Wayne Rhoden is a music producer, singer, songwriter, sound engineer and video editor/director who is professionally known as the artist Father Goose Music, is the winner of the 18th Annual Independent Music Awards and the Grammy Awards with the group “Dan Zanes and Friends” also Nominated for the 64th Grammy Awards for Best Children's Album with the group 1 Tribe Collective and he is also known as Rankin Don and Don Chibaka. Seen on the Disney Channel, he also peaked at # 7 on the Billboard Reggae Chart.
Biography
Wayne Rhoden (Music), known professionally as Father Goose, is a Jamaican-born producer, singer, songwriter.[1][2][3]
He made a name for himself in the underground circuit in Jamaica and on the streets of Brooklyn, New York under the personas of Rankin Don[4]
and Don Chibaka.
As Father Goose[5]
he performs children's music, Kindie rock, and reggae-fied nursery rhymes, often in the “Dan Zanes and Friends” ensemble, including in a series of Disney videos entitled “House Party Time.”
Early life
Wayne Rhoden was born in Linstead, Jamaica to Joyce and James Rhoden and grew up in Jamaica / New York / Florida. Like many musical artists, his debut performance occurred at a young age. He recalls that his first singing performance happened at the age of five, using his family and friends as his audience. On subsequent occasions, he would serve as DJ for parties thrown by his parents.[6]
Later he performed in a PTA-hosted Ash Wednesday fundraising fair at his Ewarton grade school.
He attended Erasmus High School in Brooklyn, New York, and then went on to pursue a career in electrical engineering. But as fate would have it, he was drawn to his first love, music.
Musical career
In the 1980s as Rankin Don he recorded the hits Can't Find Me Love and Baddest DJ
and in the 90s the Real McCoy, Black Queen, and Green Card. He was later introduced to producers who urged him to
record for the mainstream labels. He has performed at concerts
with some well-known artists including, Rosanne Cash, Suzanne Vega, Gregory Isaacs,
Grammy nominees Beres Hammond and Freddie McGregor; and past
Grammy winners Shabba Ranks, Shaggy, and Beenie Man.
His relationship with musician Dan Zanes was initiated by his mother, who while working for Zanes, suggested that he should meet her son and check out his talent.[7]
In the 2000s as Father Goose he was featured on several Dan Zanes albums such as Rocket Ship Beach and Catch That Train! and also released three of his own albums: Color with Father Goose, It’s a Bam Bam Diddly,[8] and Bashment Time.
In 2008 as Don Chibaka he gave his performance on the Etcetera single Dance Like That (Remix) featuring Richie Stephens and Kevin Lyttle.
Personal life
Father Goose on life support
Rhoden is the father of two, his son (Irie Goose) who also sings and performs in his father's band.[citation needed]
In 2007, Rhoden discovered he had kidney failure. He received a kidney in December 2015 after eight years on dialysis, twice on life support and other complications. The kidney transplant was successful: he has made a full recovery and is currently still performing and hosting music workshops for children.[citation needed]
Discography
Rankin Don
1989 One In A Million feat: Jerry Chapter
1990 Can't Find Mi Love feat: King Ledgi
1990 Whip Appeal feat: King Ledgi
1992 Baddest DJ
1994 Black Queen feat: Singing Singing
1996 Real McCoy
1996 The Big Race feat: Shelene Thomas, Round Head, Screechy Dan, General B, Baja Jedd
^BRIC Arts -- Media House; Johnathan Leif (producer) (August 2, 2008). "Father Goose". Caught in the Act -- Art in Brooklyn. Season 1. Episode 7. Brooklyn Public Network (formerly BCAT (Brooklyn Community Access Television)). BIT (Brooklyn Independent Television). Retrieved August 23, 2016.
