Adult albums and kids’ albums, contemporary folk and pop, Tom Chapin’s music spans styles and generations. For more than thirty years and through twenty compact discs, Chapin has entertained, amused and enlightened audiences of all ages with life-affirming original songs told in a sophisticated array of musical styles. Tom’s remarkable musicianship, great songwriting and personal warmth shine through whether he’s performing in a concert hall, an outdoor festival, a school, in front of a symphony orchestra or in an intimate coffeehouse.
Tom’s adult concerts and recordings are sparked by strong, intelligent songwriting with clear, engaging vocals and the intricate, melodic guitar work that has become his trademark. He has recorded nine albums of adult-oriented material. The newest, Let The Bad Times Roll, was released June 2009. The New York Times calls Tom Chapin “one of the great personalities in contemporary folk music.” He says: “Mine is not a traditional music, but it comes from a tradition. My musical heroes are people like Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie who wrote and sang real songs for real people; for everyone, old, young, and in between.”
Tom has gained widespread critical and popular acclaim for his recordings aimed at 4 to 11 year-olds and their families. Tom and his collaborators John Forster, Michael Mark and Jon Cobert have created a body of songs which are quickly becoming children’s classics. His family albums have been recognized with awards from the American Library Association, Parents’ Choice, the New York Music Awards, the National Association of Parenting Publications and Parents Magazine. Five of his family recordings have received Grammy nominations for Best Musical Album For Children, including Some Assembly Required, Tom’s newest family recording. Billboard magazine calls Chapin “the best family artist around.”
Chapin’s live performances engage the hearts, minds and imaginations of children and adults alike. Parents Magazine says, “Nobody today is writing and performing better kids’ songs than Tom Chapin . . . the Pied Piper of children’s music.” Elementary school teachers across North America have incorporated Chapin’s songs into their curriculum, finding them accessible and adaptable to classroom study and interaction.
Tom is also a beloved narrator of children’s books on tape. Three of his narrations won Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word Album for Children: Mama Don’t Allow in 2001, There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly in 2002, and The Train They Call The City Of New Orleans in 2004. His narration of The Fox Went Out On A Chilly Night was released in September 2006.
His varied career has taken him to Broadway as lead in the musical “Pump Boys and Dinettes,” off-Broadway as musical director of both “Cotton Patch Gospel” and “Harry Chapin: Lies & Legends” and on television as host of “Make A Wish” on ABC, and as host of the documentary series “National Geographic Explorer.” He has contributed satiric topical songs to National Public Radio’s Morning Edition, poking fun at social and scientific trends in the news. Tom has a cameo role in Jonathan Demme's 2004 remake of “The Manchurian Candidate.”
In addition, Tom works tirelessly on behalf of many charitable organizations. He is on the Board of Directors of World Hunger Year, a hunger organization founded in 1975 by Tom’s late brother, singer/songwriter/ humanitarian Harry Chapin.
Hi Tom - We've crossed paths several times. Once at the Banff Centre ( easrly 80's) and again in Toronto a couple of time when I audition production about your brother. He was a great influence on my partner and myself and we wrote him a tribute that was on our second album "Transition". I had always hoped to get this to you but never had the opportunity until now. Hope you like it - let me know what you think. Thanks again for all the great music.
Last time we had a chance to open for you in Pt Huron MI it was down at the waterfront before it was developed. Now that it has been transformed into a beautiful waterfront property, which has the most scenic view of the Canadian border, we hope you will come back and visit. Enjoy our own Great Lakes and the beauty and inspiration it provides.
Thanks again for the past opportunity of working with you, -Terry (Double Play)
Thanks again for allowing us to play with you in Michigan awhile ago.
I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF MY BRAIN has become our family song for many reasons. Young & Old alike. :-)
Thanks for your creativity, -Terry Stroh (Double Play)
Hey! Tom! Greetings from New York City. Thanks for the ADD which I consider an immense honor for me! We're from different spectrums but its great to connect... You have great stuff going on. Have to go back again and check it out in more detail. Met you Dad when I first came to NY. Actually stopped the audition, came up to me, gave me his address and told me, "I wish I could be your manager". This is a real honor for me to get in touch with you. Lots of luck with your on-going work and the journey ahead. Madooo.. The guy with the "BEATLES TRIBUTE ALBUM FROM INDIA"
There's no better way to start a Sunday morning than to visit Tom Chapin and hear his wonderful music and enchanting songs.. Have a great week.. Ray Check this out..
Thanks for the ADD Tom. I still think about the 70s and the Make a Wish show. It was magical and even a twentysomething like I was at the time could appreciate it.
Thanks for having me on your friends list. Here's a video form a concert I did three years ago. Don't forget most of my songs can be downloaded from iTunes and most other services.
Tom, LOOOOOOVE the new Sarah Palin song!!! The other night I was sending the youtube video of it to a friend while listening to my 12 yr old daughter sing it downstairs and my husband sing it upstairs. well said!!! :-) Be well Robin Eve
Thank you for adding me. I truly enjoyed hearing you again on Wednesday evening, and also hearing you sing with your daughter was an added bonus. I hope to see you again soon!
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