Marshall Chapman's new song inspired by Vanderbilt's national baseball championship
Marshall Chapman's new song is bound to be a hit, maybe even a home run.
Chapman, whose songs have been recorded by the likes of Emmylou Harris, Jimmy Buffett, Joe Cocker, Wynonna Judd and Conway Twitty, is a Vanderbilt graduate and big Commodores fan who could not make it to the College World Series because she was sick.
So instead of cheering on her favorite team in the stands at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska, Chapman found herself watching Game 2 on television, seeing Kumar Rocker keep the Commodores' hopes alive and writing a song.
Marshall Chapman’s new song "Omaha" was inspired by Vanderbilt’s national championship win in the College World Series.
Being sick and having the right subject matter ended up being the perfect ingredients for Chapman to turn out the song – "Omaha."
"The thing that people don't realize when doing anything creative is that your biggest enemy is your ego, and if you're sick, it just kind of obliterates that so that just the pure stuff gets through," Chapman said. "One night in Bloomington I had a fever of 103 and went straight from the emergency room to stage and probably would've been sick for two weeks, but played rock 'n' roll for two hours and I was healed."
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Chapman began to cry as she finished the song while Rocker struck out 11 Michigan batters, leading Vanderbilt to a 4-1 win and forcing Game 3.
The lyrics came easy for Chapman.
"Way out west
On Nebraska's plain
Lies a city
With a beautiful name
Where dreams are made
In the month of June
When the games are played
To a beautiful tune …
Omaha — she'll break your heart
Omaha — or she'll set you apart
Omaha — give her your all
Omaha — you'll be standing tall
Eight baseball teams
They fight for the right
To hoist that trophy
On the final night
Oh … what a journey
To even make it there
Where stars are born
And heroes dare
Omaha — blood, sweat, and tears
Omaha — Year after year
Omaha — What does it mean?
Omaha — It's everything
Ah … baseball
What a beautiful game
It's poetry in motion
It's every damn thing
Where else can you live
An entire lifetime
In the blink of an eye
Between two white lines?
Omaha
Omaha
Where dream are made
Omaha
Way out west
On Nebraska's plain
Omaha
What beautiful name
What a beautiful game"
Vanderbilt Coach Tim Corbin with Commodores super fan and singer/song writer Marshall Chapman, whose new song is about the College World Series.
Chapman said she could not take credit for the words.
"I'm sorry but I get cosmic when it comes to writing songs. But it just came out of nowhere, and it just happened so fast," she said. "And I was just writing this song and the next thing I know I'm crying. I think that God, that power that's greater than I am, I feel like this song was a gift to me so I could go to Omaha because I felt like I was there when I was writing it."
Chapman emailed the lyrics to Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin the next day. She did not expect a reply as the Commodores were preparing for the deciding Game 3 that night and Corbin had plenty of other issues on his plate.
She was stunned when Corbin took time to thank and compliment her via text before Vanderbilt took the field.
Chapman also sent the lyrics to her friend, former U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley, who played in the NBA and is a huge baseball fan.
"I love it…..It's been a while since there was as eloquent a testimony to our national pastime…..Congrats….Can't wait for the music….I think it could be big," Bradley replied.
Chapman's friend and former Vanderbilt classmate Howie Hamilton from Chicago made a video of the the song and put it on YouTube.
After putting the lyrics on Facebook, Chapman was encouraged by friends to submit the song to ESPN for use with a highlight reel, which she has done.
Ex-Vandy star DeMarre Carroll signs with Spurs
DeMarre Carroll
Former Vanderbilt standout DeMarre Carroll signed with the San Antonio Spurs.
Carroll, 32, who spent the last two seasons with Brooklyn, reportedly signed a 2-year, $12 million to take up the Spurs mid-level exception and last guaranteed roster spot.
Carroll is headed into his 11th season in the NBA. He started in a total of 81 games in his two seasons in Brooklyn averaged 12.3 points and 5.9 rebounds.
If you have an item for Midstate Chatter contact Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.