They Came To Nashville

Click here to order from Museum Store at Country Music Hall of Fame.

Click here to order from your nearest independent bookstore.

Click here to order from Amazon.

Foreword by Peter Guralnick

Stories and interviews with Kris Kristofferson, Mary Gauthier, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Bobby Bare, Miranda Lambert, Bobby Bradddock, Terri Clark, Eddie Angel (Los Straitjackets), Don Henry, John Hiatt, Ashley Cleveland, Gary Nicholson, and Willie Nelson.

2011 SIBA Book Award nominee
2011 (January) Pulpwood Queens Book Club selection
2010 SIBA Okra Pick

Click here for chapter preview.

Media inquiries: Sue Havlish

“Best Country/Roots Album of 2010″
- PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

“… Chapman’s masterpiece.”
- PASTE MAGAZINE

Big Lonesome

To order CD, click “ADD TO CART” below:
$16.00 (includes shipping)

To download click here.

Available at the following stores …

Alabama
Dr. Music (Fairhope)

Arkansas
That Bookstore in Blytheville

Georgia
Peerless Book Store (Alpharetta)

Kentucky
The Great Escape (Bowling Green)
Ear X-tacy (Louisville)

Mississippi
Square Books (Oxford)
Lemuria Books (Jackson)
Turnrow Books (Greenwood)

North Carolina
Quail Ridge Books & Music (Raleigh)
Purple Crow  (Hillsborough)

Ohio
Wexner Center Store (Columbus)

South Carolina
Horizon Records (Greenville)
Hub City Bookstore (Spartanburg)

Tennessee
Disc Exchange (Knoxville)
Grimey’s (Nashville)
Barnes & Noble-Vanderbilt (Nashville)
Belle Meade Plantation Gift Shop (Nashville)
Bookman/Bookwoman (Nashville)
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum Store (Nashville)
Ernest Tubb Record Stores (Nashville & Pigeon Forge)

Texas
Waterloo Records (Austin)
Beauty & the Book (Jefferson)

Media inquiries: Cary Baker

album notes
lyrics / credits
press release
reviews
blurbs

FEBRUARY 2012

Dear friends,

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s. I spent part of mine playing guest DJ at WSM, spinning some of my all-time favorite love songs. (Click here for playlist.)

That evening, Chris and I participated in the much anticipated “Love is Deaf” concert here in Nashville. At this event, singers and their non-singing spouses perform a song of their choosing. Chris had never sung in public before (or in private), but as you can see, he was a BIG HIT! (Click here for video.)

The week before, I played an informal, lunchtime concert with Rodney Crowell and Mary Gauthier at HBO World Headquarters in Santa Monica. The show was sponsored by the Nashville Screenwriters Association so HBO’s producers, directors and writers could hear our songs. Afterward, Mary, Rodney and I had our driver take us straight to the Pacific Ocean where we walked on the beach and talked about everything under the sun while watching it set in spectacular fashion. That evening, we dined at STK-LA compliments of BMG, who now administers my song catalogs. Driving us around that night was the infamous Dub Cornett who regaled us with stories of his high school football coach, “Big Daddy” Riggs. I can’t repeat most of what Big Daddy said here, but trust me when I say Dub had Rodney, Mary and me weeping with laughter.

Okay. Put this in your iPhone calendar! Day after tomorrow (Wednesday, February 22), Mary Gauthier, Will Kimbrough and I perform at the Station Inn, starting at 9 pm. This will be a great night of music and one you won’t want to miss! (Click here for details.)

I wish you love … and laughter when needed.

photo: Lisa Oliver-Gray
photo: Dave Foy	photo: Dave Foy

Sit-down breakdown?

Click here to find out what it is and how it can help you.

Marshall recommends …

the following books:

Birds of America

Lorrie Moore

Irrepressible: The Life and Times of Jessica Mitford

Leslie Brody

Satan is Real: The Ballad of the Louvin Brothers

Charlie Louvin with Benjamin Whitmer

Paddlefish

Christine Warren

Artists Among Us: 100 Faces of Art in Spartanburg

Hub City Press

Flashback!

