In 1994, Rhino Entertainment formally introduced Kid Rhino, its new division for children’s records. Asked by Richard Foos and Harold Bronson if I was interested in the position of Director, I told them both “yes.” After an interview process with personnel and then, Rhino’s Director of A & R, Gary Stewart, I lost out to Robin Frederick, who had a lot more experience in children’s records than I did.
Still, I was in on the ground floor of Kid Rhino even before the division was up and running with the label’s first release back in 1991, and here’s how it happened. Harold had asked me if I would be interested in co-producing a children’s record with him. The act being Micky Dolenz of The Monkees. In an instant, I said “yes.” The record would be recorded at Sunburst, and I was to have free reign in choosing all the musicians. After a couple of organizational meetings with Micky and Harold to talk over the song selection and the arrangements, we were off and running.
The album’s title (which I wasn’t particularly fond of) was “Micky Puts You to Sleep.” We were hoping that the children, not the adult listeners, would be put to sleep listening to it! The concept was that Micky would sing soft lullabies to help you get your little rug rats to bed, but it was easy to see how critics might use the title against us and say that the album was boring. However, the album was anything but boring and Micky was great to work with. He was always prepared, and in great voice for the sessions. For a big star, I never felt any ego getting in the way of our working relationship; Harold felt the same way. ¹
One of my favorite things to do as a record producer is to handpick the musicians. It not only gives me the opportunity to reward players for their great work over the years, but I get to mold the sound of the record with their expertise and unique styles. The instrumentation on this project needed to be lullaby-like…meaning SOFT! We did not use drums and added in its place, very limited light (hand) percussion. From Lennon & McCartney, (Gerry) Goffin & (Carol) King, Paul Simon , Neil Young, and Harry Nilsson…(continued in Chapter 13)
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¹ “Working with Micky was the best experience I had as a producer. He showed up on time, always sang in tune, and possessed a rare ability to sing in any style.” Harold Bronson, The Rhino Records Story, 2013, SelectBooks, Inc.
