Famous musicians honored the legacy of late public television host, children's education advocate, and Pittsburgh native Fred Rogers with the album Thank You, Mister Rogers: Music & Memories. The work now receives a deluxe reissue in celebration of Rogers' 95th birthday and to push for his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Originally released in 2019, Thank You, Mister Rogers: Music & Memories —
available since Friday on major digital music streaming platforms and at ThankYouMisterRogers.com — features artists representing various eras and genres, from the Micky Dolenz of the 1960s pop band The Monkees, to 2006 American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler.
The original album was released by Nashville-based music producer Dennis Scott, who won a Grammy in 2006 for Songs From The Neighborhood - The Music of Mister Rogers, another Rogers-inspired album with Crystal Gayle, Ricky Skaggs, Jon Secada, Amy Grant, CeCe Winans, and others.
Secada also appears on Thank You, Mister Rogers, along with gospel singer Sandi Patty, R&B artist Vanessa Williams, pianist Jim Brickman, and country singer Lee Greenwood, as well as actress Rita Wilson and TV host Tom Bergeron. Other contributors include legendary pop band The Cowsills, Mexican-American songstress Jaci Velasquez, and Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., the husband-and-wife team behind the long-running musical group 5th Dimension.
The Thank You, Mister Rogers deluxe reissue will feature 13 additional tracks, and a newly recorded version of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” by Parker Hastings, along with recording artist interviews and track commentary.
“After producing two albums featuring Fred Rogers’ music I have developed a deep appreciation for his songwriting skills,” Scott says in a press release. “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."
Because of this, Scott believes Rogers should be inducted into The Songwriters Hall of Fame, an organization that, since its founding in 1969, has the stated mission of acknowledging the "contributions and legacies of songwriters of all genres of music."
Scott originally pushed for Rogers' induction in March 2022 by launching a Change.org petition that now has around 2,300 signatures.
"His songs have messages for all ages and his composing is as sophisticated as many of our great American writers," Scott continues. "There’s no doubt in my mind that he belongs in The Songwriters Hall of Fame.”
Actor David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, agrees that his longtime friend deserves to be among other songwriting greats.
“Fred Rogers composed over 200 songs, not only for his television program but also for CDs, record albums, and video — songs that are part of the soundtrack of our lives,” Newell says in a release. “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.”
The release of Thank You, Mister Rogers comes a few days before what would have been Rogers' 95th birthday on Mon., March 20. On that day, Scott and others will present a virtual live-stream celebration on YouTube. Those interested in watching can find it at bit.ly/MisterRogersParty.
Scott believes the double album and other efforts come at a difficult time when people are hungry for the TV pioneer's message of love, acceptance, and patience.
"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.”
Famous musicians honor Fred Rogers with new deluxe album
