Chapel Hart, originally known as Hyperphlyy, is an American country music vocal group from Poplarville, Mississippi. The group consists of sisters Danica Hart and Devynn Hart, and their cousin Trea Swindle, all three of whom are vocalists. Chapel Hart has independently released four studio albums and eleven singles. In July 2022, they competed in the seventeenth season of America's Got Talent, where they finished fifth. The group's music is defined by their vocal harmony and influence from other female country acts. The group's most popular song is "You Can Have Him Jolene", an answer song to Dolly Parton's "Jolene".
Chapel Hart | |
|---|---|
 Chapel Hart performing at the Wildhorse Saloon on June 7, 2023. (L-R: Trea Swindle, Danica Hart, Devynn Hart) | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Hyperphlyy |
| Origin | Poplarville, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Genres | Country |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | JT3D, Origins |
| Members | Danica Hart Devynn Hart Trea Swindle |
| Website | chapelhart |
Music career
editSisters Danica and Devynn Hart began singing together in 2014 with their cousin Trea Swindle. The three started busking by performing cover songs on the streets of New Orleans,[1][2] and eventually writing original songs as well.[3] Danica Hart and Swindle recorded an extended play titled Made for Me in 2016 under the name Hyperphlyy.[1] Then in 2019, they and Devynn released an album titled Out the Mud also under the name Hyperphlyy.[1] The trio also performed at music festivals around Louisiana, and in Innsbruck, Austria.[4] They renamed themselves Chapel Hart, taking the name from a church in their hometown.[5]
Chapel Hart performed tribute shows to female country acts at Scoreboard Bar & Grill in Nashville, Tennessee, but were initially unsuccessful in securing a recording contract.[5] In 2020, they were discovered by record producer Jeff Glixman, who also began serving as their manager and producer.[1][6] This was followed by a standalone single titled "Jesus & Alcohol" in 2020, which featured ZZ Top member Billy Gibbons on guitar. They also shot a music video for the song, in which Gibbons plays the role of a pastor.[7] T. Graham Brown and Deborah Allen also make cameos in the video, which aired on CMT after its release.[8] Additionally, they sang background vocals on LeRoux's album One of Those Days in 2020.[9]
CMT selected Chapel Hart as one of several artists for their 2021 "Next Women of Country" campaign,[10] which promotes new and upcoming female country music artists.[11] This was followed in 2021 by the group's next single, "I Will Follow". A music video was produced for the song, which aired on CMT, with Jackyl lead singer Jesse James Dupree making a cameo appearance in it.[12] Jennifer Hanson wrote the song with Savannah Keyes and Nick Brophy, the latter of whom co-produced it with Glixman. The corresponding music video began airing on CMT on February 5, 2021.[13] Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe rated the song "A", praising the group members' singing voices while comparing the arrangement favorably to the works of SHeDAISY and the Chicks.[14] A third single and video, "You Can Have Him Jolene", followed in March 2021. The song is an answer song to Dolly Parton's "Jolene".[15]
In July 2021, the group announced a second studio album, titled The Girls Are Back in Town. "I Will Follow" and "You Can Have Him Jolene" both appeared on the album.[16] Glixman also produced this album. Lorie Hollabaugh of MusicRow stated of the album that "Every song on the 12-track project centers around the universal theme of celebrating and empowering women in country music while reminding listeners that love, harmony, diversity, and unity can co-exist in our present world."[17] Another single and video, "Made for Me", followed in 2022.[18]
America's Got Talent appearance
editChapel Hart had planned to tour with the Indigo Girls in mid-2022, but canceled this tour when that duo's member Emily Saliers was diagnosed with COVID-19.[19] During this time, agents for the NBC talent show America's Got Talent contacted members of the group. Danica told the blog Taste of Country that Chapel Hart initially turned down the offer, but ultimately agreed to appear on the show after being contacted by the same agent a number of times.[19] On the audition episode airing July 19 (during the show's 17th season), they performed "You Can Have Him Jolene".[20] All four judges awarded the group the Golden Buzzer, only the second time in the show's history that this was done. Doing so allowed Chapel Hart to advance immediately to the next round of competition,[21][22][23] eventually earning a spot in the finals after performing their original song "The Girls Are Back in Town".[24] Chapel Hart advanced to the finals, where they performed a cover of Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About" with Darius Rucker. They were eliminated from the fifth-place position after performing another original song, "American Pride".[25]
