Festival Of Homiletics 2009

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

*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.

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

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

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

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!

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 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.

Thank you, Vincent!

Novemember 2008 Mini Solo Tour of England and Scotland

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

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"

IMC Uses THE FLAME For A Worthy Cause

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

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!

MTV Shows

August 2008

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!

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!

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