~ Gary Chapman ~

Gary Chapman is an American contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter and former television talk show host.

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

Chapman performed in bands throughout high school and college.  After going to Bible college at what is now Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and was hired as guitar player for The Rambos. In 1979, his song "Father's Eyes" was recorded as the title track to Amy Grant's Grammy-nominated second album My Father's Eyes.  In 1982, his song "Finally", recorded by T. G. Sheppard, reached No. 1 on the country music charts. He also received a Dove Award as Songwriter of the Year from the Gospel Music Association in 1981.

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

He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album in 1994  for The Light Inside. The album also resulted in a Dove Award nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year, and yielded a contemporary Christian music chart No. 1 song, "Sweet Glow of Mercy." He won a second Dove Award in 1994 for co-producing the album Songs from the Loft, featuring various artists.

In April 1996, Chapman won Male Vocalist of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards.  His 1996 album, Shelter, delivered another No. 1, "One of Two", with "Man After Your Own Heart" resulting in a Dove Award for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year and featuring on the Dove Award-winning Special Event Album of the Year, My Utmost for His Highest. Shelter also received a 1997 Grammy nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.  At the 1998 Dove Awards, his album Hymns From The Ryman, featuring him and other artists, won Country Album of the Year.