CCM with a heart in the west coast music…
For well over three decades, Gary Chapman has seamlessly blurred the lines of contemporary pop, country, Christian and southern gospel, racking up one of the most impressive resumes any of those scenes have ever encountered. The Texas native turned Nashville transplant is a multiple GRAMMY nominee, multiple Dove Award winner (including “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Songwriter of the Year”), source of several landmark albums on RCA Records, Reunion Records and Word Records, writer for songs recorded by Kenny Rogers, Alabama and Wynonna, four year host of TNN’s hit show “Prime Time Country,” six year host of the “Sam’s Place” concert series/syndicated radio show at the famed Ryman Auditorium and founder of the record label that launched current Disney music mainstays Everlife, amongst many others.
And even though it’s been a decade since we’ve last heard new tunes from the singer, songwriter and multi-media personality, the man who’s turned ADD into an art form has certainly stayed active. In between 2002’s Circles and Seasons and 2013’s The Truth, Chapman wrote, produced and directed the full-length documentary “The 8th of November” for country duo Big & Rich (screened to tremendous acclaim at the Country Music Hall of Fame), successfully transferred to the National Football League foray as the Chief of Content Development for the “School of the Legends” mentoring program, all while simultaneously launching the “A Hymn A Week” online song and stories series, inspired after singing many of the timeless standards at his ailing father’s bedside (who’s since went on to be with the Lord alongside Chapman’s mother).
“Singing those old time hymns helped me remember what music is really for,” recalls the troubadour of the season that initially prompted him to put pen to paper again, which eventually found their way onto The Truth. “This project has nothing to do with money, but everything to do with genuinely touching someone’s heart and offering healing. I have no delusions of grandeur at this point in my life and I am pleasantly embracing a place where it really doesn’t matter a whole lot to me what anybody thinks, and I say that with zero arrogance or perceived distance.”
While some of Chapman’s new found freedom comes in his independence from major record labels (he has partnered with Music Row’s Merf Music Group and Elevate Entertainment for distribution), the veteran artist is also reveling behind the scenes when it comes to family life. He and wife Cassie just welcomed the birth of their adopted baby daughter, Eva Rose, earlier this year (all of whom will take part in a reality series chronicling six familiar Nashville families in early 2014 on TNT), while the proud father continues to beam with pride over his son Matt and daughters Sarah and Millie, who’ve since spread their wings for school and successful careers respectively. Indeed, reflecting on the many seasons and stages of life has made for tremendous songwriting fodder, as has Chapman’s firm reliance on his lifelong faith that’s sustained him throughout the triumphs and trials of his entire journey thus far.
“The Truth is a slightly general title to go over all these songs, but it’s the only phrase that made sense,” he assures. “It appears in more than one of the songs and it’s my attempt to say exactly what I believe- the good, bad and the potentially ugly side of complete honesty. I don’t have any options anymore and sincerely don’t want any. I have, mostly by choice, maybe initially by pain, transformed from being somebody who might be trying to impress others, to someone who simply wants to know you and to be known. Once you truly embrace being vulnerable, there’s just no other way to write or even live life.”
Take for instance the incredibly emotive “Everything I Know,” an entirely autobiographical account of Chapman’s bittersweet but redemptive testimony, channeled through three-and-a-half minutes of pure poignancy. Then there’s the metaphor-laden “Ain’t Got a Prayer Without Jesus,” which may initially seem like a spiritually-directed political statement, but is actually anchored in the theme of staying committed to family, friends and community.
Continues Chapman: “I also found some wonderful songs like ‘How Great A God,’ a straight up confessional worship song that is not the norm for me, but something that just really hit me. Another one of my favorites is ‘The Rough Crowd,’ which basically addresses the beautiful truth that when God chose to come to earth as a man, He hung out with the rowdy ones more than church folks. Thank God for that!”
In addition to this blend of bold and thought-provoking lyrical statements, The Truth is hands down Chapman’s most diverse and ambitious musical exploration to date. “I’m not sure if it’s a weakness or a strength, but I’ve always been a man without a genre,” he adds with a laugh. “On one hand, I think the Christian market could embrace this because there are plenty of songs that are overtly spiritual without any apologies whatsoever. In that sense, it’s probably more spiritual than anything I’ve ever done before, and sonically, it’s probably leaning more country than anything I’ve done before, which is where my roots lie. A lot of the songs are pop country, but there are three or four songs that could definitely be called aggressive pop music, not unlike ‘Sweet Glow of Mercy,’ but with a little more seasoning.”
Even with all the time he’s spent diving in other directions, Chapman undoubtedly fires on all cylinders throughout The Truth, sounding much richer vocally and seeming even more comfortable in his own skin than he did while topping the charts countless times throughout the 1990s and 2000s. The fact that affirmations have poured in like lightening on social media have only confirmed his calling to continue making music and even begin writing his highly anticipated memoirs (slated to hit shelves next year).
“People are so supportive it’s ridiculous, and they’re also curious about what it will sound like and what I have to say,” he observes. “I would say my audience appreciates family, abhors pretense and posturing, loves to laugh alongside ‘Duck Dynasty’, likes to dance during a fast song, wants to cry during a sad song and doesn’t mind failure as long as you’re honest about it. They are forgivers because they are forgiven. I think probably to my detriment, I sort of chose to embrace the rebel or bad boy moniker many years ago for reasons that will come out in the book I’m working on. I don’t regret the choice because it has put me in a position to help a lot of hurting people, but it does have a downside. People assume you’re darker than you actually are, and I really want this particular musical statement to set the record straight in that regard.”
