The Chapmans are marking their 2oth anniversary as a band during 2009, and have decided that it’s about time to branch out and bring in someone from outside the family.

Fiddler Tyler Beckett from Owen Sound, Canada will perform with The Chpamans for the first time July 11th in St. Louis, New Brunswick, Canada after which he will be relocating to the Ozarks to join the band full time.

Mandolin man Jeremy Chapman tells us that it was a natural fit from the first time they met Beckett…

“We met Tyler when we were in Huntsville, ONT in Oct of 2008 playing at the Canadian Bluegrass Awards show. He was playing with a couple of bands Hard Ryde, and Traditionally Wound Bluegrass and we really liked his playing. We ended up jamming with him late into the night and told him if he ever wanted to move down to the states and play full time to give us a call.

Not long after he decided Springfield, MO was a good place for him, mostly because of the Bass Pro Shops headquarters, and the deer and turkey hunting. He came down for a few days of rehearsals in April, and we all agreed it would be a great fit with The Chapmans.

We’re all excited about the new sound that a fiddle in the band is adding, and it’s forcing us to rethink the way we play the same old songs with a new instrument being thrown into the mix. Plus he’s a great musician, which is always fun to be around.”

You can follow their 2009 summer schedule on The Chapmans’ web site and on MySpace.