4 February 2008 So there is such a thing as burn out when it comes to the indie artist, and I can fully understand why that would happen, but that is not what happened to me. I have always been fully committed to doing the long hours; the drives to small towns only to play for four people (and that is the waitstaff). I believe in artists doing their time, to get a feel for what it is like to feel rejected, snubbed, and only slightly appreciated for their talents. Ever since I was 10 I knew that I wanted to live the life of a musician. But there comes a time, where life grabs you by the ears and says "there is something more important." In 2006 I won a coveted music award, and could book myself in any town I pleased, with modest crowds and genuine fans, it seems I had a good thing going. I knew, though, in my heart of hearts, that I was not living in a spot where my daughter could be free to have two moms, be free to express herself about her family, be totally free. So my family decided to move to the ocean. Family would immediately scoop her up and embrace our lifestyle as "normal". We would enroll her in school, that teaches anti biased curriculum, where her classmates would not have any questions about why she had two moms, would actually run up to me and yell "your mommy is here!" This is worth its' weight in gold, and I would not give that up for anything. What I could not control is the price of this move, as far as work, mortgage, time, etc. That swooped me up and has been kicking my ass ever since. I long for the life of flexible work weeks, where I can take off for a gig, do in stores out of town on a whim, or drive three hours for a radio show, but that is not in the cards now. So instead, I have been playing duo gigs at the Davenport Roadhouse with Dave, and setting up a new band to play local gigs. For all those who care, I do miss you, and your undying support. And you will be the first to know when this part of my life settles, because you will be asked to participate in my re-entry into the indie music scene. Until then my friends, keep checking back, as I am learning many new skills in my work life and that will translate into something great on this here site, and in my songs. There is a rather new song up on myspace if you haven't heard it called "To the Ground". It is a tale of losing everything in a fire inspired by a friend's real life stuff and talks about how everything could go, and the love would not waver...til next time, hopefully soon. 15 March 2006 Yesterday it snowed so much here that the whole county shut down. We spent the day with some good friends, drinking Stella, dunking in the hottub with the kids and listening to community radio cut in and out. While it was beautiful, it reminded us that we need to be on the coast again. The new songs are starting to take shape with the band; "Pull Back to You", "Not Too Late So Stay", "Be Still" , working on arrangements and sound and harmonies. Pretty excited about the new recording and adding to what we have already tracked. Chris Toy, my bass player, was accepted to Stanford, that smart ass, and so will be playing his last gigs with us at the end of the summer.Had a night out at the Paramount to see Lucinda Williams open for George Jones. She was inspiring as ever, though the rest of the show was tragically bad-she should have had old George and his funky show open for her. The whiskey was strong and the theatre beautiful so it was worth the sitter. Baby girl turned two, has a wicked sense of rhythum and is into spiders, shadows and playing hide and seek. She surfed her first wave in Mexico and picked up a 10 word Spanish vocabulary. She loves hotels, the long halls and warm pools, the extra cushy beds to jump on and so we anticipate some good ol' summer touring to keep her satisfied. We cant get to Santa Cruz fast enough now that we have decided to move. Its all about the Little People in the Big World. 09 December 2005 When you take a person like me, who is way into making music work as a profession, and insert an infant now toddler, you can see why I have not updated this journal. She is the light of my life, source of hours of entertainment. I've got her singing new songs like "Oh Revelry" on cue, and she wants to dance to vinyl constantly. But here it is, December, and the band and I are busy at work on a new release, as well as planning trips to Seattle and Portland, andFresno of all places. We are taking our time, acting very deliberate so we get the songs just right. This has been a year of great music for me, and I am so pleased to have the guys in my band that I do. All very different in character, but come together to make these songs sound fresh and new. Look for big things in 2006. I think I met someone a few years ago who read my palm and decided I was going to make it big in 2006. Well here it is.....Bring it on. 28 February 2005 It's official, this is the best band I have played with ever. We played a night at Don Quixote's last week, and the sound was great. We impressed the whole room, including a DJ from KPIG. So make sure and request an Amee Chapman song at KPIG. We also broke it down at Mama's Buzz Cafe in Oakland and played without a PA to a room full of music lover's. Sweetbriar was great and even played a few tunes with the band. Good Times! Be sure and buy the cd, and tell your friends about us. We appreciate all of the support so far, keep it coming. We look forward to all of the shows coming up this summer. 