LifeNotes: Star Bass Player Mike Chapman Passes

Renowned Nashville bass instrumentalist Mike Chapman has died at age 63.

As a member of the Garth Brooks band The G Men, Chapman was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame on June 5. He died eight days later, on June 13.

Chapman also recorded with LeAnn Rimes, Brooks & Dunn, George Jones, Trisha Yearwood, Collin Raye, Doug Stone, Joe Diffie, Joe Stampley, BlackHawk and others. He played bass on over 30 No. 1 hits and on records that have sold more than 170 million copies.

Michael “Mike” Leo Chapman was also a National Guardsman. He earned a degree in business from Athens State University in Alabama.

He is survived by his wife Connie, sons Lee and Clinton, daughter Allison, sister Faye Wise and grandson Wyatt Sartin.

A celebration of his life is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday (June 17) at Church of the City Franklin (formerly The People’s Church) at 828 Murfreesboro Road in Franklin. The private burial will be Monday in Williamson Memorial Gardens.

Donations can be made in his name to the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum and/or to Meals for Health & Healing and sent to Williamson Memorial.