John McCutcheon

John McCutcheon is an American folk music singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and children’s author, widely recognized for his prolific contributions to folk and children’s music since the 1970s. Born in Wisconsin in 1952, he became known as a master of the hammered dulcimer and is also proficient on guitar, banjo, mountain dulcimer, fiddle, and jaw harp. Over his career he has released more than thirty albums, earning multiple Grammy nominations, and has been especially noted for his work in children’s music.

McCutcheon is the creator of the song “Happy Adoption Day,” which he adapted into the picture book Happy Adoption Day!, illustrated by Julie Paschkis and dedicated to his mother, Abby McCutcheon, a social worker who helped bring families together through adoption. In addition to this title, he has written other books based on his music, such as Christmas in the Trenches.