Getting close to a year since I last saw Chuck
We met in 70's and remained close from then on
Trips to Nashville ///  beyond fun many late late nights in studio  just letting the tape roll
Dearly miss him everyday !  Don Boone 12 /23/23

Chuck gave advice about other things. When I told him our daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor he said, "Get her to Mayo" in as many ways and as emphatically as he possibly could. 
We did, and Mayo saved her life.
Since then, when others need it, I repeat Chuck's advice as directly as he gave it to me. 
I was a client of Chapman Recording from 1985 until he hung it up.

So sorry to hear of Chuck's passing.
I had played music with Chuck in the 80's, and worked with Chuck at  Chapman Recording Studios in the 80's and 90's at both studios, 5th & Wyandotte, and 17th & Wyandotte. Those memories will always be there.
Chuck was always known to the music and advertising communities as a solid innovator and entrepreneur. He had a great ear - always striving to get things right. 
Chuck will be missed.
Gary Sutton

Chuck was able to ride the pots on musical and voiceover recordings ( from soloists to multi-track string orchestras), as well as overseeing the final mixdowns of spots, national tv documentaries, and even IMAX films -- which usually require trips to LA or Toronto!
And he did so with such a smooth and unruffled demeanor, while clearly presenting his (usually correct) opinion if he truly felt it would improve the final product -- THAT was his pre-eminent priority. Surely that is a definition of a Consummate Professional.
Celestial choirs just got a little more 
balanced. Their gain, our loss.



So successful in the business of sound, Chuck Chapman had really good ears. He would stop you for a shirt rustle or an errant breath, “You’re breathing again.” He introduced me to the concept of “room tone” that seemed so ridiculous to me at the time. Because Chapman Recording was pretty much my first time inside a professional studio. His little booth just inside the door down on 5th street voicing “Drive Period” product videos for Hallmark that went out on VHS tapes. Being “Alfalfa Man” for Pioneer Seeds in the big room there. Doing some of the first animation work I ever did as “Chuck Manly” in his downtown studio and so many sessions out in Lenexa.  And not only the work, but the conversations before and after. His willingness to listen and to ask for opinions on this, that and the other. – Thank you, Chuck for paying such attention to detail for all who stood before your microphones, guided through the filter of your really good ears. – May you rest in peace.

Damn!!! So very sorry to hear of Chuck’s passing.  I started recording voiceovers at his studio on 5th many years ago, and continued enjoying his expertise and friendship until his retirement. He had a great ear and I highly valued his input. Chuck always had time to discuss the business and offer advice. We were about the same age and shared many discussions and laughs. I was just going to send him an email before the new year. I, along with many others, will miss him greatly. 
I am truly bummed……

Chuck Chapman had extreme passion for the recording studio business.  Couple that with a stubborn refusal to fail despite numerous pitfalls and you have Chapman Recording Studios.  Here’s the short version.  I first met Chuck in 1973 when we were both in our teens and we became friends.  He was embroiled in a bitter lawsuit over the ownership of Damon Recording Studio.  Vic Damon’s sons were not happy that their deceased father had sold the studio to Chapman.  After a lengthy trial Chuck did prevail and went on to operate Chapman Recording Studios until he retired in 2016.  During those oftentimes tumultuous years Chuck was building a legacy of enabling others to not only get a start in the professional audio business but to go on to operate successful studios of their own later on.  My tenure with Chapman Studios on Fifth Street lasted 7 ½ years from 1979-1986 when I left to start AudioVision Productions which I still operate today.  There’s no way I could have done that without the experiences I had with Chuck.  He was a Force.  He was a very complex person and his demeanor was like the weather.  He would be sweet and kind one minute and off the charts the next.  You really had to learn how to deal with difficult conditions in order to keep moving forward and that equates to character building whether you realized it or not at the time.  I’ve seen many of his protégé’s go on to enjoy successful and satisfying careers and we all owe him a debt of gratitude for the opportunities he afforded us.  Thank You Chuck, Rest In Peace my friend.

I knew Chuck first as a client, then a colleague, and lastly – and most importantly – as a friend.