05 January 2005 I am so excited about this New Year I can hardly contain myself. My CD is flying off the shelves at the online stores, and many people are starting to review it. I have now added a pedal steel player to the band. Dave Wren comes from a long line of bands in the Sacramento area. He is a really great player and adds so much to the sound. Richard March was nice enough to lend me his drummer for some shows. Todd is an excellent drummer and I am sure will sound great. Ken, Pete and I are trying out some harmonies, sounds tasty. We will be doing some radio stuff in the near future, stayed tuned for that. As far as home goes, I can't believe my little girl is 10 months old. She already seems like a little girl and she definitely knows what she wants. Someone called this stage "your little Napoleon" because she points her finger at what she wants. I thought that was cute. More to come in 2005!   18 November 2004 Now the fun begins! The first month of cd sales have been a huge success, thanks to all the friends and family who were eager to support the cause. The nice thing is that strangers have bought the CD too, so I know the word is getting out. I am still looking for some players (drums and pedal-steel/dobro to be exact) to finish out the band, so we can start booking ourselves in larger venues. Thanks for all of the support thus far, and tell your friends about us, and keep buying the cd's! 7 October 2004 We're firing up the music making machine and starting to get out some. I've got some new shows happening. Check out the tour page for updates. Just got my hands on a vintage Hammond M3 to play with at home. Don't know how to play but I have some original books that came with the organ to help me learn. Looking forward to the CD Release Party Weekend October 15th and 16th. Once I find a drummer, we will be looking to book a CD Release in San Francisco and maybe go down to LA. Meanwhile, I will be playing as a duo, or trio for the upcoming shows. The CD cover art looks great and will have some posters available too. "Still Life" will be available at local record stores and through the internet at CD Baby after the CD release shows next weekend. Hope to see you all there.   18 August 2004 Well, we did it. "Still Life" has been uploaded to be mastered and it is sounding pretty sweet. Desmond was a champ for powering through it before his move to Seattle. We are currently planning a CD release party in my neck of the woods at the end of September, then maybe one in Sacramento and San Francisco. Time really slips by these days with a new daughter. I mean, it is almost Christmas, and then she will be 1 year old. Unbelievable. Got a really good review from the fellow at Ripping Tracks. He was really nice and well spoken. Go to the home page to find the full review. Next thing I know, the cd will be out and available for your listening pleasure. 16 April 2004 Getting closer with "Still Life". got great players coming in to help me finish it. Should be a summer full of music and fun. 10 March 2004 Harper Jayson Chapman-Robbins born at 9:47am 7 January 2004 dreaming of playing more, of singing to my daughter when she's born, of finishing this album, and of changing diapers at all hours. Thanks to those who are still buying what I call my version of "Sweating to the Oldies" of my first cd "Real". Good to know it's still being enjoyed. 11 December 2003 Kristin Sweetland, a songwriter I met in Nashville was right, or at least the stack of Tarot cards she pulled out was. Nichole picked the "Three Ladies" card and we are officially (I guess unofficially until the birth) having a girl. Our dog Nashville Hurricane will have to deal with a lot of estrogen, but he's a good boy, and will proudly protect us. Drums and bass go down this weekend, and I am excited to hear my songs take on their own lives. Found a new guitar player who is in my town; he is from Ireland and is excited to play. We have been playing down at the Gold Exchange with my good buddy Kevin on Percussion and been having a grand old time. Jamming to crazy 80's covers and lovin it. More after this exciting weekend 08 November 2003 Can't seem to sleep in on the weekends anymore, what with the new jobs and baby on the way. The great thing about life is that it all seems to reveal itself at just the right time. Couldn't be more happy with the way mine is going. Going down to visit Desmond and work some on the new record ("Still Life"). Got about 7 songs started with some great ideas and hope to use some San Francisco All Stars to help me put it all together. Some of those folks may include Jeffrey Luck Lucas, Jolie Holland, Molly Tuttle Rob Douglas and John Hofer to name a few. Desmond is a really great guy with, as Kelly Stoltz put it, "the best ears around". Already I have seen improvement on songs I liked pretty well to begin with, but diggin a little deeper sometimes makes them more worth listening to. Talked to my brother this morning, about how whoever invented 50 hour weeks is probably dead and I am glad. While I am totally willing to take on a full week, and do a little less music, for the good of my family, it hardly seems right to be gone so much that you only have those few "good nights" and "good mornings" to get you through the day. Playin out at the Gold Exchange every other Friday Night. Lots of funny characters who seem to dig the music and keep coming back for more. Thanks to Kim and Monty for giving me a venue. Looking for good musicians to play with. Saw a cool Bluegrass band called Ragged but Right last night at the Willo. Divey bar that reminded me of the Station Inn in Nashville. aaaah, Nashville....Til next time, keep comin out and enjoying the music, and I hope to see you more soon.