HarryChapin.com News

When in Doubt, Do Something

Harry Chapin: When in Doubt, Do Something has now been released! Below are details from HarryChapinMusic.com, a site setup by Harry’s family:

HARRY CHAPIN DOCUMENTARY

WHEN IN DOUBT, DO SOMETHING
Now available on DVD

Harry Chapin: When In Doubt, Do Something is the inspiring story of Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/activist Harry Chapin. Chapin sold over 16 million albums and was one of his generation’s most beloved artists and activists who spent his fame and fortune trying to end world hunger before his tragic passing.
Two years in the making the film features Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Pete Seeger, Sir Bob Geldof, Kenny Rogers, Graham Nash, Pat Benatar, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Robert Lamm, Richie Havens, and Harry Belafonte intimately reflecting on Chapin’s larger-than-life impact on music and the world including his founding, along with Bill Ayres, of WhyHunger – the nonprofit organization leading the movement to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world as well as Long Island Cares The Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Mr. Tanner — A Children’s Picture Book — To Be Released in May 2017

Ripple Grove Press wrote in to announce that a new, illustrated children’s picture book based upon Harry Chapin’s Mr. Tanner will be released in May 2017.
For more information, visit: http://www.ripplegrovepress.com/#/mr-tanner/

Potent Voices Harry Chapin Tribute Concert to Play in Mt. Holly, NJ

Ishi wrote in to share news of the following tribute concert to be held on July 2, 2011:

Potent Voices Harry Chapin Tribute Concert 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011, 7:00 pm.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Parish House.
Mt. Holly, NJ 08060
Please join us for the 9th annual Harry Chapin tribute concert celebrating 40 years of Chapin music. Potent Voices is:
ishi – vocals, guitar, and bass.
Vaughan Burton – guitar, vocals, and bass
Jeremy Hillary MD – drums
Milanda Marshall – keyboards and vocals
Rajli Bicolli – cello
Tom Espenshade – vocals and guitar
and
called Hall of Mirrors when not doing the Harry Chapin tribute.
It will be an evening of music featuring the hits (Cat’s In the Cradle, Taxi, Circle) the fan favorites (30,000 lbs of Bananas, Mr. Tanner, W-O-L-D) and the underrated gems (The Mayor of Candor Lied, What Made America Famous?, Bummer) of the most brilliant singer-songwriter ever.
There is no admission fee, but we will be asking for donations to raise money for WHYhunger – founded by Harry Chapin.
For more information or personalized directions you can email ishi at vespenshade@comcast.net or visit www.regalcelbrationv.com.

March 5, 2010 – Harry Chapin Scholarship Celebration – Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square

Catawba College has announced the creation of a music scholarship in Harry’s honor, with a kick-off event to be held at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square on March 5:

HARRY CHAPIN SCHOLARSHIP CELEBRATION AT HARD ROCK CAFE
Salisbury, NC – One of Harry Chapin’s famous lines was “Keep the change.” Fans of the late great singer/songwriter are now being asked to contribute that change and the interest it has accrued over the years to honor his memory. The funds will help endow a Harry Chapin music scholarship at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC.
Chapin’s New York fans are also invited to attend a kickoff celebration for the campaign to endow the scholarship. It will be take place at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square on Saturday, March 5th. Free and open to all Chapin fans, the kickoff will begin at 8:00 p.m.
Chapin is best remembered as the writer of such hit story songs as “Taxi,” “Cats in the Cradle,” and “Mail Order Annie.” He was also a memorable performer who captivated audiences around the world. As important, Chapin was a committed humanitarian and tireless champion for the poor, hungry, and disadvantaged. He co-founded World Hunger Year (now WhyHunger) and performed many live dates each year for a wide range of charities.
Catawba College is one of only about a dozen American colleges or universities with a curriculum specifically designed for students of popular music. This has made it a home for a growing number of talented performers and songwriters. Over the past five years, five Catawba students have placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in the national John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship competition. This is far better results than any other school in a contest that receives thousands of entries each year.
In recognition of such success, In Tune Monthly recently named Catawba a Best Music School for 2011 in an annual article on top colleges and universities. This is the fourth year running the magazine has listed Catawba alongside such established institutions as Julliard, Eastman, and Peabody.
Catawba received permission from the estate of Harry Chapin last year to establish an endowed scholarship in his name. The Chapin Scholarship will be awarded to talented songwriting students who have demonstrated a commitment to social activism and/or community service for study at Catawba. Harry’s daughter Jen Chapin is serving as honorary chairperson for the endowment campaign.

According to Dr. David Lee Fish, chair of the Catawba Music Department, “We’re grateful to the Hard Rock Cafe for opening their doors for the campaign kickoff.” He added, “We invite Chapin’s fans to join us in honoring him on March 5th. We’ll share stories about Harry, sing some of his songs, and remember how he made this a better place to be. Of course, we’ll also pass the hat.”

