Rudolph, Frosty, and Captain Kangaroo : the musical life of Hecky Krasnow, producer of the world's most beloved children's songs : a memoir

"My work with Hecky gave me some of the happiest moments in my career. He was a true gentleman and friend." —Rosemary Clooney "Hecky Krasnow took my career places I never dreamed it would go." —Gene Autry "Hecky understood children and knew how to write material that truly tapped into their imaginations and met their needs." —Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo) "The man was a genius, and I was honored to work with him." —Art Carney "Since meeting Hecky, I have forgotten my ABCs and learned my RSTs—Rudolph, Santa, and Thank You." —Johnny Marks, composer of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" "To Hecky, whose gentle hand leadeth the singer in paths proper, progressive, and prosperous." —Burl Ives "Without the alliance of Hecky, we would never have made it." —Chad Mitchell (Chad Mitchell Trio) "Hecky was the very best in the field." —Mitch Miller, producer and band leader Childhood memories and well-researched facts are combined in this memoir by the daughter of Hecky Krasnow, the Columbia Records producer of such classic children's songs as "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, "Frosty the Snowman," "The Captain Kangaroo March," "The Ballad of Davy Crockett," and "Smokey the Bear." Set against the dramatic backdrop of McCarthyism, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement and the birth of television and rock 'n' roll, this book explores the life of a progressive musical genius and details the fascinating children's entertainment industry, one of the biggest businesses of the mid-20th century. It is rich in never-before-told anecdotes about Hecky's work and friendships with celebrities including Gene Autry, Rosemary Clooney, Burl Ives, Art Carney, Captain Kangaroo, and Nina Simone. The book shows how television and rock 'n' roll forever altered how we view children and, therefore, what we offer them as entertainment. Rudolph, Frosty, and Captain Kangaroo is a memoir by Judy Gail Krasnow about her father, Hecky Krasnow, the producer of such classic children's records and holiday tunes as “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," “Frosty the Snowman," “I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas," “Peter Cottontail," “Suzy Snowflake," “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," “The Captain Kangaroo March," “Smokey the Bear," “Davy Crockett," “Little Red Monkey," and “The Little Engine That Could." The book includes remembrances of Hecky Krasnow's working relationships with such legendary artists as Gene Autry, Rosemary Clooney, Dinah Shore, Nina Simone, Art Carney, José Ferrer, Burl Ives, Arthur Godfrey, and Captain Kangaroo. In addition to his profound influence on the children's record industry—an enormous business during the mid-twentieth century—Hecky also produced, wrote, or engineered such adult fare as Rosemary Clooney's “Come On-a My House" and “Me and My Teddy Bear"; Nina Simone's classic album The Amazing Nina Simone ; and the landmark Chad Mitchell Trio debut, The Chad Mitchell Trio Arrives! Set against the dramatic backdrop of McCarthyism, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the birth of television and rock and roll, Rudolph, Frosty, and Captain Kangaroo is rich in anecdotes about the politics and history of the era, the stars Hecky produced, and an array of talented composers and conductors with whom Hecky collaborated, including Mitch Miller, Johnny Marks, Percy Faith, J. Fred Coots, Tommy Johnson, Sir Thomas Beecham, Rudolph Goehr, André Kostelanetz, and Arthur Fiedler. A gut instinct produces a classic The violin and the fiddler Hard times and new beginnings A profession for the fiddler Ballads and baseball Pink and blue Another "Gene" and a Hunter Josef Marais and Miranda Success creates a market A rhino named Rhumpy and a tuba named Tubby Rosie becomes a household name A bitter divorce A red caboose, a harpsichord, and Horn & Hardart's Television, cowboys, marbles, and McCarthy Bookworms A tribute at the rodeo Parties and payola Westward ho! A little red monkey and a marriage Veal scaloppini Goodbye McCarthy, welcome back Burl, hello Art Carney A doctor, a Bishop, Disney, and a Captain named Kangaroo Riding the crest of the wave What goes up must come down Gobbledegook A singer named Nina and a trio named Chad Mitchell A wedding song, lullaby at the zoo, a fiddle again. Childhood memories and well-researched facts are combined in this memoir by the daughter of Hecky Krasnow, the Columbia Records producer of such classic children's songs as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, “Frosty the Snowman, “Here Comes Santa Claus, “Smokey the Bear, and “The Little Engine That Could. These rich, never-before-told anecdotes explore the life of a progressive musical genius and detail the fascinating children's entertainment industry, one of the biggest businesses of the mid-20th century. Pop culture after World War II is also covered in this remarkable account which shares stories of entertainment icons and Krasnow family friends, Gene Autry, Dinah Shore, Burl Ives, and Captain Kangaroo, who transformed the entertainment industry Rudolph, Frosty, and Captain Kangaroo is a memoir by Judy Gail Krasnow about her father, Hecky Krasnow, the producer of such classic children's records and holiday tunes as #x93;Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," #x93;Frosty the Snowman," #x93;I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas," #x93;Peter Cottontail," #x93;Suzy Snowflake," #x93;I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," #x93;The Captain Kangaroo March," #x93;Smokey the Bear," #x93;Davy Crockett," #x93;Little Red Monkey," and #x93;The Little Engine That Could." The book includes remembrances of Hecky Krasnow's working relationships with such legendary artists as Gene Autry, Rosemary Clooney, Dina