Mister G’s story begins when he was just about the same age as his devoted fans. Growing up the son of noted children’s book author and illustrator Karen Gundersheimer, Mister G (then known as Ben Gundersheimer) learned to value great writing for kids at a young age. After begging his parents to let him switch from recorder to guitar lessons, he started writing his first songs at nine years old. By the time he graduated from Amherst College, Ben had already been performing his original songs professionally for years.
Over the past year, Mister G has performed in England, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and around the USA. Combining a worldly musician’s sensibility with his background as a teacher with a Master’s in Elementary Education, Mister G has led innovative concerts and songwriting workshops in settings as varied as the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the Dana Farber Cancer Clinic, the Regent Theatre, the 92nd St Y, and the Atitlan Multicultural Academy. Like Dan Zanes, with whom he recently played a sold out show, Mister G (Ben Gundersheimer) is a former indie rocker who has found a niche writing and performing for kids.
Ben’s prolific composition won him the first song-writing scholarship ever awarded by Berklee College of Music. As an adult-oriented singer/songwriter, he performed and toured internationally, headlining legendary venues such as the Bitter End, the Iron Horse Music Hall, Somerville Theater, the Mercury Lounge and Club Passim. He’s shared the stage with Phish and Martin Sexton, and his music has been featured on dozens of network television shows around the world.
In the late 90s, Ben created an educational side project, “The Roots Music Collective,” with his bandmates. So began a peculiar double life of playing at rock clubs until 2:00 AM and performing in elementary schools at 9:00 later that same morning. The experience hooked him: time and again he was blown away by the energy, curiosity and creativity of the young audiences.
Ultimately, Ben decided to combine his background as a musician and songwriter with his passion for teaching children. For his Master’s thesis, Ben created a unique curriculum to incorporate songwriting into the classroom as a learning tool. Inspired by his students (who originally dubbed him ‘Mister G’), he began writing the songs that would comprise his debut family album.
With the 2010 release of “Pizza for Breakfast,” Mister G burst on to the family music scene. In addition to raves from kids, parents and school principals, he quickly caught the attention of some of the leading figures in children’s music. “Live, he's got that rare quality where kids are simply and fully connected,” says Bill Childs, Founder of Kindiefest and host of Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. As for the CD, Childs says it’s, “insanely catchy, totally engaging for kids and a lot of fun for parents.” And Emmy Award-winning PBS children’s television producer, Tim Banker, praises Mister G’s, “exceptional ability to write children’s songs that teach about complex issues, but are also hysterically funny and not preachy.”
Released in May 2011, Mister G’s second CD, “BUGS,” was featured in People Magazine which called the album “irresistible” and selected it as one of the “hottest and coolest” albums for children of the year. The album was also chosen as one of the top ten best children’s albums of 2011 by Parents Magazine, and received awards from the Parents Choice Foundation and the National Parenting Publications Awards.
Both “Pizza for Breakfast” and “BUGS” showcase Ben’s skills as a producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist. The albums were recorded in New York City and at Ben’s studio in the woods of Western Massachusetts, with a stellar cast of musicians. Accompanied by the voices of his former students, the CD features Mister G singing all original songs and playing acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, and mandolin. Drawing on his eclectic tastes as a songwriter, the tracks on the albums span an unusually wide range of styles, from rock and country to bluegrass and ska.
Mister G's album, "Chocolalala", released in 2012, is a collection of original, bilingual songs. Inspired by his concert tours throughout Latin America, the album spans a wide range of musical styles from bossa nova to ska, funk to folk, rap to pop. Catchy and educational, the songs teach about counting, colors and nature, and celebrate the joys of eating chocolate, dancing and riding on the school bus with friends. Mister G's new bilingual, literacy-themed album, ABC Fiesta was released in September of 2013.
In addition to his high-energy concerts, Ben has developed a series of school workshops (“Who Writes Songs? You Do!”; “Mister Goes Green”;“Vamos a la Playa”) designed to unleash the imaginative potential of children. Whether performing for hundreds of kids at a concert, or crafting an original song with a group of first graders, Mister G’s boundless enthusiasm and sophisticated musicianship are taking family music to a new level.
Together As One
Mister G Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We are walking together as one
Lifting our hands towards the sun
Wherever in this world it is that you come from
We are walking together as one
We share one sun
We share the hope
That peace will blossom soon
When the night falls
And the wind blows strong
Lift your voice
And help me sing this song
We are walking together as one
Lifting our hands towards the sun
Wherever in this world it is that you come from
We are walking together as one
Break down the borders
Across space and time
Let the storm clouds drift away
Let the bright sun shine
A new beginning
A brand new world
A place of peace, a place of love
For every boy and girl
Chorus
All come together
From distant lands
Let's lead the way
Take each other's hands
We are walking together as one
Lifting our hands towards the sun
Wherever in this world it is that you come from
We are walking together as one
The lyrics of "Together as One" by Mister G convey a powerful message of unity, peace, and collaboration. The song speaks to the idea of individuals from diverse backgrounds coming together and walking as one, symbolizing solidarity and connection. The imagery of lifting hands towards the sun suggests a shared sense of hope and aspiration, transcending borders and differences to create a sense of unity.
The song emphasizes the commonality among all people, highlighting that we all share the same sun, moon, and the universal hope for peace. This notion is echoed in the call for collective action when faced with challenges, such as the metaphorical night falling and the wind blowing strong. The lyrics encourage unity in raising voices together and singing a song of togetherness, showcasing the power of coming together in the face of adversity.
As the song progresses, it calls for breaking down barriers and transcending limitations of space and time. The mention of storm clouds drifting away and the bright sun shining symbolizes the idea of overcoming obstacles and embracing a new beginning. This new beginning is envisioned as a world marked by peace and love, a harmonious space for every individual, emphasizing the importance of a shared vision for a better world.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of inclusivity and collaboration, urging people from different backgrounds and distant lands to come together and lead the way towards a brighter future. The repetition of the central message of walking together as one, lifting hands towards the sun, and embracing unity regardless of origin encapsulates the overarching theme of solidarity and togetherness in the pursuit of a more harmonious world. Overall, "Together as One" serves as a heartfelt call to action for unity and cooperation in building a world where all individuals can walk hand in hand towards a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
We are walking together as one
Joining together in unity and harmony
Lifting our hands towards the sun
Reaching for a brighter future and hope
Wherever in this world it is that you come from
Embracing diversity and inclusivity
We share one sun
We are all connected by the same source of light and warmth
We share one moon
We are all under the same night sky, united in our humanity
We share the hope
Believing in the possibility of a peaceful future
That peace will blossom soon
Expressing optimism for a world free of conflict
When the night falls
During moments of darkness and uncertainty
And the wind blows strong
Facing challenges and obstacles
Lift your voice
Speak up and be heard
And help me sing this song
Join in spreading a message of unity and hope
Break down the borders
Eliminate barriers that divide us
Across space and time
Beyond physical and temporal constraints
Let the storm clouds drift away
Removing negativity and conflict
Let the bright sun shine
Allowing positivity and hope to prevail
A new beginning
Starting afresh with a positive outlook
A brand new world
Imagining a future full of possibilities
A place of peace, a place of love
Envisioning a world filled with harmony and compassion
For every boy and girl
Including all individuals, regardless of age or gender
All come together
Uniting people from all walks of life
From distant lands
Regardless of geographical or cultural differences
Let's lead the way
Taking the initiative to promote unity and understanding
Take each other's hands
Offering support and solidarity to one another
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ben Gundersheimer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind