Joe Apfelbaum, programming manager for the State Theatre, said Chapin is "really good at connecting with children while using the traditional folk music idiom."
Chapin was modest about his ability to integrate children's music and adult music into his career.
"I'm not the first one to do this -- Woody Guthrie and Tom Paxton are known for this kind of music, too," he said.
Writing children's music isn't as easy as it looks, he said.
"When you're writing for kids, you're writing for the parents too -- so it has to be good. Even at the family show, half of the audience is adults," Chapin said.
Chapin said he got his start in the folk music world at a young age.
At age 12, he started a band with his two brothers, one of which was the late folk singer Harry Chapin.
"We lived through the Beatles and the folk revival. We come from a tradition of this kind of music. These songs tell stories -- they are emotional, political, personal and funny. I just love the form," he said.
Chapin named Paul Simon, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan among some of his biggest musical influences.
"My musical interests really run the musical gamut. I listen to everything," he said.
Apfelbaum was eager to introduce younger people to Chapin's music.
"He's really talented. This is really an opportunity to turn younger people on to folk music.
That's why the State Theatre is here -- we have an educational component. It's a really cool thing for us," Apfelbaum said.
Chapin will be playing guitar, banjo and auto-harp at this performance, and he will be backed by a band that collectively plays more than 12 instruments.
He also promises to throw in "some of Harry's oldies."
"Come if you're looking for well-sung, well-played story songs. Or come if you're a guitar or banjo maven. It's going to be a good show," he said.
