By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

Nary a morning goes by that my three-year-old son, John, doesn't wake my wife, Rebecca, and I to remind us with great enthusiasm that The Wiggles are on television and that if we don't spring out of bed that instant we're going to do the unthinkable and miss them. I suspect, however, we're not the only blurry-eyed "hearties" who dutifully set sail each day on the S.S. Feathersword given the group's enormous popularity.

Fifteen years ago, the Fab Four from Down Under - Greg, Anthony, Murray and Jeff - took the world by storm and became Australia's greatest export thanks to their catchy tunes, colorful costumes and positive messages. To date, they've sold more than 17 million videos, 7 million books and 4 million albums. Last year, alone, they grossed $37 million through their television show, concerts and various products.

The Wiggles craze hit our household about a year ago, then turned full-scale Wigglemania when John received an official Wiggles guitar and accordion for his third birthday. Now the guitar is an appendage for my son who plays it left-handed and upside down like a mini-Jimi Hendrix or Albert King and refuses to leave home without it, jamming to "Wake Up Jeff" and "Fruit Salad" in the backseat en route to the grandparents, grocery store or anywhere for that matter.

Like most parents, we thought The Wiggles might be a passing phase. Then it occurred to us that we were dealing with an independent-minded toddler with a penchant for music and repetition. And that's when we realized this wasn't a phase, this was a lifestyle.

So when tickets went on sale a few weeks ago for The Wiggles' "Sailing Around the World Live!" tour that stops for two shows on Wednesday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, I got online and scored three on the floor for the matinee show. I don't recall being so anxious about buying tickets for an event other than the Rolling Stones or Chicago White Sox. Maybe that's because there are few shows that excite my son like The Wiggles, not to mention pass the all-important repetition test for parents who retain tunes like "Wags the Dog, He Likes to Tango" and "Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car" without wanting to rip out their mental tape recorder.

The Wiggles' ability to appeal to children and parents is the key to their success. When the world's leading preschool band formed in 1991 they wisely decided to integrate their experience in early childhood education with creativity, interaction and the universal language of music. Anthony (Field), Murray (Cook) and Greg (Page) met while studying at Sydney's Macquarie University where they began writing children's songs. They enlisted the help of Jeff (Fatt) who played with Anthony in the popular '80s band The Cockroaches, and The Wiggles were born. Together, the foursome has made big waves in the lives of children, parents and educators.

"Our show revolves around the child, because if you're not engaging the child continuously you're going to lose them," says Jeff, who spoke with me last week before a concert in Stockton, Calif. "We try to make things fun for them, which makes learning enjoyable. And the parents enjoy seeing their children have a good time."

Though the task of juggling more than 150 concerts and creating a television show, DVDs and albums is a bit daunting at times, Jeff says the group's work is rewarding. "It's not a job," he says. "It's a hobby."

The "Sailing Around the World Live!" show, Jeff adds, runs about 75 minutes and includes a bevy of familiar hits as well as some new songs. He says the cast of characters includes Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dog and Captain Feathersword and the Big Red Car.

"It's a non-stop show," he says. "There's never a dull moment. Lots of singing, dancing and learning."

Sounds like my house each morning. CV

Sample Clips

Listen to several sample clips

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