Disney Channel Lands Dan Zanes for Playhouse Disney

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Disney Channel Lands Dan Zanes, Big Music Talent for Preschoolers, for Playhouse Disney

Burbank, CA (July 5, 2005) - Grammy Award nominee Dan Zanes ("Dan Zanes and Friends") will join Disney Channel's roster of talent as its popular daypart for preschoolers, Playhouse Disney, expands its focus on music to enhance preschoolers' learning, it was announced today by Nancy Kanter, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Disney Channel.

Dan Zanes will debut in daily, live-action musical interstitials during Playhouse Disney this fall. A half-hour music filled series is in development for 2006.

Kanter said, "We're privileged to have Dan, a genuinely talented and dedicated artist, join the Playhouse Disney family. We know preschoolers and parents have lots to gain from listening to music: it feeds the soul, it's fun, it encourages movement and it helps parents bond with their child. Collaborating with Dan Zanes was a longtime goal for us and we're thrilled he chose Disney Channel to further his positive messages for kids and families."

Zanes, previously lead singer and songwriter for the legendary rock 'n roll band The Del Fuegos, redirected his career towards entertaining kids and families with a blend of multicultural folk, rock, fiddle tunes, a capella, hip hop and dancehall musical traditions. With his wholesome, upbeat and decidedly hip music that both children and parents love, Zanes has since developed an avid following of toddlers, preschoolers, moms and dads.

Dan Zanes and his band tour the country to sell-out concert crowds. This fall, their scheduled cities include Seattle, Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Cleveland and Washington D.C.

Playhouse Disney is a daily programming block on Disney Channel which encourages preschoolers to imagine and learn through original series, interstitials and acquired programming that encompasses song, movement and entertainment. Guided by an established curriculum, Playhouse Disney supports multiple areas of child development: physical, emotional, social and cognitive; thinking and creative skills as well as moral and ethical development through carefully constructed themes, storylines and characters. Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network. Currently available on basic cable in 86 million U.S. homes. Disney Channel is part of Disney ABC Cable Networks Group, and is managed by Disney Media Networks, a division of The Walt Disney Company.