While The Truth is without a doubt the most transparent window into Chapman’s heart and soul in his entire career thus far, he simply hopes it will show listeners his true self. “My family and friends are my life, they’re everything to me really, and my local church is also a primary focus where I serve as an elder,” he asserts. “I’m excited for people to hear what I have to say about it all and I’m also very anxious to get back on the road, not only to play, but also to connect with everyone again after all this time.”
Words from the Gary Chapman website.
Discography
The Truth
Merf Music Group 2013
Tracks: Freedom, Where You're Going, If God Had A Front Porch (feat. Alison Krauss), Ain't Got a Prayer, How Great a God, Safe From the Wind, Widow of the South, Put It In His Hands (feat. Sarah Chapman), All About a Baby (feat. Cassie Chapman), The Wisdom of Age, Everything I Know, When I Say (feat. Rebecca Lynn Howard), I Didn't Find Jesus, That's God, Twenty Bucks Away & The Rough Crowd (feat. Tanya Tucker & John Rich).
Musicians on the Truth album: Gary Chapman and others.
Circles And Seasons
Crowne Records 2002
Tracks: Nothing to Hide, I Need Jesus, All I Ever Have To Be, Like I Love You Now, He Thinks I Hung The Moon, Leave What's Left, Jackson And Jesus, I Hear A Call, Walk On & 24/7.
Musicians on the Circles And Seasons album: Gary Chapman and others.
After God´s Own Heart
Reunion Records 2001
Tracks: A Man After Your Own Heart, Outside, Sweet Jesus, Sweet Glow Of Mercy, Elijah, Gospel Ship, Where Are The Broken Hearts, Daddy Cut My Hair, Nothing Without You, Floodgates Of Love, Heal Me, Anything's Possible, Finally, Back Where I Started & Mary Did You Know.
Musicians on the After God´s Own Heart album: Gary Chapman and others.
Outside
Reunion Records 1999
Tracks: Nothing Without You, I Will Wait, Daddy Cut My Hair, Outside, Hold On, I Love You I Do You Bet, Let Evening Come, As Good As Goodbye Gets, Learning To Love & The Way You've Shown Me How.
Musicians on the Outside album: Gary Chapman and others.
Hymns From The Ryman
Word Records 1997
Tracks: Sunday At The Ryman, Amazing Grace, Sweet Hour Of Prayer, Jesu; Joy Of Man´s Desiring, Softly And Tenderly, This Is My Father´s World, Fairest Lord Jesus, ´Tis So Sweet, Holy Holy Holy & The Lord Bless You And Keep You.
Musicians on the Hymns From The Ryman album: Gary Chapman and others.
This Gift
Reunion Records 1997
Tracks: Hark The Herald Angels Sing, I'll Be Home For Christmas, Mary Did You Know, O Holy Night, Part Of Heaven, Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Silent Night, Christmas Song & This Gift.
Musicians on the The Gift album: Gary Chapman and others.
Early Years
Reunion Records 1996
Tracks: Feelin' Right, The Secret Of Love, Love Is A Name, Father's Eyes, Sincerely Yours, I'm Yours, No Time At All, I Wanna Be Loved By You, Treasure & Finally.
Musicians on the The Early Years album: ary Chapman and others.
Shelter
Reunion Records 1996
Tracks: Anything's Possible, Back Where I Started, Chains Of Clay, Don't Be A Stranger, Gospel Ship, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, If You Ever Need Me, Man After Your Own Heart, Nothing Wrong With You, One Of Two, Soldiers Of The Soul & Written In The Scars.
Musicians on the Shelter album: Gary Chapman and others.
The Light Inside
Reunion Records 1994
Tracks: Where Are The Broken Hearts, Sweet Glow Of Mercy, Give Me Tomorrow, Floodgates Of Love, Love Will Be Our Anchor, Finally, Heal Me, Razor's Edge, Treasure, We Can, Make It Right Tonight & Sweet Jesus.
Musicians on the Light Inside album: Gary Chapman and others.
Everyday Man
RCA Records 1988
Tracks: Everyday Man, When We're Together, Love History, Breakin' Hearts, Love Like Blood, Around The World, The Hurt Is Worth The Chance, Love That Girl, Cecil & Your Love Stays With Me.
Musicians on the Everyday Man album: Gary Chapman and others.
Happenin´Live
Lion & Lamb Records 1983
Tracks: Feelin' Right, The Secret of Love, Father's Eyes, Treasure, In His Hand, Playin' in the Street, You Need a Hero, Always, Finally & I'm Yours.
Musicians on the Happenin´Live album: Gary Chapman and others.
Sincerely Yours
Lion & Lamb Records 1981
Tracks: No Time At All, I Wanna Be Loved By You, Love is a Name, Open Up My Eyes, Sincerely Yours, The Secret of Love, Anywhere, I'd Really Like to Tell You, Feelin' Right & One Hope.
Musicians on the Sincerely Yours album: Gary Chapman and others.