Penner, Fred (Ralph Cornelius)
PENNER, Fred (Ralph Cornelius)
PENNER, Fred (Ralph Cornelius). Canadian, b. 1946. Genres: Songs/ Lyrics and libretti. Career: Children's entertainer and television performer. Worked in residential treatment centers for children, 1969-72; toured with Kornstock (musical-comedy troupe) during 1970s; performed with Manitoba Theatre Workshop (now Prairie Theatre Exchange) and Rainbow Stage in musicals and dramas; Sundance (children's dance theatre company), resident musician with wife, Odette Heyn-Penner, 1977-90; host of Fred Penner's Place, CBC, now in syndication, 1984-, and MTV/Nickelodeon (US), 1989-; Oak Street Music (music publishing and recording label), Winnipeg, executive vice president, 1987-98; Simple Way, host, 2000. Has recorded music CDs/tapes for families. Guest on television specials, telethons, and concert broadcasts; performs in festivals and concerts throughout the United States and Canada; performed on videos. Keynote speaker for early childhood education conferences in the United States and Canada. Publications: BASED ON PENNER'S SONGS; INCLUDE MUSIC AND LYRICS: The Bump, 1984; Ebeneezer Sneezer, 1985; Rollerskating, 1987; (with S. Oberman) Julie Gerond and the Polka Dot Pony, 1988; Sing Along Play Along (contains songs from Penner's first four albums), 1990; Proud, 1997. Address: c/o Paquin Entertainment, 395 Notre Dame Ave., Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3B 1R2. Online address: www.fredpenner.com