Dick Van Dyke headliner on new Vantastix album



Los Angeles, Malibu - July 22, 2008 - Dick Van Dyke and three fine west coast musicians who formed the vocal quartet "Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix" in September of 2000 have released a new a cappella children's album called "Put On A Happy Face." The album features 14 well known songs including some from the hit films that helped make Dick famous.

Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix is the result of a chance meeting of Dick and Mike Mendyke at a Malibu coffee shop. "I can't think of a better example of being in the right place at the right time," says Mendyke. "When you get an opportunity like this, you have to grab it with both hands." The group started "just for fun," gathering weekly for pizza and singing around Dick's piano, and soon built up an impressive repertoire of children's songs and standards. The two others in the group are Bryan Chadima and Eric Bradley.

"When Mike called me and asked, 'How would you like to sing with Dick Van Dyke?' I thought he was joking," laughed Bradley.


After their first casual performance during the wrap party for Dick's mystery TV series "Diagnosis Murder", the group begain to get requests to appear at charity events and benefits. They have performed at the City of Hope Hospital, the Beverly Hilton for the Society of Singers Concert honoring Dame Julie Andrews; the Hollywood Bowl as part of an evening of TV theme songs; and at the awarding of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Rose Marie, who appeared with Dick on "The Dick Van Dyke Show."

There were also television appearances at the TVLand Awards, Larry King Live, and a performance of the National Anthem for the NBA Playoffs and others. The group continues to perform at benefits and children's events in the greater Los Angeles area.

On this new album are "Put On A Happy Face," "You've Got A Friend In Me," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." "Baby Of Mine," "High Hopes," "Bare Necessities," "Pick Yourself Up," "A Lover's Question," "It's Not Easy Being Green," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive," and the "Theme From Dick Van Dyke Show." There are also two holiday songs, "A Visit From St. Nicholas." and "Old Fashioned Christmas."

"These three guys walked into my life from out of nowhere and turned my Golden Years into pure platinum," quips Dick. He adds, "It would be nice if they did the same for this album."

Music samples, member biographies, and additional album information are available on the group's website http://www.vantastix.com.

For more information contact: Mike Mendyke, (503) 703-3993, mike@vantastix.com, www.vantastix.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-resolution print images are available at http://www.vantastix.com.
MP3s of songs, and physical copies of the album, are available for review by request.