Gary Chapman

Gary Winther Chapman (born August 19, 1957) is an American contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter and former television talk show host.

Early life and music career Born in Waurika, Oklahoma, Chapman grew up in De Leon, Texas, the son of an Assemblies of God pastor, Rev. Terry W. Chapman, who ministered for 56 years before his death in 2009.

Chapman moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and was later hired as guitar player for The Rambos. In 1979, his song "Father's Eyes" was recorded as the title track to Amy Grant's Grammy-nominated second album My Father's Eyes. In 1982, his song "Finally", recorded by T. G. Sheppard, reached No. 1 on the country music charts. He also received a Dove Award as Songwriter of the Year from the Gospel Music Association in 1981.

During the rest of the 1980s and the early 1990s, Chapman continued to write, record, and produce music, while touring as an opening act for various artists. He sang "Brave Hearts" in 1987 for the Touchstone Pictures film Ernest Goes to Camp. He also collaborated with numerous artists in the singing of "Amazing Grace" in the 1994 film Maverick.

He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album in 1994 for The Light Inside. The album also resulted in a Dove Award nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year, and yielded a contemporary Christian music chart No. 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. At the 1998 Dove Awards, his album Hymns From The Ryman, featuring him and other artists, won Country Album of the Year.

Television career In the middle of 1996, The Nashville Network announced that Chapman would replace Tom Wopat as host of their evening talk show, Prime Time Country. The show ended after 1999. Chapman went on to produce Muzik Mafia on CMT as well as appearing numerous times on the network's Gone Country as a songwriting mentor. Chapman, along with John Rich and Big Kenny (the country duo Big and Rich) traveled to Vietnam to document the story of Niles Harris, a Vietnam veteran, in the production of The 8th of November: A True Story of Pain and Honor. Chapman produced, wrote, directed, and scored the documentary.

Radio show host

Gary Chapman hosted the weekly syndicated program CCM Countdown.

Personal life Chapman married Amy Grant on June 19, 1982. Grant filed for divorce from Chapman in March 1999, citing "irreconcilable differences", and the divorce was finalized in June 1999.

Chapman married Jennifer Pittman in July 2000. Chapman and Pittman divorced in 2007. The couple began a project called A Hymn a Week in 2010 to honor the musical heritage left to Chapman by his parents.

He is a licensed helicopter pilot, and once surprised his friend and fellow Christian singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman (no relation) by landing in his yard.

Discography

Albums Year Title Peak chart positions Label US CCM US US Heat 1981 Sincerely Yours Lamb & Lion 1983 Happenin'... Live 1987 Everyday Man 26 Reunion 1994 The Light Inside 10 1996 The Early Years Lamb & Lion Shelter 7 192 12 Reunion 1997 This Gift 16 16 1998 Hymns from the Ryman Word 1999 Outside Reunion 2002 The Best of Gary Chapman: After God's Own Heart Circles and Seasons Word 2013 The TruthElevate Entertainment

Singles Year Single US Country Album 1988 "When We're Together (Love's So Strong)" 60 Everyday Man "Everyday Man" 76