Beth Nielsen Chapman

* Peace Jam Guitar Auction . December 7 - 17, 2009 *

2009-11-30T10:15:00.001-06:00

Last September I had a wonderful opportunity to attend a gathering of amazing people from all over the world. It was called "Connecting For Change" and it included some of the most innovative, creative, brilliant people I've ever met. Each one with a story so powerful I felt very honored to be there and be a part of it.

I made connections with several people there that I believe will continue to unfold into interesting and fulfilling opportunities for years to come. I also had the pleasure of reconnecting with some of the women Nobel Laureates that I had met through working with Peacejam, and also to see Dawn Engle, the founder of Peacejam (along with her husband Ivan Suvanjieff).

One of the connections I made at Connecting For Change, however, has already brought to fruition a dream that I've had for a few years now.

As I was attending a luncheon during the C4C conference, I was sitting with Lynn Twist (author of "The Soul Of Money") and I began telling her my story about having created these five guitars for "Peacejam", a wonderful organization near and dear to my heart, that puts winners of the Nobel Peace Prize together with high school aged kids and creates a most incredible opportunity for mutual inspiration. Peacejam helps to create a basic sense of direction and purpose for the kids lucky enough to be exposed to the powerful stories and a connection to the Nobels.

So, in 2006, on their 10th Anniversary, I brought to Peacejam 5 hand painted Taylor guitars. I ended up getting all the Nobels to sign the back of each guitar...including Archbishop Tutu and His Holiness! After the Peacejam Anniversary Celebration there was a lot going on for the founders and staff with 10 or 11 Nobels to get back to the airport. So I put the 5 guitars into climate controlled storage in Denver. There they have hibernated since 2006! Not really knowing the best way to auction them off and being very busy myself as an independent, world traveling recording artist, I just waited to connect with the right person to help.

So I tell all this to Lynn, who is smiling as I finish my tale. She points across to the other table and says: "Why don't you go introduce yourself to that gentleman over there? He founded Ebay!"

So of course I did! And it has led to a wonderful thing happening....the guitars are going up for auction on Ebay Dec 7-17th!

Please pass this along to everyone you know who may be interested.

We'd love to get the word out about the guitars....! Here's some info on them as well as a poster showing some of the Nobels signing the guitars....which are truly collectors items--and also are very fabulous playable instruments, with the exception of the white one, painted by an amazing artist McKay Otto--he felt compelled to silence the voice of the guitar for peace.....it's an incredibly moving piece of art...as are the other 4 guitars!

Read the Peacejam Guitar Story HERE.

FALL 2009

2009-11-20T09:43:00.014-06:00

Beth Nielsen Chapman

Back To Love

(BNC Records)

January 25, 2010

Beth’s first mainstream pop album release in six years!

Major UK Tour in Feb & March 2010.

JANUARY 2010

25 . Royal Festival Hall Glasgow

FEBRUARY 2010

03 . Grand Opera House, Belfast
14 . St Albans Arena

15 . York The Grand Opera House

17 . Brighton Corn Exchange

18 . Treorci Park & Dare Theatre

19 . Salisbury City Hall

21 . Cambridge Corn Exchange

22 . London Cadogan Hall

23 . Basingstoke Anvil*

26 . Derby Assembly Hall

27 . Birmingham Town Hall

28 . Newcastle Tyne Theatre

MARCH 2010

1 . Perth Concert Hall

3 . Aberdeen Music Hall

4 . Inverness Eden Court Theatre
6 . Llandudno Cymru

7 . Manchester Bridgewater Hall

8 . Bristol Colston Hall
*Basingstoke on sale 25/11/2009

Also....at long last I'm happy to say that the "PeaceJam" guitars are going to be made available in the world! To find out all about Peacejam you can check out the backstory on the Huffington Post!

And then...to find out all about the story on the Peacejam guitars...look HERE

So now it's been several years since the 10 Year Anniversary and the guitars have been "hibernating" in a lovely climate controlled storage space in Denver. Just waiting for the right situation to come along for them to be auctioned.

In September I was singing at a Peace Summit in Vancouver which was a gathering of many of the Nobels along with the Dalai Lama and people from all over the world. Bob Geldof was also in town. Here I am pictured with Michael McDonald (The Doobee Brothers) and Paul Rogers (Bad Company) and Bob, who won a Humanitarian Award for his work with the African Children's Choir.

And here are some shots of the performance with the African Children's choir....it was such fun!

I also was really thrilled to meet Sarah McLaughlin at one of the dinners I attended. Mike McDonald and I sang "Peace" which is a song we wrote some years back...and I've just recorded for my new record. Sarah was kind enough to come up and sing a song as well....she sang "Angel"....one of my favorites...and asked me to sing harmonies!! That was incredible fun!

And here are some of the gorgeous children from the choir!!

Anyway....during one of the luncheons associated with the Peace Summit, I was sitting next to Lynn Twist--the author of the book "The Soul Of Money". I was telling Lynn about the Peacejam guitars and my wanting to find some way to maximize their auctioning so that the most money could be made for Peacejam...Lynn turned to me and said, "You should go to the next table and introduce yourself to Pierre...he started Ebay! With that I approached the founder of Ebay, Pierre Omidy! He was the perfect connection I was seeking for this situation.

The rest has been easy...Pierre told me about a special program they have at Ebay for not-for-profit organizations. So all the introductions have been made and the guitars will be put up on Ebay for auction Dec 7- 17th starting at 4PM (PST)!!

eBay Giving Works . How each of us can make a difference for all of us!

WorldOfGood.com by eBay . Where your shopping shapes the world...

MicroPlace . Invest Wisely, End Poverty.

So... BE ON THE LOOKOUT!!

In other news I just finished a great fun show in Battle Creek Michigan for the Foodbank. Bob Randels and all the good folks of Battle Creek couldn't have been more wonderful! We had a full house and the audience was so great...it was also really special to have the whole band together again for the gig!

Don't forget!
Coming up December 26-Jan 2 I'll be part of an amazing deeply inspiring retreat with Mary Gauthier and Darrell Scott!

DETAILS HERE

xoxo BNC

*** ANNOUNCING * BNC * 2010 UK TOUR DATES! ***

2009-11-15T11:36:00.009-06:00

Beth Nielsen Chapman

special guest

Marcus Hummon

JANUARY 2010

25 . Royal Festival Hall Glasgow

FEBRUARY 2010

03 . Grand Opera House, Belfast
14 . St Albans Arena

15 . York The Grand Opera House

17 . Brighton Corn Exchange

18 . Treorci Park & Dare Theatre

19 . Salisbury City Hall

21 . Cambridge Corn Exchange

22 . London Cadogan Hall

23 . Basingstoke Anvil*

26 . Derby Assembly Hall

27 . Birmingham Town Hall

28 . Newcastle Tyne Theatre

MARCH 2010

1 . Perth Concert Hall

3 . Aberdeen Music Hall

4 . Inverness Eden Court Theatre

6 . Llandudno Cymru

7 . Manchester Bridgewater Hall

8 . Bristol Colston Hall

*Basingstoke on sale 25/11/2009

TICKET INFO

I HEART Benefits Cancer Schmancer

2009-11-11T09:05:00.011-06:00

I HEART presents a benefit for Cancer Schmancer hosted by Fran Drescher

Line-up: Jackson Browne , The Bird and the Bee, Olivia-Newton John, Beth Nielsen Chapman, The Whispertown2000, Chris Pierce, Arrica Rose & the...'s, Charlotte Martin, Caitlin Crosby, Charlyne Yi, Mortified, and more!
Date: December 13th, 2009 7pm doors 6pm
Location: The Million Dollar Theatre - 307 S. Broadway, Los Angeles
Comprehensive Info: http://www.iheartinc.com/milliondollarrevival.cfm
Direct Ticket Link: http://milliondollarrevival.eventbrite.com/

BNC, Olivia, Richard Marx at a Benefit for HealthyChildHealtyWorld

* Costa Rica Workshop * Join Us! ***

2009-11-01T11:14:00.000-06:00

October 2009

2009-10-31T23:55:00.002-05:00

We had an amazing weekend at the Stargaze 2009!

Thank you all incredible participants...we had such a perfect combination of talent...and our drive-by-genius-songwriters Darrell Scott and Mary Gauthier blew us all away!

Darrell started us off...and set the tone for a beautiful talk on the power of creativity and the unquestionable gift we all have and how important it is for each of us to embrace our "inner permission slip". I think he referred to it as a "get out of jail card free"! It was so inspiring....

And then Mary Gauthier stepped into the circle with her great song and a challenge to us all to dig deep for our truth in our writing.

Among our other guest teachers we had the pleasure of meeting Allison Stillman and learning about the power of essential oils in the creative process. Deeply spiritual and yet very routed in science and brain chemistry...it all fit in perfectly with astronomy believe it or not! Allee's teaching on the oils was very experiential...and everyone went home with their own custom blend for creativity!

And Paul Reisler, easily one of the most in demand teachers in North America...taught 2 Master classes. He also opened up the Stargaze with one of his breathtaking performances. Just below you can see me hugging Allee...not only do I love her...but she always smells SOOOOOOO good!

Of course Rocky Alvey blew our Cosmic socks off again....delving into mind-bending astronomical stuff that just seemed to tie everything about Creativity together....plus he performed a new song for us he has written for a movie! He's really been holding out on is kids. He will never do another Stargaze without performing a song! I mean...he flips a good burger...but he's got GREAT songs up his oven glove!

Gabrielle's food was once again a focal point....and it was all over way too soon! Thank you NSAI, Doak at The Nashville Muse, The Music Row Show, and Dan Har at Music News Nashville for the help with bringing us some great songwriters this year!!

And last but not least...please consider coming to the Costa Rica Songwriting Intensive! And also pass this information along for us! This is going to be such a life changing creativity growing experience! I've already started writing songs just thinking about it!
For anyone that can come...you will be amazed at the value of what you'll come away with...all details HERE!

Happy Creating!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxBNC

Dave Polmeroy, Craig Krampf, Bill Lloyd & Danny Flowers

2009-10-31T10:29:00.001-05:00

I had a blast performing "Every Day People" with powerhouse band Dave Polmeroy, Craig Krampf, Bill Lloyd & Danny Flowers for the First Amendment Center Celebration of the music of 1969!

The First Amendment Center

2009-10-31T10:23:00.002-05:00

BNC recently caught up with the legendary John Seigenthaler at the Bluebird Cafe performance for the First Amendment Center.

Songwriting INTENSIVE Workshop in COSTA RICA

2009-10-21T19:41:00.008-05:00

Join Darrell Scott, Mary Gauthier and Beth Nielsen Chapman in Costa Rica from December 26, 2009 to January 2, 2010 in SONGWRITING INTENSIVE as the class explores Songwriting, The Creative Process and Spirit.

Ring in the New Year with fellow songwriters and recommit to the writers life as the calendar moves forward another year. Look down the mountain, from 5000 feet above, at the fireworks in the valley below!

We will have:

daily classes, discussions with Darrell, Mary and Beth leading the intensives
a nightly open mic for the class to share songs with each other
a community we have created to share songs, get feedback and support from each other
a retreat space that, we swear, encourages energy to flow
yoga classes included in the price
options for the best body/energy work we have ever had
3 incredible wholesome and healthy meals per day
options for Wednesday outings (whitewater rafting, volcano visits, beach day, canopy adventures)
a final evening concert for the entire community by Mary, Beth and Darrell

Registration is now open!

To make a reservation, please contact Di Chapman at 888-767-7375 ext. 225 or email reservations@puravidaspa.com. Check out more information and learn about the beautiful resort online at PuraVidaSpa.com! Prices are all inclusive (excluding airfare)

Tent – double: $1350 . single: $1615

Standard – double: $1420 . single: $1750

Deluxe – double: $1555 . single: $1955

Super Deluxe – double: $1710 . single: $2260

Suite – double: $1875 . single: $2600

Rates include 7 night accommodations, 3 meals per day, round-trip airport transfers, use of yoga hall and props and the Songwriting Intensive Workshop. Gratuities not included.

