Changes: Don Music

PERFORMER	Richard Hunt
DEBUT	1974
PATTERN	Orange Gold
DESIGN	Jim Henson

Latest revision as of 07:39, 31 October 2023

Richard hunt don music — Richard Hunt performing Don Music.

SS50thSpecial-Don — Don in *Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration*

Don Music is an agonized composer who made recurring appearances on Sesame Street, starting in Season 6 (1974).

Don would most always express his bouts of songwriter's block by banging his head on the piano keys in frustration, wailing, "Oh, I'll never get it! Never!" In early sketches featuring the character, Kermit the Frog (in his reporter garb) would visit Don in his studio and assist him in writing a song, which would often be a new spin on a familiar nursery rhyme or public domain song. From the pen of "Don Music and frog" (as phrased by Kermit), a tune like "Mary Had a Little Lamb" would be hashed out and reworked as "Mary Had a Bicycle." When Don was finished writing, he would perform his newest composition, complete with backup singers (often Little Chrissy and the Alphabeats) either appearing out of nowhere or entering through the door to his studio. Don appeared in street scenes as well, where he is shown writing original songs not based on established compositions.

The character was created by David Korr,^[1] who wrote some of the early segments. Don always kept a picture of Sesame Street songwriter and composer Joe Raposo on the wall, while on his piano he often kept a bust of either Ludwig van Beethoven or William Shakespeare. Don also appeared in the View-Master Interactive Vision video Let's Learn to Play Together and the TV special, Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting.

His last new appearance on the show was in Episode 2826, but his segments continued to air as part of new episodes until Season 29 in 1998, where "Whistle, Whistle, Little Bird" was the final Don segment to play in Episode 3701. According to Sesame Street Unpaved, which was published the same year, "The character, played by Richard Hunt, was abandoned because of complaints about his alarming tendencies toward self-inflicted punishment. Apparently, kids were imitating his head-banging at home."

After being absent for over twenty years, Don Music resurfaced in new appearances associated with the show's 50th anniversary, performed by Ryan Dillon. He appeared at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019 in the "Sesame Street Puppets Live!" show,^[2] the special Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration^[3] (where host Joseph Gordon-Levitt mistakes him for Guy Smiley), and in the 2019 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He also made a cameo in the 2019 animated music video "Christmas with the Count" (YouTube) and appears as an audience member for The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo. He made his first appearance on the show proper since 1998 in Maggie Rogers' song in Episode 5102 (in a silent background cameo). He later made a speaking cameo in the 2023 special Elmo's Mindfulness Spectacular, trying to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" in the Sesame Street Talent Show.

Sketches

Picture

Summary / First Appearance

Description

Mary Had a Bicycle

Episode 0698

Kermit helps Don Music write a remake of "Mary's Lamb," with some back-up vocals from the Monotones.

Video: Sing Yourself Silly (beginning cut), Old School: Volume 2

Online: (YouTube)

Yankee Doodle

Episode 0876

Kermit helps Don Music finish the "Yankee Doodle" song, then because Don finds the idea of calling feathers macaroni ridiculous, they rewrite it to be a song in which Yankee Doodle stays at home cooking for his pony, puts "fat spaghetti" in a pot and calls it macaroni. Little Chrissy and the Alphabeats then come in and perform the song with Don. Frank Oz puppeteers Little Chrissy and the Lavender Alphabeat,^[4] while Jerry Nelson performs the Green band member.

Video: Old School: Volume 2

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Episode 0897

"Life is but a... but a..." With Kermit's help, Don Music manages to rewrite the tune to "Drive, drive, drive your car." David Korr wrote the altered lyrics to this song while Sam Pottle arranged the music.^[5] Richard Hunt and Jerry Nelson provide the voices for the Alphabeats.

Online: (YouTube)

Old MacDonald

Episode 0923

Don successfully writes "Old MacDonald", with the help of Kermit and several barnyard animals. Sam Pottle composed the music for this segment.^[6]

Whistle, Whistle, Little Bird

Episode 1210

Don Music tries to rewrite "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." He succeeds and is joined by a country-western band.

Video: 50 Years and Counting

Online: (YouTube)

The Alphabet Song

Episode 1227

Don Music successfully "writes" the Alphabet Song, with help from his surroundings.