Marshall performing at Thirstie's — Mobile, AL (Summer of 1978)photo: Jim Williams

Pearl Drop

Hummingbird Hall of Fame

Current inductees (friends who shared the January newsletter) are:

Bill Barker, Wilson Bonner, Henry Carrigan, Jody Cheek, Frances Downing Hunter, Tom Frazee, Kevin Gray, Van Heath, Beverly Hill, Jim Hoehn, Marc Howard, Jonna Iacono, Brent Inman, Ann Kelly, Kimberly King-Burns, Barbara Latham, Wade McCurdy, Skye McKee, Ken Parrott, Diana Revell, Rob Rodatus, Ramcey Rodriguez, Garth Shaw, Kelson Slayman, Debby Solomon, Dona Tapp, Roxane Tyssen, Barry W. Lynn, Joni Wheeler and Heywood Williams.

JANUARY 2012

Dear friends,

I am off the road for a while.
Getting ready to record a new album which is always exciting.

Thanks to all who came out to The Station Inn last Wednesday! It was great playing music with Tommy Womack and Will Kimbrough, not to mention the lovely and talented Lisa Oliver-Gray who sang a couple of songs from her debut CD,Dedicated to Love. Spotted in the crowd that night were Shannon Wright, Jon Byrd, Ramcey Rodriguez, Matt & Carol Timm, Ann Soyars, Jessica Kimbrough, Tall Paul, Louisa Branscomb, Rick Smith & Dawn Hopkins, and Simone Walraven (all the way from Amsterdam!)

Mark your calendars! On February 14, I’ll be guest DJ on WSM 650 AM for an hour starting at 2pm(CT). That’s Valentine’s Day, so I’ll be playing my all-time favorite country love and heartbreak songs. I’m open to suggestions, so send me yours. Bookmark this page to listen live.

In closing, I’d like to thank everybody who came out to see us in 2011.
It’s been a whirlwind year! I hope you enjoy the following photographs.

Wishing you love and happiness,

P.S. Mellowicious! and Take It On Home are still on sale here.

2011 in pictures

Click here if you cannot see the sildeshow above.

Winter Blues?

Click here for the antidote.

Marshall recommends …

the following playlist:

Bloody Mary Morning
Willie Nelson
Hold On Tight To Your Dream
ELO
Is It Raining at Your House
Vern Gosdin
Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream?)
Roy Orbison
I Only Want to Be with You
Dusty Springfield

Flashback!

(1952) Marshall with sister Mary in Enoree, South Carolina

Pearl Drop

Hummingbird Hall of Fame

Current inductees (friends who shared the December newsletter) are:

Laura Hogan Bailey, David Booker, Jeff Brady, Charlotte Costa, Katy Ginanni, Connie Greenwell, Ann Harmer, Beverly Hill, Jim Hoehn, Dawn Hopkins, David Huntington, Brent Inman, Dorothy Josey, Brenda Popwell Keen, Ann Kelly, Paul Leslie, Carla Martin, Maral Missirian-Dill, Dana Moore, Kevin Parrish, Melissa Pulsfort, Diana Revell, Ramcey Rodriguez, Trish Sanders, Emma Sara, Kelson Slayman, Debby Solomon, Danny Sparks, Pamela Terry, Evert Wilbrink and Mike Williams.

DECEMBER 2011

Feliz Navidad, mis amigos!

Early December trip to Puerto Vallarta was a rich experience full of music, magic, and mayhem! In just five days, I managed to (1) sit in with Philo’s Mexican Shuffle Band at his club in La Cruz (click here for the live stream – I’m 1 hour 35 mins in), (2) reel in my first yellowtail tuna, (3) spend a night on the town with Joe “King” Carrasco, (4) body surf a big wave at a remote beach near Sayulita, and (5) ride in a car that got stopped not once but twice by la policía local! To see FB photo album de mi viaje, click here — And feel free to leave comments, as I love reading them!

Marshall & Gaile Owens at Belcourt benefit

Other than that, I’ve been putzing around the house and writing. The good news is I now have enough new songs to record a new album! The songs are, well, kind of sexy, so I’m hoping you’ll help me come up with an appropriate title next month.

