Mac N Cheeze

Mac N Cheeze is a playful, music-first kids’ project dreamed up by two longtime friends, Ryan O’Reilly and Kelly James, who traded hockey sticks for kid-friendly hooks. The pair met as teammates in Major Junior hockey with the Erie Otters and, years later, began making up silly songs to entertain Ryan’s kids. A Raffi concert crystallized the idea: kids’ music could be joyful, high-quality and theatrical. From those living-room singalongs grew a full universe of characters, videos and songs designed to make families laugh, dance and sing together.

Their creative approach is collaborative and character-driven. Songs come from riffs, silly lines and real moments with children, often inspired by things kids say and do. Melodies spark characters (Mac and Cheeze are essentially the duo’s alter egos), and the characters in turn shape the visuals and stories: Mr. Poo (a cheeky reminder to flush), Greg and the Weasel (an unlikely best-friend duo), Coco the Coconut, Country Santa and his elf, Elvis the chicken, a shy porcupine, and even an Irish Pirate with a wooden hockey-stick peg leg. The result is the Mac N Cheeze Universe, a world meant for imaginative play and goofy, feel-good songs.

Recording the debut material in Nashville, where Ryan currently plays for the NHL’s Predators, was a formative experience. Working with producer and drummer Chris Kimmerer and a roster of guest musicians elevated the sound and brought new textures to the songs. Collaborators include Dallas Green (City and Colour), Thumpasaurus, Alle Bernardi, and Jig Jam—friends and artists who helped make the album lively, musically diverse and genuinely fun.

“Recording in Nashville was an incredible experience for us,” says Ryan. “Getting to be in such an amazing music place and work with very talented and experienced people was a dream. This was our first time recording, so it took some time, but we had the right guidance and people around us to help accomplish our vision.”

Ryan and Kelly’s inspiration often starts close to home.

“Our families love Mac N Cheeze,” Ryan adds. “They love hearing the music, and my kids love being on some of the songs. They’re excited to share the project with others and bring them into the Mac N Cheeze world.”

Kelly echoes that family energy:

“Ryan and I have always played music when we’re together just for fun and laughs between us and our friends. When Ryan started having kids, we began making songs catered to them—and they really loved them. The kids would make requests for the songs we made up, and they would dance and sing along every time. We started sharing those songs with other family members (and their kids), and they also loved them. So we made more songs and eventually named ourselves Mac N Cheeze!”

The duo cites Raffi, classic family music and all genres of great songs as influences, but their guiding principle is simple: “When in doubt, silly it out.”

“We just want kids to have fun!” says Kelly. “If kids are laughing, dancing, and singing, then that’s a great song. We also want parents to enjoy the music too. We’re big fans of children’s movies that sneak in some humour for the parents watching with their kids, so we like to write songs that get the whole family dancing and having a good time.”

Mac N Cheeze writes primarily for young children (roughly ages 2–6) but designs every track so parents enjoy it too. Themes mix pure goofiness with gentle lessons about friendship, confidence, kindness and being okay with feeling different. The debut single “Pizza Party” drops in November with an animated video, with more animated music videos, live mini-shows, behind-the-scenes content, toys, merch, a TV show, musicals, and even boxed macaroni and cheese in the works.

The project also features a strong philanthropic commitment, allocating a portion of its proceeds to foster care initiatives, music-focused charities, and youth sports programs.

At heart, Mac N Cheeze is about bringing the joy of music to kids and families. From hockey rinks to Nashville studios, Ryan and Kelly have built a cheerful, silly world where everyone’s invited to sing along.

Mac N Cheeze is a playful, music-first kids’ project dreamed up by two longtime friends, Ryan O’Reilly and Kelly James, who traded hockey sticks for kid-friendly hooks. The pair met as teammates in Major Junior hockey with the Erie Otters and, years later, began making up silly songs to entertain Ryan’s kids. A Raffi concert crystallized the idea: kids’ music could be joyful, high-quality and theatrical. From those living-room singalongs grew a full universe of characters, videos and songs designed to make families laugh, dance and sing together.

Their creative approach is collaborative and character-driven. Songs come from riffs, silly lines and real moments with children, often inspired by things kids say and do. Melodies spark characters (Mac and Cheeze are essentially the duo’s alter egos), and the characters in turn shape the visuals and stories: Mr. Poo (a cheeky reminder to flush), Greg and the Weasel (an unlikely best-friend duo), Coco the Coconut, Country Santa and his elf, Elvis the chicken, a shy porcupine, and even an Irish Pirate with a wooden hockey-stick peg leg. The result is the Mac N Cheeze Universe, a world meant for imaginative play and goofy, feel-good songs.

Recording the debut material in Nashville, where Ryan currently plays for the NHL’s Predators, was a formative experience. Working with producer and drummer Chris Kimmerer and a roster of guest musicians elevated the sound and brought new textures to the songs. Collaborators include Dallas Green (City and Colour), Thumpasaurus, Alle Bernardi, and Jig Jam—friends and artists who helped make the album lively, musically diverse and genuinely fun.

“Recording in Nashville was an incredible experience for us,” says Ryan. “Getting to be in such an amazing music place and work with very talented and experienced people was a dream. This was our first time recording, so it took some time, but we had the right guidance and people around us to help accomplish our vision.”

Ryan and Kelly’s inspiration often starts close to home.

“Our families love Mac N Cheeze,” Ryan adds. “They love hearing the music, and my kids love being on some of the songs. They’re excited to share the project with others and bring them into the Mac N Cheeze world.”

Kelly echoes that family energy:

“Ryan and I have always played music when we’re together just for fun and laughs between us and our friends. When Ryan started having kids, we began making songs catered to them—and they really loved them. The kids would make requests for the songs we made up, and they would dance and sing along every time. We started sharing those songs with other family members (and their kids), and they also loved them. So we made more songs and eventually named ourselves Mac N Cheeze!”

The duo cites Raffi, classic family music and all genres of great songs as influences, but their guiding principle is simple: “When in doubt, silly it out.”

“We just want kids to have fun!” says Kelly. “If kids are laughing, dancing, and singing, then that’s a great song. We also want parents to enjoy the music too. We’re big fans of children’s movies that sneak in some humour for the parents watching with their kids, so we like to write songs that get the whole family dancing and having a good time.”

Mac N Cheeze writes primarily for young children (roughly ages 2–6) but designs every track so parents enjoy it too. Themes mix pure goofiness with gentle lessons about friendship, confidence, kindness and being okay with feeling different. The debut single “Pizza Party” drops in November with an animated video, with more animated music videos, live mini-shows, behind-the-scenes content, toys, merch, a TV show, musicals, and even boxed macaroni and cheese in the works.

The project also features a strong philanthropic commitment, allocating a portion of its proceeds to foster care initiatives, music-focused charities, and youth sports programs.

At heart, Mac N Cheeze is about bringing the joy of music to kids and families. From hockey rinks to Nashville studios, Ryan and Kelly have built a cheerful, silly world where everyone’s invited to sing along.