Can You Tell Me How To Get To Yellowstone Park

Episode 1310

On a stormy night, Don Music tries to rewrite the "Sesame Street Theme". With a little help from Kermit and the outdoor atmosphere, he succeeds and is joined by Little Chrissy & The Alphabeats.

Mystery Guest

Episode 1447

Don was a contestant along with Cookie Monster and Sherlock Hemlock in game show sketch hosted by Guy Smiley. The object of the game was to wear a blindfold and guess who the mystery guest is. The mystery guest was the letter X. Don Music guessed M.

The American Revolution

Episode 2345

Don Music plays Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson has trouble getting a replacement quill to finish the Declaration when Mr. Grover misinterprets what he needs bringing a drill, and a chicken named Phil.

Online: (YouTube)

Episodic appearances

1729-DonGlasses — From Don's first appearance in a street story, in Episode 1729. Note how Don's eyes are permanently attached to his glasses, noticeable here when Don tosses his head back in inspiration.

Book appearances

Gallery

Sources

↑ NOSTALGIA TALK: Episode #29 (Featuring NORMAN STILES) (01:11:01)
↑ Ryan Dillon on Instagram (July 22, 2019)
↑ Ryan Dillon on Instagram (November 2, 2019)
↑ Behind the scenes photo
↑ ASCAP Work #88858112 (DON MUSIC ROW ROW ROW YOUR BOAT)
↑ ASCAP Work #24785082 (DON MUSIC OLD MACDONALD'S FARM)

[1] NOSTALGIA TALK: Episode #29 (Featuring NORMAN STILES) (01:11:01)

[2] Ryan Dillon on Instagram (July 22, 2019)

[3] Ryan Dillon on Instagram (November 2, 2019)

[4] Behind the scenes photo

[5] ASCAP Work #88858112 (DON MUSIC ROW ROW ROW YOUR BOAT)

[6] ASCAP Work #24785082 (DON MUSIC OLD MACDONALD'S FARM)