Professor Sakena Yacoobi

2009-10-15T11:46:00.001-05:00

BNC met the amazing Professor Sakena Yacoobi at the recent Peace Summit in Vancouver. Professor Sakena is President and Executive Director of the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL), an Afghan women-led NGO she founded in 1995. The organization was established to provide teacher training to Afghan women, to support education for boys and girls, and to provide health education to women and children. AIL is a groundbreaking, visionary organization which works at the grassroots and empowers women and communities to find ways to bring education and health services to rural and poor urban girls, women and other poor and disenfranchised Afghans. AIL was the first organization to offer human rights and leadership training to Afghan women and supported 80 underground home schools for 3000 girls in Afghanistan after the Taliban closed girls’ schools in the 1990s. Professor Sakena is truly a remarkable woman doing remarkable things all over the world to focus attention on the urgent need for women’s rights, education and healthcare in Afghanistan and beyond.

Learn more by visiting Creating Hope International.

2009 Stargaze Weekend Schedule

2009-10-13T11:49:00.093-05:00

Friday, October 16

5:00 - 9:00pm

Registration, cookout, songswap, howdy & shake. If you would like an adult beverage with your cookout fare, you are welcome to bring your own!

Saturday, October 17

9:00am - 9:15am

Bagels & Coffee

9:30am

Introductions followed by "Lift Off" Master Class with Beth

12:30pm

Lunch by Gabrielle

1:30pm

"Melody" Master Class with Paul Reisler

3:00pm

"Sand and Stars" with Rocky Alvey

3:30pm

"Harmony & Chord Structure" with Paul Reisler

5:00pm

Song Critiques with Beth and Paul

"Tone Essence" in the Star Chamber with Allison Stillman

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Dinner Break. Out to eat or bring yours back to enjoy at the observatory.

* Critiques will resume at 6:30pm.

7:30pm - 9:45pm

Great Bid Ol' Song Swap & Fire Pit!

Sunday, October 18

9:00am - 9:15am

Bagels and Coffee

9:30am - 10:45am

Finding Your Voice with Beth

Creativity and the 10 Senses

10:45am - 12:15pm

Allison Stillman

12:15pm

Lunch by Gabrielle

1:15pm

Drive by GENIUS - songwriter Darrell Scott

2:00pm

Drive by GENIUS - songwriter Mary Gauthier

2:45pm

"A Sense of Balance" with Rocky Alvey

3:15pm

"The Essence of Balance in The Chaos of Creativity" with Beth

3:45pm

"Balancing Essence" with Allison

4:00pm - 4:15pm

Tea Time

4:15pm

Critiques with Beth and Paul

6:30pm

Go Forth and Create!

** We will have guitars and keyboards set up at the workshop. If you would like to bring your own guitar, feel free to do so!

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC! Hyde Park, London

2009-10-06T00:20:00.001-05:00

BNC recently performed at the

Thank You For The Music tribute to ABBA

in London's Hyde Park with Kylie Minogue, Tim Rice, Siobhan McCarthy, Elaine Page, Siobhan again, and Lulu! British Royalty!!

African Childrens Choir

2009-10-02T00:26:00.002-05:00

Night before last was a blast! Singing for the African Children's Choir was just amazing.

Pictured here clockwise from upper left, BNC with: Ray Barnett (founder, African Children's Choir), the kids!, Bob Geldof (who won an award for service), Sir Ken Robinson with daughter, and Matthieu Ricard!

Michael McDonald, Bob Geldof and Archbishop Desmond Tutu

2009-09-30T02:26:00.000-05:00

Bob Geldof was honored with Archbishop Tutu at the Vancouver fundraiser where Michael McDonald, Sarah McLaughlin and BNC performed. The Malaika Award was presented to Bob for his dedication and commitment to serve the children of Africa.

Sarah McLaughlin, Michael McDonald and Archbishop Desmond Tutu

2009-09-29T12:37:00.003-05:00

BNC was so happy to meet and sing with Sarah McLaughlin at a fundraising party in Vancouver honoring Archbishop Desmond Tutu....they sang "Angel" together....

She performed with Michael McDonald at the same gala event....pictured below.

( L to R, Dr. Robert Sherman, BNC, Sarah, Amy McDonald, Mike McDonald )

African Childrens Choir 25th Anniversary Gala

2009-09-27T20:58:00.002-05:00

The internationally acclaimed African Children’s Choir is celebrating their 25th Anniversary on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver, BC. The Gala will feature performances by the African Children’s Choir with friends Beth Nielson Chapman, Paul Rodgers, and Michael McDonald. Sir Bob Geldof will be presented with the prestigious Malaika Award – Malaika meaning “Angel” in Swahili – for his dedicated and extraordinary commitment to Africa.

The African Children’s Choir has been helping Africa’s most vulnerable children for 25 years this month. Their purpose: to raise awareness of the plight of the orphaned and abandoned, but also show the beauty, dignity, and potential of each African child. With a focus on education, the Choir is currently caring for several thousand underprivileged children throughout Africa. These are children who could have lost all hope, but have overcome their circumstances and now are making a positive impact on society by being a voice for millions of children suffering in Africa.

2009 Vancouver Peace Summit with the Dalai Lama

2009-09-26T18:50:00.003-05:00

BNC is incredibly honored to be invited to Connecting for Change, a three-day dialogue for corporate and social leaders and philanthropists that will focus on questions related to universal themes of compassion, community, and peace. This exciting dialogue is an integral part of the 2009 Vancouver Peace Summit with the Dalai Lama!

On Sunday, Sept. 27 at 9:00am pst/12:00pm CTV will live stream the Peace Summit so you can take part! See the Dalai Lama in dialogue with Nobel Peace Laureates and distinguished guests including Eckhart Tolle, Matthieu Ricard, Maria Shriver, Steven Covey and others.

I truly believe that individuals can make a difference in society. Since periods of change such as the present one come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world.

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Honoring Archbishop Desmond Tutu

2009-09-26T18:35:00.000-05:00

BNC to perform with Michael McDonald at a dinner honoring Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Sun, Sept. 27th as part of the 2009 Vancouver Peace Summit with the Dalai Lama!

*

2009-09-25T20:34:00.000-05:00

For the first time this year we are offering Scholarships for a few lucky winners! If you would like to apply for a scholarship to this years Stargaze please send an mp3 of one song & written lyric to us at bncnews (at) me.com. We offer this at a rate of $45.00 per scholarship to cover some of the basic costs for materials.
The songs will be reviewed and then a drawing will be held for the top 20 entries. If you have already signed up for the Stargaze you are still eligible to apply for a scholarship!

NEW LIMITED EDITION EP FEATURING "SHADOWS" FROM THE UPCOMING BACK TO LOVE

2009-09-25T20:28:00.000-05:00

Available now at bethnielsenchapman.com!

Something New For Stargaze 2009

2009-09-24T21:26:00.001-05:00

Aromatherapy to Inspire the Muse
The use of essential oils to relax the mind and allow the inspired muse to come forward and play the strings of our heart, has been practiced for thousands of years. We will journey into the fragrances used to bring about inspired creativity and passionate expression.

This year at Stargaze while thinking of changing your perception and finding your center all at the same time, we're going to have a real treat with a presentation from a Master of Aromatherapy! Allison Stillman will be coming to illustrate for us the amazing connection creativity has to your aural senses! "What's that got to do with songwriting?" you may ask.

Well I have been thinking about this one for a while...it occurred to me that there were some "comfort patterns" I've developed over the years when I'm writing that, on a subliminal level, have played a part in my working through to the end of writing a song. I just didn't really pinpoint until recently how much "aroma" could affect my writing mood shifts. For instance, there's a certain essential oil candle I like to light when I sit down to work on a lyric. It's like my "lyric writing candle" and it has a certain fragrance that, for whatever reason, I associate with coming up with good lines. Now I can't prove anything by this....but it works for me! And since the whole creative process is magical anyway why not go with it?

Allison will actually be able to tell us in much more concrete and scientific terms, why that candle may have actually helped me to finish up some lyrics through the power of aromatherapy. She'll share with us her wealth of knowledge that combines the divine secrets with modern research in the study of essential oils for over 35 years, of this primordial art. She will also create a one of a kind blend for this workshop!

*

2009-09-23T20:58:00.000-05:00

Sign Up For The 2009 Creativity Stargaze

This year's Stargaze will be a blast!
Not to mention the blast of fall color from the leaves! We are going to have some amazing deep exploration into the mystery of creativity using all of our senses.
Being in the setting of the Dyer Observatory, we'll have all of space to inspire us. You'll look through the telescope and check out Jupiter as well as traveling inward to connect with the endless resources of creativity within you. Each of us holds a unique point in the universe. The Creativity Stargaze is about stepping fully into the power of our own unique perspective and creating from the center that we hold. When doing that, one cannot help but be original!

I have been teaching workshops on creativity and songwriting for many years. My style of teaching is very similar to my style of writing. Often I look out on the faces of students waiting for me to show them "how" to write a song. Well the paradox is, that the very first part of stepping into the creative flow is to surrender into "not knowing". I want to guide the students into a place of "lift off" which allows the space and oxygen needed in the beginning to really have something to work with. Learning how to not judge and to play until there's this beautiful, although still not quite defined "lump of clay" that comes through--an idea, or a part of a melody. You can learn to distract the ever-opinionated "critic" or "editor" until it's needed later. There will be many tips and tools you can learn to help streamline the editing process and then re-invite the creative spirit back in- in the process of the second draft.

I will also be doing critiques of songs as well as working with the voice and presentation of the song...I'll weave in the principles of "singing with your speaking voice" which is an amazingly freeing way to sing! Doing this, a singer of any level will dramatically improve and find much more energy available when performing.

We are going to have some amazing guests starting with the legendary Paul Reisler!
Paul has been performing, composing, and teaching for over 30 years and is unquestionably one of the most popular songwriting teachers in North America.He provides a comprehensive and wonderfully digestible wealth of knowledge about songwriting and song structure. A teacher for many years and in high demand, Paul, songwriter, composer, songwriting teacher and founder of the musical group Trapezoid is also the founder and creator of "Kid Pan Alley" which was featured on NPR's "Morning Edition."

We'll have a few "Drive-by-Genius-Songwriters" popping in......this year we have a great poet and songwriter, Mary Gauthier coming by to share her secrets with us! There will also be a couple of other surprise Geniuses showing up....so stay tuned!

The "Rock" AKA Rocky Alvey, astronomer-genius and caretaker of the Observatory, will also be taking us on a few mind-widening voyages that will blast your intellectual boundaries with incredible concepts of space and time and forever shift your perception about your unique place in this world and how important you are and how what you have to say is fascinating. You owe it to the universe to wake up your inner writer!

You don't have to be a professional songwriter to love this workshop. Any form of creativity may apply!

This adventure includes tips, tools, song critiques, guitar-pulling, bonfires, and fantastic food! Friday evening will be a cookout/guitar pull and bring your own beverage kind of thing. And then get ready for bonfires, story swapping, and spontaneous "Drive-By-Hit-Songwriters" not to mention incredible home cooked organic lunch each day by Gabrielle Middlestadt!

Sign Up and I will see you there!! ☺BNC

Festival Of Homiletics 2009

2009-05-20T23:10:00.000-05:00

Off to Atlanta for the Festival of Homiletics! I was in the midst of some really devastatingly loud low roaring in my left ear as we drove to Atlanta. I just had to keep telling myself that even if it sounded like a train was going through my head I was going to be there to sing before Bishop Tutu spoke! And just like a dream, about an hour before I had to sing my ears cleared up. Tutu was amazing as usual and I was just so deeply happy to be there. I kind of used that upcoming performance as something to set my sights on and look forward to. It inspired me to keep moving through those first weeks of recovery...and then to be there...wow!We had a great writers in-the-round-with-theologians show one night. It was fantastic. Darrell Scott, Adrienne Young and myself each played a song and then had comments from these wonderful theologians. It was so interesting...although they all complained that it's so challenging to theologically take a song apart in the wake of it's being performed. But I thought it was an incredible way to deeply explore the feeling in the songs from a spiritual aspect.

2009 Celebration of The Arts

2009-05-14T23:01:00.000-05:00

*Top Photo Left to Right : Mabry Miller, Hugh Williams, Al Sella, BNC, Ward Swingle, and Dot Moore *

On May 13th I was honored to be the recipient of the "Distinguished Artist Award" at the "Celebration of the Arts", a black-tie event hosted by the Alabama State Council on the Arts at the Montgomery Arts Centre.

Ward Swingle, who received the "Govenor's Award", founded the "Swingle Singers" in the 1960's introducing the world to a new musical style of a capella performance which bears his name. Each of these award winners had an amazing story. I was so thrilled to be counted among them! And I was especially grateful that I was able to attend. Although I wasn't allowed to stay up and party afterward. I had to go straight to bed! But at least I got to be there.

