The Story

Howard (Schmenge) Chapman started taking accordion lessons in 1960 in Calgary Alberta, and began teaching accordion and guitar lessons in 1968.   Howard was classically trained and attended the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto from 1974 to 1976 where he received Grade 10 on Accordion. Since then Howard (Schmenge) Chapman has performed professionally in and around the Calgary area in a variety of venues and music festivals, and served as the Musical Director for the Kelly Jay Benefit and the Amos Garrett Benefit both held in Calgary. Some of the artists that Howard has had the honor and privilege to have performed with include the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Sonny Rhodes, James Cotton, Manual Jara, Tim Williams, Brother Ray Lemelin, Los Morenos, Harpdog Brown, Darren Johnson, John Rutherford, Ron Burke, Crystal Plamondon, Johnny Tornado, Jordan Cook (Reignwolf), Black Cherry Perry, Mike Watson, Gary Martin, Bill Dowey, Mike Clark and many more.  Howard list of bands he has played with include the "Bag Boys" which consists of Amos Garrett, Kelly Jay, Greg Godovitz, Mark Sadlier-Brown, Andrew Ibanez, Hugh Hancock, Jon Frolick & Dave Kampman for the July 1st celebrations on the Stan Rogers stage in Canmore as well as the Pancake Breakfast in August during the Canmore Folk Festival, Los Vaquerous, and the Sugar Hill Band.  Howard has played blues with Back Alley John from 1990 to 2006 and has been recorded on 4 of his CD's as well as having the honor of recording with Tim Williams and Ralph Boyd Johnson. Presently Howard is working on several musical projects and continues to teach accordion and guitar.

Howard did the background music, playing 2 French pieces arranged by him, on his Accordion in the TV movie "Heart Full of Rain" which was filmed in the Calgary area. ‎Back Alley John & Howard played background sounds as well as some tracks off of Back Alley John's first CD "Out On The Highway" was used for background music in the movie "A Death In The Family". His first professional recording was a 45 RPM record, playing Accordion with World-class Pipers Bill Hawes & Jeanie Hawes and drummer Pat Gibson under the band name "Tartan Trails" recorded in the 1980's in Calgary.

Howard also has been in the tv series "Hell On Wheels" Season One playing an 1800's accordion as well as Season three playing a1900's guitar and in the movie the "Klondike" where he played an 1800's accordion in a 10 piece band.