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Bill Harley

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5 out of 5
6 reviews

Two-Time Grammy Winner, Storyteller, Author & Family Entertainer

Bill Harley

Bill Harley

Speaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker Rating
5 out of 5
6 reviews

Two-Time Grammy Winner, Storyteller, Author & Family Entertainer

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Authors, Education, Entertainers, Entertainment, Literary, Music, Speakers by Industry
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Bill Harley Biography

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 range of musical styles, and his audience includes both children and adults. Harley began singing and storytelling in 1975 while still in college. Much of his material is autobiographical, focusing on vignettes from childhood.

Harley has released over 30 recordings. He 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, and five additional Grammy nominations. He has also won Parents' Choice awards, ALA awards and the highest award from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio for his concert DVD Yes to Running.

Harley has also published numerous books. His first novel for elementary students, "The Amazing Flight of Darius Frobisher", was chosen by Bank Street School of Education as one of the best children's books of the year. His second novel for children, "Night of the Spadefoot Toads", was released in October 2008 and won a Green Earth Book Award. His picture books include "Sitting Down To Eat", which was selected as an American Booksellers Association Pick of the List. A book from his most recent series, "Charlie Bumpers vs. The Teacher of the Year", won the 2016 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice award and is part of the One School One Book programming from Read to Them.

Harley has performed in more than 2500 schools over the years. In addition to children's music, he performs at storytelling festivals around the country, including appearances at the National Storytelling Festival.

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Bill Harley Speaking Topics

  • Bears & Beanstalks: The Orchestra Tells a Story

    Bill Harley brings his consummate skills as a storyteller and musician to the concert stage with a show for all ages – a performance that introduces the orchestral world to young people while happily entertaining the older ones who brought them. Joining forces with award-winning composer and arranger Paul Phillips, Bill has a full fifty minutes of his original work arranged for orchestras. The program includes two of his most popular songs There’s a Pea On My Plate and You’re in Trouble, a new setting of the traditional folktale Jack and the Beanstalk, which draws on traditional American music and, a hilarious and moving arrangement of one of Bill’s most popular stories, Come On Out and Play – the story of a bear whose belief in what is possible makes for a very magical night.

    In addition, Bill offers a primer in orchestral music in his piece What’s Music Made Of?, which takes a close look at the last movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1. The exploration of this classic of orchestral music is educational, interactive and very entertaining.

    In working with an orchestra, Bill draws on his long experience of working with all genres of music and especially his experience as host for the Rhode Island Philharmonic Family Series.

    Available pieces: There’s a Pea On My Plate • 3:45 Jack and the Beanstalk • 16:30 Come On Out and Play • 15:30 You’re in Trouble • 4:45 What’s Music Made Of? (an exploration of Beethoven Symphony No. 1, IV. Adagio)

  • You’re Driving Me Crazy: A Concert for Families

    Intergenerational entertainment at its best, Bill Harley’s songs and stories paint a vibrant and hilarious picture of growing up, schooling and family life. Family Fun Magazine calls Bill “the finest, funniest children’s songwriter around.” Masterful storytelling and comic narrative songs will have listeners young and old laughing out loud. With slice-of-life vignettes about big trouble and simple pleasures, Bill’s rubber-faced abandon and keen memory will delight the entire family.

  • Storytelling for Work & Play

    Stories are at the heart of being human. We all need stories, we all use stories. Educators of all stripes, clergy, social workers, business leaders, doctors, lawyers and entertainers use this ancient art form to inspire, motivate and educate. While much advice about the importance of narrative comes from psychologists and communication consultants, Bill Harley is a master storyteller. With over thirty years of sharing his stories on stages around the world, Bill offers insights into the nature of story and its ability to transform. Whether you’re in the classroom, the courtroom, the boardroom or when you're pulled over by a friendly neighborhood constable, it’s the story that people will remember long after the moment has passed.

  • How to Think Like a Kid

    Are adults and children the same species? Sometimes it seems they have nothing in common, but with a little effort, adults can find a way to reach kids just where they are. In this talk, master storyteller Bill Harley will share the philosophical underpinnings of his work with children, which involves affirming their emotional lives. He will use some of his stories, songs and books as a jumping off point. Appropriate for writers, parents, teachers or librarians • anyone who wants to find a creative way to connect with children • reaching them on their level • directly and with compassion.

  • Story is the Best Teacher

    A teacher is someone who gives stories to others so they can make their own. Regardless of the subject or audience, story is central to how people make sense of the world and build a community with others. In this talk, master storyteller, Bill Harley, will look at how stories work in people's lives, what stories define their own lives, and how to use story in an educational setting. Inspiring, entertaining, affirming and moving, educators will leave with a deeper understanding of their work.

Bill Harley Videos

  • Sing Along with Debbie and Friends, ep. 6
    Sing Along with Debbie and Friends, ep. 6
    In this sixth "Sing Along with Debbie and Friends" livestream event, Bill Harley joins Debbie Cavalier of Debbie and Friends.
  • Bill Harley Miniconcert1: Featuring Abiyoyo.
    Bill Harley Miniconcert1: Featuring "Abiyoyo".
    Bill Harley's first miniconcert from home. He performs "Take a Walk Around the Block", "Abiyoyo" and his newest song "Little Things".
  • Bill Harley Miniconcert: The Best Candy in the Whole World
    Bill Harley Miniconcert: "The Best Candy in the Whole World"
    The episodes contains two unrecorded songs - "The Bucket in the Bottom of the Well" and "We Sing for Peace" as well as the story "The Best Candy in...
See All Videos »

Speaker Lists Featuring Bill Harley

  • Early Childhood Education

    Early Childhood Education Speakers

    Early Childhood Education (ECE) is a branch of education theory that involves the cognitive formation of young children by use of creativity, organization, planning, and relationship building. With different theories and...

Browse All Keynote Speaker Lists »

FAQs on booking Bill Harley

  • How do I book Bill Harley to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Bill Harley for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Bill Harley, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Bill Harley or any other speaker of your choice.

  • What are the speaker fees for Bill Harley

    Speaking fees for Bill Harley, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Bill Harley are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Bill Harley, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Bill Harley speak about?

    Bill Harley is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Authors, Education, Entertainers, Entertainment, Literary, Music, Speakers by Industry.

  • Where does Bill Harley travel from?

    Bill Harley generally travels from an undisclosed location, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

  • Who is Bill Harley’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Bill Harley for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Bill Harley for your next private or corporate function.

  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Bill Harley or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Bill Harley is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Bears & Beanstalks: The Orchestra Tells a Story, You’re Driving Me Crazy: A Concert for Families, Storytelling for Work & Play, How to Think Like a Kid and Story is the Best Teacher. The estimated speaking fee range to book Bill Harley for your event is available upon request. Bill Harley generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jennifer Daniels, Peter & Bethany Yarrow, Dolly Parton, Benjamin Zander and Keith Lockhart. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Bill Harley for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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