{{Short description|Canadian radio and TV personality, musician, journalist and author}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2014}} {{Like resume|date=May 2023}}

'''Jim Chapman''' (born February 10, 1949) is a Canadian radio and TV personality, musician, journalist and author.

==Personal life== Jim Chapman was born in London, Ontario, Canada on February 10, 1949, and has at various times in his career been a recording artist, studio and road musician, businessman, radio and TV talk show host, newspaper and magazine columnist, published author, lecturer, and keynote motivational speaker.

He was married in 1979 to Carlyn Greenham. They have no children, but a large extended family.

==Career== Chapman dropped out of school in 1966 to pursue a career as an entertainer. In 1968 his band, The Bluesmen Revue, signed a recording contract with Columbia Records in the U.S. that saw the release of "Spin the Bottle".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/B/Bluesmen_Revue.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310040516/http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/B/Bluesmen_Revue.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |title=Canoe's Page on The Bluesmen Revue |publisher=canoe.com |date=November 28, 2004 |access-date=2011-07-26}}</ref> The group split up in early 1969 because of dissatisfaction with the plans Columbia and their U.S. management had for them.<ref>''The London Free Press'' April 26, 1966. Tom Rath "Dance Routines 'Something To Watch' When Sally and the Bluesmen Perform" Page 4-A</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.canoe.com/brandnewblog/2008/02/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326133332/http://blogs.canoe.com/brandnewblog/2008/02/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 26, 2016 |title=February 2008 James' Brand New Blog |publisher=canoe.com |date=February 29, 2008 |access-date=2011-07-26 }}</ref> In 1970, Chapman joined legendary Canadian lounge showband Leather and Lace and later played with rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins in 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/O/Ocean.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310042244/http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/O/Ocean.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |title=Canoe's Page on Ocean |publisher=canoe.com |date=November 28, 2004 |access-date=2011-07-26}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1993">''Scene'' July 15–28, 1993. Jeffrey Reed "The Only Talk in Town" Pg. 10</ref>

In 1973, Chapman and partners started a musician management company and opened Springfield Sound Studios, where, among many others, Canadian folk icon Stan Rogers recorded his classic albums Turnaround and Fogarty's Cove.<ref name="planethelix.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.planethelix.com/Albums/Album01.htm |title=Helix's page on their album Breaking Loose |publisher=planethelix.com |accessdate=2012-09-19 |archive-date=March 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314075438/http://www.planethelix.com/Albums/Album01.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After having toured with his own band for several years, in 1986 Chapman returned home to London and built another recording studio/jingle company. Among many commercial projects he wrote and recorded the "Tear 'Em Up Tigers" theme song for the London-based Detroit Tigers farm team that got international media coverage as the team fought its way to a US Eastern League baseball championship in 1989.<ref name="autogenerated1993"/>

In 1988, Chapman was contracted to write novelty songs for Peter Garland's top-rated morning show on CFPL 980 Radio. Some of his songs were heard also across Canada on the CBC, including "Stand Up for Canada, Eh!", recorded by the True Grit Band that at times included Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and National Liberal Caucus Chair and future City of London Mayor Joe Fontana, plus other government members. It was used as the theme song for a nationwide federal campaign to promote Canadian unity during the 1990's.<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Parliamentary Records on Wednesday, October 4, 1995 (237) |url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?doc=237&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=35&pub=Hansard&Ses=1#15208 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017213357/http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?doc=237&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=35&pub=Hansard&Ses=1#15208 |archive-date=17 October 2012 |accessdate=2011-07-26 |publisher=Parl.gc.ca}}</ref>

In 1992, Chapman was offered a job as a talk show host at London's CJBK Radio and later moved his show to CKSL for two tears before returning to CJBK. He was later hired as a news commentator on CFPL television and also hosted the thrice-weekly Jim Chapman Show interview show evenings on the Rogers TV Network for several years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?rid=9&lid=12&sid=329 |title=Jim's show on Rogers TV |publisher=Rogerstv.com |date= |accessdate=2011-07-26}}</ref><ref>''Scene'' January 24, 2002. Barry Wells "Bonny Jim Chapman's Brush with death an eye-opener" Pg. 3</ref> He was a columnist with The London Free Press and Business London magazine for two decades, and was the first person in London media to host his own radio and TV shows while also writing regular newspaper and magazine columns.<ref>''Scene'' November 15, 2001. Robert Pegg "Rogers and the invasion of the Radio Guys" Pg. 19</ref> In the 2000s he hosted radio talk shows on CFPL and CHRW before retiring from the media in 2013.