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 '''Don Music''' is an agonized composer who made recurring appearances on ''[[Sesame Street]]'', starting in [[Season 6 (1974-1975)|Season 6]] (1974).
-__TOC__
-A typical sketch involved [[Kermit the Frog|Kermit]] visiting Don in his studio while he tried to write a new song. To help alleviate Don's frustrations and stop him from banging his head against his piano, Kermit would make suggestions and correct Don's mistakes.  The usual result was that Don would write a strange version of a nursery rhyme, such as "Mary Had a Bicycle" instead of "Mary Had a Little Lamb." When he finished, he would perform the song, and would normally be joined by back-up singers (often [[Little Chrissy and the Alphabeats]]), who would appear seemingly from out of nowhere, or come through the door to his studio. When the character started appearing in street scenes, he was shown writing original songs not based on established compositions.
+Don would most always express his bouts of songwriter's block by banging his head on the piano keys in frustration, wailing, "Oh, I'll never get it! Never!" In early sketches featuring the character, [[Kermit the Frog]] (in [[Reporter Kermit|his reporter garb]]) would visit Don in his studio and assist him in writing a song, which would often be a new spin on a familiar nursery rhyme or public domain song. From the pen of "Don Music and frog" (as phrased by Kermit), a tune like "[[Mary Had a Little Lamb]]" would be hashed out and reworked as "[[Mary Had a Bicycle]]." When Don was finished writing, he would perform his newest composition, complete with backup singers (often [[Little Chrissy and the Alphabeats]]) either appearing out of nowhere or entering through the door to his studio. Don appeared in street scenes as well, where he is shown writing original songs not based on established compositions.
-Don always kept a picture of ''Sesame Street'' songwriter and composer [[Joe Raposo]] on the wall, while on his piano he often kept a bust of either [[Ludwig van Beethoven]] or [[William Shakespeare]].
-Don also appeared in the [[View-Master Interactive Vision]] video ''[[Let's Learn to Play Together]]'' and the TV special, ''[[Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting]]''.
+The character was created by [[David Korr]],<ref>[https://youtu.be/ccKsJ8zQIqk?t=4261 NOSTALGIA TALK: Episode #29 (Featuring NORMAN STILES) (01:11:01)]</ref> who wrote some of the early segments. Don always kept a picture of ''Sesame Street'' songwriter and composer [[Joe Raposo]] on the wall, while on his piano he often kept a bust of either [[Ludwig van Beethoven]] or [[William Shakespeare]]. Don also appeared in the [[View-Master Interactive Vision]] video ''[[Let's Learn to Play Together]]'' and the TV special, ''[[Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting]]''.
-His last new appearance on the show was in [[Episode 2826]], but his segments continued to air as part of new episodes until the end of [[Season 29 (1997-1998)|Season 29]] in 1998. According to ''[[Sesame Street Unpaved (book)|Sesame Street Unpaved]]'', which was published the same year, "The character, played by Richard Hunt, was abandoned because of complaints about his alarming tendencies toward self-inflicted punishment. Apparently, kids were imitating his head-banging at home."
+His last new appearance on the show was in [[Episode 2826]], but his segments continued to air as part of new episodes until [[Season 29 (1997-1998)|Season 29]] in 1998, where "[[Whistle, Whistle, Little Bird]]" was the final Don segment to play in [[Episode 3701]]. According to ''[[Sesame Street Unpaved (book)|Sesame Street Unpaved]]'', which was published the same year, "The character, played by Richard Hunt, was abandoned because of complaints about his alarming tendencies toward self-inflicted punishment. Apparently, kids were imitating his head-banging at home."
-Though absent as a character for decades, Don Music resurfaced in new appearances associated with the show's [[Sesame Street: 50th Anniversary|50th anniversary]], performed by [[Ryan Dillon]]. He appeared at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] in 2019 in the "Sesame Street Puppets Live!" show<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/B0OuLo6gL4S/ Ryan Dillon on Instagram (July 22, 2019)]</ref>, the special ''[[Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration]]''<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/B4XzUK-Dmcb/ Ryan Dillon on Instagram (November 2, 2019)]</ref> (where host [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]] mistakes him for [[Guy Smiley]]), and in the 2019 [[Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade]]. He also made a cameo in the 2019 animated music video "Christmas with the Count." {{youtube|s7B5FsxL7Gk}}
