Tom Chapin was born in New York City, one of four children of musician Jim Chapin. In 1950, his parents divorced, and he lived with his mother, Jeanne Elspeth, while his father toured as a drummer for Big Band era acts such as Woody Herman. A few years later, his mother remarried. As a child, he performed in a band with his brothers, including his older brother Harry Chapin. In 1966 the brothers released their only album together, Chapin Music!
Chapin graduated from State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1966. From 1971-1976, he hosted a TV show called Make a Wish. He has performed in some Broadway productions, including Pump Boys and Dinettes. He is best known as a children's music artist. He has also started storytelling at festivals, and in 2007 he was a Featured New Voices Teller at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
