Micky Dolenz / Mister Rogers

Micky Dolenz / Mister Rogers

This November, Tom Hanks will step into the role of Fred Rogers when A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood hits theaters. A month prior, a new collection of music will welcome listeners back into Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood with fresh takes on some classic songs penned by Fred Rogers himself.

Thank You, Mister Rogers: Music & Memories, will be available on October 25, and today the Toy Insider is excited to debut the world premiere of “Perfectly Beautiful Day,” performed by Micky Dolenz. Best-known to audiences for voicing hits including “Last Train to Clarksville” and “I’m A Believer” as a lead singer of The Monkees, Dolenz recalls watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood with his daughter, Ami. 

“The song is very typical of Mister Rogers — a person who made you feel happy and at home,” Dolenz says. “His personality and the whole vibe of his show made you feel safe.”

The album, which is available for preorder now, features reimagined tunes from Rogers’ catalog of more than 200 songs. In addition to Dolenz, Kellie Pickler, Vanessa Williams, Lee Greenwood, The Cowsills, Jaci Velasquez, Jim Brickman, Jon Secada, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., Tom Bergeron, Sandi Patty, and even Rita Wilson (Tom Hanks’ wife) take part.

“Mister Rogers’ melody and lyrics are beautifully integrated together,” says Wilson. “His words of kindness, acceptance, and peace are a classic message.”

“Fred was a gifted songwriter and understood how music could serve as an effective way to teach and share important life lessons, says Dennis Scott, two-time Grammy winner, and producer of the album. “We hope that both adults and children familiar with Fred’s songs will enjoy hearing how well they lend themselves to a variety of musical styles and genres.”

An additional single from Thank You, Mister Rogers, will be released on Oct. 18.  Dolenz is currently in the midst of a U.S. tour, It Was 50 Years Ago Today — A Tribute to The Beatles’ White Album.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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