Among the surprises was my dear friend Rodney Crowell who came to sing "Sand & Water" at the presentation. His version of it was so touching...as it was Rodney who was the first person who ever heard that song and who subsequently produced the record "Sand & Water".

It meant so much to me to see him waltz out on stage...my face hurt from smiling so hard!
And then that was followed with my son Ernest singing his version of "Say Goodnight Not Goodbye". That just did me in....you can see how miserable I look here!!:)

WOW. That Was Some Spring.

2009-05-11T22:54:00.000-05:00

I'm happy to say that I've made a full recovery and it's an enormous relief to be on this side of the last two months!

Over the past weeks as I healed through my brain surgery, I was having all sorts of challenging hearing difficulties that have now miraculously lifted. There's no guarantee that it won't resume, but for the moment I've been able to get back to mixing my next record and finish songs that have been lined up for miles!
I guess out of all the concerns going into surgery, my greatest was that I would not recover the ability to write lyrics. However in fact, one of the first thoughts I had upon awakening in the ICU was this last line of a song that I'd been trying to finish... winding through the haze of anesthesia! So that went a long way towards reassuring me. That, along with having a great Doctor!

I also noticed a big improvement in the level of my ADD. Now it's like a program on the desktop of my brain that I can use or not, as opposed to something that is running all the time. My thinking is that there's just a lot more room between my ears now. It's kind of like cleaning out the silverware drawer so you can see what you've got in there!

♥

I just want to say a note of thanks to so many friends out there who've emailed and called throughout my recovery. I appreciate everyone thinking of me and sending prayers. My fans in the UK have told me that Aled Jones and Terry Wogan have both sent get well wishes...and I just wanted to send my message back that it worked!

♥

Xoxoxo BNC

Exclusive EP From UK Tour

2009-02-12T15:21:00.000-06:00

My New EP is available while supplies last! I got so many requests for it to be available from my website we decided to do just that.

Please stay warm and for GREAT info on protecting your health and the health of your family, go to healthychild.org

xoxox BNC

Alabama Dance Theater

2009-02-11T15:19:00.000-06:00

March 5th and 6th will find me in Montgomery Alabama with the Alabama Dance Theater performing to several of my songs from "Prism" while I perform live. I'm really excited about this...hope I can watch and sing at the same time!

2009 BNC Songwriting and Creativity Stargaze

2009-01-05T14:47:00.000-06:00

This year has felt so hopeful so far...the inauguration was something to behold and it feels like America is on a great path.
I've been doing a lot of writing and working on a few different very cool projects. More about that later.

One thing I want to announce is that we are going to do the "BNC Creativity Stargaze" in October this year! Besides the fact that Rocky and I are working on a project of Astronomy songs and it's eating our spring, we also have decided that the drop dead beauty of the autumn leaves is a good reason for inspiration and that time of year is something not to miss at the Observatory. So the 2009 Stargaze will be in the fall. We don't have the specific dates yet but it will be hopefully at the height of the color explosion! We'll post soon!

Happy New Year!

2008-12-29T14:21:00.000-06:00

Have a safe and happy New Year! I'm looking forward to doing some recording for a new record in 2009....as well as some special performances coming up such as a workshop and concert performance at the Washington National Cathedral on the weekend of Feb 14th and a performance in early March in Montgomery Alabama featuring the Alabama Dance Theater performing to my songs as I sing live. You can check out all the info on these and other upcoming stuff at bethnielsenchapman.com.

Xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxo BNC

Scotland, Noerthern Ireland and England

2008-12-27T14:29:00.000-06:00

2008 has been a really full year for me (when is it not?). I had such a great time touring Scotland, with a few dates in Northern Ireland and England. Here I am hanging out with "Nessie"...... Nessie lives in there......

And performing in Inverness with some of the finest musicians in all of Scotland sitting in! Duncan Chisholm and Phil Cunningham!! ;)

In December I flew to Aspen Colorado to perform with Hal Ketchum and actor Anthony Zerbe in a theater piece called "Lime Creek Christmas" based on readings from a novel by my friend Joe Henry. Joe and I wrote "Say Goodnight" together. He's pictured here in the photo below.

Pictured left to right: Arnette Zerbe (Anthony's beautiful wife), Ann Patrice Carrigan, Joe Henry, Anthony Zerbe, BNC, Hal Ketchum, and Renick Stevenson.

I am looking forward to a great 2009! Xoxoxo BNC

BNC Live SAND & WATER from DUBLIN, IRELAND.

2008-11-06T09:07:00.000-06:00

Thank you, Vincent!

Novemember 2008 Mini Solo Tour of England and Scotland

2008-11-06T08:53:00.000-06:00

Sunday 16th BELFAST
Grand Opera House 02890 241 919

Tuesday 18th BIRMINGHAM
Glee Club 0871 472 0400

Wednesday 19th BARNSLEY
Emmanuel Church 01226 321 511

Thursday 20th BUXTON
Opera House 0845 127 2190

Sunday 23rd LANGHOLM
Buccleuch Centre 01387 381 196

Monday 24th LATHONES
The Stable Inn 01334 840 494

Wednesday 26th INVERNESS
The Ironworks 0871 789 4173

Friday 28th BANCHORY
Woodend Barn 01330 825 431

For more information visit my Touring Page.

MORE October 2008

2008-11-06T08:45:00.000-06:00

Hi folks!

Happy Halloween! October has flown by! I played shows in Austin Texas, Loveland Colorado, and Mesa Arizona on my October mini-tour. I brought my son Ernest Chapman on bass, Tripp Dudley, my nephew, on world percussion and drums and John Ragusa on flutes, vocals, harp and conch shell. Here the guys are hanging around the extraordinary beauty of Sedona. Thanks to Bob Zucker and his lovely wife Debbie we got to see some gorgeous countryside on our day off!

I'm looking forward to heading over the pond in a couple weeks to do a some shows and radio. Starting with the Belfast Grand Opera House (what a room!) followed by Birmingham, and the Buxton Opera House, etc. You can go to bethnielsenchapman.com for full details. We'll also be heading up through Scotland in some areas I've never seen. This time around I'll be playing solo with some accompaniment from the stellar Maart Allcock on bass, vocals etc.

The big news is that I'm releasing a super exclusive 5 song EP just for this little tour. It won't be available on my website or record stores, only at the gigs! The EP includes the original 4 track demos of "Sand & Water" and "No One Knows But You" and "Fair Enough". The collection also has a holiday song I wrote with Melissa Manchester and Matt Rollings called "There's Still My Joy" and a cover of "Love Me Tender". I just heard that they are already playing "There's Still My Joy" in Belfast!

Starting November 10th, "There's Still My Joy" and "Love Me Tender" will be available for download on itunes in the UK. But the EP will only be at the gigs. Here's the cover art...

More to come! ☺BNC

Vintage Video! "That's the Easy Part"

2008-11-06T08:43:00.000-06:00

IMC Uses THE FLAME For A Worthy Cause

2008-11-06T08:30:00.000-06:00

International Medical Corps - (kind of a Doctors Without Borders org.) Has been using "The Flame" in a series of videos to their story. They've been selected by Amex as part of Amex's Members Project where members direct dollars to causes - one of 25 with oppt to win 1.5 million in 17 days. It's one great cause among many I know but 1.5 million could save the lives of a lot of kids.

October 2008

2008-11-06T08:13:00.000-06:00

Ok...I don't know where the summer went but I thought I'd better catch ya'll up on the last couple of months before the fall is here!

Late August found me doing a presentation workshop on the creative process at the Alabama State Council on the Arts Summer Retreat for Arts Professionals at the Cheaha State Park.

From there it was on to play in NY at the Cutting Room. What fun that was! The same night a hurricane happened to be rolling through Manhattan...but we still filled the place!

Mid September found me in LA at PeaceJam. Seven Nobels and a whole bunch of young peacemakers at Loyola Marymount. Check out peacejam.org!

Bob and I were so happy to see the Archbishop again!

Back in Nashville I had the pleasure of seeing my good friend, and the legendary Bob Harris during the week he was here for the Americana Awards. Bob also introduced me to one of his dear friends the very legendary (and incredibly down to earth) Robert Plant!

Here I am with Robert and the fabulous Buddy Miller in Buddy's studio. This is royalty on either side of me!

And Bob Harris and I wandered into the "Idle Hour" beer joint on Music Row in between interviews.

Then on September 20th the lovely Judy Collins came to perform at the Observatory. It was great to see her again, having done some shows with Judy a few years back. She sounded and looked amazing!

So coming up is ...well...lots more stuff!

This week I performed at the Bluebird on Thursday night with JD Souther, Gary Nicholson, and Radney Foster for a Obama-rama fundraiser.

Saturday afternoon (Oct 4th) BNC and band performed at the Celebration of Cultures.

Saturday night I also performed "Beautiful Fool" at the First Amendment Center Anniversary Show at the Bluebird. Whew!

Now it's off to do some dates in mid October (check the tour page on the website) and ending up in Carlsbad performing one night at Deepak Chopra's meditation retreat......then before you know it it's November!

I'm looking forward to going back over to the UK the last 2 weeks in November. I'm going to mostly be performing in Scotland with a few dates in England and a show at the Belfast Opera House as well!

I'm going to be offering an exclusive 5 song EP for sale only at my shows during the November mini-tour. More about that later!

Sorry it's so long between updates...I've been doing a lot of writing songs which means my typing time is greatly replaced by strumming!

Xoxox BNC

Ps...hey...I'm a very proud Mom...if you get a chance to go to itunes and do a search for "Team Illuminati" and you'll see my son Ernest's new CD. Write a review! I'm very excited for him...I think he made a great record!

MTV COVERS PEACEJAM GLOBAL CALL TO ACTION CONFERENCE!

2008-11-05T08:53:00.000-06:00

MTV Shows

August 2008

2008-11-05T08:42:00.000-06:00

BNC Upcoming stuff! (recent adventures coming soon!)

BNC & Band Performs in NY at "The Cutting Room" on September 6th

"The BNC Band" features NY's own John Ragusa on flute, NY native Annie Roboff on keys, Ernest Chapman & Jessie Friedman of "Team Illuminati" fame on bass & vocals, and NY based drummer/percussionist Tripp Dudley.

********************************************

September 11-13

BNC will be in LA at Peacejam's 2008 International Global Call To Action Youth Conference held at Loyola Marymound University.

Check out info on this incredible gathering of Nobel Peace Laureates and young people committed to inspiring peacemaking at PeaceJam.org.

********************************************

BNC performs for the Celebration Of Cultures
Saturday October 4th, 2008!

celebrationofcultures.org

Sat., Oct. 4, 2008

FREE ADMISSION
Centennial Park, Nashville

********************************************

Also! More dates to be posted for October. You can see most of them on the BNC Tour Page.

AND! Very soon we'll be posting the Mid-November mini-tour dates in the UK! Stay tuned!

Oh yeah! Check out the new record that's just come out on itunes by BNC's son Ernest...his band is called "Team Illuminati" and this collection Rocks!! Please check it out and send a review to itunes!! Just do a search in itunes on "Team Illuminati".

BNC Concert for PeaceJam!

2008-11-05T08:18:00.000-06:00

for ticket info go to:
http://www.bluebirdcafe.com

Beth Nielsen Chapman hosts:

PeaceJamFoundationBenefit Concert
June 17th at Bluebird Cafe
"IN-the-Round"9 PM.
Nashville, TN

Don't miss this incredible show! All proceeds will go towards scholarships to send youth from this region to the International PeaceJam Conference in Los Angeles,September 11-13, 2008.

The Lineup:

Beth Nielsen Chapman

Doyle & Debbie
(their Debut "in-the-round" at the Bluebird!)

Ernest Chapman
(Team illuminati Mastermind)

Damien Horne
(A boundary-obliterating singer/songwriter!)

BNC Newsflash and Catch up!

2008-05-20T12:54:00.000-05:00

Ok. It’s official. I’m not a natural born “blogger”. I find it so challenging just to keep up with the pace of reality these days (or has it always been ‘these days’?) I can’t bear the thought of having to recollect it all in any sort of order and type it out. So you’ll just have to bear with my intermittent memory. Once again it’s all a blur....but it’s been a full couple of months to say the least!

So I think my last entry was just prior to my Austin gig with Rodney Crowell. It was a fundraiser for “Healthy Child Healthy World” and of course anything with Rodney Crowell is already stellar!

We performed at a “green” house in Austin built by Stanley Lerman, an ecologically designed contemporary sanctuary.

