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10 Questions with ... Jackie A. Chapman
July 17, 2006
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NAME:Jackie A. ChapmanTITLE:EditorCOMPANY:All AccessFORMATS:ChristianLOCATION:Nashville, TNBORN:Grand Rapids, MIRAISED:Grand Rapids, MI
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Moved to Nashville, TN, in January 1998, after I graduated from college, and interned with CCM Communications and the Gospel Music Association. Both internships turned into part-time jobs and eventually I began working full-time for the GMA as the communications editor. After almost four years there, I moved to Reunion Records (publicity). In 2002, I became the editor of SEVEN BALL and Release magazines for two years and then moved to freelance work in September 2004.
1) As the new ALL ACCESS.com Christian Editor, tell us what interested you in this position.
Coming from freelance work, it was the idea of having one project to wrap my hands around again, something that I could focus my time and efforts and accumulated knowledge on.
2) When were you first interested in the music industry and why?
I first considered working in the music industry as a junior in college. Growing up in Grand Rapids, a big market for Christian music, I saw how the music affected lives, including my own, and wanted to be a part in telling the story. I knew Nashville was the town I needed to be in.
3) What was your major in college?
I actually wrote my own major in English. The English major as is at Hope College was mostly literature, but I was more interested in the writing side of it. I was able to create my own composite to include equal parts of both. So, in addition to reading the classics, I wrote lots of poetry, short stories and satire. What a life!
4) Have you already been talking to some of your radio friends who know that you signed on to the All Access position?
I have been in touch with different folks around the country that I know in radio. I look forward to putting more names and faces with stations.
5) What makes the Contemporary Christian unique in your opinion?
I think it comes down to the message found in the music and lyrics. It doesn't have anything without its foundation in the Christian faith.
6) What are you listening to these days?
In Christian music, I lean more toward the alternative/progressive/artsy rock sound, blame it on my SEVEN BALL days, but I'm a fan of mute math, needtobreathe, David Crowder Band, Hillsong United, Falling Up, Hawk Nelson, downhere, etc.
7) You've written bios for several Christian artists, who are some of them?
Darlene Zschech, Building 429, Decyfer Down, Hillsong United, Jeff Deyo, Chris Rice, StorySide:B, Pocket Full of Rocks, etc.
8) What was it like, the first time that you got something in print as a writer?
I think I just stared at it and then called my parents. Honestly, after a while, I would just glance at it and probably not even read through it - especially as an editor. I would be so over looking at all those pages when it finally came out in print, I just couldn't look at it again.
9) What kinds of things are you looking to do with the All Access Christian section?
I would love to implement some new ways to share the stories behind the songs and artists themselves for radio to use in promoting the message and music of the artists out there. I'd love this section to be the one-stop resource for show prep.
10) What is the biggest challenge facing Contemporary Christian radio, in your opinion?
Still working on this one, but I think one thing is finding the balance between following trends while maintaining the truth - upholding the beliefs of the Christian faith while being relevant to culture and not sounding too "preachy" or "churchy".
Bonus Questions
1) As a veteran Barista at Starbucks, what are your least favorite drink to make and most favorite?
My least favorite by far is any flavor of Frappuccino. I think because I'm a coffee connoisseur and those drinks seem to be a copout for coffee. My favorite drink to make would be a plain ol' cappuccino because it's a real art to get it just right.
2 ) Last movie that you saw that you would tell a friend to see?
Pirates of the Caribbean 2
3) What other music aside from Christian do you listen to and who are your fave non-Christian acts?
I go for the more alternative rock and Brit rock. Favorites right now: Keane, Snow Patrol, Youth Group - the standard U2 and Coldplay - mute math. But I also like to explore iTunes and see what I find. Probably to the chagrin of my officemates/country editors, I really don't like country music at all. Johnny Cash is about as far as I go.
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