Thanks to all who came out to the Belcourt December 1st. We raised $17,000 for a good cause and everybody had a great time.

In closing, if you happen to be in Memphis New Year’s Eve, I’ll see you at the Liberty Bowl! Coach Franklin has the Commodores playing exciting football. Go ‘Dores!!

Thanks for your support this past year. It’s been a good ‘un.

Love,

Bah Humbug,” really?

Click here to find out.

Marshall recommends …

the following films:

After the Wedding
Susanne Bier

Standing in the Shadows of Motown
Paul Justman

Revanche
Gtz Spielmann

Entre Nos
Paola Mendoza

No Direction Home: Bob Dylan
Martin Scorsese

Flashback!

NOVEMBER 2011

Hola everyone!

Only three more Nashville-area gigs between now and the end of the year!

But first … I will be guest DJ on WSM 650 AM TODAY starting at 2:00 pm! I hope you’ll tune in, as I spin and talk about some of my favorite records! (To listen live via WSM’s website, click here.) I’ve been playing DJ at home all my life, but THIS will be my first time on real airwaves!

Will Kimbrough & Marshall

Then Wednesday, Nov. 16 Will Kimbrough and I will be at the Station Inn starting at 9pm. I can’t say enough good things about Will. His guitar work on my last album (Big Lonesome) took it to a whole ‘nother level. Will also writes great songs. (Click here to visit Will’s website.) We’ll be rockin’ first set. Then sit down and swap songs for the second. I plan to unveil some new ones, so come on down and be grooved and moved!

Looking ahead: Saturday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving weekend), I’ll be at the Bluebird Cafe for my annual post-tryptophan work-out show! It’s billed “An Evening with Marshall Chapman.” For more information, click here.

Now … I guarantee the following will jumpstart you into the Christmas spirit like nothing else. On Saturday, December 1, Matraca Berg, Lee Smith, Jill McCorkle, and I will play a benefit at the Belcourt Theater. All proceeds from this show go to The Center for Contemplative Justice. Whenever the four of us get together, the fun meter and hearts get broken, so mark your calendar! Click here for tickets.

Matraca, Marshall, Jill & Lee

After that, I’m off to Mexico. So if you’re South of the Border … maybe I’ll see you on December 3 at Philo’s in La Cruz (sitting in with Philo’s Mexican Shuffle Band) and/or December 8 at Nacho Daddy in Puerto Vallarta with Joe “King” Carrasco and his band.

Feliz Acción de Gracias a todos!

P.S. For all gig listings, click here.

Is there more to know about cheese grits?

Click here to find out.

Marshall recommends …

the following books:

My Reading Life
Pat Conroy

Murder on Music Row
Stuart Dill

The Night Train
Clyde Edgerton

Solamente en San Miguel, Volume II
Jeanne Mills, editor

Mississippi: State of Blues
Photos by Ken Murphy, text by Scott Barretta

Flashback!

OCTOBER 2011

Home at last!

Well, after a year spent mostly on the road, Chris and I are home for a while.

But there was no rest for the weary, as both the Americana Music Festival and Southern Festival of Books were gearing up upon our return.

First up: my AMA showcase at the Station Inn, where Will Kimbrough, who accompanied me on guitar, and I kicked things off on a bill that included the Wronglers (led by Jimmie Dale Gilmore) and Peter Rowan. Next night: the AMA Awards Show, where I presented the “Artist of the Year” award to Buddy Miller. Then Saturday was my 12th Annual Literary In-the-Round at the Bluebird. Clyde Edgerton, Matraca Berg, Mark Childress, and I played until well after midnight before an appreciative crowd that included Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. Some nights are diamonds.

THIS JUST IN!
Big Lonesome (my current CD) is on the preliminary ballot (twice!) for a Grammy!! Once for “Americana Album of the Year” and the other for “Americana Producer of the Year” (Michael Utley). Are you a member of NARAS? If so, please consider Big Lonesome when you go pulling that lever! It’s my finest work to date; The Philadelphia Inquirer named it “Best Country/Roots Album of 2010″; and Paste Magazine has called it my “masterpiece.” (Big Lonesome may be ordered by clicking here.)

