Article Preview
Potpourri: Dec. 17, 2012
During the West Virginia Symphony's annual Christmas concert, conductor Grant Cooper reminded the audience that "Frosty the Snowman" was written by a West Virginian: Walter "Jack" Rollins (1906-1973) from Keyser, Mineral County. As reporter Doug Imbrogno explained a year ago, when Rollins was a child, he entertained his blind mother by writing poems for her. Years later, after working at New York's Penn Station, he joined songwriter Steve Nelson and eventually produced 500 songs. Rollins wrote the lyrics and Nelson the melody for "Here Comes Peter Cottontail," which sold more than 1 million copies and was recorded by many singers. Likewise, "Frosty" was another hit that became a children's book and animated movie. Rollins also wrote "Smokey the Bear" and a slew of other works.
***
Article Preview
This is a great article available only to our subscribers.
Potpourri: Dec. 17, 2012
During the West Virginia Symphony's annual Christmas concert, conductor Grant Cooper reminded the audience that "Frosty the Snowman" was written by a West Virginian: Walter "Jack" Rollins (1906-1973) from Keyser, Mineral County. As reporter Doug Imbrogno explained a year ago, when Rollins was a child, he entertained his blind mother by writing poems for her. Years later, after working at New York's Penn Station, he joined songwriter Steve Nelson and eventually produced 500 songs. Rollins wrote the lyrics and Nelson the melody for "Here Comes Peter Cottontail," which sold more than 1 million copies and was recorded by many singers. Likewise, "Frosty" was another hit that became a children's book and animated movie. Rollins also wrote "Smokey the Bear" and a slew of other works.
***
Already a subscriber?
Home delivery subscribers get FREE digital access to wvgazette.com and the Charleston Gazette smartphone and tablet apps.
Get Connected