About Chuck...
A brief one...
Chuck Cheesman makes music for and with people of all ages. He is best known for his "Dancing With No Shoes On" family music programs. Parents often tell Chuck they can't sing. He simply says, "Cookie Monster and Bob Dylan have had hit records. Everybody can sing!" A former elementary school teacher, Chuck thinks being a children's entertainer and educator is the best job in the world.
Chuck Cheesman makes music for and with people of all ages. He is best known for his "Dancing With No Shoes On" family music programs. Parents often tell Chuck they can't sing. He simply says, "Cookie Monster and Bob Dylan have had hit records. Everybody can sing!" A former elementary school teacher, Chuck thinks being a children's entertainer and educator is the best job in the world.
A longer one...
Chuck Cheesman’s original songs are hopeful, loving, and sometimes humorous. He draws inspiration from diverse traditions of music to create authentic, soulful songs.
Chuck's latest recording ~ A Whisper in this Town (April 2017) ~ is a collection of eclectic original songs and instrumentals. The recording is in many ways a companion to his 2011 release Imagining Dancers, which received generous airplay on community, public, and college radio throughout the United States. Previous albums include Coming Home (2000) and Campfire (2006, out-of-print).
In addition to his work as a singer/songwriter, a significant part of Chuck’s musical life is spent as an entertainer and educator of children. Beginning in the late 1990s as an instructor at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, he has grown to become a popular performer at venues ranging from classrooms and farmer markets to outdoor festivals. His Dancing With No Shoes On (September 2011) is a whimsical children’s recording that maintains high standards of writing, musicianship, and production.
Along with his friend Bob Neustadt, Chuck co-produced a compilation CD of music and spoken word called Border Songs (October 2012) to benefit the Tucson-based humanitarian group No More Deaths / No Más Muertes. The CD received contributions from nationally recognized artists including Amos Lee, Michael Franti, Calexico, and the legendary Pete Seeger. Now sold out, Border Songs raised almost $100,000 for humanitarian aid being provided along the US/Mexico border.
Chuck currently teaches in both his home studio and at Portland's Multnomah Arts Center, does occasional educational outreach in partnership with Artichoke Music, and continues to make original music for and with people of all ages. He is currently collaborating on a new string band project called Loads of Toes.
Chuck Cheesman’s original songs are hopeful, loving, and sometimes humorous. He draws inspiration from diverse traditions of music to create authentic, soulful songs.
Chuck's latest recording ~ A Whisper in this Town (April 2017) ~ is a collection of eclectic original songs and instrumentals. The recording is in many ways a companion to his 2011 release Imagining Dancers, which received generous airplay on community, public, and college radio throughout the United States. Previous albums include Coming Home (2000) and Campfire (2006, out-of-print).
In addition to his work as a singer/songwriter, a significant part of Chuck’s musical life is spent as an entertainer and educator of children. Beginning in the late 1990s as an instructor at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, he has grown to become a popular performer at venues ranging from classrooms and farmer markets to outdoor festivals. His Dancing With No Shoes On (September 2011) is a whimsical children’s recording that maintains high standards of writing, musicianship, and production.
Along with his friend Bob Neustadt, Chuck co-produced a compilation CD of music and spoken word called Border Songs (October 2012) to benefit the Tucson-based humanitarian group No More Deaths / No Más Muertes. The CD received contributions from nationally recognized artists including Amos Lee, Michael Franti, Calexico, and the legendary Pete Seeger. Now sold out, Border Songs raised almost $100,000 for humanitarian aid being provided along the US/Mexico border.
Chuck currently teaches in both his home studio and at Portland's Multnomah Arts Center, does occasional educational outreach in partnership with Artichoke Music, and continues to make original music for and with people of all ages. He is currently collaborating on a new string band project called Loads of Toes.
| Chuck Cheesman Photo for Press and Promotion |
Chuck Cheesman, photo by Gina Dazzo.