Since the last Skinny, I’ve played Landhaven outside Philly (where I ran into childhood friends Springs Steele and Saralee Ray Mollo); the Plantation Club in Savannah; and a benefit at the Charleston Library Society for the Nature Conservancy of South Carolina and the Library, organized by my friend–since–childhood Monte Parsons Gaillard. It’s not every day you can look out into an audience and see the flower girl from your parents’ wedding (Arrington Walker) sitting alongside a former SEC football coach! (Bobby Johnson with wife Catherine) Earlier that day, Chris and I got to spend a few hours on the beach at Sullivan’s Island. For lunch we headed over to the Isle of Palms, where we had the best fried shrimp po’ boys and pimento–cheese grits either of us had ever tasted! (The shrimp were fresh–caught from the creek that morning.)

After Charleston, we headed back south to Sea Island for a book–signing party hosted by my college friend, Ruthanna Bost. The next night, I performed at the Cloister Club Room. (It’s not every day you have a greenroom where the eight leaders of the Free World once met for a summit conference!) After Sea Island, we again crossed the Georgia–South Carolina line (third time in four days) for a concert at the Cannery on Dataw Island. In the audience was my twin brother–in–law, Tommy Webster, and his wife, Ann. Note: While I was performing inside, Chris was outside being beseiged by raccoons at my merch table on the porch. I am not making this up. He turned to see a raccoon stealthily moving along the merch table with one of my CDs clutched in his little bandit–claws!

And on that note …

I wish you all a Happy Halloween!

P.S. Gaile Owens update: On September 28 (the anniversary of what would have been her execution date), Gaile Owens received the remaining three votes needed for parole. Nine days later, she walked out of prison for the first time in over 26 years. To those of you who signed petitions, this is your story, too. Click below for news accounts.
Tennessean video
Channel 5 video
AP story

Presenting "Artist of the Year" award to Buddy Miller (photo: Erika Goldring)

Performing in the Cloister Club Room at Sea Island (photo: Eliot VonOtteren/Sea Island Acquisitions LLC)

For more pictures from the road, click here.

What happens when you just shower and show up?

Click here to find out.

Marshall recommends …

the following playlist:

1. Son of a Preacher Man (Dusty Springfield)
2. I Want to Hold Your Hand (T.V. Carpio)
3. Simple Twist of Fate (Jerry Garcia Band)
4. Ain’t Hurtin’ Nobody (John Prine)
5. Okolona, Tennessee (Kenny Vaughan)

Flashback!

Halloween, 1952, Marshall with sister Mary in Enoree, South Carolina

Pearl Drop

Hummingbird Hall of Fame

Current inductees (friends who shared the September newsletter) are:

Thad Allen, Laura Hogan Bailey, Bill Barker, David Bennett, David Booker, Mark Brown, Tom Corcoran, Ralph Day, Joseph DesChamps, Tere Eaglen, Connie Greenwell, Sue Havlish, Beverly Hill, Jim Hoehn, Linda Jackson, Ann Kelly, Lisa Knight, Leesa Martin, Jan Ingar Pedersen, John Jack Price, Anne Rast, Diana Revell, Kelson Slayman, Debby Solomon, Sloane Spencer, Laurie Spezzano, Whitworth Stokes and Lloyd Welke.

To join this esteemed and beloved community, please share this newsletter.

A NEW softcover SECOND EDITION of Marshall’s first book is now available!
Softcover with ORIGINAL PINK COVER ART, high-grade paper, etc. — at a great price!
Click here to order from B&N.
Click here to order from Parnassus Books.
Also available at Bookman/Bookwoman and the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum gift shop in Nashville, Tennessee!

SEPTEMBER 2011

Greetings!

