Charette connects

By Karen Donato
Staff Writer
    Popular children’s singer-song writer, Rick Charette joined in another Moosestompers’ celebration to entertain children and adults as well, but Moosestompers’ did not introduce Houlton to the originator of the Bubble Gum Band and popular children’s songs.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Karen Donato
MEETS CHARETTE — Little Emily Crane, 5, daughter of Brian and Monica Crane of Presque Isle got to meet her favorite entertainer, Rick Charette at the Moosestompers’ weekend in Houlton. Crane is a student at Pine Street Elementary School and went to the concert with her grandparents, Patty and Tyler Perry of Ludlow. Emily had seen Charette at a concert in Presque Isle and was excited to see him again, but was very surprised when she was taken back stage prior to the performance to meet her idol. Charette, from Windham is a popular singer and songwriter of children’s songs, including; “Alligator in the Elevator” and “Mud, Mud I Love Mud.”
    In 1988, eight SAD 29 teachers wrote a classroom-based innovative education grant offered through the department of education. Through their efforts the district received nearly $18,000 to fund the “Renaissance of Rural Arts” grant. It provided artists in residence for elementary students from kindergarten through grade six. Charette was one of the artists invited to work in Houlton.
    Those eight teachers included; Tara Austin, Hollie McPartland, Jan Martin, Vicki Perry Wilson, Sally Cole, Joellen Merry, Nancy Wright and myself. We met after school and evenings to write this grant that was an all-volunteer effort. It took hours to write this proposal and many more once the grant was secured to schedule a variety of guests and handle all of their accommodations. The funding spanned two years.
    “Renaissance in Rural Arts” was a highly successful grant and at least one of the projects is still on display in several of the local schools. Squidge Davis, a potter from Brooks, assisted by many students completed the project entitled “Our Town”, a clay rendition of the local communities of Houlton, Littleton and Monticello.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Karen Donato
INTO IT — Little Riley Wright, two years old was groovin’ to Rick Charette’s music during Moosestompers’ weekend. Riley’s mom, Kara looks on in the background.
    Rick Charette, a former music teacher made the trek from his hometown of Windham. He attended the University of Maine of Southern Maine, receiving his degree in music education. While doing his student teaching he began writing songs with his students. Charette furthered his musical training at the Boston Conservatory of Music.
    He often played musical gigs on the weekends and for private functions. With encouragement from his friends he connected with a group called Educational Activities in New York and produced his first demo record, “Bubblegum.” Then his love for music led him to create his Bubblegum Band and after the success of his first record he formed his own company called Pine Point Media Group, which is named after a popular Portland area beach.
    Charette was especially in demand in the southern Maine area where he was often a guest artist in local schools and invited to present music workshops at several Maine teacher conferences. His exposure led him to other workshops in Vermont and then an invitation to the National Whole Language Conference in San Diego. Now he travels most anywhere in the United States. His music is known worldwide and he is in hopes of going to Taiwan, where a friend is teaching.
    Charette’s three children, now grown, influenced some of his songs, as do children that he works with in the numerous classrooms he visits throughout the year.
    Through the advancement of technology records transitioned to CDs and now a DVD entitled “Deer Trees.” His latest song, “King Kong Chair” was just released.
    When Charette is not in the classroom he and his band can be found at other events around the state such as, L.L. Bean for New Year’s Eve Freeport, or the tree lighting in Portland. His most recent event was a Valentine family concert in Augusta.
    Charette offers three entertainment packages through his company of either himself and his guitar, or Charette and keyboard player, Roy Clark or the entire Bubblegum Band, which includes five additional musicians.
    If you would like more information, contact Charette at 650-8268, e-mail him at Rick@pinepoint.com or view his Web site; www.RickCharette.com