BIOGRAPHY
The Donovan Chapman story has more than its share of unexpected twists. A 31-year-old singer and songwriter raised in rural Louisiana, Chapman grew up like so many other country boys -- hunting, fishing, playing guitar, and singing. He served our country for 11 years in the armed forces, which some would think could serve him well in the heavily patriotic country genre. They would be surprised to find that his music won't dwell on those popular themes. He worked diligently to earn his way into Nashville's inner circles, only to have his big break come to him in, of all places, Tallahassee, Florida.
"I'm half Hawaiian and half French-English-American Indian," Chapman explains while discussing his Rocky Branch, Louisiana upbringing. "Mom had me playing traditional Hawaiian music and Southern gospel in church on of all things, the ukulele. Along the way I was heavily influenced by people like Eddie Rabbitt, Shenandoah, Collin Raye, Lionel Richie, Bob Marley, and Jack Johnson."
At 17, Chapman enlisted in the Air Force, eventually becoming a member of one of the military's most elite Special Forces -- Pararescue. The "PJs," as they call themselves, are tasked with combat search and rescue, which typically means operating in hostile environments to save downed pilots. Chapman served in Kuwait and Afghanistan, risking his life to save his comrades in arms during his career.
Donovan's military service shaped him immeasurably and he is as patriotic as they come. His fans will find that his musical expression won't spend much time beating the war drums. "I have so much respect for what the men and women in uniform are accomplishing and going through right now," he says. "But I've done my time."
"I don't need to relive those experiences every night," he continues. "I lost a lot of brothers out there, but my promise to them is to live my life to the best of my ability -- to make every day count. Singing military songs isn't the only way to do that. I'd rather shelter my mind from war, famine and disasters. And if I've only got three minutes of somebody's attention, I'd prefer that my song affect them positively. I want to carry them away from the worries and troubles of the world."
During Donovan's Air Force tenure, he felt the call to make music that would set him free from man's harshest realities. He spent his leave time in Nashville honing his craft as a writer and a performer while developing contacts in the music business. Those connections served him well, though it was a relationship forged a little closer to home that led to his record deal.
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Includes these great songs:
RCH, 8 Seconds at a Time, There Is No War, Diamonds in the Grass, Love Guides The Way, This Song Won't Last, In My Older Days, Quachita, I Am America, Crazy Dream, A Good Problem To Have, A House Like That, Hey Hollywood
