Cory Stillman
You have likely heard the beautiful voice of American voice actress/pop singer Bettina Bush, whose credits range from the iconic McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” jingles to the voice of Gloria in the Madagascar video game series. Bush is perhaps most well known, however, for her work as Rainbow Brite in the 1980s film franchise, a performance that has now come full circle as Bush shares her brand new album Once Upon a Rainbow with young listeners and their families. The children’s music album breaks new ground in the genre, leveraging Bush’s legacy in the industry while also advancing more contemporary conversations around diversity and inclusion.
“We set out to cross musical genres and create an album that not only celebrates diversity lyrically in its messaging, but is a musical example of that,” says Bush, who identifies the song “Color Outside The Lines” as just one such example of that creative philosophy. Now a mother herself, Bush sees increasing value in albums such as Once Upon a Rainbow, as young people continue to navigate a growing set of obstacles: smartphones, social media, AI, etc.
“Tools that help guide solid values of kindness and empathy are paramount when kids have so much coming at them in real time,” says Bush. “They need to process it all through a lens of compassion, acceptance, and authenticity.”
Bush achieved the album’s sense of authenticity with an assist from her own children, Cassie and Jesse. Not only did the experience of collaborating with her own kids remind Bush of spending time in recording studios and soundstages during her own childhood, but it also provided an invaluable perspective on the album’s emotional ebbs and flows.
“They have such valuable insight into what speaks to this next generation, what resonates, and how it needs to be communicated,” she says.
Check out our full conversation with Bettina Bush below, as we dive deeper into what makes Once Upon a Rainbow such an intriguing new addition to the children’s music landscape!
Hi Bettina! Excited to dive into your Grammy-submitted work. As someone who helped define children’s media in the 1980s and 90s, what did you want to innovate in this new chapter? How is Once Upon a Rainbow breaking new ground in children’s music?
There’s a track on Once Upon A Rainbow titled “Color Outside The Lines” that is indicative of the intention behind the project. We set out to cross musical genres and create an album that not only celebrates diversity lyrically in its messaging, but is a musical example of that.
You’ve worked with Sony ATV producer Automatic on this album. What was it about your collaboration that elevated the project to such a high artistic standard?
Automatic has always had a unique understanding of my musical identity, and he has been able to seamlessly tap into it since we first collaborated on our #2 Billboard hit “Cradle To The Grave.” On top of that, we are aligned in the way we approach important themes like gratitude, faith, and diversity. His expertise as a musician, songwriter, and producer levels up everything he creates, so for me that element is simply a no-brainer. Everything he does is sonically and technically state-of-the-art.
Most kids’ albums stick to singalongs or learning ABCs. You went deeper, emotional literacy, identity, empowerment. How important was it to raise the bar for what children’s content can do?
Vitally important. Parenting, child development, and education have been thrown the curveball of smartphones, social media, and AI. Children are exposed to so much information at much earlier stages of life than ever before. Tools that help guide solid values of kindness and empathy are paramount when kids have so much coming at them in real time. They need to process it all through a lens of compassion, acceptance, and authenticity.
What was the biggest risk you took with this album, and how did it pay off?
The biggest risk was saying YES to creating it. My commitment to my family has always been number one, so we all had to agree that this was important to prioritize. It 100% paid off, we are all so proud of Once Upon A Rainbow and so excited to share it.
You were a voice of a generation, now you’re speaking to their children. How does that full-circle moment shape the impact of Once Upon a Rainbow?
It means the world to me to be able to bring this album to the people who have inspired it. The messages of hope, gratitude, and love that I’ve received year after year from those who have grown up listening to me are so uplifting. I love having the opportunity to hopefully give some of that joy and inspiration back to them through this music.
If you could perform any song from the album at a major event, what would it be, and why?
I’m going to cheat here and choose two because it’s like choosing a favorite child! “Once Upon A Rainbow” because it’s the title track and really hits the core of the message. “Living That Rainbow Life” because it’s that anthem that lifts your spirits, makes you smile, and you can’t stop singing! I just performed them both this past weekend at the Night Temple, and people were literally singing the songs back to me after only hearing them one time. That’s a songwriter’s dream!
You’ve already achieved so much in your career, from gold records to iconic voice roles. How would recognition for Once Upon a Rainbow compare to those earlier milestones?
I think you hit on it earlier with the “full circle moment”. My personal story begins “Once Upon A Rainbow.” It’s where this incredible journey began for me as a child voicing the iconic Rainbow Brite. This album is truly a culmination of my evolution as an artist, a writer, a parent, and a daughter, carrying on a legacy of empowerment. I don’t think there’s anything that could compare to that.
The album is a true family affair, with your kids involved creatively. How does that emotional connection fuel the authenticity of the work, and its potential resonance with award voters and fans alike?
Automatic, Ebony, and I joke about the fact that we didn’t see the emotional moments coming in the studio, and then they’d hit us like a freight train! Having Cassie and Jesse in the creative process – recording, contributing to the tone and messaging – brought me back to being a kid their ages and growing up in sound studios. They have such valuable insight into what speaks to this next generation, what resonates, and how it needs to be communicated. There’s also a surreal element to the memories of my childhood, blending with the present. Authenticity always resonates, and the authenticity Automatic captured of the moments we created together is true magic.
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