Dennis Caraher is a singer/songwriter poet who lives in Ashland, Oregon. He grew up in a large family on a farm in Iowa and then lived in Massachusetts for many years where, in addition to writing and performing, he practiced law and worked as a computer programmer.
His children’s music has has earned him a Silver and Gold Medal by Parents’ Choice. Library Journal said that his albums are “must have” for children’s libraries. His writing for adults has been featured on NPR and on “Writer’s Almanac”.
“Singer/songwriter Dennis Caraher (“Dog Bone Town,” “Bow Wow Baby”) delivers smiles with quirky humor and sunny charisma, wrapped in an agile musicality that embraces folk, country, old-time rock ‘n roll and a cappella vocals. Inventive percussion and a kids’ chorus complement a cautionary tale about a pig who hits the big time but yearns for his muddy origins. The a capella charmer, “Little Blue Bug,” begins with a little bug stuck in a rug (“I gave him help, I got a little bug hug”) and turns into a participatory, repeat-after-me romp. Caraher’s inventive, individual voice works equally well in quieter songs that include the yearning “Without You” and an exquisite variation of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” (“It was always there to see when I’d feel my father carry me.”) Among other singers taking the spotlight are a young girl, Emma Henderson, who performs a heartfelt tribute to mothers (“I Love My Mom”), and adult artist Jill Connolly, whose lullaby-soft “I’ll Watch Over You” is accompanied by guitarist Joe Belmont, one of many sterling musicians here.”
While Dennis Caraher’s recorded music has garnered Gold and Silver Medals, his music is best appreciated in his live performances. His shows run to about 45 minutes and are filled with sing-a-long and interactive activities.
Kids will love walking like dinosaurs when Dennis sings “Walk Like a Dinosaur” and will be excited to dance to the different motions in “The Elephant Played Electric Guitar”. Children (and parents) will find it a great challenge to sing their ABC’s in a whole new way (backwards) during Dennis’s version of “ABC”. There are easy-to-follow interactive movements to a story about a pig who leaves the farm for the big city (“I Miss the Mud”) as well as a song where kids get to make up their own movements (and have everyone repeat them) in “Little Blue Bug”).
There are also songs where kids have to think. In “Life is so Confusing” the audience is challenged to find out what exactly doesn’t make sense in a story about a child’s day:
“I was taking a bath in the bed last night
Something about it didn’t seem right
So I took off my shoes and I got dressed
Lay down in the bathtub and took a rest”
Dennis has recently moved to Ashland, Oregon and is booking shows for 2018. The cost for his shows is negotiable but the general range would be $100-$250. If that doesn’t fit your budget, please get in touch and something can be worked out.