Jim Henson Day 2023

In September, I represented the American Banjo Musuem and traveled to New York as part of the Jim Henson celebration on what would have been his 87^th birthday. I was a ‘banjo gift’ of sorts, serenading the invited Muppet fans who traveled there for a special walking tour of Manhattan and Central Park led by Henson’s daughter, Heather Henson.

Celebrating Jim’s birthday at his bench in Central Park.

In addition to playing at the Henson Family Carriage House Studio, where several of Jim’s later productions were filmed, I was invited by Craig Shemin of the Jim Henson Legacy to perform at Museum of the Moving Image’s special presentation of rare clips from the Jimmy Dean Show that featured one of Henson’s iconic characters, Rowlf the Dog.

A compilation of Muppety songs…
Thanks to Matthew Soberman for the footage!

It was surreal to lead the audience in songs that spanned various Muppet productions from, Kermit’s “Bein’ Green,” “I Don’t Want To Live On The Moon,” from Sesame Street as well as favorite songs of Jim that the Muppet characters covered like, Randy Newman’s “Simon Smith and His Dancing Bear.”

After the 80 minute reel of delightful comedy bits and bloopers from Jimmy Dean and Rowlf, I returned with a special request from organizer, Shemin: Bob Gibson’s “I Come For To Play” which was one of first songs Kermit ever played on banjo from original program locally produced “Sam and Friends” in the 1950s.

The show ended with the inevitable “Rainbow Connection,” in which I was joined in song by the entire audience- including Ryan Dillan (Sesame Street’s “Elmo”) and Stephanie D’Abruzzo (Sesame Street and Broadway’s Avenue Q) as well as Hamilton’s Fergie Philippe.

Broadway’s Stephanie D’Abruzzo and Fergie Philippe

I was also able to connect with Karen Faulk, head archivist for The Jim Henson Company. Karen has previously worked with American Banjo Museum on our original 2018 exhibit featuring the Muppet Banjo, Henson original notes and blueprints along with the frog himself. Here’s to hoping our green friend returns to our gallery!