Hecky Krasnow

Herman "Hecky" Krasnow (February 15, 1910 – April 23, 1984) was a record producer of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and the Frank Buck recording Tiger.[1]

Hecky Krasnow
Born
Herman Krasnow

(1910-02-15)February 15, 1910
Hartford, Connecticut
DiedApril 23, 1984(1984-04-23) (aged 74)
Miami, Florida
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)violinist, record producer
Known forwork with Gene Autry (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer) and Frank Buck
SpouseLillian Drucker Krasnow

Early years

Krasnow was born in Hartford, Connecticut, son of Harry Krasnow, founder of the National Iron Works (later National Steel Products), and Sarah Wohl Krasnow. Hecky Krasnow studied violin at the Juilliard School under Leopold Auer.[2] He was a talented violinist, highly praised for the range of his repertoire.[3]

Record Producer

Krasnow was a producer for Columbia Records from 1949 to 1956, when he became a free-lance writer and producer. His compositions included "Rendezvous d'Amour", "I Just Can't Wait 'Til Christmas" and "The Happy Cobbler". He was the producer of the Columbia recordings of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and "Frosty the Snowman", sung by Gene Autry; the songs of Burl Ives and Captain Kangaroo, "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" and "Smokey the Bear". He also produced "I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus".[4] Krasnow worked with Gene Kelly, Jackie Robinson, Rosemary Clooney ("Come On-a My House"), Dinah Shore, Nina Simone, Art Carney, Jose Ferrer, and Arthur Godfrey. He also produced the first LP by the Chad Mitchell Trio on Colpix (At the Blue Angel; he is listed as producer on the LP back cover)

Work with Frank Buck

In 1950, Krasnow wrote and produced the Frank Buck recording Tiger.

Later years

Krasnow died aged 74 in Miami, Florida.

Biography

Krasnow's daughter, Judy Gail Krasnow, has written a biography of her father.[5]

References
  1. Lehrer, Steven (2006). Bring 'Em Back Alive: The Best of Frank Buck. Texas Tech University press. pp. x–xi. ISBN 0-89672-582-0.
  2. HERMANN KRASNOW, COMPOSER. Miami Herald - April 25, 1984 p3D
  3. HERMANN KRASNOW. Hartford Courant. Mar 11, 1926
  4. JESSE LEAVENWORTH. HECKY'S LEGACY. THE JEWISH GUY FROM HARTFORD WHO MADE CHRISTMAS MUSIC. Hartford Courant. Nov 23, 2007 p D4
  5. Judy Gail Krasnow. Rudolph, Frosty, and Captain Kangaroo: The Musical Life of Hecky Krasnow-Producer of the World's Most Beloved Children's Songs. Santa Monica Press 2007
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