A special live performance of the entire Beatles’ Abbey Road album by the Catawba College Vernaculars will immediately follow the Chapin celebration at the Hard Rock Cafe. It too is free and open to the public, and Chapin fans are invited to stay for the show.

Individuals interested in helping endow the Harry Chapin Scholarship fund may make a tax-deductible contribution by visiting http://www.catawba.edu/academic/music/HarryChapin.asp.

For more information about the Harry Chapin Scholarship or the campaign kickoff event, contact Dr. David Lee Fish at 704-637-4280 or dlfish (at symbol) catawba.edu.

Remembering Harry Chapin to Play in Pennsylvania

John McMenamin wrote in to share details of an upcoming tribute concert in Pennsylvania. Having been to one of John’s shows before, I can attest that it is a must-see experience! John writes:

Remembering Harry Chapin
A live concert featuring the songs and stories of Harry Chapin
Performed by John McMenamin
accompanied by a band including special guests
Big John Wallace and Howard Fields from Harry Chapin’s band
and featuring Robert DeVitis on guitar and John Gebhart on keyboards
Sunday, July 11, 2010 • 1:00 PM matinee
Media Theatre for the Performing Arts
104 East State Street
Media, PA 19063
For tickets go to RememberingHarryChapin.com
Proceeds benefit WHYhunger and the Harry Chapin Foundation

Potent Voices’ 8th Annual Tribute to be Held in New Jersey

Ishi wrote in to share news of a tribute concert in New Jersey:

Dear fellow Harry Chapin fans:
Please come and attend Potent Voices’ 8th annual Harry Chapin tribute concert. It will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 7:00 pm. This year we will again be performing in the Parish House of St. Andrew’s Church at 121 High Street, Mt. Holly, NJ 08060.
Potent Voices consists of members of Hall of Mirrors, ishi on guitars and vocals, Vaughan Buron on guitar, bass, and vocals, and Milanda Marshall on keyboards, flute, and vocals. Also performing are Riall Bicolli – who has performed with Haddonfield, NJ’s Symphony in C – on cello, Jerry Paterson on drums, and Tom Espenshade on guitar and vocals.
There is no cover charge, but we will be asking for a donation to raise money for World Hunger Year, which is a charitable organization founded by Harry Chapin for the purpose of alleviating world hunger. If you would like to know more about the event or receive personalized directions, you may e-mail ishi at vespenshade (at) comcast.net. You may also visit www.regalcelebrationv.com. Hope to see you at the show!

Cotton Patch Gospel to Play in Chicago

Mike Schuppe wrote in to announce that Cotton Patch Gospel, featuring music by Harry Chapin, will be playing at the Provision Theater Company in Chicago. Details from Mike follow:

PROVISION THEATER COMPANY ANNOUNCES RETURN OF THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION

COTTON PATCH GOSPEL

Season kicks off with bigger and bolder version of Provision’s Jeff nominated 2004 production
Chicago, IL- Provision Theater Company will open their 2009-10 season with a bigger and bolder version of their 2004 hit production of Harry Chapin’s COTTON PATCH GOSPEL. The season will be the first produced in their brand new home, located at 1001 W. Roosevelt Road in Chicago. To celebrate the space, the theater company will host a gala reception, highlighted with a champagne toast, on Saturday, September 12; a date that also marks the official opening of the production which previews September 10 and runs through November 8. Lou Contey will direct the production.
In March 2004, Provision Theater Company produced a Jeff nominated, critically acclaimed production of Harry Chapin’s off-Broadway smash hit COTTON PATCH GOSPEL. The production played to packed houses and unanimous critical praise from the Chicagoland media. The production features the reverential retelling of the Gospels of Matthew and John in a contemporary southern setting, set to bluegrass music. The award winning musical is based on the book “The Cotton Patch Gospels of Matthew and John” by Clarence Jordan, a Bible scholar and Civil Rights activist. Tom Key and Russel Trevz adapted Jordan’s writings and worked with the late Harry Chapin to create this musical stage version.
Critics have raved that the show is “Tuneful, zesty and good-hearted!,” (Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune), “…this clever reworking offers a simple interpretation of familiar Bible stories and does so with a heartfelt passion laced with humor and enhanced by some darn good music!” (Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times), “Provision’s breezy, bright inaugural production offers a welcome alternative to Mel Gibson’s controversial film!” (Jen Goddu, The Chicago Reader).
Provision Theater Company is devoted to producing works of hope, reconciliation and redemption; works that challenge us to explore a life of meaning and purpose. In addition to the 2004 hit COTTON PATCH GOSPEL, Provision Theater Company has celebrated two more Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for their critically-acclaimed production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Other highly praised and Joseph Jefferson nominated productions include: C.S. LEWIS ON STAGE, SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY & THE THANKSGIVING VISITOR, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR, THE SPITFIRE GRILL, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN and BEAST ON THE MOON.
The performance schedule is as follows: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. ($28) and Sundays at 3 p.m. ($25). Select Wednesday and Thursday preview performances will be held at 8 p.m. ($22). Ticket prices include free parking. Groups of 10 or more are 10% off. For reservations, phone 866.811.4111. You may also visit www.provisiontheater.org.

