NEW CD Music of Mr. Rogers gets some star power

'Songs From the Neighborhood' showcases Fred Rogers' love of music.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Mister Rogers opened each show singing children a simple song about the beauty of his neighborhood, accompanied by a piano, percussion and bass.
And though the lyrics on a new CD of Rogers' music sound the same, the arrangements featuring string musicians and backup singers, and recorded in high-tech studios, are all grown up.
Call it Mister Rogers' coming of age.
Artists featured
The CD "Songs from the Neighborhood: The Music of Mister Rogers" features artists such as Amy Grant, Donna Summer and Ricky Skaggs singing about self-esteem, channeling your anger, and, of course, being neighborly. It's the first time Rogers' songs have been recorded in styles from bluegrass to big band by artists not associated with the children's television show.
"This is buried treasure," said Dennis Scott, the CD's Nashville-based producer, who came to Pittsburgh on Tuesday to meet Rogers' widow and former colleagues in person for the first time. "I wanted to do right by it. I wanted to preserve the integrity of it."
Rogers, who died of cancer at age 74 in February 2003, had a lifelong love of music. He got a bachelor's degree in music composition at Rollins College in Florida in 1951, and was the composer and lyricist of more than 200 songs.
Inspiration
Scott, who won the 1981 Grammy for Best Recording for Children, said he thought of making the CD after he saw an episode of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" playing on TV. Rogers' songs are filled with lyrics such as "Love is stronger than your fears," messages Scott said are simple enough for children, yet sophisticated enough for adults.
"To me, this is a crossover album," Scott said.
So for the next two years, Scott worked finding artists to sing on the CD, choosing the songs, working on musical arrangements -- and convincing Rogers' producers at Pittsburgh-based Family Communications Inc. to OK the project.
"I had some misgivings because I was used to hearing the songs in one way," said Margy Whitmer, a producer of Rogers' show, which still airs on PBS stations across the country.
But Scott's persistence, and ability to attract big names, won Rogers' people over. The result was a CD compilation of 12 of Rogers' most well known songs, and an ensemble piece written by Scott but inspired by the man in the red sweater.
Maureen McGovern
Singer and actress Maureen McGovern said she was impressed by Rogers' music and the fact that it really wasn't just for kids. She sang the song "This Is Just The Day" accompanied by an uptempo beat.
"When they hear his music in a different light I think it will cause a big smile," said McGovern, a native of Youngstown who was always a fan of Rogers'.
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