In 2007 Chapman had an unsuccessful run in the Ontario Provincial Election for the Progressive Conservatives.<ref>Ontario Votes 2007: Interview with Progressive Conservative candidate Jim Chapman, London-Fanshawe – Wikinews n:Ontario Votes 2007: Interview with Progressive Conservative candidate Jim Chapman, London-Fanshawe</ref>

Between 2000 and 2023, Chapman wrote and saw published nine books of fiction and non-fiction, including his latest, a 210,000-word, 940-picture coffee table volume, "Battle of the Bands", the definitive history of teen music in London (and beyond) in the 50s and 60s that also included funny stories of his own life as a musician from then until now. It was well-received and is now in its third printing.

In 2023 Chapman was inducted into the London Music Hall of Fame along with his fellow 1960's Bluesmen Revue band members.<ref>{{Cite web |title=London Music Hall of Fame unveils 2023 inductees |url=https://lfpress.com/feature/london-music-hall-of-fame-unveils-2023-inductees |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609205410/https://lfpress.com/feature/london-music-hall-of-fame-unveils-2023-inductees |archive-date=9 June 2023 |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=The London Free Press}}</ref>

In 2025, he was recognized as a "Distinguished Londoner" on the Mayor's New years Honours List for his long musical and media career, 2023 book on London history, decades of charity fundraising, and ongoing work with London's seniors community.

In addition to being a popular entertainer at retirement residences, in 2024 Chapman began hosting a weekly concert series for seniors that features top local and area performers.

==Near-death experience== In 1999, Chapman suffered a fatal heart attack and was left brain-dead in a local ER.<ref>''The London Free Press'' October 26, 1999.</ref> He was eventually resuscitated, but not before having a near-death experience.<ref>Ki Mae Heussner, Scientists Study Out-of-Body Experiences, ABC News, September 30, 2008 [https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=5921098&page=1]</ref> Emergency surgery after a second serious heart attack just days later left him very ill and incapacitated for several months. He used the time to tell the story of what he called his "adventure" in a book, ''Heart and Soul'',<ref>''The London Free Press'' February 5, 2000. Jim Chapman "Back from the Brink" F-1</ref><ref>''The London Free Press'' October 13, 1999. Joe Matyas "Chapman Cracking Jokes"</ref> that became a regional bestseller and generated thousands of dollars for charity. For the next few years, in addition to his media work, Chapman travelled extensively, speaking about his near-death experience and its aftermath.<ref>''Goderich Signal-Star'' July 19, 2000. Rev. Phil Gandon "Broadcaster to discuss post-death experience"</ref><ref>''Goderich Signal-Star'' July 26, 2000. Matt Shurrie "Chapman tells congregation of post-death experience"</ref><ref>''The London Free Press'' May 3, 2006. Free Press Staff "Heart attack inspires book"</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=REL-MAR McConnell Media Company – Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |date= |title=X-Zone's Guest List |url=http://www.xzone-radio.com/guests.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929081831/http://www.xzone-radio.com/guests.htm |archive-date=29 September 2011 |accessdate=2011-07-26 |publisher=Xzone-radio.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbsradio.com/bbc/donna_seebo.php |title=Donna Seebo's Guest List |publisher=Bbsradio.com |date= |accessdate=2011-07-26 |archive-date=August 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815170725/http://www.bbsradio.com/bbc/donna_seebo.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After a serious illness in 2005, Chapman was inspired to write another book, ''Come Back to Life'', that related the story of the years since his near-death experience and how his life in the interim had been affected by it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/index3.html?url=http%3A//www.broadcasting-history.ca/listings_and_histories/radio/histories.php%3Fid%3D354%26historyID%3D141 |title=AM 980's page on Jim's show |publisher=Broadcasting-history.ca |date= |accessdate=2011-07-26 |archive-date=September 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930072711/http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/index3.html?url=http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listings_and_histories/radio/histories.php%3Fid=354&historyID=141 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="autogenerated2002">''Business London'' January 2002. Mark Kearney "Booked In" Pg. 14–15</ref>

== References == {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links== * [http://www.jimchapman.ca Chapman's Website] * [http://www.thevoiceoflondon.ca/ The Voice of London] * [http://www.am980.ca/Channels/HostsShows/JimChapman/home.aspx Chapman's Show on AM 980] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160310040516/http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/B/Bluesmen_Revue.html Canoe's page on The Bluesmen Revue] * [http://www.nderf.org/jim_chapman_heartsoul.htm Near Death Experience Research Foundation's] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518064755/http://www.nderf.org/jim_chapman_heartsoul.htm |date=May 18, 2011 }} review of ''Heart and Soul'' * [https://web.archive.org/web/20121112124842/https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jim-chapman-newshour-on/id358548333 The Jim Chapman Newshour on iTunes]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chapman, Jim}} Category:1949 births Category:Living people Category:Musicians from London, Ontario Category:Writers from London, Ontario Category:Canadian radio hosts Category:Canadian non-fiction writers Category:Canadian male journalists Category:Canadian male non-fiction writers Category:Journalists from Ontario