Hey! Highlights since the last Skinny include the 9/24 Music City Roots celebration of my book, They Came to Nashville (complete with a surprise performance by Bobby Bare!); the Exit/In 40th Reunion Show with Barefoot Jerry, Dianne Davidson, Mac Gayden & Skyboat, Buzz Cason, and Tracy Nelson; the Jim Parker Songwriter showcase in Huntsville, AL, with Matraca Berg and Tommy Womack; a jam–packed Eddie’s over Labor Day weekend; ocean swim off Pawley’s Island with Jimbo and Kim between Wilmington and the Isle of Palms (where I opened shows for Todd Snider); reunion with Darnell Arnoult at LMU gig in Harrogate (TN). Note: Chris and I did Harrogate, Wilmington, and the Isle of Palms in three days. That’s right — three gigs in 3 days. 1438 miles. It’s now official. Chris and I are road dogs!

This Saturday, I’ll be at Landhaven in Barto, PA. Songwriter–journalist Eric Brace reports this to be a great venue for playing and listening to music. So to all you folks in the Philly area, we hope to see you there!

After Barto, we head back to the Carolina/Georgia coast with shows in Savannah, Charleston, Sea Island, and Beaufort (SC). (Click here for details.)

Oh, and click here to see that incredible Music City Roots show featuring Rodney Crowell, Mary Gauthier, and Don Henry, with surprise guests Bobby Bare, Gary Nicholson, Bill Lloyd, Danny Flowers, and Mickey Raphael. What a love fest!

And if you want to see the best Letterman interview ever, click here. (Love that Elizabeth Cook!)

See you on the road!

P.S. Encouraging news! On September 7, Gaile Owens received the first of four votes needed for parole. Click here for full story. Thanks to all who signed those petitions. Sometimes our voices are heard.

Marshall and Bobby Bare listen to Tania Elizabeth and Mary Gauthier, Music City Roots — Aug. 24 (Photo: Jed Hilly)

To see more photos from the road, click here.

Marshall’s paradise?

Click here to find out.

Watermelon and Tomato Salad

from the New York Times’ Diner’s Journal
Start to finish: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups seedless watermelon, in 1-inch cubes or balls (cut over a bowl to catch the juice and reserve it)
• 1 1/2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half
• 1/2 cup finely diced or crumbled Stilton, Gorgonzola, Roquefort or Maytag blue cheese
• 1/2 cup minced scallions
• Salt
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
• Pinch cayenne
• 1/2 cup parsley, roughly chopped

Preparation:

1. Combine the watermelon, tomato, cheese, scallions and salt in a bowl.
2. Whisk or blend together about 2 tablespoons of the watermelon juice, oil, vinegar and cayenne. To serve, dress the salad with this mixture and garnish with parsley. Do not refrigerate and serve within 30 minutes.

Marshall recommends

the following songs:

Feel Like Going Home (Charlie Rich)
Ode to Billie Joe (Bobbie Gentry)
Brand New Companion (Townes Van Zandt)
Boxcars (Joe Ely)
Midnight Rider (Allman Brothers)

Click here to listen to the playlist.

Flashback!

MC with Pete Drake
(1979) Pete’s Place, Nashville, TN
I recorded my first album (Me, I’m Feelin’ Free) at Pete’s Place. And also my third (Marshall), which Pete produced. Pete was upbeat and a lot of fun to be around. He played pedal steel on Tammy Wynette’s “Stand by Your Man” and Dylan’s “Lay, Lady Lay” among others.

Pearl Drop

Hummingbird Hall of Fame

Current inductees (friends who shared the August newsletter) are:

Robin Andrews, Darnell Arnoult, Laura Hogan Bailey, David Booker, Keith Clayton, Dale Critz Jr., Carlton Currie, Nancy Dimond, Dieta Duncan, Tere Eaglen, Fay Edge, Sam Farkas, Kris Flaherty, LaRhonda Freeman, Carolyn Gauthier, Katy Ginanni, Louis & Karin Glendenning, Linda Hart-Anderson, Jim Hoehn, Ralph Hornsby, Elsa Hudson, David Huntington, Eve Hutcherson, Greta Joseph, Leon Joyner, Steve Kelley, Ann Kelly, Lisa Knight, Robert Ladd, Paul Leslie, Bette Lorenzen, David Martin, Brenda Metz, Jennifer Norris, Will Prioleau, Cathy Roszell, Susan Schneider, Garth Shaw, Jim Simpson, Kelson Slayman, Connie & Michael Smith, Debby Solomon, Barbara Southerland, Andrew Talbert, Dona Tapp, Keith Thompson, Lloyd Welke, Nancy Kay Wessman, Joni Wheeler, Norma Beth Williamson and Art Young.

