Greatest Hits: Sharon, without Lois or Bram, transforms her classic career into a family business

North Star is on vacation this week, so we're rerunning some of our favourite episodes. This one originally aired May 12, 2022.

You've probably heard "Skinnamarink", the classic children's song by Sharon, Lois & Bram. But you probably haven't heard it on TikTok, where Sharon Hampson, now 82, is putting out quick snippets of classics and new material with her newfound family band.

She's recruited her daughter, Randi, and grandsons Elijah and Ethan Ullmann, both full-time students at the University of Toronto. Although they grew up in a musical dynasty, it took an international lockdown for them to agree to help their Bubbe's resurgent Zoom-based career.

At the time of recording, they were preparing to mount their first live indoor show since the pandemic began, at the Regent Theatre in Oshawa, Ont., back in May 2022. And despite Sharon's worry that her voice isn't as strong as it used to be, her relatives say she’s still got it. All four join to explain how they're trying to make music that stays relevant for a generation raised on the Frozen soundtrack and "Baby Shark".

What we talked about

• Learn about the performance and others at sharonloisandbram.com/events

• Learn about the Brott Music Festival at brottmusic.com

• Listen to "Talk About Peace"

Credits

• Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner)
• Original Production team: Victoria Redden (producer)
• Current Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer)
• Original Music: Dov Beck-Levine
• Current Music: Bret Higgins

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