

Steve
Cotler: Why
do you write and sing children's songs?
Pobba:
As a kid, and still today, I love those "discovery"
moments when children find something new. I put those moments
in every song and then watch the faces open up with surprise
and laughter.
SC: How did you get started singing?
Pobba: I grew up around music. My father was a cantor. He couldn't walk from one room to another without breaking
into song. He'd pass Mom in the hall, sing out, "I'll
be loving you always..." and then make a sandwich.
SC:
You're a grandfather...and "My 'Magination" is
your first album. What took so long?
Pobba:
I started writing rhyming stories for my own children
in 1975. My brother Doug,
a Grammy Award-winning composer, put music to some of them,
but we were just too busy on other projects. The children's
songs stayed in my family...and in a file drawer. Years
passed. I continued to write songs. Then I became a grandfather.
That should explain it.
SC:
Where did the the name "Pobba" come from?
Pobba:
My kids call me Dad, Pop, and Poppa. Then the last
name morphed into Pobba... and I liked it. I hope the name
"Pobba" connotes warmth and a good sense of humor,
because that's who I am.
SC:
Whom do you admire?
Pobba: Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss for their writing
and art, Frank Loesser for his words and music (is there
a better Broadway show than Guys and Dolls?), Danny Kaye
for his antic performance, Maury Wills for base stealing
excellence, and my five children for letting me express
myself as a parent.
SC:
One last question--Has anyone actually prepared the meals
described in "I'm Making
Dinner"?
Pobba:
I hope not!
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