New York, NY – There’s an old Jamaican folk saying which goes, “your goose is cooked” meaning you have come to the end of the line in your life. However, for Jamaican born Rankin Don aka “Father Goose” his goose is flying high and is about to be sorrowing even higher. At the recent 49th Annual Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles Rankin Don aka “Father Goose”, along with the other members of Dan Zanes and Friends Band won the coveted Grammy Award for “Best Musical Children Album – Catch That Train” in the children entertainment category. Winning the Grammy Award crystallized the hard work and planning that went into bringing Dan Zanes and Friends idea of ‘family entertainment’ to the forefront of today’s children’s music by combing the sounds of old and new.
They say you never know where your life’s journey will lead; often when one door closes another with the grace of God will always open. What you do to keep that door open and recognize the opportunity presented is on you. This is the case in which two performers with their own individual styles joined together to make wonderful children’s music entertaining millions.
Rankin Don christened Wayne Rhoden always liked performing in front of family and friends. He used them as his listening audience whenever he had a new idea for a song. Give him a microphone and he would be off singing along with the recordings on the radio as well showcasing his own original songs. In the 90’s he worked non-stop on honing his DJ craft and became an underground superstar in Jamaica and on the streets of Brooklyn, New York. During this time he recorded, “Can’t find me love” and he made a huge splash with “Baddest DJ” which produced numerous sales abroad and in the United States. The follow-up single “Real McCoy” was also another significant hit. As a result of his commitment to growing his music to the next level, Rankin Don was later introduced to producers who urged him to record for the mainstream labels. He has performed at major concert events with some of reggae’s top artists including, Gregory Isaacs, Grammy nominees Beres Hammond and Freddie McGregor, and past Grammy winners Shabba Ranks, Shaggy and Beenie Man.
Dan Zanes, a rock star, while taking his daughter on their daily excursion to a Brooklyn Park close to his home became fascinated by many genre of music he heard song by numerous Babysitters. Surrounded daily by those soothing sounds Dan decided to create another form of music for family entertainment. His idea was to create “easy music – it’s a roosty, cosmopolitan mix of folk, western, rock n roll livened up by the Caribbean sing along melodies”(village voice). As luck or destiny would have it with the aid of his mother who was one of many Babysitters Dan heard singing Rankin Don was introduced to Dan Zanes and a business relationship was formed. Upon agreement Rankin Don began providing the Caribbean sing-along sounds in Dan’s idea of “easy music”, thus re-inventing himself into the charming and loveable character “Father Goose”. Other members were later added and the band became known as “Dan Zanes and Friends”.
“Father Goose” has emerged as one of the shining stars from the Dan Zanes and Friends Band. Performing as “Father Goose”, Rankin Don has breath fresh air into the children’s music scene. Rankin Don in his adaption of “Father Goose” is able to personify the calm non-threatening effect of the children’s television character Mr. Rogers while fusing together the playful contagious rhythms of reggae, rap, folktale, calypso, pop and traditional children’s music.
“Father Goose” is a main featured act on all nine Dan Zane and Friends successful albums, DVDs, Videos and live concert performances. The Grammy winning album Catch That Train can attest to his strong kid’s appeal where he gives sterling performances of “Pata, Pata” and “Chu, Chu Chu Boogie”. Off the 2005 Grammy nominated album ‘House Party’ the electrifying crowd-pleasing “Down in the Valley” video is currently airing twice weekly in rotation on Disney Network to great reviews. From the Rocket Ship Beach album you can hear his performance of “ABC” where he makes learning tables fun for kids.
While attending his live shows you can’t help being amazed and astounded at how the understated persona of Rankin Don morphs into the charismatic “Father Goose” who has both the young and old grooving to his music. “At a recent benefit performance Rankin Don’s nursery rhyme toasting became the highlight of the Band’s live show; several hundred sun baked tots crashed in the grass as their parents whooped it up with Father Goose”(village voice). The staple factor of his show is audience participation so everyone gets in on the act with lots of playing, singing and dancing. For his portrayal of “Father Goose”, Rankin Don has garnered rave review as a performer at many events and locations on the Dan Zanes and Friends tour. The tour recently performed at notable venues such as Carnegie Hall, Disney MGM studios, Rock n Roll Hall of Fame along performances at Festivals, Fairs, Amusement Parks, Libraries, Pre-Schools, Primary Schools and special family events.
For those that are in love with the sounds of “Father Goose” and leave the concerts wanting more, the long awaited “Father Goose” album to be co-produced by the ringmaster, Dan Zanes will hit stores this coming fall 2007. Rankin Don, spring boarding off his overwhelming success as a member of Dan Zanes and Friends Band soon will give you as much of “Father Goose” as you wish.
You can log onto www.myspace.comfathergooseent or www.danzanes.com for further album news as well as upcoming tour dates and performance locations in a cities near you.
Rankin Don is committed to expanding the reaches of “Father Goose” worldwide. His aim is to enlighten the world by bringing smiles to children and adults all over with his unique style and flair.
Keep your ears and eyes wide open for further “Father Goose” information.
