In one of those beautiful twists of irony, David McMahon, a 33-year-old man who dresses up as a chicken, was born in a little Illinois town called Normal . Luckily, for kids and parents who find his David Chicken persona — part chicken, part super hero with “a little bit of Elvis thrown in” — captivating, the name of his birthplace had little effect on him.

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McMahon performs throughout the Dallas- Fort Worth area for kids and their parents. So how did McMahon go from a University of North Texas fine arts graduate and musician to a bird-brained (we mean that in a good way) children’s entertainer? Read on:

 

 

 

 

How did David Chicken evolve?

 

 

It all started by watching way too many reruns of “Green Acres” when I was a kid. It was that whole personification of animals and me seeing the humor in that. As far as entertaining families and children, it’s something I’ve done my whole life. When I was 8, I remember dressing up as the Easter Bunny so kids in my neighborhood would have a chance to meet the Easter Bunny.

 

 

 

 

So this comes naturally to you?

 

 

Yeah. Probably because I never stopped being a kid. I remember as a kid meeting adults who couldn’t relate to who I was at all and thinking, ‘I don’t ever want to forget what it’s like to be a kid.’

 

 

 

 

Tell me about the show.

 

 

The primary focus of the show is interactivity, getting kids up singing and dancing, giving them a chance to perform in front of their friends and parents. About a year or two ago, I kept thinking: ‘What is my main theme here?’ I mean, I have songs with motivational themes, but I also have songs that are just silly and fun. In the show, we’re all up singing and dancing. It’s just very, very energetic. So it occurred to me the common thread throughout everything was exercise.

 

 

 

 

Tell me about your audience.

 

 

My core audience is made up of 3-8 years olds. But parents love the music, too. My music isn’t like some kids’ music that drives parents batty. Parents tell me they listen to the CD sometimes when their kids aren’t even around. And that’s really cool for me to hear.

 

 

 

 

How much like the chicken are you?

 

 

David Chicken is pretty much David McMahon with a funny suit on. It’s pretty much just me being me. This is something I’ve stumbled on that I truly love to do. And the fact that I can make a living at it is just a blessing.

 

 

 

 

Do you get any of this from your family?

 

 

My maternal grandmother [Eola Marie Ruth] traveled with the Chautauqua Road Show — a traveling vaudeville show with lots of music and entertainment — with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. They were big funky entertainers way back in the day. So I guess part of it’s hereditary. [David’s mom, Jane, also performs with him as Mama Chicken. His Chihuahua , Super Joanie, also figures prominently in the show.]

 

 

 

 

Career highlights?

 

 

One of my most prized possessions is this photo I just got of this boy, about 6, and he dresses up like David Chicken and puts on David Chicken concerts for his family. That’s just the coolest thing in the world.

 

 

 

 

What does the future hold for David Chicken?

 

 

Like most musicians and entertainers, I’m thinking big. I’m working on getting my CDs and DVDs picked up for national distribution. And ultimately, I’d like to do a TV show. I have scripts written and am in the process of shopping that around.

 

 

 

 

What do you get out of this?

 

 

I get photos of kids dressing up like me. [Laughs] I guess what I get out of it is knowing that the kids are appreciating it. I’ve played almost all the clubs in Deep Ellum, and if we sold five CDs we were happy. Now I have parents telling me their kids are wearing out the tapes. I’ve put my soul into these products and the music, and for it to be so greatly appreciated — I couldn’t ask for anything more than that.