Audio Systems: Kiddie ride audio, path question, shopping malls

Question
Robert,
I'm not quite sure to whom I should address this somewhat off-the-beaten-path question: I have a horse kiddie ride at my home that we use for entertaining the grandkids. It's the kind you see in shopping malls that you put a quarter in and it rocks back and forth for a few minutes. I'd like to install audio in it, more specifically, the theme song from Bonanza or some other tune that I can easily download from the net.  But how to I do it? I'm technically capable, that is, I can read schematics, solder, build things, etc., but I'm not up to date on what's on the market. I don't want to have to reset it each time; I'd simply like to have it run of the 120 volts that power the ride, and go off/on every time the ride is used. Any ideas on this?
Thank you!
Jim

Answer
There are many docking port accesories for an iPod including the iPort which has RS232 capability. With a little ingenuity you should be able to trigger play using IR or closure commands. Try a search for iPod controls.

http://www.maushammer.com/systems/ipod-remote/ipod-remote.html