MADISON – An Emmy-award winning children’s musician will entertain on May 19 during “‘Read Around the Block,” the kickoff party for summer reading at Madison Public Library.

“To celebrate our new building and the summer reading theme, ‘Libraries ROCK,’ we will host our first ever children’s music concert with Nashville musician, Farmer Jason,” Melanie Thornton said. Thornton is Director of Public Relations for Huntsville-Madison County Public Library.

Thornton suggests that children listen to Farmer Jason’s music on his website, farmerjason.com, and get ready to dance on May 19 at 10 a.m. in the library auditorium. “Family fun is guaranteed for this block party,” she said.

Farmer Jason motivates youth to investigate the natural world around them and to appreciate the traditions and culture of rural, farm living. Farmer Jason (also known as Jason Ringenberg) grew up on a hog farm in Illinois that bordered the Rock Island Line railroad.

In 1981, he moved to Nashville and organized an alternative country band, Jason and the Scorchers. They won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association in 2008.

Ringenberg created the Farmer Jason character in 2003. He has earned two Emmy nominations, one Emmy win, a “Parents’ Choice” award and “LA Times” “Best Record of the Year” list twice.

Read Around the Block will open at 8 a.m. and run to 11 a.m. “This year, we’ve expanded the fun for all ages,” Thornton said.

Guests at Read Around the Block can enjoy fun runs and relay races, up-close inspection of large trucks, snack on birthday cake and sign up for the library’s summer reading activities. The fun run will start at 8:30 a.m.

Read Around the Block is free and open to the public.

Madison Public Library’s address is 142 Plaza Blvd. For more information, call 256-461-0046, email madison@hmcpl.org or visit hmcpl.org/Madison or farmerjason.com.

Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, a nonprofit system, operates 13 branches and serves all of Madison County. For more information, visit hmcpl.org.