This is Stan. He’s quite an amazing guy, having also been a successful clothing designer, as well as a master of yoga!

Here I am with Anne Robertson from Healthy Child Healthy World, and Rodney Crowell. I serve on the Board of HCHW. It’s a great organization!

And this is our Executive Director Christopher Gavigan. We are holding up the just released “Healthy Child Healthy World” which Christopher authored. This book is a MUST HAVE for families, especially those with small children. Don’t walk. Run out and buy it. Or order it from Amazon. Having been touched by cancer twice in my life I have been very drawn to learning about toxins that are all around us in our culture. I have to say this book covers a multitude of information on how to keep your family and yourself safe! Visit healthychild.org for more information!

Next fun adventure to talk about was this year’s BNC Creativity Stargaze! What an amazing group this year. There were so many talented people and some great surprises!
We started off with a cookout on Friday night. Thanks to Rocky doing all the cooking...except for my roasting my own marshmallows! Here are some of the workshop attendees!

Here’s Amy checking in the troops! This is Lisa Ashook signing up...Lisa is one talented lady! (So is Amy...)

Below is Anna Wolfe hanging with her hot dog at the cookout on Friday night.

We also got a chance to view the rings of Saturn on Friday night. There’s nothing a peek into a huge telescope to give you some perspective.

This is Eddie Wohlford and his lovely daughter Katie. Eddie and I used to play in a band back in the seventies called “Harmony”. This band was the hottest ticket in town in Montgomery Alabama. We played in the “Kegler’s Kove” lounge...4 hours a night six nights a week. I played there for almost 2 years! That was like going to “song college”. I’m so glad Ed and Katie could be at the Stargaze this year!

So “Blasting Off With Beth” was the first class of the day on Saturday.
This was a really fun group. Good listeners!

We all had divine lunches by Gabrielle on Saturday and Sunday.

Here’s Gabrielle explaining the mouthwatering organic food to the creative geniuses!

One of the coolest things about the Stargaze is that it is an international gathering. This year featured some incredible talent from Northern Ireland.

This is Brian Houston and Eilidh Patterson, both from Belfast, who performed a great tune they wrote together.

There was also some spontaneous post-lunch frolicking that was initiated by Anna. This was probably due to an abundance of creative energy brought on by the fab food and overall inspiration of spring!

And then it was on to Rocky’s talk about the universe. This is always mind-bending and it’s a great wake up call for the part of us that wants to take things too seriously. Rocky’s a great songwriter and producer of records. You’d never know that when you’re listening to him being an astronomer. How does he do it all?

This year’s Drive-by-hit-songwriters included the perennial favorite Bill Lloyd who always blows everyone away.

And on Saturday evening we were graced with a lecture by none other than Mike Reid, who truly charmed everyone with his sense of humor while exhibiting such diversity and breathtaking songs...including “I Can’t Make You Love Me” which he performed.

One of our surprise guests was Craig King. I met Craig a couple years ago. He’s astonishing! Not only does he work with the likes of Ludicris and Kanye West, he possesses an otherworldly expanse of talent on the piano. It made me so happy to introduce Craig and Mike Reid to eachother, both extraordinary, and each so respectful of the other’s talent.

Talk about some creative skills! I would stand between these two guys for days! Below is Anna, Paul Reisler and Ernest, my son.

This year we pulled Master Songwriting instructor Paul Reisler back into the Stargazer. Paul’s become one of the most in demand teachers around. He’s just so good! I got wonderful feedback from students on his comprehensive focused instruction. We work well together as a tag team.

So thanks to everyone for coming this year and being a part of making the Stargazer 2008 really special!

Here’s to next year!!!!!

Ok....after the Stargazer I headed to speak at the Alabama Writer’s Conference in Monroeville, Alabama. That was really cool....there were poets and authors there too.

And then it was on to Montgomery Alabama to perform at the Capri Theater for a fundraiser for that old theater that was just across the street from my ninth grade classroom. It was great to see old friends and be a part of saving that wonderful old theater!

Here’s a shot of my sisters Barbara and Beverly who I turned into the merch-queens of the evening!

This week I head to the Festival of Homiletics in Minneapolis where I’ll be doing several presentations of song and speaking about the creative spirit.

In addition to performing in the round with authors, sermon writers, and poets, I’ll be presenting a workshop with Naomi Tutu on creativity. Here’s a little explanation about that.

Stepping Out In Faith
Presented by Naomi Tutu and Beth Nielsen Chapman

Naomi Tutu and Beth Nielsen Chapman will conduct a workshop together on the power of dropping into the heart and listening to the guiding voice of spirit. Beth’s songs, interspersed with story and insights from Beth and Naomi, will explore both creative expression and preaching from the perspective of Divinity in action. In the process of song-writing, Beth describes the moment of inspiration as ‘lift off’, or a feeling like ‘divine intervention’. In preparing to preach, Naomi’s approach is to “read and reread whatever the selected texts are for that day and listen to what they say to me”, and then to put them away and find the thread from the center of the heart and follow it. This method of opening up to trust in the guidance of spirit is empowering and allows for the greatest sense of free flowing creative expression.

Well, that’s all folks! Check for updates! Next month I’m going to the Yukon...I can certainly say I’ve not been bored since I can remember!

Oh yeah! I’m signing off with two great shots from a fundraiser I sang at this past March. This was such a blast! And it was for a great cause...to support John Hall for re-election to Congress. Here I am playing in “the band” of my dreams!

With Bonnie Raitt, John Hall and Hutch Hutchison...with cameo appearance by Jackson Brown!

:)BNC

Creativity Stargaze 2008

2008-04-06T22:05:00.001-05:00

SIGN UP NOW

BNC Songwriting & Creativity Stargaze 2008!

Sponsored by Performing Songwriter Magazine

Hey! We’re back with a bang in 2008! Come to the Stargaze and re-align your creative power. Two and a half days and evenings of incredible hands-on classes in songwriting, creativity boosting, and performance at the historic Dyer Observatory in Brentwood, Tennessee. Bonfires, guitar/piano pulls, incredible organic lunches, powerful instruction, Drive-By Hit Songwriters, critiques, and tons of inspiration all for $325! If you are a member of NSAI(Nashville Songwriter’s Association International) you can knock off fifty bucks and get in for $275!

Are you stuck in a creative rut? Find the thread that leads to your deepest expression. Sit with legendary songwriters and learn about their creative process.

Take Beth’s magical mystery tour through the creative process where you will come to unlock the powerful creative spirit within you. Acquire new tools and learn to step fully into the mastery of your skills. Through critique of student’s songs and lecture, Beth will also address how to protect your creative flow in the face of letting your songs “cross the street” from art to commerce without getting hit by the mack truck of the music business.

But you don’t have to be a professional songwriter to love this workshop. Any form of creativity may apply! This adventure includes tips, tools, song critiques, guitar-pulling, (and keyboard pulling!) bonfires, story swapping, and spontaneous “Drive-By-Hit-Songwriters” not to mention incredible home cooked organic lunch each day by Gabrielle Middlestadt.

Friday evening will be more like a casual cookout/guitar pull and bring your own beverage kind of thing. Then get ready for Gabrielle’s delectable heavenly lunches Saturday and Sunday.

Historic Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory sits perched atop one of the
highest hills in Nashville. The observatory is nestled in a park-like
setting of native oaks, walnuts and hickory trees. At Dyer, people of
all ages discover the wonders of the universe through the largest
telescope in Tennessee, the Seyfert Telescope. The grounds are a
perfect place for relaxation and contemplation. Dyer is known for
bringing science and art together with events such as Bluebird on The
Mountain. This concert series has become Nashville's most popular
outdoor venue for singer/songwriter concerts.

At Stargaze 2008 we will be introduced to the magic of the Star Chamber!
Renowned artist Chris Drury has created a one-of-a-kind sculpture at
the Observatory.

The 200 ton structure is made from native stone, hand carved timbers,
and is a marvel to contemplate. The sculpture is a camera-obscura,
seated inside the chamber, the top that allows images from the sky and
horizon to be reflected onto white-washed walls of the interior. The
chamber also functions as a huge sundial which marks the passing of the seasons by projecting a noon-day image of the sun in an analemma. There in the Star Chamber Beth will lead a class on how to use your voice. We’ll do some “toning” which centers on the power of the vowel especially as it applies to finding the words inside a melody. Yes, we’re going to walk inside this amazing igloo-shaped rock which will take you to a place in your center. From there will come some insights about how to sing from that same center.

Hotels Nearby
Some great little hotels are all around the Observatory. Here are some we can vouch for!

Comfort Inn and Suites
615-221-5001
5566 Franklin Pike
Brentwood, Tn. 37027

Mainstay Suites
615-371-8477
107 Brentwood Blvd
Brentwood, Tn. 37027

Candlewood Suites
800-633-8464
5129 Virginia Way
Brentwood, Tn. 37027

Steeplechase Inn
615-373-8585
5581 Franklin Pike Circle
Brentwood, Tn. 37027

Travel and lodging and dinner in the evening is not included (except for the “casual” weinie roast on Friday night during the sign-up). But the lunches will be astonishing!

Drive-By-Hit-Songwriter-Geniuses!
During the BNC Creativity Stargaze, we will feature a few great “drive-by-geniuses” of songwriting and recording fame, INCLUDING: Mike Reid! Mike is the writer of countless hits and also created musicals for theater. Mike co-wrote “I Can’t Make You Love Me” for Bonnie Raitt! Here’s Mike and I a few years back after I sang that song when he was inducted into the Hall Of Fame!

And we’ll have some other legends as well, such as Bill Lloyd (Crazy Over You {Foster & Lloyd}) Bill Lloyd will wow you with his “Forest Gump” eclectic ability in all styles of music and his infectious tunes, as well as advice on the ins and out of pushing the boundaries of country, pop and rock.

AND!

Marshall Chapman (Betty’s Bein’ Bad, and the author of “Goodbye Little Rock and Roller”. Marshall Chapman will be doing a “Drive-by” and playing you some of her incredible songs and talking about her writing process. If we’re lucky she will also give us some sneak previews of her upcoming book “They Came To Nashville” which is sure to enlighten any aspiring writer!

We also celebrate the return of Annie Roboff,

(“This Kiss”, “If My Heart Had Wings”).

Annie Roboff will also be stopping by for a quick co-writing class with Beth. Writer of countless hits including “This Kiss”, written with Beth and Robin Lerner, Beth and Annie will let you in on some of their experiences as a co-writing team.

Master Class With Paul Reisler

Paul Reisler, one of the most popular songwriting teachers in North America provides a comprehensive and wonderfully digestible wealth of knowledge about songwriting and song structure. A teacher for many years and in high demand, Paul, songwriter, composer, songwriting teacher and founder of the musical group Trapezoid is also the founder and creator of “Kid Pan Alley” This past March, Kid Pan Alley was featured on NPR’s “Morning Edition.” Here’s star songwriting teacher Paul Reisler!

AND ROCKY!

This year we also have back astonishing astronomer-genius and caretaker of the Observatory, Rocky Alvey, who will lead us across the universe as we tour the magnificent skies at night looking through the telescope at incredible galaxies, moons and planets. There’s nothing like the vast expanse of the cosmos out there to mirror the vast expanse of the inner cosmos of creativity.

Rocky Alvey is infinitely engaging with his astounding knowledge of the universe. It’s just impossible to explain how he can warp your sense of dimensions with what’s out there in the great sky of stars. You have to see it for yourself! It will make you realize the ultimate beauty of creativity at its finest level!

So don’t miss the fun! Availability won’t last long! Sign up early because we have a limited amount of space and the space will go fast! Just download the registration form and send with a check for deposit to:

BNC CREATIVITY STARGAZE
PO Box 58156
Nashville, Tn.
37205

or sign up online. Instructions are all on the bethnielsenchapman.com website!

OH! And if you are a member of NSAI (The Nashville Songwriter’s Association International) you get $50 off the registration fee! If you are not a member you can become one and also qualify! So for $275 you can come for the whole she-bang!

See you there!! Love, BNC

April 19th-Austin Texas: Beth and Rodney Crowell perform for the "Healthy Child Healthy World" benefit.

2008-03-30T08:28:00.001-05:00

April 19th, Austin Texas, "Healthy

Child Healthy World" hosts an early evening Cocktail reception and Benefit concert at 502 Riley Rd., Austin Tx. 98746. Grammy winning artist Rodney Crowell will be featured, along with artist Beth Nielsen Chapman.

