If you’re not listening to Ben Chapman yet, you need to change that.
A Nashville-based musician who has had his songs cut by bands like Flatland Cavalry and Muscadine Bloodline, among others over the years, it didn’t take Chapman long after making the move to Music City in 2019 to gain a reputation around town as a formidable songwriter. But beyond the music he has written for others, it’s his own catalog of original music that deserves everyone’s attention.
With his brand new Anderson East-produced record Downbeat hitting streaming platforms today, this project marks Chapman’s third studio album in as many years, demonstrating just how prolific of an artist he has been since he began releasing music in 2021. But this should come as no surprise to anyone who is familiar with his story, because he’s been at the music thing for quite some time now.
In fact, he’s been trailblazing his own sound since he was a teenager in his hometown of Lafayette, Georgia. Inspired by advice he received at just 16 years old from fellow songwriter and hometown hero Channing Wilson, Chapman moved to Nashville shortly after turning 21, and he hasn’t looked back. With all these years under his belt of playing music wherever they’d let him, Chapman has seen it all throughout his relatively nascent career, and Downbeat is the culmination of his experiences thus far.
As crazy as a musician’s lifestyle can get, the album’s title track is an ode to how the music itself serves as a powerful constant that will always be there, soothing the soul and bringing everyone together in the moment. And the rest of the album serves in many ways as an extension of this notion.
With nine original tracks and a Bob Dylan love song that features his girlfriend Meg McRee’s vocals to close out the record, Downbeat is a sonically diverse yet cohesive project that not only showcases Chapman’s deft songwriting ability but also his unique brand of groovy, rock and soul infused country music. Full of ear-catching riffs and funky bass lines, Downbeat will have you tapping your feet as soon as the downbeat comes.
So, without further ado, check out Ben Chapman’s new record Downbeat below with a few of my early favorites:
“Almost Home”
“Downbeat”
“Temporary High”
“Finish What You Started”
“Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here with You” ft. Meg McRee
What a record.
If you like what you heard here, make sure to get out there and catch Ben Chapman and his band live. With a heavily improvised set that quickly turns to soulful southern rock jams with extended solos, Chapman’s live show might be about as close as you can get to the Allman Brothers today, believe it or not.
He and the fellas are an absolute force to be reckoned with up there on stage.
Ben Chapman Tour Dates
Jan. 16, 2025
Pittsburgh, PA
Jan. 17, 2025
Plain City, OH
Jan. 18, 2025
Ferndale, MI
Jan. 23, 2025
Madison, WI
Jan. 24, 2025
Chicago, IL
Jan. 25, 2025
Indianapolis, IN
Feb. 13, 2025
Decatur, GA
Feb. 14, 2025
Dunn, NC
Feb. 15, 2025
Maryville, TN
Feb. 20, 2025
Columbus, OH
Feb. 21, 2025
Nashville, TN
Feb. 22, 2025
Macon, GA
Feb. 28, 2025
Chattanooga, TN
Mar. 1, 2025
Birmingham, AL
Apr. 12 – 13, 2025
Macon, GA
