"Bill Harley has the uncanny ability to reaffirm life for
listeners, be they five or fifty. Humor, empathy, intelligence
and reality all radiate from his work and from him." - Penguin
Books A Grammy award winning artist, Bill uses song and story
paint a vibrant and hilarious picture of growing up, schooling
and family life. His work spans the generation gap, reminds us of
our common humanity and challenges us to be our very best selves.
A prolific author and artist, Bill is also a regular
commentator for NPR's All Things Considered and featured on PBS.
Harley joined the National Storytelling Network's Circle of
Excellence in 2001 and tours nationwide as an author and
performing artist. With these considerable talents, Bill
considers his real work to be using these skills to encourage his
audience to see the world anew and to experience "live art", to
honor the emotional lives of children and adults and finally, to
pass along a love of language and music. "Bill Harley takes his
life and turns it into art. Sounds simple until you actually try
to do it. That Harley's art seems so effortless only underscore
his mastery." - Nuvo Newsweekly Praise for Teachers' Lounge:
'Singer, storyteller, and author Bill Harley's hallmark is his
ability to transform the tiniest childhood traumas into
full-length comedy routines. In his signature style, half
confidential, half kidding, Harley once again proves that being a
kid is no easy task. Booklist 'The CD makes me want to giggle. I
like it when Warren makes all the funny noises. The poems are
good. My favorite is 'The Teachers' Lounge' Thanks' Charlie (age
12) 'I know how it feels to have a last name cursed by
alphabetical order. It's really funny and I enjoy listening to it
through my brother's door (he listens to it at bedtime). The
poems are artful and well written. My favorite is 'The Teachers'
Lounge' too. Thanks' Harry (age 15) 'Our family has been Bill
Harley fans for years. We have seen him perform live on two
occasions. My 11 year old daughter and I listened to 'The
Teachers' Lounge' this weekend in the car on a long drive into
the city. I think this is his finest work so far. We smiled, we
laughed, we came close to some sympathetic tears, and we learned
about ourselves. We are already looking forward to his next
work.' Liza 'I've already played the CD several times. The
stories and poems are excellent. What I enjoy most about Bill
Harley's stories (these new ones as well as all the others that I
have), is that they bring back so many funny (and happy) memories
of growing up. In today's world, with so much sad or negative
news and stories, it's really a joy to listen to Bill's stories -
if only for a short time, you can be transported to a kinder
gentler peaceful happy place. It's interesting, somehow Bill
Harley is able to make stories that convey humor to both young
and old, and now and then convey a life lesson as well. It's an
amazing gift, and he uses it well. I look forward with
anticipation to what he comes up with next. Keep up the good
work' BJ 'My daughter punched it into the CD player as soon as it
arrived. We all enjoyed it and started it over again when it was
done.' Carol If your family hasn't heard Harley tell a story,
you're in for a real treat. He has a wonderful knack for taking a
true story and stretching it just a wee bit, thus creating a
highly entertaining and amusing tale. He looks at a situation
through the eyes of a child and bases the stories on his
impeccable observations. Harley's laid-back, conversational style
transports the listener to a front porch where a pal is telling
the stories of his daily adventures. His fast-paced emotive
telling is sure to draw listeners in and keep them wanting more.
This is a great way to introduce older children to the
tricky art of telling or writing an experience story that
maintains attention without manufacturing unbelievable details.
Chicago Parent Magazine.