Beth is on the Board Of Directors of "Healthy Child". Check out their amazing "website.

Barnes and Noble Loves Prism!

2008-03-30T08:28:00.000-05:00

PRISM: THE HUMAN FAMILY SONGBOOK
Beth Neilsen Chapman
BNC Records

Inspired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu's concept of a common humanity, Beth Neilsen Chapman continues a spiritual journey that began even before her celebrated 2004 collection of Catholic hymns, Hymns, with the moving meditations on life and death she penned in the wake of her husband's passing and unveiled on her powerful 1997 CD, Sand and Water. Exploring the universal spiritual light infusing diverse religions, Chapman here presents two discs of music. Disc 1 is comprised of original and traditional songs that examine the common ground shared by all faiths, sometimes within the same song (the propulsive, percussive "The Mystery"); each in its own way demonstrates as well a common humanity informing the different styles of music on this disc--pop-country on "God Is In (Goddess In)," hip-hop on "My Religion," a stately, stirring reading of the Protestant hymn "For the Beauty," and so forth, all rendered seamlessly, with conviction as profoundly deep as it is lovingly understated. Disc 2 takes the same tack, but with a critical difference: the yearnings expressed are similar to those on Disc 1, but on Disc 2 Chapman goes global, singing songs centered on the spiritual quest in nine different languages, including English (the stark, a cappella rendering of "The Flame"), Zulu, Welsh (her voice an ethereal near-whisper in a tender old Gaelic hymn, "Durrow"), Farsi, and others. She concludes her ambitious journey with a solemn "Navajo Chant" to summon the Great Spirit, as Bobby Klein adds a rumbling, commanding baritone vocal, accompanied only by John Ragusa's airy flute lines carrying these souls' humble appeal aloft, as if on an eagle's wings, born ceaselessy to a place where there'll be no distinction, but rather an embrace of all as one. Remarkable and challenging, Prism is the stuff of life, and Beth Neilsen Chapman's finest hour. -David McGee

Hello World

2008-03-30T00:37:00.000-05:00

Hello world! I’m writing this from Harlech, Wales. I’ve been hanging here for a few days working on the BNC Big Book of Songs. I’m hoping to have a fairly comprehensive songbook completed soon with the help of Maartin Allcock. I’ve had to wait until Maart finished Richard Thompson’s songbook, which is not thin!

Prior to Wales I spent four days in Belfast with some of my best friends in the world. “Kieran Goss & Friends” was being filmed at the Belfast Opera House and allowed me the opportunity to perform with my buddies for three sold out nights!

L to R: Kimmie Rhodes, Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast Bernie Kelly, Rodney Crowell, Kieran Goss, me and Brendan Murphy.

Me with Kimmie, Rodney and Bernie.

So after all that fun I made my way to Wales, land of the incredible sunsets. This one was taken by Maart. It’s just about in his backyard. The front yard is leaping with baby lambs.

Yesterday we went to Porthmadog, the nearby town from which came all the slate “to roof the world”. In the nearby Glaslyn valley live the only nesting pair of Ospreys in the whole of Wales!

Here I am looking at the telescope. But the Osprey couple isn’t due back until next week. I’ll just miss them!

Next week I’ll be heading to the Royal Albert Hall to perform with Kris Kristofferson. Can’t wait for that! Rodney Crowell, Brendan Murphy and I went to hear Kris last week at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast. Just Kris and his guitar. We were just blown away with his performance. Song after song. And those songs. Wow.

Oh, and before we leave Wales, let’s not forget about one of the prize cooking ingredients of roast potatoes, Goose Fat! (a French idea apparently), and in the upper left hand corner shelf we also have Lavabread which is Welsh seaweed. Part of a traditional Welsh breakfast!

Ok, besides that, I’ll be heading back to Austin, Texas to perform at an event for “Healthy Child, Healthy World” on April 19th. It will be held at a wonderful newly finished “green” home. Rodney Crowell will be performing as well. Check out this amazing organization.

I’m very proud to serve on its Board Of Directors. Having come through breast cancer I became extremely interested in what toxic stuff is all around us in this day and age. The HCHW website is chock-full of great information to help protect families from dangerous chemicals in the environment, many of which are considered “safe”.

And last but not least! Don’t forget about the upcoming Creativity Stargaze!

Sign up for the Stargaze HERE!

BNC in the news at SESAC

2008-02-25T21:38:00.000-06:00

SESAC singer/songwriter extraordinaire Beth Nielsen Chapman stopped by the SESAC headquarters to celebrate the release of her latest CD, Prism. Chapman, responsible for penning such hits as Faith Hill’s “This Kiss”, Martina McBride’s “Happy Girl” and Willie Nelson’s “Ain’t Necessarily So”, among many others, is currently embarking on a packed tour schedule in support of her new CD release.

PHOTO: Kay Williams
Beth Nielsen Chapman and SESAC’s Tim Fink
Beth Nielsen Chapman Celebrates Release of Her CD, Prism

Catch Beth Live in Concert

Fri, February 22nd
Alabama Hall of Fame, Montgomery

Sun, March 2nd
The Eisemann Center Women in Film.Dallas presents The Topaz Awards Gala, Richardson

Mon, March 10th
3rd and Lindsley . Belfast/Nashville Sister Cities concert. BNC with Foy Vance and Ben Glover, Mary Gauthier, Brian Houston, Eilidh Patterson and Bill Lloyd., Nashville

Wed, March 12th
SXSW, Austin

Thu, March 20th
Grand Opera House, Belfast
IRELAND

Fri, March 21st
Grand Opera House, Belfast
IRELAND

Sat, March 22nd
Grand Opera House, Belfast
IRELAND

Wed, April 2nd
Royal Albert Hall, London
England

Thu, April 17th
Second Presbyterian Church, Nashville

Sat, April 26th
Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory, Nashville

The Montreal Gazette Reviews "PRISM"

2008-02-25T21:05:00.000-06:00

BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN
Prism
BNC/Thirty Tigers/Red

On this two-CD concept album, Beth Nielsen Chapman, who’s provided hits for Bonnie Raitt, Faith Hill and many others, sings beautifully while exploring the worlds of spirituality and religion from a pluralistic perspective. Most of the first disc is devoted to contemporary songs – many of them her own – which seek to find common ground among all the major religions. On the second, and more interesting, CD, she performs a dozen songs borrowed from various religious traditions: Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Zulu, Hindu, Native American and more. While her renditions are well-researched, her performances hardly feel like academic exercises. It’s quite remarkable how seamlessly the songs flow together. ***1/2

Podworthy: Pilgrim of Sorrow

--MIKE REGENSTREIF

Mike Regenstreif

Acting Editor: Ottawa Jewish Bulletin
Music Reviewer: Montreal Gazette
Music Reviewer: Sing Out Magazine
Host/Producer: Folk Roots/Folk Branches features, CKUT radio

mikeregenstreif@rogers.com

235 Metcalfe Ave. #402
Westmount, QC
H3Z 2H8

800 Riddell Ave. N. #303
Ottawa, ON
K2A 2V9

http://www.myspace.com/ckutfolk

BNC FeB 08 Yikes! Catch-up Blog

2008-02-21T00:10:00.000-06:00

Hello world. Yikes! It’s already February! I am dreadfully behind in updating this blog….I just haven’t stopped!

So I’m just going to plow forward and I’m going to do my best to reconstruct the past several months, although I must admit I could get the times and places mixed up. My mind feels like it’s been put in a blender!

Most recently, in January I performed at a few benefits, one being a huge gathering in San Diego for my friend Ken Druck’s foundation. It was mostly speakers including Tony Robbins, Ken Blanchard, Michael Beckwith and others in an all day event called “The Secret To Your Best Year Ever”.

My son Ernest just happened to be in LA recording his great new album, so I had him drive down and come perform with me at the San Diego arena.

Prior to this I had decided to spend two weeks at a wonderful place called “Optimum Health” where I completely surrendered into a program to detox myself from sugar, caffeine and all other bad stuff I’d been enjoying too much of.
I had a great time on the wonderful tour of the UK and Ireland. Thanks to all the fans who came out to the shows!
But before I do that I want to mention that the BNC Creativity Stargaze will definitely be happening this year! I’ll be putting together a page on my site with info on how to sign up and some coming highlights.

And speaking of ‘creativity’, here’s something I wanted to share that someone sent me.

This amazing piece of writing captures the essence of “creativity” and how to be ok with not knowing the answer as a way of finding the answer:

"As our insights into the nature of the human mind-brain have deepened we are discovering that every act of perception, naming and knowing is a creative act. Moment to moment we organize the multidimensional chaos of our world into meaningful, and manageable interpretations organized in mental images, and symbolic notations. To look beyond our mental constructs back into the creative vortex of the mind-brain's fundamental chaos and to observe how perceptions form and coalesce into images, ideas and creative insights that are then further shaped and molded by our beliefs and intentions is fundamental to understanding and mastering our participation in the creative process.

To do this work requires courage. Courage is the key that opens the mind. While the closed mind limits itself to the familiar and fixed compartments of ideas, views, beliefs, and habits the open mind encompasses a space of limitless possibilities. The open mind is not for the faint hearted. It takes courage both to hold what you know and like lightly, to behold what you have long denied and to encounter and befriend what appears strange or unfamiliar. With courage we are equipped to fearlessly know our fear, and to feel compassion towards the burning pain of our anger. Within the open mind there are few certainties and many possibilities.

The simple act of observation is the key to transforming our lives. Observation suspends our conventional beliefs, conceptions and habit
allowing us to encompass with equal measure the objects that appear to our minds, the subject who is observing and the process of knowing itself. Thus we equip ourselves to embrace, experience and understand the process of knowing in all its multidimensionality. This comprehensive way of viewing ourselves and our experience allows new kinds of knowledge to emerge and reveals many previously ignored possibilities in our lives."

-- Joel & Michelle Levey from Inner Science & Technology: A Guide to the
Awakening Mind

Now I realize, like me, you may have to read that three times. But wow! It’s pretty chock full of stuff!

Now on to the adventures of the past two months!

First off I spend almost my entire September doing a promo tour to talk about the “Prism Tour”, which was a great success!

I started off flying in to perform at the final “Heaven & Earth” BBC TV show on September 1st and just ended up staying over as I had the Ken Bruce show for BBC Radio 2 to tape in the middle of the month and then the NIMIC (Northern Ireland Songwriting retreat) at the Giant’s Causeway at the end of September. My previous blog/newsletter left me off just heading to Northern Ireland. Here are some pictures from that great adventure.

Here I am taking a bite out of the Giant’s Causeway!
I made my way through many radio and TV stations with my excellent Northern Ireland publicist James Rollings.

Here I’m having dinner with JD Souther and James in Belfast:

Here I am dancing on the bridge at the Giant’s Causeway….fun huh?

Here I am with the legendary Ross Graham at the end of Sept 07. I was invited to teach at NIMIC’s Songwriting retreat at the Giant’s Causeway.
I’m excited to be working with Ross on March 10th 2008, in Nashville for a concert to celebrate Belfast/Nashville sister cities! And also we are doing a similar concert at SXSW in Austin on March 12th 2008. You can check the details out on my site.

Anyway…back to trying to catch you up! Here’s another shot of me and Father Brian D’Arcy who did a special radio show on “Prism” just before Christmas.

Then there was this fabulous fun at one of the oldest Pubs in Belfast.

Tim O’Brian and myself performed and here we are with that legend Gerry Andersen and of course JD Souther who graced us with his presence!

Here I am with the fabulous George Jones.

Back in the USSR…I was a guest on the last taping of the Heaven & Earth Show on September 3. Had a great chat with Gloria Hunniford and performed “God Is In” Heaven and Earth

And then I had great fun performing on the Ken Bruce Show. We ran into some great musicians from New Orleans, Jon Cleary, who plays in Bonnie Riatt’s band was just finishing his taping!

I was thrilled to have Chris Leslie, Maart Allcock, Simon Nicol, and Jerry Conway in my band! Here we are with Esther from Proper Music and Richard Wooton my PR genius in the UK.

Maila Vale Studio is a very historic studio that hosted Bing Crosby (among many others). Maart Allcock miraculously put the “Emergency Legendary Band” together with two phone calls. Maart on bass, Chris Leslie on Mando and Vocals, Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, and Gerry Conway on drums.

Left to Right: Maart, Chris, BNC, Simon & Getty at Maida Vale studios. You can listen again at:

BBC Radio2 Music Club

I also had a really great string quartet on the Ken Bruce show. Here I am pretending I have a clue how to read music!

