Ben Chapman would rather his son go into a trade than follow in his footsteps and try out the whole music thing.
The “Don’t You Dare” singer sat down with us on the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast and discussed his favorite places in Nashville, how it’s been to watch Music City change in his lifetime, and how he and his wife – fellow artist Meg McCree – juggle music and raising their little one. Chapman also touched on the music that helped shape who he is, having Channing Wilson as a mentor, and his latest album, Feet On Fire, being called “funky tonk.”
Ben also talked about how he approaches songwriting, trying to have songs that jam but avoiding being a “jam band,” and his concern that no cool music will be made in 20 years. Chapman went on to say a lot of modern artists are making “phone in” records, called out a lot of young artists that don’t know the history of country music, and entertained the thought of country stars from the 60s and 70s living in the modern, social media age of music.
As you can tell, there’s a lot on Chapman’s mind at this stage of his life, and part of that is thanks to him and his wife welcoming a baby boy into the world. Meg and Ben named their kiddo George Chapman, and he’s very much aware that their son has an official sounding name:
“We gave him the name, if he screws it up, it’s on him. George Henry Chapman sounds like a president. At least a congressman. But God help anybody that wants to be in politics.”
George Henry Chapman sure does have a nice ring to it.
Ben went on to say that he’d be perfectly fine if his son, who was born last September, would go into some sort of trade. Though he and his wife love their lives as artists, he knows how much work goes into being a creative, and how invaluable skilled labor is becoming:
“I keep saying I hope he’s a plumber, because it’s the one thing A.I. can’t take away. Obviously he’s probably gonna play music because everybody comes into the house, picks up a guitar and immediately starts playing. He’s second nature to like, ‘Oh, everybody plays guitar.’ I’m sure he’ll be a musician, but if he’s not, I hope he’s a tradesman.”
@whiskeyriff @Ben Chapman #whiskeyriff #whiskeyriffraff ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff
Yeah… Ben Chapman wasn’t kidding about his pro-plumber stance.
The artist said being a creative is both a blessing and a curse, and he and his wife know that it’s not the most lucrative endeavor, at least when you compare it to the stability and high-pay of trade jobs:
“My mom was an educator for 40 years. Just seeing the school systems and the college world, it’s so crazy how everyone is getting out of college with a great degree but they can’t get a job. The kid who went two years and is wiring up a house makes more money than a f***ing doctor.
As much as you want to work, you can work. My dad’s a big tradesman. He didn’t even graduate high school, so he does everything with his hands. Seeing him, it’s like, ‘Damn you are doing better than some doctors.’ As much work as you want, it’s there.”
All that to say, I’m sure whatever job George Henry Chapman ends up in when he grows up, he’ll be great at it with the parents that he has leading the way.
You can hear about all of that and more from Ben Chapman by checking out the interview on YouTube or making sure to download the podcast on Apple Podcasts by searching “Whiskey Riff Raff.”
We’re also available on Spotify and wherever else you can listen to podcasts.
Cheers, y’all.
