Franciscus Henri | |
---|---|
Birth name | Franciscus Henricus Antheunis |
Also known as | Professor Henri, Mister Whiskers |
Born | The Hague, Netherlands | 7 August 1947
Origin | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
Genres | Folk, children's, gospel, pop |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, children's entertainer, teacher |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
Years active | 1969–present |
Labels | Fable |
Franciscus Henricus Antheunis, professionally known as Franciscus Henri (born 7 August 1947, in The Hague, The Netherlands), is a musician and children's entertainer. He has dual Dutch and Australian nationality. In 1970 he gained national prominence when he competed in the TV talent quest New Faces , which led to a recording contract with the Melbourne-based independent label Fable Records. From 1997, he also performs as Mister Whiskers, a travelling singer who loves children and performs for them with his dog companion, Smiggy.
Franciscus Henricus Antheunis Jr. was born on 7 August 1947 in The Hague, The Netherlands. In 1956, his father, Franciscus Henricus Antheunis Sr., (born 25 October 1914) and his mother Pietertje (née Van Der Pol, born 21 September 1919) migrated to Australia on board the Dutch ship Johan van Oldenbarnevelt with his older brother Roelof A (born 8 November 1943), Franciscus Henri and his younger sister Maria T (born 28 June 1950). [1] Henri finished his education in Australia and became a qualified secondary arts and craft teacher. In October 1969, Henri performed at the 1st Annual Festival of Gospel Music with Faye Meadows, David Meadows, Leonie Hawthorn and 3-in-1 Gospel Jazz Trio. [2]
In 1970 he gained national prominence when he competed as a folk musician on a TV talent quest, New Faces , which led to a recording contract with the Melbourne-based independent label Fable Records – label boss, Ron Tudor, was a judge on New Faces. [3] In September 1970 Henri's debut single, "Mary and Me" was issued by Fable and he recorded further singles and an LP, Ding Dong Who Rang the Bell (1972). [3] His second album, Gabriel's Mother's Highway (1972) is described as "a refreshing folk album ... a slightly religious but innocent era". [4]
In 1972 Henri toured with English poet Sydney Carter, and in 1973 he left teaching to join the Monash University Theatre company as a set designer, actor and musician. He participated in the Alexander Theatre productions of Puckoon, Under Milkwood (both 1974), Laertes (1970s) and Giant John (1975). [5] In 1976 he toured throughout Australia and New Zealand supporting the English-Irish comedian Spike Milligan. [6] Henri formed a production company in that year, and began producing performances throughout Australia in conjunction with state arts councils.
From 1979 to October 1980, Henri was a member of the original cast of Shirl's Neighbourhood , a children's television show, presenting his own segments as himself and, as an early alter-ego, Professor Henri.
By 1982, Henri was married. [5]
It was around this time that Henri started to perform children's concerts.
Henri also wrote and presented a series of programs and adds for the Victorian Christian Television Association. He also appeared on the Q7 program filmed in London, England.
In 1997 he started performing to children as his new character, MISTER WHISKERS, [7] and released his first album under his new moniker, Hello Mister Whiskers , which was nominated for the Best Children's Album Aria Award. [8]
He has performed across the globe, including festivals such as: the Vancouver International Children's Festival [9] and Port Fairy Folk Festival (seven times); [10] and (as MISTER WHISKERS) is the only performer to have played at every Warrnambool Fun 4 Kids Festival since its inception 1998. He has also performed in Singapore a number of times with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
From 1989 to 2002 he was a recording artist for ABC Music (ABC for kids), as well as a creator and producer of cover designs, for his own and other releases.
He is the writer of the popular song 'Ducks Like Rain' a cover version recorded by Canadian entertainer Raffi
His most recent work is Nothing Fixed or Final , the words and music of Sydney Carter, as performed by Henri. [11] He has presented it throughout Victoria and recently in Boston US. In London UK. he performed in the Sydney Carter memorial concert(Oct 2007)
He has so far received seven ARIA award nominations for his various recording work. [8]
Franciscus is also an exhibiting painter.
