Lee Greenwood, Kellie Pickler and More Team to Tribute Mister Rogers

"Thank You for Being You!"

Written by Chris Parton
Lee Greenwood, Kellie Pickler and More Team to Tribute Mister Rogers
UNDATED FILE PHOTO: Fred Rogers, the host of the children's television series, "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood," rests his arms on a small trolley in this promotional portrait from the 1980's (Photo by Family Communications Inc./Getty Images)

Lee Greenwood, Kellie Pickler and more have teamed up to tribute everyone’s favorite neighbor, recording a special album titled Thank You Mister Rogers: Music and Memories. And today (November 20), the project’s warm and friendly “Thank You for Being You” premieres on Sounds Like Nashville.

Featuring Greenwood and Pickler alongside the album’s Tom Bergeron, Vanessa Williams, Mickey Dolenz, Jon Secada, Jaci Velasquez, Rita Wilson, Jim Brickman, Sandi Patty, The Cowsills, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., “Thank You for Being You” is the project’s grand finale — wrapping things up in a big, musical hug. The smiling track is all about the impact Rogers had on children around the country, literally thanking him for the countless lessons of kindness and self-worth found on PBS’ long-running Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Each artist offers a little piece of gratitude, as Dancing With the Stars’ Bergeron kicks things off with a whistling melody, just like Rogers did at the start of every show.

“Mister Rogers was a mainstay in so many households, including my own with my children,” Greenwood says. “To be included in such a great project that honors a piece of history is wonderful.”

Grammy winner Dennis Scott produced the album and wrote “Thank You for Being You,” which joins re-imagined renditions of Rogers’ classic themes and uncovered gems from his 200-plus songwriting catalogue. Elsewhere, Pickler sings the album’s plucky version of “It’s Such a Good Feeling.”

“I understand their desire to reach out in gratitude to Fred because I feel it, too,” Scott says. “I hope the song customized for Fred, as well as these new recordings of his songs, bring a smile to Fred’s fans.”

Thank You Mister Rogers: Music and Memories album out now, and A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood starring Tom Hanks hits theaters November 22.