Chip Degaard was born and raised in Chicago Illinois. He received his formal education
in drums and piano in Chicago, and received a BM.ed (Bachelors of Music Education )
in music at Drury University in Springfield, Mo.
Chip’s credits as a jazz drummer includes stints with the Warren Covington Big Band,
and also backing up artists such as Bill Watrous,and opening for the Stan Kenton,
and Maynard Ferguson Orchestras.
As a pianist,/vocalist,Chip has opened for such notable and varied performers such as,
Elvis Costello, Little Richard,and Gene Chandler. Chip has played with and/ or backed up:
Tommy Roe, Little Anthony, Sam the Sham, The Drifters, The Coasters ,The Platters,
Lou Christie, The Tokens, Capris and many more.
As a composer/lyricist, Chip has had several songs recorded by other artists,
as well as his own versions. He is also a gifted arranger, comfortable in all styles.
It was while living in New York that Chip became interested in how music affects
human behavior. This drew him to working with music in a psychiatric setting which
ultimately led to the creation of “Songs from the Island.”
Chip currently can be seen in the New York area as well as around the country as
keyboard player/vocalist with “Kenny Vance and the Planotones”, as well as with
his own groups,”Good Rockin Tonite”, and “The Chip Dee Band”.