+After being absent for over twenty years, Don Music resurfaced in new appearances associated with the show's [[Sesame Street: 50th Anniversary|50th anniversary]], performed by [[Ryan Dillon]]. He appeared at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] in 2019 in the "Sesame Street Puppets Live!" show,<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/B0OuLo6gL4S/ Ryan Dillon on Instagram (July 22, 2019)]</ref> the special ''[[Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration]]''<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/B4XzUK-Dmcb/ Ryan Dillon on Instagram (November 2, 2019)]</ref> (where host [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]] mistakes him for [[Guy Smiley]]), and in the 2019 [[Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade]]. He also made a cameo in the 2019 animated music video "Christmas with the Count" {{youtube|s7B5FsxL7Gk}} and appears as an audience member for ''[[The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo]]''. He made his first appearance on the show proper since 1998 in [[Maggie Rogers]]' [[It's Nighttime|song]] in [[Episode 5102]] (in a silent background cameo). He later made a speaking cameo in the 2023 special ''[[Elmo's Mindfulness Spectacular]]'', trying to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" in the Sesame Street Talent Show.
 ==Sketches==
+{| class="episode"
-{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=8 valign=top
+|-
-|- bgcolor=#eeeeee
 ! Picture !!width=100| Summary / [[Muppet Wiki:Earliest Known Appearance|First Appearance]] !! Description
+|- {{divid|mary}}
-|-
 | [[Image:Ssnfbicycle.JPG|250px|center]]
 | align=center | [[Mary Had a Bicycle]]<hr/>[[Episode 0698]]
-| [[Reporter Kermit|Kermit]] helps Don Music write a remake of "Mary's Lamb," with some back-up vocals from the [[Little Jerry and the Monotones|Monotones]]. {{sketchrelease|video=''[[Sing Yourself Silly]]'', ''[[Old School: Volume 2]]''|online={{Youtube|RrJnzBFzEEY}}}}
+| [[Reporter Kermit|Kermit]] helps Don Music write a remake of "Mary's Lamb," with some back-up vocals from the [[Little Jerry and the Monotones|Monotones]]. {{sketchrelease|video=''[[Sing Yourself Silly]]'' (beginning cut), ''[[Old School: Volume 2]]''|online={{Youtube|RrJnzBFzEEY}}}}
+|- {{divid|yankeedoodle}}
-|-
 | [[Image:DonMusic--YankeeDoodle.jpg|250px|center]]
-| align=center | [[Yankee Doodle Boy|Yankee Doodle]]<hr/>[[Episode 0876]]
+| align=center | [[Yankee Doodle]]<hr/>[[Episode 0876]]
-| Kermit helps Don Music finish the "Yankee Doodle" song, then because Don finds the idea of calling feathers macaroni ridiculous, they rewrite it to be a song in which [[Yankee Doodle]] stays at home cooking for his pony, puts "fat spaghetti" in a pot and calls it macaroni. Little Chrissy and the Alphabeats then come in and perform the song with Don. {{sketchrelease|video=''[[Old School: Volume 2]]''}}
+| Kermit helps Don Music finish the "Yankee Doodle" song, then because Don finds the idea of calling feathers macaroni ridiculous, they rewrite it to be a song in which [[Yankee Doodle]] stays at home cooking for his pony, puts "fat spaghetti" in a pot and calls it macaroni. Little Chrissy and the Alphabeats then come in and perform the song with Don. [[Frank Oz]] puppeteers [[Little Chrissy]] and the [[Lavender]] Alphabeat,<ref>{{popup|Alphabeatspuppeteers.jpg|Behind the scenes photo}}</ref> while [[Jerry Nelson]] performs the [[Green]] band member.
+ {{sketchrelease|video=''[[Old School: Volume 2]]''}}
+|- {{divid|rowrowrow}}
-|-
 | [[Image:Rowrowyourboat.jpg|250px|center]]
 | align=center | [[Row, Row, Row Your Boat]]<hr/>[[Episode 0897]]
-| "Life is but a... but a..." With Kermit's help, Don Music manages to rewrite the tune to "Drive, drive, drive your car."{{sketchrelease|online={{youtube|51LT4kBwAGY}}}}
+| "Life is but a... but a..." With Kermit's help, Don Music manages to rewrite the tune to "Drive, drive, drive your car." [[David Korr]] wrote the altered lyrics to this song while [[Sam Pottle]] arranged the music.<ref>ASCAP Work #88858112 (DON MUSIC ROW ROW ROW YOUR BOAT)</ref> Richard Hunt and Jerry Nelson provide the voices for the Alphabeats.{{sketchrelease|online={{youtube|51LT4kBwAGY}}}}
