Bill Harley

Bill Harley is an American children's entertainer, musician, and author who has been called "the Mark Twain of contemporary children's music" by Entertainment Weekly. He uses a diverse range of musical styles including world music, reggae, blues, folk, rock, jazz, and doo-wop. His audience includes both children and adults. Harley began singing and storytelling in 1975 while still in college, starting his career by working with children. His material often draws from autobiographical vignettes from childhood.

Harley has released over 30 recordings and received two Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word Album For Children for his albums "Blah Blah Blah: Stories About Clams, Swamp Monsters, Pirates & Dogs" and "Yes to Running, Bill Harley Live" in 2007 and 2009. He has been nominated for five additional Grammy Awards. His distinguished contributions to children's music also include an array of Parents' Choice awards, ALA awards, and the highest award from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio for his concert DVD "Yes to Running." He collaborates with composer and arranger Paul Phillips to create orchestral arrangements of his work, such as "There’s a Pea On My Plate" and "You’re in Trouble," and has developed programs to introduce orchestral music to young audiences.

Harley has published a number of books, including eight children's picture books and two novels for grade-schoolers. His novels include "The Amazing Flight of Darius Frobisher," recognized by the Bank Street School of Education as one of the best children's books of the year, and "Night of the Spadefoot Toads," which won a Green Earth Book Award in October 2008. Additionally, his book "Charlie Bumpers vs. the Really Nice Gnome" has added to his reputation as an impactful author in children’s literature. His picture book "Sitting Down To Eat" was an American Booksellers Association Pick of the List, and another book from his series, "Charlie Bumpers vs. The Teacher of the Year," won the 2016 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice award and is featured in the One School One Book programming from Read to Them.

Harley has performed in more than 2500 schools and numerous storytelling festivals across the country, including the National Storytelling Festival. Known for connecting with audiences through humor and compassionate truths, he advocates for social justice, environmental, and political causes through his music and storytelling. Harley has also shared his insights at a TEDTalk titled "Stories Out Loud," emphasizing his role as a master storyteller and educator in the power of storytelling.