Chapin Tribute in New Jersey — June 28, 2009

Ishi wrote to share the following:
I have an unusual story to share with Harry Chapin fans although there is nothing unusual about how Harry has affected my life – with brilliant lyrics, brilliant music and when you combine this kind of genius with a social conscience that causes one to work harder to fight world hunger than anyone else that I know of in the music business, then you are speaking of a role model in a truly rare sense of the word.
I did not get to see Harry in concert. I was 10 when he died and probably only knew one song by him at the time. My parents saw him in concert. One summer early in this decade I bought the recently released “Harry Chapin Live At the Bottom Line” cd for my father for his birthday. As I listened to it for the first time, I was already at an emotional lift when I heard Harry explain to this small NYC crowd “…Tonight we’re celebrating 2,000 concerts. I formed this band with Big John on June 22, 1971 and we played our first concert here in the village on June 29, 1971.” This is the very day that I was born.
I knew that this revalation should require some sort of action on my part and what I worked out in my mind was that every year on the anniversary of this day/my birthday I would do a full Harry Chapin tribute anywhere that I could. For the first year it was just myself and my brother on guitars playing an hour set in a local bar. Three years ago I was able to hire a ‘cellist and write down ‘cello parts to accompany me and got my band, Hall of Mirrors, to play on four songs. Two years ago we made it a full band event, renaming ourselves “Potent Voices” just for when we do the Chapin triute and played at the Burlington County Ampitheatre in New Jersey.
This year, Potent Voices will perform at St. Andrew’s Church parish house on Sunday, June 28, 2009. (Typical to alter the date to accomodate the weekend.) We will have the whole band, plus a professional ‘cello player and my brother, Tom Espenshade there to play. It is at 7:00 pm sharp. The address is 121 High St. Mt. Holly, NJ 08060. There is no admission charge, but we will be asking for donations and once I pay the ‘cellist and the church, the rest of the money will be donated to World Hunger Year, founded by Harry Chapin.

Charity Hosts Harry Chapin Tribute in New Haven, Connecticut on May 9, 2008

Barbara Vosburgh wrote in to share details of an upcoming tribute concert:

Liberty Community Services, one of New Haven’s oldest and most successful providers of housing and services to individuals affected by homelessness, is hosting New Haven’s Tribute to Harry Chapin, a May 9 concert for adults and families at the Shubert Theater featuring Harry Chapin’s brother Steve Chapin, members of the original Harry Chapin Band, and the acclaimed L.U.N.C.H. Ensemble.
“We are absolutely thrilled by the support of the Chapin family and L.U.N.C.H. for Liberty’s work to alleviate the suffering caused by homelessness in our own community,” says John Bradley, Liberty’s Executive Director. “Last years concert was a tremendous success with over 600 individuals joining in the fun.”
Founded in 1987 as CARP (Connecticut AIDS Residence Program), Liberty opened the first supportive housing programs in the state for individuals with AIDS and later established an outreach department that manages over 2,500 calls annually for information and referral. Three years ago, Liberty created Liberty Safe Haven, Connecticut’s first large-scale program providing a permanent residence for chronically homeless adults, which has successfully helped individuals transition off the streets and into a home, while conserving valuable community resources.
New Haven’s Tribute to Harry Chapin will continue the music and inspiration of Harry Chapin, co-founder of World Hunger Year and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, by engaging the power of popular music for positive social action.

Welcome to the News Section of HarryChapin.com!

Welcome to the News Section of HarryChapin.com! Check back here for updates on Chapin-related events.
Meanwhile, feel free to browse some of the old updates:

June 1, 2007 Tribute in New Haven
… April 26, 2007

September 21, 2006 Tribute Concert
… September 1, 2006

August 2006 Concert on Long Island
… August 24, 2006

Chapin T-Shirts Available
… November 21, 2005

August 2005 Tribute on Long Island
… August 22, 2005

Cotton Patch Gospel Playing in Chicago
… May 7, 2005

2004 Hungerthon Kickoff Party
… September 23, 2004

Hungerton 2003 Concert
… November 22, 2003

Hard Rock Cafe to Honor Harry Chapin
… July 10, 2003

Remembering Harry Chapin 2003 Show Announced
… June 23, 2003

WHY Benefit to Play on Long Island
… May 29, 2003

Circle! Newsletter Launched
… April 9, 2003