This Saturday, December 5, Barnes & Noble will host a special Christmas Sing-Along with Sesame Street’s own Bob McGrath. Now celebrating its 40th year with more than 4,000 episodes, the groundbreaking program has become one of the longest-running shows in television history. And generations of viewers will recognize McGrath as the music teacher “Bob Johnson,” who lives in an apartment above Hooper’s Store. McGrath will perform songs from his Bob! from Sesame Street Christmas Sing Along CD for an afternoon event that all families will enjoy.
When McGrath was approached by a friend to audition for a new kiddie show that was in the works back in 1969, he initially had no interest in “going into the children’s business.” He had taught in a private school during his pursuit of a Master’s degree and was father to a growing family. He had spent four years singing with the Mitch Miller Show on television, and out of that had enjoyed a minor recording and performing career in Japan.
Back in New York, he was taking acting lessons and freelancing his voice out in a music world that had turned around with the British invasion of the mid-‘60s. He says that, although he had never heard of Jim Henson, “It took me like two-and-a-half minutes to realize this was going to be an exceptionally different kind of show.” After that revelation, he auditioned vigorously, did five pilots with a cast of four that were tested around the country – and the rest is Sesame Street history. “I got my job from 5-yearolds, basically.”
Forty years later, McGrath is one of the few remaining original Sesame Street cast members. He’s produced a slew of CDs for children and families, and continues to do concerts around the country. With a lifelong dedication to wholesome and entertaining educational opportunities for kids, he appears at events like the recent convention of the National Association for the Education of Young Children in Washington, DC, where he spoke with teachers about connecting literacy skills with simple songs.
Now at work on a new album, McGrath says, “I love the whole creative process of putting a concert or a new record together. I spent a long time choosing the tunes for this Christmas album; they’re all standards, with no tricks or gimmicks. I worked with the best musicians in New York City: seasoned veterans in the business [like Jack Cavari, Bobby Cranshaw, Jim Zack, Buddy Williams, Mike Renzi and James Sapporito]. Working with great musicians is one of the thrills of doing this.” And then there’s performing for the kids.
McGrath will have the whole family – from toddlers to grandparents – singing and dancing to their favorite holiday tunes, and selections off his other albums as well, at the Kingston Barnes & Noble on Ulster Avenue on Saturday, December 5 at 2 p.m. For more information call (845) 336- 4691. Store events are free and open to the public.