Gary Chapman (musician)

Gary Chapman (born August 19, 1957 in Waurika, Oklahoma) is a Contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter and former television talk show host.

Biography

The son of an Assemblies of God pastor, Gary Chapman grew up in De Leon, Texas. He performed in bands throughout high school and college. After college, he moved to Nashville and was hired as bass player for The Rambos.

In 1979, his song "Father's Eyes"' was recorded as the title track to Amy Grant's second album. In 1982, his song "Finally" recorded by T. G. Sheppard reached #1 on the country music charts. He also received a Dove Award as Songwriter of the Year from the Gospel Music Association. That same year, he married Grant.

During the rest of the 1980s and the early 1990s, Chapman continued to write, record, and produce music, while touring as an opening act and bass player for Grant.

His career reached new heights in the middle of the 1990s. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album in 1994. "The Light Inside" also resulted in a Dove Award nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year. It also yielded a contemporary Christian music chart #1 song, "Sweet Glow of Mercy." He won a second Dove Award in 1994 for co-producing the album, "Songs From The Loft", featuring various artists.

In April 1996, Chapman won Male Vocalist of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards. His 1996 album, "Shelter," delivered another #1, "One of Two," with "Man After Your Own Heart" resulting in a Dove Award for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year and featuring on the Dove award winning Special Event Album of the Year, "My Utmost for His Highest". "Shelter" also received a 1997 Grammy nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.

He sang "Brave Hearts" in 1987 for the Touchstone Pictures film Ernest Goes to Camp.

Television career

In the middle of 1996, Dick Clark Productions and The Nashville Network announced Chapman would replace Tom Wopat as host of their signature evening talk show, "Prime Time Country". The show experienced improved ratings under Chapman, and kept the network's tradition of having a daily talk show, a network staple since its 1983 introduction (first with Ralph Emery, then Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase), but ended after 1999 because of MTV Networks' takeover of the CBS Cable Group. MTV shelved TNN in favour of starting an adult male-oriented network (now Spike TV), which also shut down CBS Cable Group and the network's Nashville, Tennessee and Concord, North Carolina operations, since TNN was based out of both offices.

At the 1998 Dove Awards, his album also featuring other artists, "Hymns From The Ryman," won Country Album Of The Year.

Divorce

Chapman and Grant had three children together; Matt, Millie and Sarah. They were divorced in 1999. He married Jennifer Pitman in July 2000, four months after Grant's wedding to Vince Gill.They are now separated.

Problems

On September 26, 2006, Nashville Metro Police reported that Chapman was arrested for speeding and alleged drunk driving.

Discography

* "Circles and Seasons" (2002) - Word Entertainment
* "The Best of Gary Chapman: After God's Own Heart" (2002) - Reunion Records
* "Outside" (1999) - Reunion Records
* "Hymns from the Ryman" (1998) - Word Nashville
* "This Gift" (1997) - Reunion Records
* "Shelter" (1996) - Reunion Records
* "The Early Years" (1996) - Reunion Records
* "The Light Inside" (1994) - Reunion Records
* "Everyday Man" (1987) - Reunion Records
* "Happenin'... Live" (1983) - Lion & Lamb Records
* "Sincerely Yours" (1981) - Lion & Lamb Records

External links

*imdb name|id=0152376|name=Gary Chapman

References