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GRAMMY® winning music producer Dennis Scott to host private media/industry in-person event on March 20 in Nashville with musical performances by Teea Goans, Parker Hastings and Gary Janney; RSVP here
Public and fan virtual live stream planned for media/industry event on March 20 at 5:30p CT via YouTube
Tune-in: GRAMMY® winning music producer Dennis Scott & country singer-songwriter Teea Goans to appear on WSMV-TV’s “Today In Nashville” on March 20
More than 2,300 people have signed Change.org petition calling for Fred Rogers to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Audio + video sound byte clips from Tom Bergeron, David Newell & Sandi Patty available for radio & TV; click to view/download
“Thank you for getting Fred recognized in the field he cared about most, songwriting.”
– Joanne Rogers (Fred’s wife)
For interview and appearance requests/scheduling, please email jwa@jwamedia.com
Nashville, Tenn. (March 15, 2023) — Ahead of what would have been Fred Rogers 95th birthday on March 20, GRAMMY® and Emmy winning music producer Dennis Scott will release a special deluxe version of Thank You, Mister Rogers: Music & Memories on Friday, March 17. Scott’s second edition of Fred’s original music comes with 13 additional tracks, and is being re-released by Bob Frank Distribution & The Orchard on all major digital music streaming platforms (orcd.co/ThankYouMisterRogersDeluxe) and at ThankYouMisterRogers.com. Originally released in 2019, the compilation album features recordings from music icons like Micky Dolenz, Sandi Patty, Vanessa Williams, Jim Brickman, Jon Secada, Lee Greenwood, Rita Wilson, Tom Bergeron, The Cowsills, Jaci Velasquez, Kellie Pickler, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. The new deluxe reissue will have 13 additional tracks, and feature a newly recorded version of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” by singer-songwriter and guitar virtuoso Parker Hastings, along with recording artist interviews, and track commentary.
Thank You, Mister Rogers: Music & Memories has won several awards including the Parent’s Choice Award, National Parenting Products Award, Family Choice Award, Hot Diggity Award, and was a nominee of American Association of Independent Music’s Libera Award.
Scott also recorded and produced Songs From The Neighborhood – The Music of Mister Rogers, which won a GRAMMY® award in 2006 for Best Musical Album for Children, and featured recordings from music icons Crystal Gayle, Ricky Skaggs, Jon Secada, Amy Grant, CeCe Winans and others.
“During the making of Fred’s album I had the opportunity to speak with people from all walks of life,” Scott said. “Everyone agrees that we need Mister Rogers now more than ever. They miss him as well as his music.”
Producer Dennis Scott has almost single-handedly been the one person who has consistently raised up the music of Fred Rogers, and is responsible for spearheading such efforts as helping Fred receive the ASCAP Deems Taylor Television Broadcast Award, lobbied and succeeded in getting a special entry about Fred Rogers read into the Congressional Record, and is currently leading a grassroots effort along with Emmy® award winning American TV Personality Tom Bergeron (America’s Funniest Videos, Dancing with the Stars), and gospel singer Sandi Patty, to induct Fred Rogers into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. By way of a Change.org petition, Scott has amassed more than 2,300 signatures, and is again calling on the public and music community for more support.
Along with country singer-songwriter Teea Goans, Scott will appear on WSMV-TV’s “Today In Nashville” on March 20 at 2pm CT to celebrate Fred’s 95th birthday and release of the new deluxe album. Scott has also been profiled for his efforts by News Channel 5 in Nashville, News Channel 3 in Memphis, and along with Actor David Newell (aka Mister McFeely from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood) on the nationally syndicated TV show, Nashville Insider.
“Fred Rogers composed over 200 songs, not only for his television program but also for CD’s, record albums, and video – songs that are part of the soundtrack of our lives,” said David Newell. “That’s why so many people believe that Mister Rogers belongs in The Songwriters Hall of Fame. If I know Fred Rogers, this honor would mean the world to him because it’s a recognition of his music.”
*Private* in-person media & industry event to also be live streamed for fans and the public:
Scott will host a special invitation-only “Happy Birthday, Mister Rogers” event in Nashville for media, TV, radio and music industry professionals, with support from ASCAP. It will be held on Monday, March 20, from 5-7pm CT at Steinway Piano Gallery (Fred’s choice piano was Steinway), with a free YouTube live stream for the fans and general public. The event will feature special musical performances given by country singer-songwriter Teea Goans, singer-songwriter & guitar virtuoso Parker Hastings, who will put a Chet Atkins like spin on the original Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood theme song “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” and studio vocalist Gary Janney. There will be refreshments, food, and a special Mister Rogers cake to be shared. TV & media are encouraged to attend for content capturing and onsite interviews.
Who: Producer Dennis Scott, ASCAP, Teea Goans, Parker Hastings, Gary Janney
What: “Happy Birthday, Mister Rogers” event for media, TV, radio and industry pros
When: Monday, March 20, 5-7pm CT / Live stream at 5:30pm CT
Where: Steinway Piano Gallery | 4285 Sidco Drive, Nashville
Why: To celebrate and honor the life and musical works of Fred Rogers on his birthday
RSVP: MisterRogersBirthday.eventbrite.com (cap = 125)
Fan Livestream: youtu.be/KDReW_NBc4Q
“After producing two albums featuring Fred Rogers’ music I have developed a deep appreciation for his songwriting skills,” said Scott. “If you look closely at his tunes you can see what a lyrical craftsman he was. And his choice of chords are more complex than one might expect to hear in any “children’s” song. That’s the magic of Mister Rogers. He never talked down to kids – musically or otherwise. His songs have messages for all ages and his composing is as sophisticated as many of our great American writers. There’s no doubt in my mind that he belongs in The Songwriters Hall of Fame.”
About Producer Dennis Scott:
Two-time GRAMMY® Award winning songwriter, music producer, and writer Dennis Scott has left no corner of the children’s music industry unexplored. His songs have been performed by such diverse artists as Faith Hill, Ray Charles, Sugarland, Alison Krauss, The Muppets, Amy Grant, CeCe Winans, Trisha Yearwood, Elmo, Charlie Daniels Band, Shari Lewis, Crystal Gayle, Roberta Flack, Ricky Skaggs, and many others. Dennis is also the recipient of two Emmys, a Parent’s Choice Award, and a Telly. You can hear his work on television, radio, audio books, home videos, and stage productions such as “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” “Sesame Street Live” and “The Magic School Bus.” Dennis began his entertainment career at the age of 7 as an actor on Broadway. As an adult, he toured with the New Christy Minstrels (playing upright bass and singing). His novelty tune “Captain Kirk’s Disco Trek” led to his first serious foray into children’s music and a Grammy for “Sesame Country.” He has had nonstop assignments since then. Dennis has served as Music Director for several children’s TV shows including the PBS series “Noddy” and, most recently, “BJ’s Teddy Bear Club” which airs on TBN and just earned him his second Emmy award. His album, Songs From The Neighborhood – The Music of Mister Rogers won a GRAMMY® Award for Best Musical Recording for Children in 2005. His latest produced album, Thank You, Mister Rogers – Music & Memories is available on CD, and wherever digital music is sold and streamed at orcd.co/ThankYouMisterRogersDeluxe.
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