When I was a professor, students used to line up outside my office to ask for my advice. I always told them to follow their hearts. One afternoon as I watched yet another relieved face disappear out my office door, I realized I wasn’t following my own heart.
What did I really want to do when I grew up? I wanted to sing in a rock-n-roll band! I’d only written a handful of songs, but I knew if I didn’t take the risk then, I never would.
My songs have been on the charts. But more importantly, they’ve inspired others to follow their hearts, too.
My music can help you move through challenging situations, heal old wounds, practice forgiveness, and celebrate life.
Noteworthy Achievements
Eleven tracks on Michelle Chappel’s self-titled debut CD received radio airplay in South Africa. The CD was selected as “Feature
of the Week” by four major South African Radio stations
and the artist was chosen as “Woman of the Week” on the
largest radio station in the country (1993 – 1994).
The track “Strange Kind of Love”
was a Top 10 single on regional Adult Contemporary stations; the accompanying video aired on South African TV (1994).
Chappel’s sophomore CD, Infinity + 1, Man held a No. 1 position and several Top 10 positions on US College Radio (2000).
Infinity + 1, Man was the top-selling
independent release for 14 weeks at Tower Records
in San Jose, California (2000).
Chappel performed as “Mad Donna” on “The Wheels On The Bus” (Shifty
Disco Records). The song charted at No. 17 on UK radio stations;
the accompanying video aired on MTV Europe (2002).
Chappel’s songs have garnered 12 Awards in
Billboard Magazine’s International Songwriting Contests (1994 –
1999).
Chappel was chosen in Top 100 bands/artists in
Billboard Magazine’s International Songwriting Contests (1999).
Chappel performed as Pat Benatar for Karaoke Revolution, selected as one of the top 10 best games of the year by The New York Times (2003).
Chappel contributed seven songs to the soundtrack of Frog & Wombat, Laurie Agard’s internationally distributed independent film, featured
on HBO, Showtime, Encore and ABC (1999 – 2007).
Critical Reviews
The audience seemed to love her, students and older people
alike. Each song was punctuated by uproarious applause,
and the end of the session brought a scream of “Encore!”
so loud that it seemed to shake the walls.” City on a Hill
Press (U. of California student newspaper)
Chappel has the personality and songwriting ability to
hit it big.” Aiding and Abetting, online music resource
Michelle, thank you for your wonderful music. Wayne Dyer,
Ph.D., author of The Power of Intention
Michelle Chappel is . . . in three words . . . fab-u-lous!
I am deeply grateful for her art and her gift of love. Reverend
David Bruner, Center for Spiritual Living, San Jose, CA