Thank you Patrick Doyle (see in my “tour” section about the upcoming show at the Royal Albert Hall on October 28th. It’s an evening celebrating Patrick’s stunning array of scores in some great movies. Here’s Patrick and I at Maida Vale Studio with Mike Walter, the incredible engineer!
As if that wasn’t enough fun…the next day I got to go to tape the Jools Holland Radio show. I’ve been wanting to meet Jools for ages! Here we are after recording “Sir Duke” with his amazing band!

After also taping the Simon Mayo show at BBC Radio 2 (great questions!) another stop on the non-stop Promo tour was a trip up to Scotland!

BNC appears on Deepak's Sirius Radio show "Wellness Radio" in NY

2008-02-20T23:41:00.001-06:00

I’ve just come back from NY where I taped the Deepak Chopra “Wellness Radio” show for Sirius to celebrate the release of “Prism” in the US! Deepak had me on for a full hour and my buddy John Ragusa came and added flute and vocals, and Tripp Dudley (my nephew who came out on the UK/Ireland 2007 fall tour) played percussion. It was so great to be able to be there with Deepak this time around instead of calling in to the show as I’ve done in the past.

I got to play several songs and talke with him for a full hour. It was a great way to celebrate the US release of “Prism”! Deepak and I go way back…. look how far!

FOLKWAX reviews "PRISM"

2008-01-27T07:35:00.000-06:00

Front Porch
A FolkWax Review Spotlight

Beth Nielsen Chapman's
Prism: The Human Family Songbook

FolkWax Rating: 9
By Arthur Wood

Beth Nielsen Chapman's
Prism: The Human Family Songbook

Released on her own label and sub-titled "The Human Family Songbook," Beth Nielsen Chapman has been labouring on this two-CD project since 1998. The Tibetan chant, "Hymn To Tara," which appears on Disc Two was recorded that year and amounts to the spark that 'lit this particular fire.' Let's step back a little however and look at this musician's recent audio/visual output. While Look [2005], the CD that immediately preceded Prism, was a secular work, prior to that Chapman, raised in a Catholic household, gave us Hymns, a collection of centuries-old religious songs mostly sung in Latin. The liner of that 2004 release included the footnote, "This material is from a forthcoming double CD of world hymns." That said none of the eleven tracks that appeared on Hymns resurface here. In more recent times Chapman married sound and vision with her DVD release If Love Could Say God's Name [2007]. Filmed in St. Paul's Cathedral in London, four of the dozen (mostly religious) songs Chapman performed on that occasion reappear on Prism.

Given the foregoing insights, Prism has certainly not arrived like some unexpected bolt from the blue. The collection's title is rather clever since it infers completeness. Direct a light source at a (usually triangular) prism and it will refract the spectral colours. The skin that man is attired in similarly bears a rich spectrum of hues. Chapman has been a Nashville-based writer since 1985 and prior to her rise to fame as a solo artist was a composer of a string of Country music chart hits for other artists. Wearing her solo singer-songwriter hat, Beth Nielsen Chapman performs material that weds Pop, Folk, and Country influences. On Prism she has cast those previous associations aside and embraced a wide-spectrum of musical genres, and for that matter languages. More about the latter later...

The eleven songs on Disc One are mostly performed in English and Chapman had a hand in co-writing five of them, plus two more on her own. I deliberately used the word "mostly" in the previous sentence since the rhythmically infectious opening cut, "God Is In (Goddess In)," embraces a few foreign phases, while the composer credit raises the question, "How many musicians does it take to co-write a song?" Based on a composition by percussionist/performer Billy Jonas, street poet Chris Chandler, and associate Laura Mahr, Chapman and her long-time collaborator Annie Roboff edited the original lyric and added a bridge. The lyric to "My Religion (Sweet Love)," penned by Chapman and poet Atoaji Radellant is a freeform affair that references (by name) numerous world faiths while stylistically could be categorised as Hip Hop Jazz.

When it comes to Chapman's compositions, I greatly prefer those that she composes on her own. In that regard, almost two decades on, "Emily" and "Years" from her 1990 self-titled sophomore recording (in 1980 Capitol Records issued Chapman's solo debut Hearing It First) still give me chills. Chapman's piano-led "Prayers Of An Atheist" and the Disc One closer "This Life That's Lent To You" are top drawer efforts in that vein, and I'd even hazard a guess that Chapman's research into Native American beliefs inspired the latter lyric.

If I had to pick a Chapman co-writer that I admire, it would be Texan Kimmie Rhodes (as a songwriter Rhodes has also collaborated extensively with Gary Nicholson) and their "Shine All Your Light" previously appeared on Rhodes' Rich From The Journey [2000]. Rhodes' recording of her inspirational Blaze Foley tribute "Our Father's Face," on which, uncredited, Chapman performed a verse, possesses a similar heartfelt spirituality to "Shine All Your Light." As for Nashville-based hit songwriting scribes whose work is on display here, Chapman co-wrote the up-tempo percussive "That Mystery" with Mark Germino and Don Henry penned "Beautiful Fool" (and in the process succeeded in conjuring realistic images of troubled late 1960s America with mention of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the iconic Walts (Disney and Cronkite)). Gary Nicholson's "Choose Love" is a beautiful paean that captures the pain and joy of our earthbound existence (the lyric to Chapman's and Nicholson's "Beyond The Blue," from the former's album Sand And Water [1996], possessed a distinctly spiritual edge).

As for living legends, Chapman co-wrote "Thank You My Lord," which praises the beauty of creation, with Hal David (go on with you, of course you remember Bacharach/David?). One of two older songs on Disc One, "For The Beauty Of The Earth," dates from 1864 and was composed by Englishman Folliot Sandford Pierpoint, while Katharine von Schlegel's lyric "Be Still My Soul" dates from the opening half of the eighteenth century and is teamed with a Jean Sibelius melody, written in 1899, taken from the composer's masterwork "Finlandia."

While the twenty-page liner booklet contains copious details regarding the session players and recording studios used (worldwide), barring the opening verses from "Prayer Of An Atheist," sadly the lyrics are not featured. That comes as a bit of stretch since most of the dozen songs on Disc Two are performed in foreign tongues. All is not lost however, as those lyrics including English translations are available on Chapman's website and we've provided the link: links to the song lyrics including their English translations are located on the web at www.bethnielsenchapman.com/lyrics/prismlyrics.html.

That said, Disc Two opens with the Joe Henry/John Jarvis co-write "The Flame," Henry being a past songwriting collaborator of Chapman's. Given the task of proficiently performing in a foreign tongue, the end result is a testament to the care that Chapman has taken in constructing and completing this work. "Shalom Alecheim," a traditional Hebrew song, "Masibulele Ku Jesu," and the Negro spiritual "Pilgrim Of Sorrow" appeared on the aforementioned DVD.

Elsewhere on Disc Two Chapman performs an arrangement of the traditional "Yemaya" (Cuban) and there's the chants "Hymn To Tara" (Tibetan), "Veni Creator Spiritus" (Latin Gregorian), while, considering my comment about "This Life That's Lent To You," the closing track, "Navajo Chant," on Disc Two pretty much mirrors Disc One. The song "Bhavani" is derived from a Sanskrit text, "In Yonder Valley" finds Chapman visit the world of the Shakers, "Durrow" is sung in Welsh, and "Bad-e Saba" is based on a text by fourteenth century Iranian poet/scholar Hafiz.

Released in the U.K. late last year, musically speaking, 2008 has finally kicked in Stateside with the appearance of Prism. All in all it's a heartfelt song collection with no sell-by date restriction and definitely a family affair considering the insights I've offered regarding the contributing writers. That said, does this world possess the will to pause long enough to truly listen and adopt a path of love, in the process casting aside hate, greed, and many other earthbound ills?

Arthur Wood is a founding editor of FolkWax. You may contact Arthur at folkwax@visnat.com.

++++++++++++++++
Bio

Beth Chapman Nielsen

Beth Nielsen Chapman

Beth has turned harsh life events into great musical art

Beth Nielsen Chapman was born in Harlingen, Texas, in 1956. Her father was is the US Air Force and the family subsequently lived in California, New England, and Germany. Robert Nielsen's final posting, in 1969, brought the family to Montgomery, Alabama, where he settled upon leaving the service. Beth spent her early years playing a neighbour's piano and borrowing her father's guitar. By her mid teens she was a member of a local Folk quartet,Home At Last. She subsequently joined another band calledHarvest, who mutated into Harmony. A songwriter from an early age, Harmony performed some of her originals, as well as covers. She stayed with the band for two years. In the late 1970s Beth met and married Ernest Chapman II, and the couple settled in Mobile, Alabama.
Recorded in Muscle Shoals and produced by Barry Beckett, Beth's debut solo album was released by Capitol Records in 1980. A sealed copy of the album, Hearing It First, was sold in February of 2002 on Ebay for $130.00. The Chapman's relocated to Nashville in 1985 and Beth worked initially for MTM. She scored her first Country #1 in 1988 when Tanya Tucker covered "Strong Enough To Bend," a co-write with Don Schlitz. Since then Beth has written or co-written four more #1 Country singles, a slew of Top 100 Country chart entries, as well as six AC Top 10 singles.

In 1989 Beth's second, self-titled solo album for Warner/Reprise appeared, featuring classic story songs such as "Years," "Emily," and "Life Holds On." Beth's 1993 album You Hold The Key, partly recorded in the U.K., proved to be a weaker collection. Concurrently her husband was battling with lymphoma. He passed away, aged 50, in August 1994. Following a few years silence, Beth's fourth solo album, Sand And Water, co-produced withRodney Crowell arrived during the summer of 1997. Lyrically, a number of the songs were spiritual revelations, particularly the title cut. In 1999 Reprise issued a collection titled Greatest Hits, which drew cuts from her three recordings for that label.

In August of the opening year of the new millennium, Beth was diagnosed as suffering from breast cancer. Her almost complete next studio album was shelved, as Nielsen began the stringent treatment regime. By the summer of 2001 she was able to work again. Her album titled Deeper Still was released in the States by Artemis Records in 2002. Look, an eleven-song collection of Chapman songs co-written with others, appeared in May 2004, and six months later Chapman self-released the twelve-track Hymns - the contents of which hardly requires elucidation. The self-released DVD If Love Could Say God's Name, filmed in St. Paul's Cathedral in London, acted as a precursor to Prisms. The two-CD, twenty-three track Prism was released in the U.K. in 2007 and in the States during early February the following year. Chapman had been working on this multi-faith religious song collection for a number of years and, as well as songs performed in English, she sings in Hebrew, Welsh, Navajo, Tibetan, and Zulu.

Discography: "Hearing It First" [1980]; "Beth Nielsen Chapman" [1990]; "You Hold the Key" [1993]; "Sand And Water" [1997]; "Greatest Hits" [1999]; "Deeper Still" [2002]; Look [2004]; Hymns[2004]; Prism [2007]
DVD: If Love Could Say God's Name [2007]

Arthur Wood

2007-11-17T08:44:00.001-06:00

BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN
The Elmwood Hall
Thursday 6th December
Tickets from Virgin Megastore or reserve by e-mail

Due to the demand for tickets we have moved the Beth Nielsen Chapman concert to the Elmwood Hall. Please note that tickets for the original venue will still be valid.

This means that we now have extra tickets available. These will be available for reserving by e-mail immediately and for sale over the counter at Virgin Megastore from lunchtime on Wednesday 7th November.

See you there!

BNC Guitar Raises £16,000 For BBC Radio 2 Children In Need

2007-11-14T07:49:00.000-06:00

Beth Nielsen Chapman's Guitar raised �16,000 at the BBC Radio 2 auction for Children In Need!

The guitar, a uniquely hand-painted "baby" Taylor guitar was donated by Beth and is signed by Wake Up To Wogan favourites Dolly Parton, James Taylor, Jack Johnson, Art Garfunkel, Katie Melua, Nanci Griffith, John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival), Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (Steely Dan).

Autographs on the back include: Michael McDonald, B. J. Thomas ('Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head'), legendary guitarist James Burton (who played with Elvis, Ricky Nelson and Emmylou Harris), John Kay (Steppenwolf), country star Tanya Tucker, and Delbert McLinton (the man who taught John Lennon to play harmonica).

The guitar comes in a case with three unique colour photos of Dolly Parton, Nanci Griffith and Beth Nielsen Chapman herself, all holding the guitar, plus fifteen CDs featuring some of the artists.

