Award-winning music for kids & families
“Doherty writes perfect pop songs for kids: light and breezy.”
ALBUMS
Pop Songs for Kids
Over 70,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, & over half a million YouTube views
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![Animal Tracks Album]()
ANIMAL TRACKS - A collection of Laura Doherty's favorite animal songs, along with three brand new tracks! Sing-a-long with Jazzasaurus, Domingo the Flamingo and Jake the Snake. Upbeat, clever folk-pop music for kids.
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![In a Heartbeat Album]()
IN A HEARTBEAT - A collection of cozy, upbeat songs to warm the hearts of all ages. Keeping true to Laura Doherty's folk-pop roots, In a Heartbeat is chock full of rich, colorful acoustic instrumentation. A Parents' Choice Silver Award Winner!
APPLE MUSIC SPOTIFY YOUTUBE AMAZON
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![Shining Like a Star Album]()
SHINING LIKE A STAR - Chicago's pop sweetheart Laura Doherty acoustically rocks your kid's world with her 2nd album of breezy, folk-pop tunes for the whole family! Rated 4 stars in Time Out Chicago, and a Parent's Choice Silver award-winner!
APPLE MUSIC SPOTIFY YOUTUBE AMAZON
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![Kids in the City Album]()
KIDS IN THE CITY - One of Old Town School of Folk Music's favorite Wiggleworms teachers brings you original tunes for the "urban toddler" with pop sensibilities blended in, making this record easy on parents ears too. A Parent's Choice Gold award winner!
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![High Five Album]()
HIGH FIVE - Inspired by the simple, joyful gesture of a high five, this album celebrates friendship, family, and fun. With upbeat songs about childhood milestones, from first birthdays to the first day of school, it’s a heartwarming collection for listeners of all ages.
“Laura knows her audience and her music is fantastic! I can appreciate ʻShining Like a Starʼ as both a mom and a programmer.”
— Mindy Thomas, Sirius/XM Radio
Concert Highlights
Clips from Laura Doherty & the Heartbeats performing a kids’ concert at Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL.
Clips from Laura Doherty & the Heartbeats performing “High Five” live in Philadelphia.
Upcoming
Concert Dates
Sat. Aug. 8, 2026 - 11:15 a.m.
Ravenswood Feel Good Fest
1442 W. Sunnyside Ave. Chicago, IL
Sun. Aug. 9, 2026 - 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 pm
The Sugar Hole / Color Club - in the tavern
Chicago, IL
Tues. Aug. 11, 2026 - 6:30 p.m.
Welles Park Gazebo- w/ the Heartbeats
Chicago, IL
Sat. Sept. 5, 2026 - 11:00 a.m.
Vernon Area Library - duo show w/ Andy Wilkins
Lincolnshire, IL
Sat. Sept. 13, 2026 - 10:00am
Musky Fest @ Will’s Northwoods Inn - duo show w/ Andy Wilkins
Chicago, IL
Sat. Sept. 26, 2026 - 1:30pm
St. Paul’s Church Oktoberfest - duo show w/ Andy Wilkins, Chicago, IL
Booking now for fall 2026 and the 2027/2028 season!
Laura has performed at festivals, theaters, museums, and performing arts venues across the U.S.
Laura’s new children’s book!
Laura Doherty’s hit song Muddy Puddles is now a children’s book! Get ready to giggle as Muddy Puddles Pig adventures across the widest, deepest, muddiest mud puddle of all to discover a springtime surprise on the other side: a hootenanny beach party!
Or you can order directly through Laura and get a personalized, signed copy! Email lauradohertybooking@gmail.com. Hard cover is $20 + shipping; paperback is $13 + shipping.
Available for author book signing events, story times, and book festivals, with Laura’s new book Muddy Puddles!
One of the best artists making music for the preschoolers in your life.
— Stefan Shepard, Zooglobble
Laura found her place in the acoustic-folk world early on, picking up the guitar at age 16. Originally from Westchester County, NY, she came to Chicago after college and soon joined the teaching staff of the legendary Old Town School of Folk Music.
For over a decade, Laura was the Director of the Old Town School’s wildly popular early-childhood Wiggleworms program. In 2009, she took a daring leap and decided to go full-time with kids’ music, showing an intense passion for creating sweet, folk-inspired songs for children and families.