Diane Payette’s nickname growing up was “Dingle” and her best friend Dale’s was “Doodle.” They used to sit on the swings and sing, sing, sing, so when Payette decided to make a CD of the children’s songs she performs at her various programs, “Dingles and Doodles” became the name.
“I’ve always liked nicknames, and I decided to kind of honor her by calling it that,” said Payette.
On the CD, Payette, who has been known throughout the region for her work in elementary schools, preschools and frequent programs at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library for about 20 years, goes by her “stage name,” Grama Tippy-Toes. That too, has a backstory.
“When I was 4 and 5, my grandmother lived next door to a woman she called Grama Tippy-Toes, and that really stuck in my mind,” said Payette. “I remember thinking to myself, when I get white hair I’m gonna call myself that, so I’m very fortunate to have grown up to have white hair.”
The CD, which was released a little over a year ago, had been in the back of her mind for awhile.
“Over the years, there have been so many times when a mom or dad will say, ‘We wish we could take your music with us,’ but at that time, it never occurred to me that I should really take that seriously and make one [a CD],” said Payette. “I got to thinking about the fact that it would be so much fun for these children to have this CD and then see that person at the store or bike trail; kind of a friend of theirs making this.”
The 17-track disk was recorded in a studio in Hudson. Payette said she decided to go all out and be as professional as possible, if she was going to do this at all.
“If I was going to do it, I wanted to do it right,” said Payette.
Recording the songs and organizing the cover art was fun, but her favorite part of the whole process was who she was working most closely with.
“It was a treat to be able to work with my son on this,” said Payette. “I’m very fortunate to have a son who is very adept at designing things technologically. … I did all the music and photos and art work, but he was the one that was key to putting it all together.”
Payette wears several different hats, some as herself, and others as Grama Tippy-Toes. She’s Mrs. Payette for many library programs, which often touch on educational or cultural subjects. She goes by Grama Tippy-Toes in kindergarten classes, preschool groups or daycare centers when she’s enhancing curriculum or just interacting with children. No matter what she’s doing, one thing remains constant — she’s doing it through music.
Some familiar songs on the CD are “Old McDonald,” which she embellished with “authentic sounding” animal sounds, “Five Little Monkeys,” “Happy Train,” which she said kids connect with her, and she plays the spoons, a train whistle and other instruments to create sound effects that add a “little interesting twist.”
She’s so serious about being both an educator and a friend that she has already started to record a second CD.
“I’m glad that the children will be able to take this music with them and enjoy it,” said Payette.
Information about Payette’s programs and the CD is available at www.dianepayette.com.