Beth couldn't be happier to help such a wonderful cause. At the end of the day, the auction for Children In Need raised a record breaking �411,000!

IN CHESHIRE ARTICLE

2007-11-07T08:34:00.000-06:00

Read the article on PRISM here!

Creativity Stargaze 2008

2007-10-28T20:59:00.001-05:00

ANNOUNCING! The BNC Creativity Stargaze 2007 on April 25-27th at the Vanderbilt Observatory with special guests and drive-by hit songwriters! Melissa Manchester will be one of those coming to speak on the adventures she's had being a legendary artist/songwriter, from writing huge hits to writing for musicals and her tips on navigating the creative flow! And speaking of legends--there will also be more soon to be announced incredible special guests...not to mention the ultra-out-there-and-back-again astronomer Rocky Alvey who returns as the "genius-in-residence" and will absolutely expand your parameters and sense of perception and maybe even open up new balconies along the inner-workings of your creative genius! Mark your calendars and be on the lookout for more details unfolding that will be posted in the next couple weeks.

Me and Jools Holland

2007-09-24T08:58:00.000-05:00

Me and Jools Holland after taping the "Jools Holland Radio Show"

PRISM IS NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK!!

2007-09-19T08:41:00.000-05:00

You may pick up your copy at any of the following retailers:

HMV, Virgin, Border, Amazon.co.uk, Play.com, or any indie retailer listed
at Proper Partners.

We are working hard to have PRISM available from my website. Soon! Very soon!

Radio Scotland Interview

2007-09-19T08:37:00.000-05:00

You can listen to Ricky's American Tunes (presented by Ricky Ross), featuring me and fellow singer/songwriter Benny Gallagher in the round on BBC Scotland Radio.

PRISM IS NOW AVAILABLE!!

2007-09-19T08:20:00.000-05:00

Beautiful Wales

2007-09-14T08:11:00.000-05:00

I spent a week in Wales doing pre-production for my PR Tour that's happening now all through September. I think Promo tours are much more challenging than regular tours. There's so much jumping around! But I've been having lots of fun too. I stayed at a sweet B&B around the corner from Maart's house (my bass player/tour manager) and we tried to get as much work done as possible...but with scenery like this we had to take lots of breaks! Here's one of many mind blowing sunsets around the corner from his house!

This is the reflection of the sky on the sand. If only life were this ordered....

Baaaaaah!

Here's another sunset...it was like something in a dream....

IRELAND TOUR DATES!

2007-09-14T07:54:00.000-05:00

DEC 5 WED *BALLYBUFEY* Jackson's Hotel 0353 749131021

DEC 6 THU *BELFAST* The Black Box 028 90323744

DEC 7 FRI *DUBLIN* Whelan's 00353 147 80766

I hope to see you there!

Listen to the Ken Bruce Performance

2007-09-13T16:54:00.000-05:00

Click HERE to listen to the whole show, individual live tracks and a special session performance of That Mystery exclusive to the Music Club website

We've also got the video for Beth's classic single All I Have.

WIN TICKETS to exclusive Prism launch show!

2007-09-10T11:08:00.000-05:00

To celebrate the launch of Prism, Beth Nielsen Chapman is playing a very
special gig in London on Thursday 20th September. In order to be among the
100 guests, please click here to enter the competition on
amazon.co.uk. GOOD LUCK!

Ken Bruce Show * Tues. Sept. 11

2007-09-10T11:03:00.000-05:00

I hope you will all tune in:

9.30am to 12 noon - BBC RADIO 2 KEN BRUCE SHOW
Live from Maida Vale Studios in London, 5 songs and some chat!

You can listen to the Ken Bruce Show live online here.

Victoria, British Columbia

2007-06-21T08:07:00.000-05:00

Singing in Victoria…

Wow! What a great choir! All volunteer choir…but with the magic of Shivon Robinsong and Denis Donnally they come alive and sing to the rafters! Go to their website and check out the ""Getting Higher Choir"" and all the great work they do to raise money for a small village in Africa.

The name of the concert was "Shine All Your Light"....a new song (written by BNC & Kimmie Rhodes) that I recorded for the "Prism" CD...performed here live with 200 plus voices!

Me and My Dad!

2007-06-21T08:03:00.000-05:00

Here's me and my Dad...he came up to sing "Anne Bolynn" ....a sweet little tune he used to tuck me in with! :)

The Mobile Symphony

2007-06-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

Mobile Symphony

2007-06-21T07:56:00.000-05:00

I had such a great time going back to my old stomping grounds, Mobile, Alabama, to do a concert with the Mobile Symphony. Scot Speck, the conductor, was outstanding and the orchestra was remarkably good!

Aside from that it was very nostalgic to return to the Sanger Theater, which is where I gave my first concert in my early twenties, opening up for Mac MacAnally. There I was in my same dressing room tuning my guitar!

Here I am having a laugh with Scott. My guitar broke so here I’m using Ernest’s guitar. He’s behind me on the drums. And his new wife Jessie is to my left playing bass.

This next picture I’m smiling ear to ear…there’s nothing like the sound of a live orchestra!

The Wisdom of The Song

2007-06-17T09:29:00.000-05:00

Here are some highlights from my latest creativity workshop given in Victoria, British Columbia!

BREAKDOWN OF CLASSES:

1. Lifting Off:
Fasten your seatbelts as you embark on the spacious, limitless journey of writing a song! Learn how to allow the creative spirit to guide the process.
Discover and take a walk along the path of "not knowing", and the many ways
to elude your brain and open the channels of intuition.

2. The Care And Feeding Of The Muse:
We will address the importance of cultivating and nurturing that part of you that is your gift. There's a lot you can do to protect, defend and develop a healthy Muse.
You will find out about the "Four Food Groups", "Setting Out The Tea", "Weightlifting in the Gym of Creativity", "Planting Your Garden" and many more tools and tips.

3. There's Got To Be A Morning After:
Here you will get plenty of support while you gently enter the process of looking at what you've written in the 'light of day'. This is the part where you unlock the trunk and invite 'the critic' out to nip and tuck, oh yes, and sometimes it's major surgery - but remember - this is one of the most incredible ways to grow as a writer. Learn how to re-write.. and un-re-write!

4. Navigating The Jungle Of The Music Business:
"Lions & Tigers & Bears, Oh My!" Dropping breadcrumbs, tapping your heels together and other methods of finding your way back to your creative center.

Art vs. Commerce: How and when to wear your armor. Talent has no compass: mustering determination.

5. The Three "R's": Recover, Rejuvinate, and Re-write again!
(nothing to lose but a sheet of paper and some pencil lead)
Sacred Waiting: Facing the 'great white' blank piece of paper (just think of what Paul Simon has to live up to!). And: Singing With Your Speaking Voice/Writing With Your Singing Voice.

Proudly presented by
Shivon Robinsong, Denis Donnelly and the Gettin’ Higher Choir

Getting a hug from one of my heroes...Archbishop Desmond Tutu

2007-06-10T20:30:00.000-05:00

Festival of Homiletics

2007-05-29T11:06:00.000-05:00

I had a blast performing Tuesday, May 21, with Allan Shamblin and
Marcus Hummon at the "Festival Of Homiletics" at the Tennesee
Performing Arts Center. I tried out a couple of new songs from the
upcoming "Prism" song extravaganza. "The Prayers Of An Atheist"
went over quite well with this crowd of many preachers!

Diana Legacy Fund Launch For Children Suffering The AIDS Crisis In Sub-Saharan Africa

2007-05-21T20:35:00.000-05:00

On May 15th, I was honored to be asked by Naomi Tutu to present a short film I produced at the launch of the Diana Legacy Fund of the Foundation for Hospices In Sub-Saharan Africa. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the Keynote speaker.

As you may know, I have spent the past several months wrapping up the final stages of completing “Prism,” a double CD that has had me traveling to the far reaches of the globe and back again while singing in several different languages and from many different cultural aspects and paths of faith. I am using my voice as a common thread through these languages and recording songs and hymns whose common theme is the sound of a human voice in spiritual devotion. This ongoing project actually

http://www.memvids.com/nashdig/Sparrow/SparrowHQualBBand.mov
http://www.memvids.com/nashdig/Sparrow/SparrowStreaming01.mov
http://www.memvids.com/nashdig/Sparrow/SparrowProjectPCWeb.wmv

It is my sincere hope and desire that everyone pass this piece along and let the song and the faces do the talking.

“Prism” will be released in the fall in the UK and at the end of January in the US.

Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child

2007-05-15T07:19:00.000-05:00

These are all the same video...but wanted to make sure you could open it...it's a short video which will debut tomorrow!....I"m speaking tomorrow morning at a lunch with Bishop Tutu....this film will open the lunch...it's for the Diana Legacy Fund....I'm so thrilled it got finished in time! Please copy and paste and send out to anyone who may be moved to donate or get involved in supporting these sweet children.....at the bottom is the schedule for the event tomorrow.......XOXO BNC

http://www.memvids.com/nashdig/Sparrow/SparrowHQualBBand.mov

http://www.memvids.com/nashdig/Sparrow/SparrowStreaming01.mov

http://www.memvids.com/nashdig/Sparrow/SparrowProjectPCWeb.wmv

Flashback

2007-04-30T16:28:00.000-05:00

Hey Kids! Check out some ancient history on Youtube.....click here!

I love this...remember well the copious amounts of hairspray I had to endure....I was trying not to look like I didn't know the chords on the piano...of course I'm playing along with the record....and lip synching...horrors! But I have to say it's nice to see it resurface. Even if you can't see any orchestra behind me!

BNC

Prism Tour - UK 2007! * UPDATE *

2007-04-26T12:41:00.000-05:00

GIGANTIC has tickets available for all TOUR DATES with the exception of Canterbury. I look forward to seeing you at the shows!

Happy Birthday Leeza

2007-04-24T11:08:00.000-05:00

Another recent fun event was my whirlwind trip to LA to sing at Leeza Gibbon's 50th Birthday Party. Leeza had quite a bash with a "Goddess" theme and it turns out she's been a fan of my music for some time. She was as lovely and warm as you would imagine. I sang "Sand & Water" and a few other songs in honor of her mother who is in late stages of Alzeimer's. All around the country Leeza has been creating support centers called "Leeza's Place" through The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation.

Jane Seymore, Debbie Gibson, and many other "Goddesses" were in attendance....as was Ariana Huffington. Here I am hanging out with Leeza and Ariana....fun night! Ok...I want to know what Leeza eats for breakfast...or her birth certificate must be wrong!

Kenny Loggins

2007-04-24T08:44:00.000-05:00

I went to hear Kenny Loggins the other night at the WildHorse Saloon here in Nashville. Kenny and I wrote two songs for his new release "What About Now" which has just been released. Kenny wowed the audience with hit after hit...I forgot he wrote "Christopher Robin!" Anyway...he did one of our songs...a Gospel shouting song called "That's When I Find You"....it rocked!

TARA and The Future of Philanthropic Touring

2007-04-18T10:26:00.000-05:00

Hurray! I've been dreaming for years about an organization such as TARA! "Philanthropic Touring" has been a wonderful way for me as an artist to create and expand my fan base while also participating in the generating of much needed funds for worthy causes.

Working with Robert Goldman and raising money for Eden Florida has been a joy. Deeply committed to making the artist feel like a King or Queen, Goldman has always put together an event that creates a "win-win". To have a national foundation that helps to re-create what Goldman has accomplished for Eden, is a huge gift to artists and deserving non-profits!

From the top artists to the yet-to-be-discovered-up-and-coming "next big thing"....TARA can provide through it's network of knowledge and experience, the opportunity to be shepherded through all the red tape and misinformation that lurks in the world of "charity benefit concerts". The non-profits and the artists will be thankful, but mostly, those in need who will benefit from this source of support will feel blessed to receive the fruits of this harvest.

Getting Higher Choir * June 15 & 16, 2007

2007-04-17T19:58:00.000-05:00

Photograph of Shivon Robinsong in Kapasseni 2003 by Ben Fox.

It's an honor and a thrill to be performing with the "Getting Higher Choir". No other instrument rings through the heart more beautifully than the sound of a whole bunch of humans singing! And the spirit of generosity will add a whole other layer of magic to these concerts. The money raised will flow like a river and carry this gift of love to a village in Africa halfway around the world. How much better can the celebration of music get?

Photograph of Alix Goolden Performance Hall by David Lee for Victoria Conservatory of Music.

