Stephanie Chapman

From Tennessean music writer Peter Cooper:

"Songwriter Stephanie Chapman is now recording artist Stephanie Chapman, as signified by the release of This Song Is to You and by tonight's album-release show at The Rutledge. So what's the difference between the songs Stephanie writes for others and the ones she keeps for herself?

"One reason for making this is that I get to sing the kind of songs that I might be the only champion for," she says. "The songs I write for others tend to stay more compartmentalized."

A (quite pleasant indeed) listen to This Song Is to You reveals a musician unafraid to move beyond traditional compartments or themes. There's even a song on there called "Steely Dan" that's a tribute to … let's see, the famed jazz-rock band? Nope, it's a tribute to pedal steel player Dan Dugmore. Seriously. Dan played steel on the album, and he still charged triple scale, even though she wrote him a song. (Kidding, I am. He was actually quite reasonable.)

Stephanie's songs have been recorded by bigwigs including Bonnie Raitt and Trisha Yearwood, two women known both for their singing chops and for having exquisite taste in material. And the album was co-produced by Stephanie's husband, Nathan Chapman (he also produces a teen singer you may have heard of named Taylor Swift), and Ray Kennedy (Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, etc.).

Stephanie's gig tonight begins at 7:30, and features South Carolina-reared siren Lauren Lucas and Arista recording group Jypsi. Special guests include Capitol Records artist Emily West and esteemed singer-songwriter Maia Sharp. Cover charge is $5, which includes a copy of the new album."--Peter Cooper