To enjoy even more photos, videos and news, sign up for your own version of the Tall Girl Skinny below,

AUGUST 2011

Buenos dias!

Well, I’m back home after over a month in Mexico. (Click here to see pictures from my trip.) Highlights include the Martin and Hardy house concerts, the Literary Sala honoring the late Wayne Greenhaw, the Chiles en Nogada we ate afterward, the Longhorn Smokehouse where I sat in with Philo (and a terrific rhythm section comprised of Rick Shlosser on drums and Tom Lilienthal on bass), David Martin’s birthday celebration, Spanish lessons at the Hardy School, playing Scrabble with Jennifer and Sara, learning how to make huevos mexicanos, driving the back roads with Joseph and Tim, yoga with Charmion and Donald, and early morning treks to La Gruta (hot mineral spa) with Bob. Seems every moment in San Miguel is a magical moment. Just walking the cobblestone streets, visiting el mercado, making myself more understood, as I learned more and more Spanish. ¡Qué aventura!

Now back on the home front. Tomorrow (Wed., Aug. 24), I’ll be performing at Music City Roots along with Mary Gauthier, Don Henry, Rodney Crowell, and Bobby Bare. This show will celebrate They Came to Nashville. The next night (Thurs., Aug. 25), I’ll again be with Minton Sparks on a co-bill at the Station Inn. Will Kimbrough, who played lead guitar on Big Lonesome, will accompany me both nights.

After that, it’s Huntsville AL, Decatur GA, and Harrogate TN, before heading to the coast to open for Todd Snider in Wilmington NC, and the Isle of Palms SC.

Then it’s up to Barto PA, before heading back down to the coast. To all who’ve been asking, “Hey! When are you coming to the Low Country?”, I hope to see you in Charleston, Savannah, Sea Island, and/or Beaufort! (Click here for details.)

Good news! Emma’s email marketing blog recently gave our Tall Girl Skinny a nice shout-out.

The first TGS went out November 24, 2009, to about 2400 active subscribers. We now have over 5500! Take a bow, everybody, because you are what keeps this little engine running.

Muchas gracias a todos!

view of San Miguel

Click here for more photos.

Cornbread or Rolls?

	Click here to find out.
	If you’re having trouble viewing the link above, click here.

Live from San Miguel!

Marshall sings “Leaving Loachapoka” to a roomful of Alabamian ex-pats in San Miguel de Allende.

If you cannot see the image above, click here to access the video.

Marshall recommends …

the following films:

Forty Shades of Blue
Ira Sachs

The King’s Speech
Tom Hopper

It’s Complicated
Nancy Meyers

Badlands
Terrence Malik

Across the Universe
Julie Taymor

Pearl Drop

Hummingbird Hall of Fame

Current inductees (friends who shared the July newsletter) are:

Stan Adams, Candi Baker, John M. Bush, Michael Chinkers, Keith Clayton, Havrana Conrad, Mary Zimmerman Criswell, Danny Crowe, Pam & Michael Elting, Ruth Fainlight, Marcia Fine, Julie Gillen, Katy Ginanni, Keith Harrelson, Karen Hayes, Lindsay Hayes, Doris Held, Beverly Hill, Jim Hoehn, Dawn Hopkins, Elsa Hudson, Anne Chapman Jeter, Ann Kelly, Robert Ladd, Barbara Latham, Paul Leslie, Carla Martin, Janis McNeely, Megan Ratley, Ramcey Rodriguez, Janet Ruffin, Garth Shaw, Danny Shelton, Kelson Slayman, Debby Solomon, Justin Stelter, Dona Tapp, Sandy Untermyer, Rebekah Walker, Lloyd Welke, Joni Wheeler and Ann Witzany.