Des Larson is well-known in the community and beyond for his music.

The Comox Valley singer/songwriter has two blues/roots albums to his credit, with another one set to be released on Nov. 26.

Lately, however, heB次元官网网址檚 steered his talent in a different direction.

Larson, who performs musically as Desmond Day, has created a childrenB次元官网网址檚 YouTube show called Mr. Day, which is gaining popularity.

The idea for the show came as a result of COVID.

B次元官网网址淚 changed my focus when I moved back to the Island from the Lower Mainland. During the lockdown I moved back in with my parents. WeB次元官网网址檝e had this dream together that we could help inspire young kids to use their imagination to inspire change in the world around themB次元官网网址� so it became an initiative to create something. Life is a gift that is meant to be shared.

B次元官网网址淲e made a childrenB次元官网网址檚 (studio) set in our house, and broadcast it to our local community. WeB次元官网网址檝e been committed to it ever since.B次元官网网址�

Debuted at Telethon

Mr. Day made his debut at the 2020 Comox Valley Child Development Association Telethon.

The reaction was instant and positiveB次元官网网址� sometimes too positive.

B次元官网网址淩ecently at the RoyB次元官网网址檚 Towne Pub, in Royston, I played a song and stood up on my stool. Then I jumped off my stool and finished the song and looked over and all the children in the restaurant were standing on their stools. It was effective, but almost too effective.B次元官网网址�

Larson said the entire experience has enriched his life.

B次元官网网址淚 have become richer as a person,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 really no distinction between childrenB次元官网网址檚 media and what I do. It has integrated its way into my values, my mission statement, and how I approach music now. ItB次元官网网址檚 different.B次元官网网址�

Penner an inspiration

Larson returned to the Telethon this year to perform and to meet one of his idols and the main inspiration for this new path in his life: Fred Penner.

B次元官网网址淗e may not know this, but we met backstage at the Junos a few years ago, probably 2018, and he had a magnetic energy about him,B次元官网网址� said Larson. B次元官网网址淚 was speaking to a pop artist named Shawn Hook, and we were speaking about the event and how luxurious it was and I just couldnB次元官网网址檛 take my eyes off Fred. (Shawn) goes B次元官网网址楻eally? ThatB次元官网网址檚 the most important person in the room?B次元官网网址� and I said the one who gives their life to empower children is the star of the room. HeB次元官网网址檚 such a class act and he has inspired me to be of a similar light - the light that shines for kids.B次元官网网址�

Larson also draws inspiration from American singer-songwriter Michael Franti, who is well-known for his support of peace and social justice issues.

B次元官网网址淗e is kind of where I see myself - someone who plays music for the world and for causes, and is always on the cutting edge.B次元官网网址�

Larson said the appeal of a younger target audience is that children have greater imaginations than adults, which expands the boundaries of his entertainment possibilities.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 true what they say, children are like sponges. ItB次元官网网址檚 much easier to say B次元官网网址榰se your imagination to reshape the world around youB次元官网网址� to a child than it is to an adult. It was my imagination that drew me into music in the first place. I had a huge imagination as a kid and I didnB次元官网网址檛 have a whole lot of outlet for it, as my family wasnB次元官网网址檛 that musical. So the music thing came on very early for me. But the driving force has always been imagination. And now that I have found it, I want to share it.B次元官网网址�

Mr. Day has a plethora of characters as guests on his show, including Rusty Joe (who lives in a garbage can), Willie the owl, Mr. Troll, Gus the giraffeB次元官网网址� and a magic mailbox, which plays voice-recorded letters sent to Mr. Day from children.

A family affair

Ironically, while his discovery of music was somewhat of an insular route, being that his immediate family was not especially musically inclined, the new persona, Mr. Day, is a family affair.

The set is in the family home, and both his parents - Lyle and Kathleen - are heavily involved in the creation and evolution of the Mr. Day Show.

Kathleen is responsible for all the crafts and puppets on the set, while Lyle comes up with a lot of the storylines - as well as playing some of the characters.

B次元官网网址淲ith mom, itB次元官网网址檚 something that comes naturally to her; she has a huge imagination. And my dad, well, my dad is like a child (imagination-wise). You wouldnB次元官网网址檛 know that looking at him, but my father will come up with a lot of ideas. So a lot of the creative direction for the show comes from my dad.

B次元官网网址淚f there is one thing I have gained directly from my parents, itB次元官网网址檚 the imagination aspect. But more importantly, we all share the same values. We believe a little joy, peace and love would make the world a better place.B次元官网网址�

Desmond says the show is somewhat of a dream come true for Kathleen.

B次元官网网址淢y mother once had a vision when she was younger, that she would be walking down the street with children from other nations, singing the song B次元官网网址榃e Are The WorldB次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� so itB次元官网网址檚 harmonious, really. I often think of this quote I have: B次元官网网址榮ometimes we have to leave the comforts of our own home to pursue a dream.B次元官网网址� I got to do that, make my music, and I pursued a dream in music and made a lot of great contacts. Then I came home. So itB次元官网网址檚 like a cocoon to butterfly and then back to cocoon. But the cheezy thing is, you are always the butterfly - just in a different state.B次元官网网址�

The Mr. Day Show has its own YouTube channel and can be seen at

Children who want to send a message to the magic mailbox are encouraged to reach out to LarsonB次元官网网址檚 Facebook page at or his Instagram page