Columbus couple nominated for fourth Latin Grammy

Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band includes the musical duo who are part-time Columbus residents.

If you think a fourth children’s music Latin Grammy nomination is going to swell the heads of Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, think again.

The married couple who split their residences between Columbus and Los Angeles, and also have won Emmys for their children’s TV show, seem as down-to-earth as ever.

Diaz recently posted on social media that he was humbly cleaning up after the family’s new puppy, Django, when he got the news that “Paseo Lunar,” translated “Moon Walk,” their bilingual album of lullabies, had been nominated for best children’s album among four other acts.

“We felt that this album would help people in the middle of ground-shaking moments,” the duo wrote on their web page at luckdiazmusic.com when the disc was released earlier this year. “Especially for children that are learning to cope through these times of change.”

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Gaddis acknowledged the announcement brightened what has been challenging times for the family since they have remained largely isolated from friends during the pandemic. The group is popular nearly all over the world, in such far-flung locales as China, but regularly has made time for local performances for the Columbus Area Arts Council, Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center and others.

“During the darkness of this world, we really didn’t see this coming,” Gaddis said. “This truly is a shock and the piece of good news we needed in this moment.

“…I’m so proud of the team, so thankful for all those who are supporting us and the arts right now, and so thankful to see my husband smile this morning. It makes me cry.”

The couple has long been considered all-around children’s entertainers thanks in part to their children’s TV show “Lishy Lou and Lucky Too.” Through songs and more, the show teaches values, social skills, and Spanish through music and dancing.

Their music has spilled beyond the standard children’s fare. Their song “Falling” was featured in a Coca-Cola commercial.

The Latin Grammys are voted on by The Latin Academy’s international membership body of music creators, who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers and engineers.

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Married: 2012

Active in music: Since 2010, calling their energetic children’s songs on an independent label "kindie music."

Albums: 12

Honors beyond music: Multiple Emmy Awards for the children’s TV show "Lishy Lou and Lucky Too." Gaddis also won an Emmy for Best Performer for her work on the show.

Comedy background: Gaddis was a standup comic before venturing into music.

Columbus connection: Gaddis is the daughter of Columbus East High School head football coach Bob Gaddis and his wife, Karen.

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