Remembering Ron Chapman

Ron Chapman has passed away. The Texas Radio Hall of Fame says “his family asks for time to process this loss, and thanks you for your kindness, understanding and prayers. There will be NO service, but a public gathering of friends and colleagues is being planned.”

Ron Chapman made Vocal Majority famous. As we’ve enjoyed countless Gold Medal moments and Gold Medal weekends during our history, we celebrated and honored him by declaring our 2019 Spring Show the Ron Chapman Gold Medal Weekend.

The first time Ron heard Vocal Majority was in the early 1970s during a Good Times show at Granny’s Dinner Theater. The Vocal Majority sound grabbed him. But it was more than that: he quickly realized that Vocal Majority performers aren’t professionals. We are all volunteers and sing for the love of singing.

Ron went on to talk up Vocal Majority in the mornings on KVIL and KLUV from the 1970s through 2005 when he retired.

In the 1980s, Ron was instrumental in the decision to include Vocal Majority Christmas songs on KVIL Christmas albums.

For years, Ron thought Vocal Majority should produce a recording with our vocals backed up by a full orchestra. In 1998, Ron was the Executive Producer of “The Vocal Majority with Strings.” He personally chose the twelve most popular love songs for that recording which in the first week it was released was the top-selling CD in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

In 2004, Ron was the Executive Producer of “The Vocal Majority with Strings, Vol. II.” Like the first version, it included a full orchestra featuring songs from the 60s and 70s.

Vocal Majority is eternally grateful for Ron’s support over the decades. With Ron Chapman advocating for our music, North Texans came to know and love the sound of the Vocal Majority as he did. We wouldn’t have the name recognition we enjoy today without his support.

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