Ben Chapman’s musical journey began at 16, inspired by fellow Georgian Channing Wilson’s advice to move to Nashville after turning 21. Chapman spent years refining his self-taught guitar skills, playing countless local gigs and learning to captivate audiences—an experience that later influenced his new album, Downbeat, and its title track “Downbeat,” which celebrates music’s soothing power. Released on December 13, Downbeat showcases Chapman’s confident “southern-funk jam-band country thing,” a sound he deepened by immersing himself in The Band’s storytelling.
While he initially focused on songwriting for other artists, including Flatland Cavalry and Muscadine Bloodline, Chapman is now centered on his own artistry. He frequently collaborates with his wife, singer-songwriter Meg McRee, and recorded Downbeat with producer Anderson East, a partnership he describes as a “breath of fresh air.”
Now a Nashville resident for almost six years, Chapman continues to connect with his roots through “Peach Jam,” a recurring event featuring artists like Brent Cobb and Lainey Wilson, all while preparing for his first headline tour and sharing his “true self” through his evolving music.