April 10th at BBKings in Nashville, Tn.

2007-04-11T22:00:00.000-05:00

I had a blast performing for Al Gore at his Climate Project event last night. Myself and Don Henry and Bill Lloyd in the round with Ernest Chapman on electric guitar, Annie Roboff on keyboard, Jessie Friedman on bass and Noah Hungate guesting on a song Annie and I wrote called "Yes Sir No Sir"~ soon to be available for download on my website!

Al was in fine form having come from the swirl of Oscar-winning accolades and we had an opportunity to catch up for a few minutes. Annie told me I should have asked Tipper to sit in on drums...who, by the way looks amazing....I didn't know she played drums? Wow.

Thank You Tullahoma

2007-04-06T19:38:00.000-05:00

I had great fun playing in Tullahoma last weekend. My son Ernest and his fiance Jessie were on drums and bass and the multi talented Annie Roboff also made the trip. One of my dear friends Kathy Tugman jumped in on background vocals on a few tunes too. What a lovely audience we had! It was really nice to jump in the car and take a little road trip to Tullahoma~just get out from under the headphones and play some music....in the middle of weeks of editing and mixing....it was the perfect one-gig-mini-tour!

Prism Tour - UK 2007!

2007-04-03T15:08:00.000-05:00

GIGANTIC has tickets for all tour dates with the exception of Canterbury.

NOV
7 WED SOUTHAMPTON The Brook 023 8055 5366 £20.00
8 THU BRIGHTON Corn Exchange 01273 709 709 £25.00

10 SAT ABERDARE Coliseum Theatre 01685 881 188 £20.00, £17.50

12 MON BRISTOL St Georges 0845 40 24 001 £22.00
13 TUE BASINGSTOKE The Anvil 01256 844 244 £20.00
14 WED MILTON KEYNES The Stables* 01908 280 800 £25.00
15 THU MILTON KEYNES The Stables* " "

18 SUN NOTTINGHAM The Albert Hall* gigantic.com £23.50
19 MON BIRMINGHAM Town Hall* 0121 780 3333 £20.00

21 WED EDINBURGH Queens Hall 0131 668 2019 £20.00
22 THU PERTH Concert Hall 0845 612 6313 £20.00, £16.00

25 SUN YORK Grand Opera House 0870 606 3595 £20.00
26 MON MANCHESTER Bridgewater Hall 0161 907 9000 £19.50, £17.50

28 WED GATESHEAD The Sage 0191 443 4661 £23.00

30 FRI CANTERBURY Gulbenkian* 01227 769 075 £20.00, £18.00

DEC
1 SAT LONDON Barbican 020 7638 8891 £27.50, £25.00, £10.00

*IRELAND*

DEC

5 WED BALLYBUFEY Jackson's Hotel 0353 749131021
6 THU BELFAST The Black Box 028 90323744
7 FRI DUBLIN Whelan's 00353 147 80766

Newsletter Vol.1

2007-03-16T18:26:00.000-05:00

Dear Fans and Friends!

Please bear with me as I sort out my web site. It's pretty, but it's proving to be a bit difficult for some of you to navigate. So I’m going to completely revamp and I am working on bringing everything up to speed and will be updating you more regularly.

Lots going on in my world! My son Ernest is getting married in May, I'm drowning in the details of finishing "Prism" which is likely to be either a 2 CD set or an extended length CD….coming out this fall. There's to be a big tour of the UK in November--dates and locations will be posted very soon and those who are on this sign up list will get the info first this time!

Because of my intense mixing, mastering and completing artwork schedule this spring…along with my son’s wedding thrown in---I made the executive decision to not attempt to squeeze in the CREATIVITY STARGAZE this year. We will be back bigger and better next year as usual at the Vanderbilt Observatory and in deferring it til then I will avoid trying to juggle way too much. Please forgive me—I decided at the end of 2006 that I was going to start pacing myself a bit more so that I can stay as healthy as I am! I also thoroughly enjoy preparing for the STARGAZE with Rocky Alvey (who manages the Observatory) and I want to give it my full attention—so next year! Stay tuned for details on CREATIVITY STARGAZE 2008!

So here’s a bunch of catch-up news starting with Jan 07:

I pre-taped a segment on the Aled Jones show when I was over in the UK in January. Those of you who are from across the pond know Aled. He's a wonderful interviewer....you can go online and check out the show if you missed it.

Last November I recorded a live DVD at St. Paul’s Cathedral with the London Oriana Choir which has been released in the UK on BNC Records/Proper Distribution, but is also going to be available on my website very soon!

The DVD “If Love Could Say God’s Name” is also available in the UK, either in the shops or you can download several stereo mixes from the UK Itunes. Please check it out. itunes UK

I had a great sold out tour in January in the UK starting with jumping off the plane and driving straight to the “Heaven And Earth Show”! Here I am in full jet lag….what devotion! What bravery! I was so well treated though and truly loved meeting Gloria Hunniford.

From there it was on to the Celtic Connections. The profoundly wonderful London Oriana Choir conducted by David Drummond London Oriana Choir traveled up to Glasgow and sprung up on stage in the middle of my show at the Royal Concert Hall. What a dream to sing with all those voices! And this is only 35 of them! On the DVD at St. Paul’s you can hear 100 of them! Here’s a shot of us at the soundcheck in Glasgow:

In addition to my own (almost sold out!) show in Glasgow, I got to perform at the “Hands Across The Water” show….and “Heads Up For The Wrecking Ball” was the closer! Wow! What a band! Here’s a picture of all of us sirens singing together….

And I got to see the last bit of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s last set…wow…she’s got some amazing new songs…..here I am giving her a drive-by hug after her show at the Royal Concert Hall….

Also…while on tour in January, I pre-taped a segment on the Aled Jones show called “Good Morning Sunday”. Those of you who are from the UK know Aled. He's a wonderful interviewer and an artist as well....you can go online and check out the show if you missed it.

Google Alert - Beth Nielsen Chapman

Facing the Great White By knackeredhack  It’s not a shark, but the blank page that can induce a sense of failure in a writer, observed US singer-songwriter, Beth Nielsen Chapman today on BBC Radio. She said the hardest work you may do as a writer is staring at that blank space ... the knackered hack.

The tour was great fun….aside from being my drummer and background vocalist and sometime-roady, my son Ernest opened up for me most of the shows-except for the Royal Concert Hall which was Teddy Thompson opening (he was just great!) and a couple of other shows where the very talented Kieran Halpin stepped in as Ernest was floored for a few days with the flu. At least he didn’t give it to his Mom! Here’s Ernest –a picture taken by your typical run of the mill stage-Mom!

Then from the UK, I went to South Africa to put the strings on my new project. The studio was incredible! Here’s a picture of the pipe organ along with the the string session conducted by the incredible JB Arthur.

During my visit to Johanesburg I visited C.O.P.E.S. which is a community-based non-profit organization in Soweto, Johannesburg, which primarily focuses on the prevention of child abuse and neglect. They just do amazing work there….I was overwhelmed with the beauty and resilience of these smiling children…all orphaned by AIDS. The were presented with black baby dolls which were donated. I was struck with how quiet and respectful they were as they waited in an orderly fashion for their turn to pick out a doll.

Upon returning home I was scheduled to perform wih Brenda Lee, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welsh, and Suzy Boggus on Feb. 23rd to raise money for the Chet Atkins Community Foundation. My good friend and great songwriter Annie Roboff came by to hang with me and Little Miss Dynamite~!

************************************************************
April 14th: Performing at the Tennessee Allliance for Progress Celebration and Long Haul Awards.
……….to people who have worked especially hard in the previous year to make Tennessee a better place for all its citizens.

Rev. James Lawson, civil rights pioneer, to be a keynote speaker at the
event.

Unitarian Universalist Church
1800 Woodmont Blvd
7 to 10 pm

*************************************************************
June 9th 08:00 PM
Beth Nielsen Chapman & the Mobile Symphony Orchestra
Mobile Saenger Theater
6 South Joachim Street, Downtown Mobile, AL.

*************************************************************
June 15 & 16, 2007 Concert with the Getting Higher Choir
Alix Goolden Performance Hall
907 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, BC

For tickets, contact Gloria Hansen
at (250) 995-8731 or tickets@gettinhigherchoir.ca
************************************************************
In closing I just want to say thank you all for writing. I wish I had time to answer each one individually but it's usually 3 am. and I'm already in trouble from lack of sleep so if you don't hear a response please know that I make every effort to read the "notes-to-beth" and I'm especially moved at some of the amazing stories from you all.

There's so much more I'd like to fill you in on...but if I don't actually finish this collection of songs I may have to move to another planet!

Stay tuned for dates to be confirmed for the September UK press tour and the November UK concert tour!!!

Also…much more to come on the “Sacred Spaces Tour”……if you have a “Sacred Space” to suggest or request… email Amy at aforbnc@mac.com". We will be putting it together over the next several months. My vision is to perform in all sorts of Sacred Spaces…from Cathedrals to Forests to Synagogues and Observatories…wherever the spirit moves me!

XOXOXOXOX BNC

Beth Nielsen Chapman

* Peace Jam Guitar Auction . December 7 - 17, 2009 *

FALL 2009

*** ANNOUNCING * BNC * 2010 UK TOUR DATES! ***

I HEART Benefits Cancer Schmancer

*** Costa Rica Workshop *** Join Us! ***

October 2009

Dave Polmeroy, Craig Krampf, Bill Lloyd & Danny Flowers

The First Amendment Center

Songwriting INTENSIVE Workshop in ** COSTA RICA **

Professor Sakena Yacoobi

2009 Stargaze Weekend Schedule

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC! Hyde Park, London

African Childrens Choir

Michael McDonald, Bob Geldof and Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Sarah McLaughlin, Michael McDonald and Archbishop Desmond Tutu

African Childrens Choir 25th Anniversary Gala

2009 Vancouver Peace Summit with the Dalai Lama

Honoring Archbishop Desmond Tutu

*

NEW LIMITED EDITION EP FEATURING "SHADOWS" FROM THE UPCOMING BACK TO LOVE

Something New For Stargaze 2009

*

Festival Of Homiletics 2009

2009 Celebration of The Arts

WOW. That Was Some Spring.

Exclusive EP From UK Tour

Alabama Dance Theater

2009 BNC Songwriting and Creativity Stargaze

Happy New Year!

Scotland, Noerthern Ireland and England

BNC Live SAND & WATER from DUBLIN, IRELAND.

Novemember 2008 Mini Solo Tour of England and Scotland

MORE October 2008

Vintage Video! "That's the Easy Part"

IMC Uses THE FLAME For A Worthy Cause

October 2008

MTV COVERS PEACEJAM GLOBAL CALL TO ACTION CONFERENCE!

August 2008

BNC Concert for PeaceJam!

BNC Newsflash and Catch up!

Creativity Stargaze 2008

April 19th-Austin Texas: Beth and Rodney Crowell perform for the "Healthy Child Healthy World" benefit.

Barnes and Noble Loves Prism!

Hello World

BNC in the news at SESAC

The Montreal Gazette Reviews "PRISM"

BNC FeB 08 Yikes! Catch-up Blog

BNC appears on Deepak's Sirius Radio show "Wellness Radio" in NY

FOLKWAX reviews "PRISM"

BNC Guitar Raises £16,000 For BBC Radio 2 Children In Need

IN CHESHIRE ARTICLE

Creativity Stargaze 2008

Me and Jools Holland

PRISM IS NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK!!

Radio Scotland Interview

PRISM IS NOW AVAILABLE!!

Beautiful Wales

IRELAND TOUR DATES!

Listen to the Ken Bruce Performance

WIN TICKETS to exclusive Prism launch show!

Ken Bruce Show * Tues. Sept. 11

Victoria, British Columbia

Me and My Dad!

The Mobile Symphony

Mobile Symphony

The Wisdom of The Song

Getting a hug from one of my heroes...Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Festival of Homiletics

Diana Legacy Fund Launch For Children Suffering The AIDS Crisis In Sub-Saharan Africa

Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child

Flashback

Prism Tour - UK 2007! * UPDATE *

Happy Birthday Leeza

Kenny Loggins

TARA and The Future of Philanthropic Touring

Getting Higher Choir * June 15 & 16, 2007

April 10th at BBKings in Nashville, Tn.

Thank You Tullahoma

Prism Tour - UK 2007!

* Costa Rica Workshop * Join Us! ***

Songwriting INTENSIVE Workshop in COSTA RICA