LEPRECHAUN page 61 and stuff like that. I went through that stage. But from then on it was basi- cally entertainment... any- thing I believed in was done in an entertaining way. And hopefully I got the point across." Today, he makes his points by mixing music with a large helping of humor. Although the com- edy is often adult orient- ed, Mr. Coden says "it's a kinder and gentler" kind of humor. He also tries to avoid politics. "People get politics in the papers. Basically, my job is just to entertain." Although he laments the diminished interest in mainstream folk music, Mr. Coden is finding new and receptive audiences — among children. Teamed with fellow Raven alum Go ahead. Shop around. No community matches our level of service. Sure, we may be a little more, but you'll get the quality you deserve. So look at them all, then visit The Rowbridge. We're confident you'll go with the best. Write or call (313)352-0208. •Spacious, elegant apartments •Flexible transportation service •Restaurant style dining nightly •24-hour concierge •Weekly housekeeping service •Valet parking •Snack shoppe •Weekly linen service •Rill activities & events calendar •Full service hair salon Name Address Phone ( MAIL TO: 24111 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48034 A PREMIER RENTAL RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Studio in Harvard Row Mall When Clothes Make The Difference, We Make The Clothes. Mon.-Fri. 10-4 Sat. 10-3 Franklin Plaza 358-4085 29107 Northwestern Hwy. Southfield (2nd entrance from 12 Mlle In rear) Larry Paul makes FURNITURE NEW. 50%-70% OFF f S THE DETRO IT J EWISH NE WS ALL NAME BRANDS • Pleated Shades 'Vertical Blinds • Levolor Blinds • Wood Blinds 21728 W. Eleven Mile Rd. Harvard Row Mall Southfield, MI 48076 Free Professional Measure at No Obligation Free in Home Design Consulting Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-5 352-8622 New Rochester Hills 651-5009 Custom Restoration, Lacquering, Refinishing of new or old furniture, antiques, office furniture, pianos. I 6 For Free Estimates 681.3280 Advertising in The Jewish News Gets Results Place Your Ad Today. Call 354-6060 When you're hugging your parents, dancing or singing — the message is coming through. Josh White Jr., the duo present shows that pro- mote family unity through music. Mr. Coden, 50, admits that it makes him "feel old" to sing old songs to young kids, but he says it's the best way to perpet- uate the folk tradition. "We do a lot of the older folk songs because the kids haven't heard them. At night, when you sing "Michael Row the Boat Ashore" or "This Little Light of Mine" for adults, you get one kind of reac- tion. They say: 'Oh, I remember that.' Then I perform (those songs) for kids who have never heard them, and I get great responses. It's brand-new material for them. That's the folk tra- dition in a nutshell. It's the oral tradition of keep- ing songs alive." Mr. Coden says he and Mr. White offer family programming that encour- ages close relationships between parents and chil- dren. He hopes parents won't drop their kids off and pick them up when a show is over. "It's the closeness of the family group that we're pushing for," Mr. Coden says. "But the big thing is entertain- ment...so we do a little for the adults and a little for the children. "When you're hugging your parents, dancing with them, or singing songs about families — just getting together and loving — the message is coming through. But it's coming through in an entertaining way, so we're not beating anybody over the head with our mes- sage." The children's program offers another subtle les- son, about understanding the differences between people. Mr. White is African-American, bald and heavy-set. Mr. Coden is diminutive, with a full head of hair. The contrast allows them to make an important point with very few words. "There's an underlying theme that Josh is black and I'm white. But we don't make a thing about it on stage. We talk about the fact that we look dif- ferent — he has a bald head and I have hair...but we don't say: 'Look kids. A black man sitting with a white guy. Isn't that something.' By not point- ing it out directly, we think we're saying enough." The team of Coden and White recently filmed a family program for Channel 56, Detroit's pub- lic television affiliate. "Josh and Ron's Family Adventure" aired in March. It featured many of the songs from their album "My Favorite Toy." Mr. Coden says they're hoping to sell the program to other public television stations across the coun- try. A self-taught singer and guitar player, Mr. Coden started performing at weddings, bar mitzvahs and other family func- tions. He toured the coun- try, performing as the opening act for musical names such as Ahmad Jamal and Doc Severinson. Later, he became a headliner at the Ice House club in Los Angeles. Mr. Coden received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Wayne State University. But the lure of show business kept him out of the classroom. "If there's something inside a person that makes him perform, that will come out," he says. "And there's nothing a person can do to keep someone from enter- taining."