FAQs

“Thank you! I am living my dream and I am so grateful!

 

“For over 24 years, I have been a full-time entertainer, – singing and performing is how I make my living and support my family – my wife & our three kids! I have been performing professionally for almost 37 years (my first band was in 1985). I appreciate every single show and will do all I can to make your event a big success! My youth shows and concerts have been developed over many years with countless hours of work along with some great help and feedback from administrators, principals, teachers, and students. Thanks to you I can live my dream and do what I love to do as my career! I really enjoy inspiring others to pursue and live their dreams as well!” – Kevin McCarthy

Please click on the “+” in front of the topic to expand for more information.

About Kevin

My name is Kevin McCarthy. I’ve been a full-time singer, songwriter, and entertainer for almost 20 years. I’ve been playing professionally for 32 years. I perform for all types of events across the U.S.A. & Canada.

I live in East Amherst, NY with my wife Natalie and our 3 kids – Shea, Brennan, and Aiden.  Natalie has been a first grade teacher for 19 years in the Kenmore-Tonawanda School District.

My school and youth shows have grown extensively throughout the past few years. I am currently on the rosters of Young Audiences of Western New York and Young Audiences of Rochester.  I have performed at school across Central and Western New York and Western Pennsylvania and I have just recently began partnership with the Toronto School Board and I soon will begin performing for schools in Canada as well.

I am grateful for all the help and guidance of numerous administrators, principals, teachers, parents and students – all who have helped me develop my shows. I am constantly working on and updating my shows to keep them fresh, unique and fun.

I am living my dream! I appreciate every show as it allows me to do what I love to do as my career and also feels great making a difference – inspiring students to follow their dreams as well!

If you like to learn more about me, please click here – Why Kevin?

Please feel free to contact me anytime – (716) 472-7700 or e-mail – info@kevinmccarthyshows.com

How To Book

It’s easy! Booking can all be done online quickly and easily (or also by phone if easier!).

1. Check Availability & Instant Quote – You can get a free, instant, no obligation quote here… Please click here To book Kevin. By booking direct online you can save $100 or more!

2. Once you fill out the online quote, I will e-mail you the agreement.

3. You can review the agreement, then e-mail it back and we can lock it in over e-mail, which will hold up as our agreement.

4. I normally do not require a deposit for most school shows, so it only takes a returned agreement e-mail to lock in your date!

5. The quotes include date, time, etc… If you are not sure of the date, time, and/or location, that is not a problem! You can still get a quote – you can estimate date, time for now, if needed, and choose location later.

6. You can also call me direct anytime. I can explain shows, details, and can even book your date over the phone. Please feel free to call anytime – (716) 472-7700.

About Show

It’s a fun, unique, interactive, music-based show with a lasting positive, character education & PBIS message. It’s enjoyed by students and staff of all ages!

Goal -The overall goal of my show is to get students engaged from the start and draw them into the messages of my programs by playing & performing songs that students/staff know and enjoy. I work hard to find songs that have a wide appeal, are age-appropriate, audiences can sing-along to, and are fun and exciting – then, put them into a program that is interesting and entertaining. Many of these songs have messages relating to the topics discussed. Kids are very “hip” today and having a “hip”, cool, and fun show are all important for getting and keeping the kids’ interest. These shows are very interactive and engaging as I try to put myself in the their shoes when I was their age. I also think about what my kids would enjoy and what would keep their interest. With my wife being a first grade teacher for 19 years in Ken-Ton, I also work to make it fun for the teachers and staff as well!

Music – I sing, play guitar and have real, full-band backing tracks. This gives me a full-band sound, but with full volume control, and I take up a lot less space than a full band. I perform a variety of songs that are fun, appropriate, and have the kids singing-along and / or dancing. I also bring 10K worth of equipment which includes a large video screen and lights. I have designed the show to be a concert-like experience. For most students it will be their first concert experience!

Message – I have a variety of character education topics to go along with show. I talk “with” the students not “at” them and work hard to present each of the topics in an interesting, age-appropriate, and compelling way. I currently have 14 programs – all were designed initially by specific requests from schools.

