Chris Burke with Joe and John DeMasi have been delighting audiences throughout the U.S. and Canada with their inspiring, uplifting and entertaining music for over a decade. The trio brings a message of love, inclusion and celebration to the hundreds of concerts, schools, festivals, conferences and conventions that they perform at each year.
Chris is best known for the four years he spent playing Charles "Corky" Thatcher on the hit ABC-TV show "Life Goes On" and his reoccurring role as Taylor, the angel of faith on the hit CBS-TV show "Touched By An Angel".
Together Chris, Joe and John have recorded four wonderfully exciting albums the entire family will love. Their most recent album "A World of Kindness", released in 2002 continues in the award winning tradition they have established for themselves. "Forever Friends" was released in the summer of 1998 and has received a Parents Choice Gold Award for Excellence, the highest honor the Parents Choice Foundation can bestow!
"Singer with the Band" was nationally released in the spring of 1994 by family entertainment company Zoom Express/BMG Kidz. Capturing Chris' incredibly positive spirit, this uplifting and inspiring album has already sold over 60,000 copies nationwide with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this recording donated to the Very Special Arts, an international Kennedy foundation organization providing programs in the arts for individuals with physical and mental disabilities. In support of this album the trio flew to Brussels, Belgium where they filmed the music video "All Walk Together", a song written by John which has become a musical anthem for Down Syndrome support groups all across America.
As part of their continuing effort to promote inclusion and ability awareness, the trio have lent celebrity support to several performing arts programs in the summer for people with disabilities.
They have also received numerous awards from ARC's and Down Syndrome organizations throughout the country for their tireless and inspiring work on behalf of people with disabilities. Chris has even been made a Kentucky Colonel!
When Chris was born with Down Syndrome in New York City in August of 1965, the doctors advised his parents to put him in an institution. The Burkes not only ignored that advice but treated Chris the same as his older brother and two sisters, a decision that has led to a remarkable life and talent!
While Chris was forced to attend private schools because of the lack of public education for children with Down Syndrome when he was growing up, he spent his summers at a camp on Long Island, N.Y. for children with disabilities. This is where he met twin brothers Joe and John DeMasi, professional musicians and published songwriters who worked there as music counselors. Although everyone at the camp was touched by the DeMasi's music, it was Chris who became their biggest fan and closest friend, participating in all of the musical activities and shows they ran. "I've always wanted to be an entertainer just like Donny Osmond", says Chris. "To be able to have a music career with my two best friends, the guys who taught me all about music, is a dream come true." The three developed a friendship that has lasted over twenty-five years. "Chris was so excited for us when we appeared on TNN-TV in 1985" says Joe "and that only helped to fuel his desire to be on television even more", an opportunity that would come for Chris two years later.
"Life Goes On" was created after Burke landed the role of a boy with Down Syndrome on the ABC-TV movie, "Desperate". His work so impressed the network executives that the show's producer was asked to write a show with Chris in mind. The critically acclaimed drama series "Life Goes On", which earned Burke a Golden Globe nomination aired on ABC from 1989-1993.
Chris, Joe and John joined forces in 1993 and released their first album "Lollipops and Love Songs", a 14 song sing-a-long album for young children. This album captures the fun and excitement the three friends shared and enjoyed all those summers together at Camp Anchor before they captured national attention.
Chris, Joe and John have appeared on numerous national and local T.V. shows including "Good Morning America"; "Crook and Chase" and "Entertainment Tonight". Chris has also starred in a made for television movie called "Jonathan, The Boy Nobody Wanted", appeared in a T.V. mini series called "Heaven and Hell" and has had guest staring roles in "The Commish", "The Promised Land", "The Division", and "ER".
When not on the road performing, Chris works for the National Down Syndrome Society as their Goodwill Ambassador and was the Editor in Chief of "Upbeat", a quarterly news magazine which was written by and for people with Down Syndrome.
Chris has co-authored a book about his life published in 1992 by Bantam Doubleday Dell called "A Special Kind of Hero", has marched in former President Clinton's inaugural parade, filmed a Public Service Announcement with former President Bush, has received a Christopher Award along with Steven Speilberg for his work as an actor and has even had a New York City public school named in his honor!
"Chris has always had dreams of being an actor, a singer, a writer and helping people who have as he calls it "UP Syndrome", says Joe. Believe in yourself, work hard and never give up", says Chris. "We've all got disabilities. It's what we do with our ABILITIES that counts!" "We are all a celebration of life", says John.
"Everyone can be a Singer With The Band!"