+|- {{divid|macdonald}}
-|-
 | [[Image:DonMusic-OldMacDonald.jpg|250px|center]]
 | align=center | [[Old MacDonald]]<hr/>[[Episode 0923]]
-| Don successfully writes "Old MacDonald", with the help of Kermit and several barnyard animals.
+| Don successfully writes "Old MacDonald", with the help of Kermit and several barnyard animals. Sam Pottle composed the music for this segment.<ref>ASCAP Work #24785082 (DON MUSIC OLD MACDONALD'S FARM)</ref>
+|- {{divid|twinkle}}
-|-
 | [[Image:DonMusic TwinkleTwinkle.jpg|250px|center]]
-| align=center | Whistle, Whistle, Little Bird<hr/>[[Episode 1210]]
+| align=center | [[Whistle, Whistle, Little Bird]]<hr/>[[Episode 1210]]
-| Don Music tries to rewrite "[[Twinkle Twinkle Little Star]]." He succeeds and is joined by a country-western band.{{sketchrelease|online={{youtube|Jfqc07-C4Vw}}|video=''[[50 Years and Counting]]''}}
+| Don Music tries to rewrite "[[Twinkle Twinkle Little Star]]." He succeeds and is joined by a country-western band. {{sketchrelease|online={{youtube|Jfqc07-C4Vw}}|video=''[[50 Years and Counting (video)|50 Years and Counting]]''}}
+|- {{divid|alphabet}}
-|-
 | [[Image:Ssnfalphabet.JPG|250px|center]]
 | align=center | [[The Alphabet Song]]<hr/>[[Episode 1227]]
 | Don Music successfully "writes" the Alphabet Song, with help from his surroundings.
+|- {{divid|yellowstone}}
-|-
 | [[Image:Yellowstone.jpg|250px|center]]
 | align=center | Can You Tell Me How To Get To [[Yellowstone National Park|Yellowstone Park]]<hr/>[[Episode 1310]]
-| On a stormy night, Don Music tries to rewrite the "[[Sesame Street Theme]]". With a little help from Kermit and the outdoor atmosphere, he succeeds and is joined by [[Little Chrissy & The Alphabeats]].
+| On a stormy night, Don Music tries to rewrite the "[[Sesame Street Theme]]". With a little help from Kermit and the outdoor atmosphere, he succeeds and is joined by [[Little Chrissy and the Alphabeats|Little Chrissy & The Alphabeats]].
+|- {{divid|guest}}
-|-
 | [[Image:SesameGame show.JPG|250px|center]]
 | align=center | [[Mystery Guest]]<hr/>[[Episode 1447]]
 | Don was a contestant along with [[Cookie Monster]] and [[Sherlock Hemlock]] in game show sketch hosted by [[Guy Smiley]]. The object of the game was to wear a blindfold and guess who the mystery guest is. The mystery guest was the letter [[X]]. Don Music guessed [[M]].
+|- {{divid|revolution}}
-|-
 | [[Image:Tomasjefferson.jpg|250px|center]]
 | align=center | [[The American Revolution]]<hr/>[[Episode 2345]]
@@ Line 67: / Line 66: @@
 ==Episodic appearances==
+[[File:1729-DonGlasses.jpg|thumb|300px|From Don's first appearance in a street story, in [[Episode 1729]]. Note how [[Muppet eyes|Don's eyes]] are permanently attached to his glasses, noticeable here when Don tosses his head back in inspiration.]]
-*[[Episode 1729]]
+*[[Season 14 (1982-1983)|Season 14]]: [[Episode 1729|1729]], [[Episode 1814|1814]], [[Episode 1824|1824]]
-*[[Episode 1915]]
+*[[Season 15 (1983-1984)|Season 15]]: [[Episode 1915|1915]], [[Episode 1935|1935]], [[Episode 1936|1936]]
-*[[Episode 1971]]
+*[[Season 16 (1984-1985)|Season 16]]: [[Episode 1971|1971]], [[Episode 1972|1972]], [[Episode 2035|2035]], [[Episode 2043|2043]]
-*[[Episode 1972]]
+*[[Season 17 (1985-1986)|Season 17]]: [[Episode 2132|2132]], [[Episode 2210|2210]]
-*[[Episode 2035]]
+*[[Season 18 (1986-1987)|Season 18]]: [[Episode 2285|2285]], [[Episode 2304|2304]], [[Episode 2325|2325]], [[Episode 2346|2346]]
-*[[Episode 2325]]
-*[[Episode 2415]]
+*[[Season 19 (1987-1988)|Season 19]]: [[Episode 2415|2415]], [[Episode 2481|2481]]
-*[[Episode 2481]]
+*[[Season 20 (1988-1989)|Season 20]]: [[Episode 2560|2560]]
-*[[Episode 2795]]
+*[[Season 21 (1989-1990)|Season 21]]: [[Episode 2693|2693]]
-*[[Episode 2826]]
+*[[Season 22 (1990-1991)|Season 22]]: [[Episode 2795|2795]], [[Episode 2826|2826]]
 ==Book appearances==
 *''[[I'm My Mommy - I'm My Daddy]]'' (1975)
-*''[[Who's Who on Sesame Street]]''  (1977)
+*''[[Who's Who on Sesame Street (1977)|Who's Who on Sesame Street]]''  (1977)
 *''[[The Sesame Street Dictionary]]'' (1980)
 *''[[Fix It, Please]]'' (1989 reissue)
@@ Line 89: / Line 88: @@
 Image:DonMusic.jpg|In "Mary Had a Bicycle", a bronze bust of Beethoven sits atop Don's piano.
 Image:Donmusicsketch.jpg|Sketch by Jim Henson.
+Image:SSMag-April89-DonMusic.jpg|Sample pages from ''[[Sesame Street Magazine]]'' featuring Don Music, illustrated by [[Tom Brannon]].
 </gallery>