Year | Album name | Distributor | Other notes |
---|---|---|---|
1989 | Tree House | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | |
1990 | White Pyjamas | ||
1991 | Dancing in the Kitchen | Nominated for Aria: Best Children's Album [8] | |
1992 | Walking on the Milky Way | ||
1993 | Merry Christmas | ||
My Favourite Nursery Rhymes | Nominated for Aria: Best Children's Album [8] | ||
1994 | Stories and Songs | (Spoken Word) album | |
I'm Hans Christian Andersen | Nominated for Aria: Best Children's Album [8] | ||
1997 | Hello Mister Whiskers | ||
1998 | Hooray for Mister Whiskers | ||
Mister Whiskers: My Favourite Nursery Rhymes | A re-release of My Favourite Nursery Rhymes | ||
1999 | Mister Whiskers: Monkey Business | Nominated for Aria: Best Children's Album [8] | |
Board of Studies "Street Sense" - Road Safety Songs | |||
2002 | The Best of Franciscus Henri | ||
2003 | Explorer Semester One | Music Makers | |
2004 | Maestro Semester One | ||
Explorer Semester Two | |||
Maestro Semester Two | |||
2005 | Nothing Fixed or Final | Franciscus Henri Productions | |
Year | Nominated works | Award | Result | Ref | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1995 | "We Like Wearing Pyjamas" | Most Performed Children's Work | Nominated | Nominated as songwriter | |
Year | Nominated works | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1992 | Dancing in the Kitchen | Best Children's Album | Nominated |
1993 | Walking on the Milky Way | Nominated | |
1994 | My Favourite Nursery Rhymes | Nominated | |
1995 | I'm Hans Christian Andersen | Nominated | |
1997 | Mr Whiskers | Nominated | |
1999 | Hooray for Mr Whiskers | Nominated | |
2000 | Monkey Business | Nominated | |
The John Butler Trio were an Australian roots-rock band led by guitarist and vocalist John Butler, an APRA and ARIA-award-winning musician. They formed in Fremantle in 1998 with Jason McGann on drums, Gavin Shoesmith on bass and John Butler on vocals. By 2009, the trio consisted of Butler with Byron Luiters on bass and Nicky Bomba on drums and percussion, the latter being replaced by Grant Gerathy in 2013. After both Luiters and Gerathy exited the trio in early 2019, bassist OJ Newcomb and drummer Terepai Richmond joined the band, accompanied by touring musician Elana Stone on keyboards, percussion and backing vocals.
Stephen Carlton Wright was an Australian singer, songwriter, and musician. Called Australia's first international pop star, he is best known for being the lead singer of the Easybeats, who are widely regarded as the greatest Australian pop band of the 1960s.
Colin Buchanan is an Australian singer, entertainer and multi-instrumentalist.
Matt Flinders is a former singer and TV presenter who rose to prominence in the late 1960s in Australia. He had top 5 hit singles with his cover versions of "Picking Up Pebbles" (1969) and "Butterfly" (1971). He hosted his own variety shows, The Matt Flinders Show (1972) and Matt Flinders and Friends (1973) on ABC-TV.
Benjamin Peter Speed is an Australian musician who composes scores for film and television. He previously performed and recorded as Mister Speed or Mr Speed, and was vocalist and songwriter in the Australian alternative, electronic, and hip hop band The New Pollutants.
William Patrick Aulton was an Irish Australian record producer, musician, arranger, and songwriter. He is best known for the successful pop and rock singles and albums he produced for Australian and New Zealand artists in the 1960s and early 1970s on the Sunshine and Spin Records labels and as the lead vocalist of The Clefs. He also became a successful composer of commercial jingles and TV themes and was a vocal coach. He created many jingles that we still use today, such as "Oh what a feeling, Toyota" and "Aussie kids are Weetbix kids", he also helped in the writing and production of "The Lion King" themes song, "Hakuna Matata". He had five children in the meantime; Kerry, Samantha, Chelsea, Bridget, and Alexander, which led to having many grandchildren, Lydia, Taj, Maggie, Hanna, Jordyn, Ruby, Parker, Riley, Cooper, Charlie, Dakota, Stevie, Harley, Oliver, Declan, Carter and Jaycie.
Douglas John Parkinson was an Australian pop and rock singer. He led the bands Strings and Things/A Sound (1965), the Questions (1966–1968), Doug Parkinson in Focus, Fanny Adams (1970–1971), the Life Organisation (1973), Southern Star Band (1978–1980) and Doug Parkinson Band (1981–1983). Doug Parkinson in Focus's cover version of the Beatles' track "Dear Prudence" peaked at No. 5 on the Go-Set National Top 40. The follow-up single, "Without You" / "Hair" (October), also reached No. 5. Parkinson released solo material and performed in musical theatre productions.
Stephen Edward Foster was an Australian singer-songwriter and musician from Murray Bridge, South Australia.
Ding Dong Who Rang the Bell was the debut album by Franciscus Henri, released in 1972 by Fable Records, on 33 rpm vinyl record. Henri himself painted the album's jacket and he recorded the album at top Melbourne studio Armstrong Studios, who by now had relocated to 180 Bank Street, South Melbourne and had taken over a former butter factory.
Mister Whiskers: My Favourite Nursery Rhymes is the 1998 re-release children's album of My Favourite Nursery Rhymes by Franciscus Henri, both under Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Music's ABC for Kids. It achieved Gold sales certification due to sales in excess of 35,000 units in Australia. Notably, the album contains 23 separate tracks, but 17 of these are medleys ranging between two and four rhymes each, totalling fifty-five for the album, though many only go through a single chorus. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1994 the original version received a nomination for Best Children's Album.
