Stinky!

When Jim Cosgrove gave up his full-time job more than 10 years ago, some were skeptical.

“It was really a leap of faith,” said Cosgrove. “I quit my job right before I was about to marry my wife, and if that was enough, she eventually quit her full-time job too to work with me, too.”

Even with a bachelor’s in journalism from Marquette University in Milwaukee and a master’s in English from the University of New Mexico, working the typical eight-hour job in the office wasn’t exactly how the Kansas City native felt he should be spending his time.

After all, you’re only young once, right?

Cosgrove, who is the youngest of eight children, threw out the tie and button-down dress shirt, put his college education to good use in writing songs solely for kids, and started wearing polos and beach shorts to work.

Cosgrove has even adopted the name, Mr. Stinky Feet, a name that orginated by some students at an elementary school based off one of his most popular songs, “Stinky Feet.”

“Having the opportunity to hang out with kids is what made me give up my full-time job and turn to music,” said Cosgrove. “They are often a lot more interesting and engaging than dealing with adults ... they are just so much intuitive and creative.”

Now a nationally recognized musician, his creativity with language has given Cosgrove the opportunity to have kids singing and dancing along with him to hit songs such as “Bop, Bop Dinosaur,” “Pickup Hiccup Truck,” and “Pick Me! Pick Me!” at programs and concerts all over North America and Europe.

Mr. Stinky Feet and his band, The Hiccups, have even had the opportunity to perform at the White House on two occasions.

“The band and I have been given the opportunity twice to perform at the Easter Egg Roll, a tradition that was first started by Dolly Madison.”

“We felt very honored to be the only group from the Midwest,” Cosgrove added. “There was a group from California, but all of the other groups were from the East Coast.”

In addition to performing at high-profile events, Mr. Stinky Feet still takes the time to do performances back in his hometown.

“Sure there are days I begin to think that I could be making more money somewhere else, but I think that being able to travel the world with my family is worth it. It is really becoming a family show – my wife is my booking agent and my soon-to-be 4-year-old is beginning to sing with me on stage. Even the kids at the show think it is really cool how we work as a family.”

Mr. Stinky Feet’s performances have been a longtime ongoing favorite among Mid-Continent Library patrons throughout Cosgrove’s career.

In fact, several hundred children and adults attended his most recent performance on Thursday evening at the Blue Springs North Branch.

“It was good,” said Jenna Geib, 4. “My favorite song was ‘Stinky Feet.’ ”

Windy Immer, a mother of three, who has seen Mr. Stinky Feet performances in the past, really enjoyed the recent show as well.

“I brought my two youngest daughters and I really enjoyed how (Cosgrove) got parents involved in the show, too, at the end.”

Cosgrove is currently playing shows during World’s of Fun’s month-long Celebrate America Festival, several Mid-Continent Public Libraries, and will be hosting an anniversary concert to celebrate Mr. Stinky Feet and The Hiccups 10th year of music in late August.

In honor of the anniversary, Cosgrove has also recently released an album, titled “Upside Down.”

The album is the seventh Mr. Stinky Feet recording and is available for purchase at Cosgrove’s concerts or on his Web site, www. mrstinkyfeet.com. Downloadable versions of several of the albums are also available online, as well.

Many of the songs on the albums have won national parent-choice awards and have been featured in Parenting Magazine and in the New York Times.

“Studying journalism and English has absolutely contributed to the success in writing songs. Working in public relations and as a public speaker, along with growing up singing in numerous bands and choirs has really allowed me to apply all my areas of knowledge into this one career that I love to make it successful,” said Cosgrove.

For more information about other Mid-Continent Public Library programs, visit www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/programs or call one of the 30 branches in the area.