Chuck’s dedication to his craft and me to mine initially brought us together, and immediately and forever, sealed our bond.

Yes, Chuck was an engineer. But he was so much more than that. His love for his craft and the people he worked with placed him on a plane of rarified air. Aside from the never-ending exchange of ideas, the laughter (a lot of that) and the paid-for lunches by clients with full pockets, was the craft. Always the craft.

The creative kitchen of ideas percolating in every session was palpable and I was so fortunate to don a chef’s hat alongside him. Every project was approached as a piece of art. No matter if said art was, in reality, promoting a new product launch, or simply raw and unfettered corporate propaganda with an abundance of lipstick artfully applied.

Though I will always remember Chuck for the work we created together, for the laughter, for the intellectual exchanges – from politics to movies to football to an endless supply of existential “what ifs?” – I will remember Chuck most for his unwavering friendship.

Sleep well, my friend. You will be missed.


I kinda grew up with Chuck. I lived on 54th str and he on 53st . Jammed with him a lot. Remodeled his studio off of Broadway. Did a pile of sessions from Damon's records to Chapman's studio. I will miss this guy a long,long time. He was first of all a nice guy. His presence will be missed. Bless his heart

Michael J Mayosky 

I first met Chuck when I moved to Kansas City in 2001. He could not have been more supportive or a better friend to me. I spent many hours in his studio and we always ended up chatting (sometimes for too long!) after a session. He had the best ear I've ever come across, and his manner was so calming. I'm glad I told him often how much I appreciated his friendship and support. He is gone far too soon. xo

I first met Chuck in the early 80s through Noel Gerlach,  Paul Turner and Charlie Smith. Back in those days Chapman was a pure music studio with Chuck and Dave Brock making all the magic. 

By 1985 I was also helping Chuck fill daytime slots with advertising, corporate and other types of business. 

I found myself working during the day doing marketing and sales, playing sessions in the evenings and playing live music with Chuck on the weekends. 

We weren't always the best behaved but we had a lot of fun. 

I left Chapman in 1995 to pursue a career in the video industry,  but always stayed in touch with him. There were many times I found myself at his studio working on original music for clients and occasionally as a session player, right up until he closed his doors. 

Farewell Chuck 

I first met Chuck Chapman in the Summer of 1992 when I was interning for Rick Raglow at Sprint's VCC. Rick was gracious enough to let me write and produce a long-form "speaker's bureau" video, and we did the sweetening at Chapman's 5th Street location. As everyone has said, Chuck was a creative perfectionist. Because of that internship experience with Chuck, post audio became and remains one of my favorite stages of production. As an intern, I was taking mental notes of all the characters I encountered and how they did business. Chuck made a strong impression on me for his professionalism, immense creativity, attention to detail, his highly attuned ear, his willingness to work with budgets, and for his commitment to caring for clients. Over the years, I learned the hard way that Chuck did not stop for lunch! He was a machine. I recently called Chuck again for a studio referral, and despite having just recovered from a serious injury, he called me right back and was as gracious, and positive, and helpful as always. We had hoped one day to get some studio time to record the story of Chapman Recording. I am very saddened that will not happen. Chuck leaves a great legacy of audio professionalism in Kansas City, and many, many friends. I'm not sure he realized what a creative force or true friend he was to so many.  

In the early ‘80s I meet Chuck.
He was recording a band I had just joined and that experience was my first exposure to the joy and frustration of recording. Chuck was a big part of the process of encouraging and experimenting with an idea and making it come alive.
Throughout the rest of that decade Chuck connected me with work, writing for clients or playing on sessions. Through it all, his enthusiasm for making the best product was always there and his desire to do his best inspired me to try and do my best.
In the ‘90s, I went to work for Chuck and he taught me his methods for recording and why he was in the business. Chuck loved what he did and that has always been something that has remained with me.
In the early 2000s, when I changed careers, I became Chuck’s client and his professionalism, recording acuity and friendliness were always on display. When I went on my own for work he gave me space in his studio to continue my producing. 
I think of Chuck as being more than just my friend and colleague. It’s deeper than that. But I don’t know how best to express it, so I will leave it here. 

