| Home | Channels | Programmers | My Galaxie | Rising Star | Extras | About Galaxie |
Fred Penner
After 30 years in the business of creating music and television and live concerts for the Family audience, I am at a very interesting point of my life.
The generation of young people who first connected with me in the 1980’s is now young adults moving into their professional career world and starting to have their own families. Inevitably wanting their children to have what they had as youngsters, there has been a resurgence of connection with me. Very cool!
I was born and raised in Winnipeg, which is still me home. I am married with 4 children, a son 28, and three daughters, 23, 21 and 18. The nest is almost empty.
I have been writing lots of music for special events; opening of libraries, special needs groups, in fact, whenever I am asked to perform one of my first thoughts is about writing a new tune.
I have been recognized in many ways over the years, with accolades and awards from honorary doctorates to the Order of Canada.
Interests
I am a sporadic reader; sometimes I have several books on the go at the same time. For example, I have begun Three Cups of Tea, a book that tells the story of a mountain climber who becomes a humanitarian and works to reduce poverty and promote education in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I am also reading the 9th book in a series by Alexander McCall Smith. The First Ladies Detective Agency relates the adventures in crime solving by a Botswana woman, with a very human African approach. Light reading, but very enjoyable.
I am proud of the work I have done in support of numerous organizations working to make this a better world for children. The list includes UNICEF, UNESCO, World Vision, Down Syndrome organizations and many groups working with special needs individuals.
The travel continues, mostly coast to coast in Canada, but occasional USA dates and once in a while something exotic like Australia or the United Arab Emirates.
My thoughts often carry me to the challenges of our world, and the disparity between wealth and poverty, certainly not a new concern, but when we have the ability, globally, to eliminate hunger and poverty, but greed and aggression put a stop to this becoming a reality. And then there’s the economy and the interest rates and the abuse of humanity and...and...Don’t get me started!
I am pleased to be stepping into a slight tangent on my path by linking with Galaxie.
I am proud of the work I have done in support of numerous organizations working to make this a better world for children. The list includes UNICEF, UNESCO, World Vision, Down Syndrome organizations and many groups working with special needs individuals.
The travel continues, mostly coast to coast in Canada, but occasional USA dates and once in a while something exotic like Australia or the United Arab Emirates.
My thoughts often carry me to the challenges of our world, and the disparity between wealth and poverty, certainly not a new concern, but when we have the ability, globally, to eliminate hunger and poverty, but greed and aggression put a stop to this becoming a reality. And then there’s the economy and the interest rates and the abuse of humanity and...and...Don’t get me started!
I am pleased to be stepping into a slight tangent on my path by linking with Galaxie.
Favorite bands
Influences
My wife Odette is the co-director of the School of Contemporary Dancers in Winnipeg, so over the course of the year I see many very inspiring dance performances.
Programmed channels
Kid's Stuff
The world’s best children’s entertainers and storytellers. Kids’Stuff is up to snuff for story time, sing-along time or just listening to your favourites from Disney films and other music aimed at youngsters.
More on Kid's Stuff