Enjoyed by All- Ages! – Teacher and principals are excited about my shows for a variety of reasons – one of the biggest is that my shows are enjoyed by all-ages! They have told me it is difficult to find shows that are enjoyed by all students – both young and old – and staff as well! The shows are fun and interactive and have a fresh, cool feel.

School Pride – Nothing brings students, teachers and staff together more than music! Built into these fun shows are sing-a-longs, movements/dances, and positive messages – all which contribute to a “pep-rally” type of school-pride building and school community bonding.

Crowd Control – As a former high school coach and a father of three, I understand the importance of maintaining crowd control. I have learned a number of techniques of the years to make sure the students are on point and that the messages are heard. Yes, the students will be moving and having fun, but I will also do my best to make sure they under control. It’s very rare that there are issues, however, I am ready to stop the show if necessary and I keep an eye on the crowd to try and catch potential issues.

All kinds of events! For youth shows, I am mostly hired for school day assemblies. However, I have performed for pretty much any kind of event you can think of! School assemblies, family events, birthdays, ice cream socials, graduations, picnics, field days, large concerts, backyard parties, etc… any event that is looking for music, entertainment, etc.! Over the past 32 years I have performed at just about every event you can imagine and more!

Day of the Show

Just wall power! (and maybe a flat-bed cart if one is available!)

I’m easy! I know you and your staff are busy! I bring everything I need to put on a state-of-the-art show! I only need wall power – one wall plug will work fine as long as nothing else is plugged into it! All my equipment is low-draw so power is never an issue at schools.

The ideal setting is an auditorium. It is not a problem at all if you don’t have one… a cafetorium, gym, large room, outside (weather permitting) are all options – any location where I can control the lights and darken the room once the everyone is in and settled for video screen… While it’s easier for me to do outside shows as far as equipment and setup, I actually do prefer inside for the complete experience of my shows – video screen, lights, etc… I do not need a stage but happy to be on one if you have one. If show is in a gym, students sit on the floor (and chairs can be provided for staff)…the students will be up and not sitting for long!

The shows last from 45 – 55 minutes on average depending on a few factors. I am flexible and happy to try and fit into your time frame. I usually arrive about 2 hours prior to the first show to ensure that I start on time. I understand that schools are on a tight schedule and starting on time is very important. I am happy to load in if classes, lunch, or anything else is going on in the location I am performing. If the area designated as the stage can be ready 2 hours prior, that would be very helpful! It usually takes about an hour or so to break down and load out.

Having schools provide a flat-bed cart has been very helpful! If you don’t have one available, that is not a problem. I do bring my own cart but it is smaller compared to those at schools. If there is one available when I get to the school, that would be very helpful and appreciated! Also, if I can load my equipment from my truck through a door right to the show area, that would be ideal and no cart would be needed. If not, no problem, I can cart in my equipment.

I don’t necessarily need custodial help to load in and set up, I understand they (& you) are busy! However, if they (or anyone) would like to help me load in or out, that would be great and very much appreciated! The only other help I need would be how to control the lights on students are settled.

Setup Pictures

Detailed Show Questions

My goal is to get students engaged from the start and draw them into the messages of my programs by playing & performing songs that students/staff know and enjoy. I work hard to find songs that have a wide appeal, are age-appropriate, audiences can sing-along to, and are fun and exciting – then, put them into a program that is interesting and entertaining. Many of these songs have messages relating to the topics discussed. Kids are very “hip” today and having a “hip” show is important for getting and keeping the kids’ interest. These shows are very interactive and engaging as I try to put myself in the their shoes when I was their age. I also think about what my kids would enjoy and what would keep their interest. With my wife being a first grade teacher for 19 years in Ken-Ton, I also work to make it fun for the teachers and staff as well!

Actually, YES! I know from first hand experience that I can make an impact. I share with the students in some of my programs how I sat in assembly (just like they are) when I was in grade school. The musical group “The Scintas” (who went on to be a huge act in Las Vegas originally from WNY) performed at our school. While I don’t remember all the details, I was inspired by the show as I remember the lead singer and presenter asked us what our goals/dreams were. At that time, my goals were to own my own business and/or play music. He said he did music full-time – it was his business – his life; it was his career! I thought “Wow!” & l realized then – I wanted to be “that guy”! I will never forget that and it made a lasting impression on me.

