Two Sides Of

Jim Chapman Jimmy Chapman’s musical career first started in his hometown of Minto, New Brunswick. He was a popular fiddler throughout the Maritimes during the 50’s and 60’s. This versatile musician played fiddle as well as lead guitar and vocals and some impressions of country stars. He first played with the Rhythm Rascals and went on to become a regular on the Fredericton Jamboree. During his career he played radio and television shows throughout New Brunswick as well as in Barrie, Ontario and Bangor, Maine. In the late 50’s he toured with Charlie Bailey and his Happy Valley Boys, a well-known bluegrass group out of Knoxville, Tennessee and later appeared many times with the Bunkhouse Boys, a popular Moncton-based band who hosted their own radio and TV shows for many years. Among some of Jimmy’s fondest memories in country music was the occasion to play behind Charlie Pride and Dave Rowlands (of Dave & Sugar fame) when they guested at the Prince Edward Lounge in Charlottetown, PEI. Although his forte is the traditional style country music, he enjoys playing a variety of music styles from gospel and bluegrass to country rock. He also had one of his early fiddle albums re-released by Rodeo Records under the title of “The Best Darn Fiddling in the World.” He enjoyed music very much and did personal appearances around New Brunswick for many years until his death.