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#carquarantine rocks

by BILL BULEY
Staff Writer | April 1, 2020 1:14 AM

Drake family’s musical video with lip syncing, costume changes becomes internet sensation

“Hey dad, where are we going?” asks 6-year-old Maddie Drake.

Aaron Drake, sitting in the driver’s seat wearing a blue Seattle Mariners shirt, answers with a big smile.

“Yo girl, we’re going to the cabin. Are you ready?”

Cheers erupt from Maddie, brother Levi, 7, and sister Taylor, 3, as they settle down for the drive and adjust seat belts.

Before they go, Levi asks one more question:

“Hey dad, can we have some music for this road trip?”

“Sure kids, let’s crank it up,” dad says.

Crank it, they do.

And viewers are along for a magical mystery tour of sorts with the Drakes.

Costume changes, lip synching, rocking, cheering and head bobbing have generated some nationwide attention via a video the family posted on Bonnie Drake’s Facebook page.

In the last week, #carquarantine has been viewed nearly 10,000 times, shared more than 350 times and had about 260 comments.

Aaron and Bonnie laugh about the attention it’s garnered. All they wanted to do, really, in these times of government-ordered isolation, was create something fun, different and memorable as a family, and give others a reason to laugh, perhaps feel better.

Mission accomplished.

The Drakes, in the video that’s just over four minutes long, take on different roles. In 30-seconds clips with costume changes for each, they become heavy metal rockers. Rednecks. Patriots. Seahawk fans. Pop stars. They even wear surgical masks.

The kids, in the back seat, deliver a laugh-out-loud performance, as do mom and dad up front. Even dog Cooper’s appearance draws chuckles.

Bonnie said within five minutes of posting the video, replies poured in.

Funniest thing ever.

Love it.

We just watched it three times.

You’ve got to make it public.

So they did.

“It was really a spur of the moment thing,” said Aaron, assistant principal at Ramsey Elementary School.

And all the costumes, the Drakes already owned. Didn’t have to buy anything. Cowboy hats, camouflage gear, colorful wigs, an American flag.

Bonnie said when she was growing up, her mom had lot of outfits around for dress up. Some of the costumes were passed on and the love of collecting them lives on.

They were perfect for this Drake family production.

The video was shot last week, in the evening outside their Coeur d’Alene Place home. It took about eight hours, with Aaron in charge of the filming and editing, while Bonnie handled costume changes and wrangling the kids.

Perhaps the most comical was matching choreography, costumes and songs.

Western theme gear went with “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X.

Two-month-old Luke makes his screen debut in “Harlem Shake” by Baauer.

The camping gear and orange shirts come out for “I Love This Life” by LOCASH.

“Cheerleader” by Omi was Maddie’s moment. Wearing a Seahawk cheerleader outfit, she owned that one with her big smile and waves.

Taylor’s time to shine in front of the camera was “Call Me Maybe” by Carley Rae Jepsen, which, by the way, was the song selected by the kids.

“They know the words,” Bonnie said.

The most popular segment, based on early response? Lee Greenwood’s rendition of “God Bless the U.S.A.” lip synched by Aaron while wearing a red “Keep America Great” cap.

“That was a hit,” Aaron said.

And everyone gets wild and woolly, black wigs flipping, for “Down With the Sickness” by Disturbed, with Aaron and Bonnie leading the charge.

The hospital masks for the clip shot to “We’re All in This Together” by the cast of High School Musical is a fitting finale.

The idea, initially, was to text it to friends. But as the video was too long, they opted to post it on Facebook and Instagram.

The Blake family was delighted people liked it, and they hope to lift some spirits with their goofy side.

And, yes, another video could be coming. Mom, dad, kids and dogs have some time, and for sure, the spirit.

“We’re open to recommendations,” Aaron said.

See the video on Bonnie Drake’s Facebook page.

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The Drake family rocks out to “Call Me Maybe.”

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Photo courtesy Aaron Drake The Drake family sings "Cheerleader" by Omi.