The remarkable six-decade career of Tom Chapin includes 29 albums and three Grammy awards. He will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at 6 On The Square in Oxford. (Photo by Abigail Chapin)

OXFORD - The remarkable six-decade career of folk singer/songwriter and modern-day troubadour Tom Chapin has included 29 albums and three Grammy awards — and at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28, he’ll bring that extensive songbook to 6 On The Square in Oxford.

In addition to his work as a recording artist, concert performer, storyteller and activist, Chapin has performed on Broadway and worked extensively in television, radio and film.

The son of jazz drummer and teacher Jim Chapin and the grandson of author/critic Kenneth Burke and portrait painter James Chapin, Tom grew up in a family that encouraged artistic pursuits. He began performing professionally as a teenager in the early 1960s, playing in Greenwich Village folk clubs alongside his siblings Harry and Steve as The Chapin Brothers.

Chapin and his songs were featured in the seminal 1970 documentary film “Blue Water, White Death,” for which he spent six months sailing the Indian Ocean searching for great white sharks.

In 1971, Chapin began a five-year run as the host of “Make A Wish,” an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning TV show on ABC. Chapin's recent project “The Make A Wish Songbag," released in 2025, is a "lost" CD of songs from “Make A Wish” that he recorded in 1976.

Chapin launched his solo recording career with 1976's “Life Is Like That.” It was the first of a string of albums that established his reputation as both a gifted storyteller and a natural entertainer, winning him an uncommonly loyal fan base in the process.

In 1988, Chapin released his first family recording, “Family Tree.” His music was aimed at elementary school children, who understood language and humor. His songs were embraced by kids, parents and teachers, leading to 13 albums that received countless awards, including five Grammy nominations.

He continued to venture into other creative areas, playing the lead role in the hit Broadway musical “Pump Boys and Dinettes,” working off-Broadway as musical director of both “Cotton Patch Gospel” and “Harry Chapin: Lies and Legends” and serving as host of TV's “National Geographic Explorer.” He's also written and performed satirical topical songs for National Public Radio's “Morning Edition” and had a cameo role as the vice presidential candidate in Jonathan Demme's 2004 remake of “The Manchurian Candidate.”

Chapinʼs new album, “Songs of Hope,” will be released in 2026 and feature positive, meaningful messages in these trying times. Among the collaborators are daughters Abigail and Lily (The Chapin Sisters), John McCutcheon, and longtime bandmates Michael Mark and Jon Cobert. Musical support from friends Eric Weisberg, Robin Batteau, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Jonathan Edwards and Larry Campbell.

In addition to his musical and media endeavors, Chapin is a longtime advocate for environmental causes, issues of hunger and social justice, and music and the arts in public schools.

Tickets for the 6OTS concert are $35 in advance or $40 at the door; purchase at 6onthesquare.org or call 607-843-OTS6 (6876) to make a reservation. Doors open one hour before the start of performances. The concert also will be streamed live online for $10; more information at 6onthesquare.org.

Performances are made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Gov. Kathy Hochul, and our 6OTS members.

Open Mic Night

Get the chance to perform on our stage at 6OTS’s Open Mic Night!

Held the first Thursday of each month from April to June, sign-in begins at 6:45 p.m. with performances at 7. Musicians and poets are encouraged to share their talents.

Concerts this winter/spring at 6OTS: Greg Greenway (April 4), Phil Henry Trio (April 18), Leslie Mendelson (May 2), Veronneau (May 9), The Black Feathers (June 13) and a 19th anniversary celebration with Vance Gilbert (June 20).

6 On The Square, Inc. is an intimate, not-for-profit, volunteer-based acoustic music listening room and arts venue located at 6 Lafayette Park in downtown Oxford.

- Information from 6 On The Square