Beth Nielsen was born in Harlington, Texas, on 14 Septemeber 1958. She began writing songs at age 11. While singing in clubs in Mobile, Alabama, she met The Beach Boys' Bruce Johnston, who encouraged her to move to Nashville to pursue her career. She released her first album, "Hearing it First", in 1980, just after her marriage to Ernest Chapman. ...
I never went to college. I forgot. I was going to college, and then I got a gig. Then I got a publishing deal. Then I got married. Then I had a kid. Then one day I looked up and went, 'Oops, I didn't go to college.'
2
I've always had this belief that diversity of faith is like the brilliant scattering of light shining through the angles of a diamond. Even as it appears fragmented, it is all borne of the same source of light and each of us have an equal right to define and celebrate this beauty and sureness of the love of God in our lives. I have always wanted to use my voice like a thread winding through the many languages of these songs of devotion. It is only natural that I start with the songs of my spiritual roots.
3
There is only one song on Hymns that I wrote, 'Hymn to Mary.' I wrote that when I was right in the middle of chemotherapy for breast cancer in 2000. As horrible as I felt, I would make myself go to the piano every day, turn on the tape recorder and plunk around for 10 minutes. Then I'd go back to lying on the couch, moaning. I did it because I had to keep my foot in the water: I was more afraid of losing my ability to write songs than anything. When I got my strength back, I listened to all those days of plunking and clinking. And there was this melody that was very special to me. A month or so later when my body was cleared of the chemotherapy I wrote the words, a prayer that came from the deepest place of reaching to Mary for faith in the midst of feeling abandoned.
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Fact
1
In 1976, she played with a rock and pop band called "Harmony" in Montgomery, Alabama, effectively replacing Tommy Shaw, who had just left to join Styx. She played acoustic guitar and piano as well as providing vocals for the group in a locally-popular bowling alley bar called Kegler's Kove and has returned to play in the area on an infrequent basis ever since.
2
Mother, with Ernest Chapman, of son Ernest Chapman Jr. (born in 1981).
3
Breast cancer survivor.
4
Country singer.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
1 a Minute
2010
Documentary performer: "Sand and Water", "Shake My Soul"
It Takes Two
2008
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Olivia Newton-John and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra: Live at the Sydney Opera House
2007
TV Movie writer: "Stronger Than Before"
Idols
2007
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Dear Frankie
2004
writer: "Lost in the Shuffle"
Dawson's Creek
TV Series 1 episode, 2003 performer - 1 episode, 1999
The Rookie
2002
writer: "Nothing I Can Do About It Now"
Hometown Legend
2002
writer: "Deeper Still"
Bette
2000
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Where the Heart Is
2000
performer: "Shake My Soul" / producer: "Shake My Soul" / writer: "Beyond the Blue", "Shake My Soul"
Message in a Bottle
1999
performer: "I Will Know Your Love", "Beyond the Blue" / producer: "I Will Know Your Love" / writer: "I Will Know Your Love", "Beyond the Blue"
The Prince of Egypt
1998
performer: "Humanity"
Charmed
1998
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Practical Magic
1998
writer: "This Kiss"
The Unknown Cyclist
1998
performer: "Crossing Over The Edge of the Sky" / writer: "Crossing Over The Edge of the Sky"
Annabelle's Wish
1997
Video performer: "Friends Like Us"
Neil Diamond: Under a Tennessee Moon
1996
TV Special documentary performer: "Deep Inside of You" / writer: "Deep Inside of You"
Frauen sind was Wunderbares
1994
"I Don't Know" / lyrics: "I Don't Know" / music: "I Don't Know"
$17 Million