Many people I talk to actually remember assemblies from their school days. What some teachers have explained to me is the importance of “emotional learning”… the excitement and fun of my show can really help make a lasting impression of the students.

Recent feedback on material retention…

“Thanks Kevin. Great show! I’ve been questioning the kids about what they learned. It’s amazing what they’ve retained and how much fun they had. Emotional learning strikes again ! Your show is spot on! Hope the opportunity to have you back can happen“

Wendy Lewandowski – Teacher & Assembly Coordinator, Orchard Park, NY – May 2016

As a father of three, I love making a difference in my kids lives and have realized in doing these shows that I really enjoy making a difference in other kids lives as well. Hopefully, I will inspire the next generation as I was inspired years ago!

Recently, in talking with a principal at one of the schools I perform at, he was telling me one of the things he really liked about my show is that any topic is automatically more “cool” and more impactful in the context of my fun music, an amazing light show, video screen, etc…

Advertisers spend billions of dollars to make their products seem “cool”. The question – how do you make wellness “cool”? (or any character education message cool?)…If kids perceive it as cool, they’ll be more apt to apply it! How do you make the message stick?… Talk about it in the guise of a party! Make it a fun and memorable experience… just like the media and ads do to us – they “sell” us on what makes their products cool.

The problem is many of their products and things that the media sells us is not good for us. I have put together these programs to open the kids up to message by making it fun, while doing my very best to make it cool. By association, the kids learn these topics are fun/cool and the messages are more apt to “stick”. For example, as someone with a wellness background, it’s upsetting to me that in TV, movies, & media, being unhealthy, smoking, drinking etc…is encourage and considered “cool”… my goal is to make learning about wellness interesting, cool, and fun. Why is it that we reinforce unhealthy behavior as being “fun”? It’s now great to be able to make a difference and help make wellness cool. So, the bottom line is – I have put together programs with a lot of fun and excitement to draw them into the message… and while having a great time, kids learn some important life lessons.

For many of my performances, the youngest students are sitting in front. Because of this and because of the age groups in general, I wanted to have a full sound without being too much.

I have researched the latest technology of PA systems and found the BOSE PA system! It is very expensive, but worth every penny. The line-array system fills the area with sound but in a much different way then traditional speakers. It is much less harsh than speakers. It is perfect for the type of show I do and I would not be able to do it the show effectively without it!

It also allows me to be in front of the speakers without feedback. This enables me to get out into the crowd with a wireless mic and interact with the students when discussing the messages of the show.

Most schools have Pre-K & K students and they all enjoy the show – those teachers usually prep their students on the type of show this is so they are ready. However, even without advanced noticed, the youngest students seem to really love the show. I have learned a way to start every show by easing the mind of the youngest kids through the video and music I select.

I actually perform regularly for schools whose entire population of students have a variety of special needs – even schools where all the student have special needs from moderate to severe.

That said, I have performed hundreds of shows over the years without incident!

I’ve put these shows together with the help and feedback of administrators, principals, teachers, and students. The goal is to have a fun and memorable experience for all students and staff! My mother was a school nurse. I am very aware and sensitive in making sure my show is enjoyed by all. I leave it up to each school to decide if a student(s) should not go to the show. As mentioned above, the music is full but not harshly loud and there are flashing, but no strobe-type of lights.

Yes, I have performed at some schools multiple times in a year/ once a year, etc… I keep track of the program, message, and songs that I do for each school and each show. I have enough songs that I can give schools a different show each time. That said, there are certain songs that I may repeat depending on a few factors, especially if it’s really popular or has come back in popularity for some reason – like in a movie sound track, etc… I am constantly updating the show and always looking to bring a different show / message each time!

Yes, actually every program I have has started out as a personalized program for a school. It may or may not cost extra depending on what you are looking for.

Some schools have ask me to incorporate their main themes for the year in my show or ask me to talk about something pertaining to their character trait of the month, etc… I am happy to work this in to my shows as well!

Absolutely, Yes! This is my full-time career – feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone anytime! I’m happy to discuss any part of my show. I will do all can to make your event a huge success!

Thanks again for your interest in my shows!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, ideas, or feedback anytime – info@kevinmccarthyshows.com

(716) 472-7700 – this my cell and my business line for talk / text.