Hooray for Mister Whiskers is a children's music album released by Franciscus Henri in 1998. It is his second album under the character Mister Whiskers and includes his dog, Smiggy. It was nominated for the 1999 ARIA Music Award for Best Children's Album but lost to The Hooley Dooleys Pop. In July 2001 it was re-released on both CD and music cassette formats.
Tree House or Treehouse is a children's music album which was recorded in 1987 by Dutch-Australian musician Franciscus Henri backed by The Lightning Creek Band. It was released in 1988 by ABC Records and distributed by Pickwick Music on 33 rpm vinyl record, cassette and CD. The Lightning Creek Band's Scott Browne wrote nine of the tracks and arranged five traditional songs. Tree House was re-issued in 2007 on FHP Records under the name Mr Whiskers and The Lightning Creek Band. Mr Whiskers is Henri's alter-ego.
Sunshine Rainbows and Violins is the fifth studio album by Dutch-Australian children's musician Franciscus Henri. It was recorded with John Bye and the Kinder Players and was released in 1981 by John Bye Productions and distributed by Move Records on 33 rpm vinyl record and cassette. In 2011, it was remastered and re-released on CD with 28 tracks on FHP Records.
Frank Yamma is an Aboriginal singer and songwriter from Central Australia. He is a Pitjantjatjara man who speaks five languages and sings in both Pitjantjatjara and English. Yamma is the son of Isaac Yamma, an early artist who pioneered singing Western style songs in traditional language.
Daniel Leo Sultan is an Australian alternative rock singer-songwriter and guitarist, actor and author. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2010 he won Best Male Artist and Best Blues & Roots Album for his second album, Get Out While You Can. At the 2014 ceremony he won Best Rock Album for Blackbird, which had reached number four on the ARIA Albums Chart. In 2017, Sultan's record Killer was nominated for three ARIA awards: Best Male Artist, Best Rock Album, and Best Independent Release. Sultan's debut children's music album Nali & Friends was named Best Children's Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2019.
Russell James Dunlop was an Australian musician, singer-songwriter and record producer-engineer. From the late 1970s he collaborated with Bruce Brown in a production company for albums and singles by Australian performers including Mental As Anything, The Reels and Machinations. As a musician he was a member of various groups such as Aesop's Fables (1968–70), Levi Smith's Clefs (1971), Southern Contemporary Rock Assembly (SCRA) (1971–72) and Ayers Rock (1976).
Gregory Raymond Quill was an Australian-born musician, singer-songwriter and journalist. He lived in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and was an entertainment columnist at the Toronto Star newspaper from the mid-1980s until his death in May 2013. In Australia he came to popular fame as a singer-songwriter for the country rock band Country Radio (1970–73). Their biggest hit, "Gypsy Queen", co-written by Quill with bandmate Kerryn Tolhurst, was released in August 1972 and peaked at No. 12 on the Go-Set National Top 40. After getting an arts grant, Quill travelled to Toronto in 1974 and by the mid-1980s had become a journalist with the Toronto Star. By 1983 he was married to Ellen Davidson, a public relations executive. Greg Quill died on 5 May 2013, at the age of 66, from "complications due to pneumonia".
Armstrong Studios, also known as Bill Armstrong's Studio and later renamed AAV, is an Australian commercial recording studio located in Melbourne, Victoria. During the decade from 1965 to 1975, Armstrong Studios in South Melbourne was arguably the top independent recording studio in Australasia.
Bill and Boyd were a pop music duo from 1959 to 1989 consisting of William "Bill" Cate and William "Boyd" Robertson, both on lead vocals and lead guitar, which started recording in 1960. They began their careers in Wellington, New Zealand before relocating to Sydney by 1964. In 1968 they toured United States supporting The Supremes and Herb Alpert.
Fable Records was an Australian independent record company which operated from 1970 to 1984. It was one of the most successful and productive Australian 'indie' labels of the period, issuing over 300 singles and dozens of EPs and LPs. Fable made a significant initial impact in Australia in 1970-71, scoring a string of hits by new Australian artists, and throughout its history the company discovered and promoted local talent. Fable enjoyed further success between 1972 and 1975 through its subsidiary label Bootleg Records, which racked up a string of hit albums and singles by artists including Brian Cadd, the Bootleg Family Band and Kerrie Biddell.
Anthenius Franciscus Henricus born 25 October 1914; Pietertje (nee Van Der Pol) born 21 September 1919; Roelof A born 8 November 1943; Franciscus born 7 August 1947; Maria T born 28 June 1950 – Dutch – travelled per ship Johan van Oldenbarnevelt departing in 1956 under Reformed Churches Sponsorship Scheme