In a career that spans five decades, 27 albums and 3 Grammys, Hudson Valley Troubadour Tom Chapin has covered an incredible amount of creative ground. In addition to his work as a recording artist and concert performer, Tom has acted on Broadway and appeared in films, on 
television and radio. The multi talented singer-songwriter and artist has maintained two highly successful parallel careers- as a respected contemporary folk artist and as a pioneer in children’s music. Chapin has established a reputation for insightful, heartfelt songcraft and effortlessly charismatic live performances. He engages the hearts, minds and imaginations of young listeners with witty, life-affirming songs delivered in an array of sophisticated musical styles.
Praise for Tom Chapin
The New York Times called Tom “one of the greatest personalities in contemporary folk music” and Billboard Magazine called him “the best family artist around-totally captivating”. Parents Magazine said that no one is writing and performing better kids songs that Tom Chapin.
The son of noted jazz drummer Jim Chapin and the grandson of author and critic Kenneth Burke and portrait artist James Chapin, Tom grew up in a family that encouraged artistic expression from a young age. He performed professionally as a teenager in Greenwich Village clubs alongside his brothers Steve and the late, great Harry Chapin. In 1971 he began a five-year run as the host of the Emmy and Peabody-award-winning children’s series Make a Wish on ABC TV. His music was featured in the 1970 documentary film Blue Water, White Death about great white sharks.
In 1976, he launched his solo career with the album Life’s Like That while venturing into other creative projects including the lead role in Broadway’s Pump Boys and Dinettes and as music director for Cotton Patch Gospel with music by his brother Harry Chapin. He went on to host National Geographic’s Explorer, appeared regularly with satirical songs on NPR’s Morning Edition and played a cameo role in Jonathon Demme’s 2004 remake of The Manchurian Candidate.
Awards and Recognition
Now, 27 albums later, Tom Chapin continues to tour internationally and record, with several new albums just released or in the development stage. His most recent children’s album The Incredible Flexible You is a collection of 12 songs that help young listeners navigate the tricky waters of social interaction. It has won four awards including The Creative Child CD of the Year Award.
Chapin is the narrator of a series of children’s books and Simon and Schuster also released two children’s books based on his songs. He has won three Grammy awards for his work and is active in many charitable causes including Why Hunger, an organization founded by his brother Harry Chapin as World Hunger Year in 1970.
Chapin says, “‘I’m at a place in my life where I follow what interests me. I still love the guitar. I still love to sing and I still love the creation of a good song, a good performance and a good concert. I feel blessed to be my own boss, creating my own material and performing for so many different audiences, ages and generations.”
Tom Chapin appears in Hannibal on Saturday February 9th at the Roland Performing Arts Center at HLG University.
Children’s Concert 1:00 p.m. Adults $25 Kids $12
All-Ages Folk Concert 7:30 p.m. Reserved seating $42/$35/$27
for tickets go to www.eventshannibal.com or call 573-719-3226