Fred Penner on making a difference through music Modern Music

Fred Penner on making a difference through music

Written by Tristan Arndell on June 28, 2011 – 1:15 am

Near the beginning of his career, a mother told children’s entertainer Fred Penner about the death of her youngest child.

The five-year-old had suffered through a brain tumour and the mother wanted to thank Penner because, while the child was hospital bound, the family bonded over his music.

“I thought, ‘Oh boy — that’s what I have to look forward to,’” Penner says. “When you hear things like that, it gives your legacy a whole different perspective.”

As he enters his 40th year as a performer, looking nearly the same as he did at the start but for a silvered beard and coif, Penner retains a sense of integrity that seems increasingly rare in the entertainment industry.

“It’s not just a matter of getting up and singing a bunch of happy songs. You know, ‘smile-smile, lacka-lacka, goodbye,’” he says. “The philosophy I bring to the table is: Never underestimate your ability to make a difference in the life of a child. It’s not an uncommon phrase, it’s not original. But it’s absolutely true.”

At 64, Penner shows no signs of slowing down or forgetting that message. Others in his shoes may have been satisfied with the accolades, which include the Order of Canada, two Juno Awards, four Parents’ Choice Awards — not to mention acting as a spokesperson for UNICEF, World Vision, UNESCO and the Canadian Down Syndrome Society. But Penner continues to produce and perform and says he wouldn’t have it any other way.

On July 1, he will perform a free show as part Victoria’s Canada Day celebration on the legislature lawn. Expect classic hits, including the ever popular “The Cat Came Back,” as well as some new tunes from the prolific songwriter.

“What I feel I bring to the table [is something] I don’t generally see reflected in the entertainment that’s happening nowadays,” he says.

It’s true, acoustic folk tunes about caring for one another aren’t too common in the post-Spongebob Squarepants world. The much-loved performer has a unique perspective on those changes, after filming almost 1,000 episodes of Fred Penner’s Place, as well as participating in musical and theatrical performances.

He says the idea that we need to bombard children with a new image every 15 seconds to retain their attention is unhealthy.

“In the children’s world, we’re giving them so many hits, so much hype that they’re becoming overwhelmed and part of their brain is disconnecting,” he says. “That doesn’t give any real respect for the child. Children need to be nurtured.”

Instead, Penner balances quiet, gentle moments with interactive sing-alongs.

As the years advance, the reviews are rolling in from his first young fans of the ’70s and ’80s in a form that most children’s entertainers rarely experience: They’ve grown old enough to introduce their own children to the music that nurtured them.

Penner is watching them return, like a proud father.

Whether he’s performing for his grown-up fans or his budding young ones, he says his message is the same.

“The ultimate thing is, we’re all in this journey together,” he says. “And we can effect positive change in this world, if we have a mind to.”

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