Episode 183: Interview With Chris McKhool

After nearly two decades away from the children’s music spotlight, three-time Parents’ Choice Award winner Chris McKhool returns with Little Leaf—a heartfelt, eco-conscious album that blends joy, education, and global sounds. Set for release on November 7, 2025, Little Leaf is a radiant follow-up to his JUNO-nominated and CFMA-winning FiddleFire! and reaffirms McKhool’s status as one of Canada’s most imaginative and inspiring artists for families.

Drawing deeply from nature and culture, the title track was co-written with Ojibwe Elder Dr. Duke Redbird, whose poems “Little Leaf” and “Sparrow” serve as lyrical touchstones. “When you name the plants and animals around you, they become personal,” says McKhool. “That’s how children begin to see themselves as part of something larger—something worth protecting.”

The album features a vibrant collection of songs that celebrate our connection to the planet, including “Plant a Tree!”, “Miracle in My Backyard”, “A Place in the Choir”, and “Cosmic Storm”—another Redbird collaboration. As with his earlier work, McKhool goes beyond the 3 R’s of ecology, encouraging kids and families to develop a personal relationship with nature through rhythm, story, and song.

Joining him on Little Leaf are his Sultans of String bandmates—guitarist Kevin Laliberté, bassist Drew Birston, and nyckelharpa player Saskia Tomkins—alongside Grammy/JUNO-winning engineer John “Beetle” Bailey and acclaimed vocalist Rebecca Campbell. Produced in immersive Dolby Atmos, the album offers rich sonic detail that both kids and adults will appreciate.

Beyond his music, McKhool has long been recognized as a community builder and environmental advocate. He has reached over one million children in concert, made appearances on Treehouse, TVO, Mr. Dressup, and CBC, and once led over 800 bell ringers in the World’s Largest Bicycle Bell Orchestra. In recognition of his work, he’s received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and was recently inducted into the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Hall of Fame.

As Little Leaf launches, McKhool embarks on a fully interactive 30th Anniversary Tour where children join him on stage to play percussion instruments from around the world, dance to global grooves, and sing songs about the planet they call home.

In a world full of noise, Little Leaf is a gentle call to awareness—rooted in rhythm, culture, and care.

Listen to the title track on YouTube: Little Leaf Music Video

Learn more: fiddlefire.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6u8_irlDg8

🎧 To hear the full conversation with Chris McKhool, tune in to his episode on The Savoir Faire Audio Experience, streaming now.