Rudolph, Frosty, and Captain Kangaroo

Judy Gail Krasnow is a professional storyteller, historical portrayal artist, Chautauqua scholar, singer-songwriter, speaker, and author. The younger daughter of Hecky Krasnow, Judy was often at her father’s side as he produced quality records for children. She sang backup and acted on many of Hecky’s projects with stars of the era, such as Captain Kangaroo and Art Carney, and even once performed on the legendary Ed Sullivan Show. She lives in Jackson, Michigan and Miami, Florida.

“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“I enjoyed my years recording with Hecky. He understood children and knew how to write material that truly tapped into their imaginations and met their needs. I was fortunate to have him as my record producer in those early years because his view about children as genuine people to be respected reflected my own.”—Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo) “The man was a genius, and I was honored to work with him.”—Art Carney“As a child, Krasnow was able to meet and interact with virtually every star her father worked with, including Gene Kelly, Jackie Robinson, Rosemary Clooney and Bob “Captain Kangaroo” Keeshan, and her encounters make for a number of warm anecdotes. Present for many recording sessions, including Gene Autry’s canonized recording of “Rudolph,” Krasnow takes readers into the studio and behind the scenes of the changing cultural climate of the 1950s and ’60s.”—Publishers Weekly“In her fond and frequently fascinating memoir . . . Ms. Krasnow’s childhood memories—the mingled scents of cowhide and cologne in Gene Autry’s dressing room, her first encounter with racially segregated toilets in that cradle of U.S. history, Williamsburg, Va., the thuggish disruption of a Paul Robeson concert in Peekskill, N.Y.—ring vividly true. . . . Had Hecky Krasnow composed his greatest hits rather than producing them as a staff employee of Columbia Records, he would have died a wealthy man when complications following heart surgery claimed his life in 1984. His records, not their royalties, were his legacy. Now, thanks to a devoted daughter’s memoir, his name lives on, too.”—Wall Street Journal“Since meeting Hecky, I have forgotten my ABCs and learned my RSTs – Rudolph, Santa, and Thank You.”—Johnny Marks “To Hecky, whose gentle hand leadeth the singer in paths proper, progressive, and prosperous.”—Burl Ives“Without the alliance of Hecky—his choice of songs and his engaging of Milt Okun as our arranger—we would never have made it.”—Chad Mitchell“Hecky was the very best in the field.”—Mitch Miller“I am now 94 and many memories are clouded, but I clearly remember Hecky and the fun we had making children’s records.”—Sally Sweetland“Rudolph, Frosty, and Captain Kangaroo celebrates both Hecky Krasnow’s achievements and the fascinating life his daughter led, growing up in progressive musical circles in the ’50s and ’60s. Judy Krasnow meets heroes like Gene Kelly and Jackie Robinson, attends a party at the tropical rain forest-themed penthouse of “Tubby the Tuba” composer George Kleinsinger as monkeys and snakes run wild, sings backup on recordings with Captain Kangaroo, flees the 1949 Peekskill riot, and much, much more, all of it entertainingly told (which isn’t surprising, as the author is now a successful children’s entertainer).”—Times Union