Rosenshontz
| Company type | Musical duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Children's music |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Founder | Gary Rosen, Bill Shontz |
| Defunct | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Brattleboro, Vermont , United States |
| Products | Children's music albums and videos |
Rosenshontz was an American children's music duo active from 1974 until 1993, composed of Gary Rosen and Bill Shontz. Between 1980 and 1991, they released six albums featuring well-known tracks such as "Share It," "Hugga, Hugga," and "The Best That I Can." Following a decline in bookings due to the early 1990s recession, the partnership dissolved, with both artists embarking on individual careers. The Rosen Family and Bill Shontz continue to perform separately.
History
Gary Rosen and Bill Shontz crossed paths in New York City during the early 1970s and established Rosenshontz in 1974. Originally performing folk music, their breakthrough occurred when one of their children's songs was showcased on the television program Captain Kangaroo. They moved to Brattleboro, Vermont in 1977 and launched their first album, Tickles You!, in 1980.
Their fanbase grew from school performances to larger family-oriented concerts, with their version of "Teddy Bears' Picnic" becoming their initial hit in the children's music genre. By 1983, they had performed at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Over the following ten years, they produced five additional albums along with several videos before economic challenges reduced their performance opportunities, leading to their eventual separation.
Later years
Gary Rosen embarked on a solo career starting with Tot Rock in 1993, followed by releases in 1996 and 1999. He appeared twice at White House Easter concerts during the Clinton presidency. Even after revealing his diagnosis of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2004, Rosen continued touring alongside his family. He reunited with Shontz for a final show in May 2005. Rosen died at his residence in Brattleboro on April 14, 2007.
Bill Shontz launched his solo career with Animal Tales in 1993 and followed up with albums in 1997 and 1998. He is connected with the New England Foundation for the Arts and actively supports environmental initiatives through Earthwatch and Green Up Vermont. Additionally, Shontz established the Children's Music Hall of Fame website, which highlights family-friendly and educational children's music.
Discography
- Tickles You! (RS Records, 1980)
- Share It! (RS Records, 1982)
- It's The Truth! (RS Records, 1984; reissued Lightyear, 1992)
- Rock 'N Roll Teddy Bear (RS Records, 1986; reissued Lightyear, 1992)
- Family Vacation (Lightyear Records, 1988)
- Uh-Oh! (Lightyear Records, 1991)
- Greatest Hits (Lightyear Entertainment, 1994)
Compilations:
- Quiet Time (Random House, 1990)
- Sing a Happy Song (Random House, 1990)
- Sing Along: featuring top children's stars alongside Rick Charette, Henry Cory, Janet & Judy, and Jonathan Sprout (Peter Pan, 1990)
- Stories to Remember and Rosenshontz featuring Phylicia Rashad and Judy Collins (Lightyear, 1993)
- Kids' Rock 'n Roll Party (Lightyear Entertainment, 2004)
Videography
- The Teddy Bears' Picnic (RS Records, 1986)
- The Feel Better Friends with Rosenshontz & Pandy (Golden Book Video, 1988)
- The Teddy Bears' Jamboree (Lightyear Video, 1993)
Solo albums
Gary Rosen:
- Tot Rock (Lightyear Records, 1993)
- Cookin' (GMR Records, 1996)
- Teddy Bear's Picnic (GMR Records, 1999)
- Pet Sounds (GMR Records, 2005)
- Gary Rosen Sings a.a. Milne (GMR Records, 2006)
Bill Shontz:
- Animal Tales (Lightyear Entertainment, 1993)
- Teddy Bear's Greatest Hits (Bearpaw Recordings, 1997)
- The Day I Read a Book... (Bearpaw Recordings, 1998)
Awards
- 1994: NAPPA Award in the Early Elementary category for Children's Music, awarded to Rosenshontz Greatest Hits