together to record “Surf, Sand and Song,” a compilation of feel-good tunes first sung by the Beach Boys and Paul Simon. The goal, organizers said, is to earn enough money for a new playground or recreational equipment.

Fires, floods and mudslides have drained city coffers, and Malibu officials said there was no money for a new playground, said Laureen Sills, co-executive producer of the album. “So the mayor appointed me to raise the money for the parks and recreation department,” she said.

Sills, who has previously produced children’s recordings, came up with the idea of having Malibu children sing Malibu songs. And music lovers have been snatching up the album.

Since the $15 cassette hit the market in June, it has brought in almost $9,000, Sills said. A second printing is set for next week.

Sills said it may take tens of thousands of dollars to construct a new playground, so she is already preparing for the Malibu Kids’ second album. It will be a medley of holiday tunes to be recorded next summer.