i have many fond memories of chuick ansd dmy brother mike   my sincere sympathy tamara burton

One of many endless memories and nights that are long gone but remain in our heart at the 5th & Broadway Studio

I’ve seen a number of thoughtful and kind posts about my former boss, Chuck Chapman . God bless him, may he rest in peace.
Anyone familiar with the KC music scene over the past five decades will already be aware of what a professional he was… so I thought I’d share a less common type of story.
I had a personal credit score of 845, money in the bank, and was making three times the money I do today. I was applying for a mortgage to purchase my family’s home. - No Lender liked the sound of “hourly audio engineer”, and I was finding it impossible to qualify for a mortgage. At some point I made mention of it to Chuck…
Two days later I was approved for my mortgage. Chuck had taken it upon himself to contact a lender, and after some conversation… he literally put me on salary in order to assuage the lender’s concern about our industry & my career choice. - Chuck is literally, personally responsible for my family having a home.
I admired the Audio Professional, the studio owner, the man who unapologetically gave me all the work I could manage (including that 56 hour non-stop session) for those many years… but I actually love the man & friend he was to me. And now you know…

I spent many an hour at Chapman Recording studio. I could stop by and talk to Chuck any time he was at the studio. He would always take the time to just ask you how you were doing and what was going on in your life. I was always so comfortable at Chapman Recording studio. You will be missed friend.

Unity Gain perfection in Heaven is what I ask of God for you my old friend.

Though we were competitive studio owners for many years, never was a negative word spoken about each other.  We had deep respect for each other as we both practiced our craft we loved so much.  He had the rare gift of being both an excellent business owner and recording engineer.  I was honored to have him purchase my studio building in 2008 and carry on making amazing recordings in those magnificent rooms.   I know thousands will forever have fond memories of recording with a Kansas City legend.  

Remember When   so many memories starting back the early seventies I was 14 years young
Chuck stair stepped his natural talent  to teach discover and let people blossom  as many musicians careers we launched  and learned that with hard work anything was possible
Chuck and I would drive to Nashville every now and then   He had a gift to encourage musicians and producers to reach for the stars  and now his spirit will truly live among those very stars

My heart goes out to all those who cared about Chuck and were lucky enough to call him friend or family. He always provided a creative atmosphere and made his clients feel welcome in his comfortable studio. Terry and I were so happy to collaborate with Chuck, musically and commercially.  He will be missed by many in the Kansas City creative community!

Chuck Chapman was familiar to everyone in the Kansas City music business. 

I worked as an engineer for Chuck for many years but before that, I was a client. I go back with him to around 1977. 

I recorded dozens of projects at that location, working with every kind of music at every level you can imagine. 

Chapman's was a very musician friendly joint back in the day. He expanded and moved a couple of times, ultimately ending up in Overland Park with an incredible studio complex.

He retired in  2017 having had a solid 44 year career in that tiny marketplace. A huge accomplishment for Kansas City.  HUGE.
 
I owe much of my recording career to Chuck's willingness to give me a set of keys. I learned a lot working for him. 

Thanks for everything, Chuck!

My condolences to his family. He was a solid cat, as we say. 

Au revoir, my old friend.

Chuck was kind enough to hire me often at his studio, and gave me the needed experience to continue as a session musician here in Los Angeles. I will miss him, such a nice guy and talented engineer, and musician.

What a tragedy to go so young. I know he is rejoicing in heaven with his Heavenly Father. I will miss him. He was more then a friend who was a sounding board in my agency business and a a friend I could always count on for wise counsel. 

Many fond memories of Chuck and Chapman Recording Studios.  Chuck was an ambitious person with uncanny sense of humor.  Our friendship spanned decades and he will be remembered and missed.  My prayers and condolences to his surviving family members.

How sad.  Chuck and his family lived down the street from us when we were in Junior and Senior High.

  I remember Chuck as a drummer and the first recording engineer I ever worked with.  A good human being...

Always smiling and having fun in the Raytown High School drum section, class of 1971.

OBITUARY

Charles D. Chapman

13 June, 1953 – 2 January, 2023

McGilley & Frye Funeral Home & Cremation Service

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