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| Rich Charette in the early 1990s |
If you
grew up in or around Maine, you probably know who Rick Charette is. He’s been
performing in Maine for close to 40 years. Charette is semi-retiring and will
no longer perform at schools or travel for gigs, but he will not give up music
completely as he still plans to perform at the occasional event.
Charette,
a lifelong Mainer from Westbrook, got his first guitar in junior high school
and learned to play by ear from a friend. At the time, Charette was very
interested in folk music, especially the music of Bob Dylan. He started playing
folk songs and songs from other songwriters of the time. He began writing songs
in high school and when he was in his early 20s, opened for folk singer Tom
Rush.
Charette
has a Bachelor of Arts in English, but music was his passion. He began studying
classical guitar and obtained a second degree in music education and then taught
music for grades kindergarten through sixth grade.
Charette
thought folk songs were ok but wanted something more contemporary for children.
One of his instructors at college thought Charette might have a talent writing
music for younger audiences and believed this was something Charette should
explore.
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| Charette had an opportunity to meet Mister Rogers |
Charette
wrote a song called “Bubble Gum” and it got a different reaction from children
than when he played folk songs. Charette noticed that children had more energy
and attentiveness during his “Bubble Gum”
song but didn’t know if it was because he was excited to sing it or that
they were up and moving around during the song.
In
1980, Charette met Roy Clark through a roommate. Clark was a good musician and worked
for Charette’s roommate’s dad at the Frost and Flame woodstove store in Windham
to earn extra cash. Clark liked Charette’s songs and they became business
partners.
A
record company produced Charette’s first album, but Charette and Clark decided
shortly after to start their own company, Pine Point Recording Company, “and 12
albums later, here we are,” he observes.
“Bubble
Gum” gave Charette credibility and confidence and, as a result, went on to
write two other hits, “Alligator in the Elevator” and “Mud”.
There
is no doubt Charette has made a difference within Maine and with many children
and individuals. Charette recalls performing at Deering Oaks Park before social
media and there was a large crowd filling the park.
“That
was the beginning; wherever we would go, the place would fill up,” recalls Charette.
He recounts a show in Fairfield where he walked by a mother and daughter
waiting for his performances and overheard the daughter say, “Mommy, this is a
dream come true.” Charette was very moved that he was able to bring so much joy
into a child’s world.
Charette
has been recognized on a national level as well. He and Clark were at a
literacy conference in San Diego in the 1990s where they were performing and
conducting songwriting workshops. They bumped into keynote speaker Fred Rogers.
Charette was happy to hear that Rogers was familiar with and liked his music.
Charette
believes now is a good time to not close all doors but pull back a little. He
would like to write a book about what it’s like being Rick Charette.
There’s
a place for everyone when it comes to Charette’s music.
He
observes, “It’s been a lot of fun over the years seeing all the smiles and the
joy and the laughter and the silliness.”
