Songs from the Neighborhood: The Music of Mister Rogers with Maureen McGovern and Others Wins Grammy Award
By: BWW News Desk Feb. 09, 2006
Songs from the Neighborhood producer Dennis Scott was thrilled with the recognition from the Recording Academy. He says, "I'm so glad that Fred's music is getting the recognition it deserves and that all of the effort that went into creating this tribute has been so rewarded. Even if we hadn't been honored, it's enough for me to know that the Rogers family and his non-profit organization are so supportive." Scott's six year old son promised his dad that he'd make a Grammy award for him even if he didn't win. "Now, I guess he'll have to sculpt an Oscar for me," he quips.
Joanne Rogers, upon hearing about the award today, commented, "I love every song on this recording, and it's heartwarming to me that those who worked so hard to present this tribute to Fred have been deservedly honored by their peers in the Grammy organization!" Rogers wrote all of the songs for his television show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."
Twelve top artists - who together have earned more than 70 Grammy and Dove Awards – translated their love for Mister Rogers by recording all-new arrangements of Mister Rogers' songs. The artists include Amy Grant, BJ Thomas, Bobby Caldwell, CeCe Winans, Crystal Gayle, Donna Summer, John Pizzarelli, Jon Secada, Maureen McGovern, Ricky Skaggs, Roberta Flack, and introducing, Toni Rose. Dennis Scott, himself a Grammy Award recipient, produced the album with styles ranging from pop rock to jazz and bluegrass. The entire ensemble joins together for the last track, "Thank You for Being You," an original song by Dennis Scott.
About the win, Maureen McGovern said "I was so struck by the simplicity, honesty, sweet beauty and life-affirming messages of Fred Roger's songs. In recording "This Is Just The Day," I tried to capture that carefree, why-not-take-a-chance, joyful spirit that was at the heart of Fred himself.
Audience members, who have come to see our Little Women Broadway
National Tour (parents and grandparents alike) have told me they remember
Fred very fondly from either their's or their children's
childhoods and have purchased the CD to pass on the torch to the
next generation in their families.
"Songs From The Neighborhood" is the dreamchild of producer,
Dennis Scott, who put together a collection of 13 songs recorded
by caring artists who all share a love and respect for Fred Rogers and his
music. I am proud to be one of them and thrilled that the project has been
honored with a Grammy."
A portion of proceeds from the sale of Songs from the Neighborhood will be donated to the non-profit Fred Rogers Fund, at Family Communications, Inc.
Two years after his passing, Fred Rogers remains an American icon. His pioneering television show, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," is still broadcast to millions of homes each day on most PBS-TV affiliates. The third most requested item by visitors at the Smithsonian Institution is Mister Rogers' red sweater, hand-knitted by his mom. His show is still the longest-running program on PBS television. Children everywhere continue to smile when they hear Fred sing, "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" Fred Rogers' birthday is March 20th.
The national retail release features a dual disc digi-pak including an audio CD and DVD, which is available at retail for a suggested price of $17.98. Song lyrics, sound samples and artist information are available at www.songsfromtheneighborhood.com.
Videos