When it came time to write songs for a new stage show involving the Strawberry Shortcake characters, Randy Bachman and his daughter Lorelei took care of business on Salt Spring Island.

Lorelei, a mother of five who spent part of her youth living in South Surrey, travelled from her current home in Lethbridge to collaborate with her famous father at his island home.

"We spent the summer together with the kids out there visiting grandpa, and it was great," Lorelei said in a phone interview.

"It didn't hurt having all the kids around, because we had lots of feedback on the songs from my kids and also my nieces and nephews."

Three songs written by the Bachmans are now being used in Koba Entertainment's touring production of Strawberry Shortcake: Follow Your Berry Own Beat. The show is staged twice at Surrey's Bell Performing Arts Centre on Friday, Jan. 25.

Koba's artistic director, Surrey-raised Patti Caplette, helped get the Bachmans rocking on their first co-writing adventure.

"Years ago, Patti asked if I'd be keen to write for one of her children's programs and I said yes, I'd love that opportunity," said Lorelei, who has been writing songs since her teens. "She gave me an idea of what she was looking for, and we went from there."

The kid-focused songwriting sessions on Salt Spring culminated in demos that involved young Bachmans as backup singers.

"It's all kind of full circle for me, because I played with Strawberry Shortcake until I was 12 - my sister and I," Lorelei said.

"The themes are very refreshing compared to princess and diva culture, which I think most parents have felt saturated with for quite a long time. With Strawberry Shortcake, it's lots of confidence, empowerment, friendship and big possibilities - you can be whoever you want to be. It's also very interactive."

The production stars the red-headed title character along with Orange Blossom, Lemon Meringue, Blueberry Muffin, Raspberry Torte, Plum Pudding and Cherry Jam. Audiences are taken to the whimsical land of Berry Bitty City, where the whole town is buzzing with anticipation for the Glitzy Glaze Talent Show. Strawberry Shortcake and the rest of the girls each prepare for their moment in the spotlight.

The musical Doodlebops are special guests on the show's Western Canadian tour, which began Jan. 13 in Winnipeg and ends Jan. 26 in Vancouver.

For show info and tickets, visit www.

StrawberryShortcakeOn Tour.com.

Twitter @tomzillich