Born in
Waurika, Oklahoma, Chapman grew up in
De Leon, Texas, the son of an
Assemblies of God pastor, Rev. Terry W. Chapman, who ministered for 56 years before his death in 2009. Chapman moved to
Nashville, Tennessee, and was later hired as guitar player for
The Rambos. In 1979, his song "Father's Eyes" was recorded as the title track to
Amy Grant's Grammy-nominated second album ''
My Father's Eyes''. In 1982, his song "Finally", recorded by
T. G. Sheppard, reached No. 1 on the
country music charts. He also received a
Dove Award as Songwriter of the Year from the
Gospel Music Association in 1981. During the rest of the 1980s and the early 1990s, Chapman continued to write, record, and produce music, while touring as an opening act for various artists. He sang "Brave Hearts" in 1987 for the
Touchstone Pictures film
Ernest Goes to Camp. He also collaborated with numerous artists in the singing of "
Amazing Grace" in the 1994 film
Maverick. He was nominated for a
Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album in 1994 for
The Light Inside. The album also resulted in a Dove Award nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year, and yielded a
contemporary Christian music chart No. 1 song, "Sweet Glow of Mercy." He won a second Dove Award in 1994 for co-producing the album
Songs from the Loft, featuring various artists. At the 1998 Dove Awards, his album
Hymns From The Ryman, featuring him and other artists, won Country Album of the Year. ==Television career==