Musician Gary Pane was inspired to write songs by a real life encounter with a manatee and by "Sunny" the Suncoast Elementary School mascot. (Photo courtesy of Gary Pane)

If manatees liked music, I’d put them in a band. We’d practice every day and be the greatest in the land. I’d put Amanda on the fiddle, Brutus on the bass, and I’d be in the middle with a smile upon my face. Playing music with my friends for all the world to see. A band made up of manatees and me.
---“If Manatees Liked Music” by Gary Pane

If manatees liked music, they’d probably be tapping their flippers or nodding their heads in time to the songs from Gary Pane’s new CD, It’s a Kid’s World.

Known on stage as, “The Manatee Man,” Pane is also a teacher at Suncoast Elementary School in Spring Hill, FL. An award-winning singer/songwriter, he has performed at festivals around the state for many years.

Lucy Werner (right), a 13-year-old Floridian, makes her debut on It's a Kid's World. (Photo courtesy of Gary Pane)
	Listen to Manatee Music! Check out these tracks from It's a Kid's World (mp3 format) 1. If Manatees Liked Music 2. Gray and Gentle 3. Manatee Dream

He’s also an environmentalist, and his work has been inspired by manatees. A Florida resident since 1982, Pane had no clue what a manatee was when he first moved to the state. But he literally came face to face with one of the endangered animals while swimming one day, and he’s been in love with manatees and Florida’s natural environment ever since. He encourages his young listeners to keep the rivers, lakes, and oceans clean as well as to recycle and pick up trash.

It’s a Kid’s World features catchy tunes with fun rhymes and a good beat. In addition to “If Manatees Liked Music,” the CD includes manatee-related songs “Gray and Gentle,” and “Manatee Dreams.” And kids will enjoy other songs on the CD that deal with real life issues: “I Hate Vegetables,” “My School,” and “Bully Rap.” The CD also features the debut of 13-year-old Floridian Lucy Werner, who sings lead vocals on the song “Take a Chance.”

And Pane puts money where his music is. After the CD was produced, he received permission to offer it for sale to teachers in Hernando County. The effort raised $650 with proceeds going to Save the Manatee Club’s manatee conservation efforts. The CD cover also features SMC’s web address and phone number for those who are interested in learning more about manatees.

“Gary’s music is a fun and interactive way to educate children about manatees and protecting the environment,” says Patrick Rose, Executive Director for Save the Manatee Club. “We’re very grateful to him and to the Hernando County teachers for their support.” 

Gary Pane (left) with Suncoast Elementary School Faculty and manatee supporters from Hernando County, Florida. (Photo courtesy of Gary Pane)

It's a Kid's World is available for purchase through Save the Manatee Club's online gift catalog. (Go to Gift Items for Children)