2022–present
editChapel Hart received an invitation to make their debut on the Grand Ole Opry on September 17, 2022.[26] They are also featured on Darius Rucker's late-2022 single "Ol' Church Hymn".[27] In late October 2022, Danica Hart underwent vocal cord surgery, requiring a period of vocal rest.[28] Once Danica recovered, the trio released a new single titled "Glory Days" in January 2023. The trio wrote the song with Jim Beavers. In a multi-person review from Country Universe, Jonathan Keefe and Zackary Kephart both spoke favorably of the song's story about struggling musicians and praised the vocal harmony, comparing the song's sound favorably to country music of the 1990s, while Coyne was less favorable towards the lyrics and lead vocal.[29]
They also released another song titled "Welcome to Fist City", an answer song to Loretta Lynn's 1968 single "Fist City". Prior to her death in 2022, Lynn had asked the trio to write the song after seeing them on America's Got Talent.[30] Chapel Hart also announced a series of tour dates for 2023.[30] "Welcome to Fist City" and "Glory Days" were included on the group's third studio album also titled Glory Days, released in May 2023.[31] The trio promoted the album through a concert tour which included a performance at the CMA Music Festival.[32] Holly Smith of the website Holler Country praised the album's vocal harmonies and called the album "jubilant".[33]
Chapel Hart returned to the America's Got Talent spin-off America's Got Talent: Fantasy League in January 2024. There, they performed "American Pride". This performance coincided the release of a new single titled "2033".[34] In 2024, the group signed to Origins Records to release their first Christmas album, Hartfelt Family Christmas. The album includes collaborations with Darius Rucker, the Isaacs, Vince Gill, and T. Graham Brown.[35]
Musical influences and style
editIn 2020, Danica told the Houston Chronicle that she was influenced by albums from George Strait and Kenny Rogers. She and Devynn have also cited Gretchen Wilson as a primary musical influence.[7] Joey Guerra of the Houston Chronicle noted that Chapel Hart's sound is heavily reliant on their use of vocal harmony. He also found Danica's voice comparable to that of Etta James, while also finding influences of a "classic girl group" sound on other songs.[7] Later in 2020, Swindle told American Songwriter that she was aware of the unusual choice for an African American act to record country music, telling the publication: "You don't really choose [country music]. It was how we grew up and who we are."[6] Jessica Nicholson of Billboard wrote of the group's style that it "blends tightly-woven, family harmonies with straight-from-the-heart lyrics".[32] Devynn also said that the positive reception from their America's Got Talent performance of "You Can Have Him Jolene", which all three members of the trio wrote, inspired the trio to write more songs on Glory Days.[32] AllMusic writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine describes Chapel Hart as "a spirited country music harmony group" and "steeped in tradition but ha[ving] a smart, knowing modern sensibility".[1]
Discography
edit| Chapel Hart discography | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | 3 |
| EPs | 1 |
| Singles | 11 |
| Music videos | 6 |
| Promotional singles | 2 |
Studio albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Out the Mud[a] |
|
| The Girls Are Back in Town |
|
| Glory Days |
|
| Hartfelt Family Christmas |
|
Extended plays
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Made for Me[b] |
|
Singles
edit| Single | Year | Peak chart positions |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Digital | |||
| "Just Say I Love You" | 2019 | — | The Girls Are Back in Town |
| "Jesus & Alcohol" | 2020 | — | |
| "I Will Follow" | 2021 | — | |
| "You Can Have Him Jolene" | 4 | ||
| "Grown Ass Woman" (Mickie James with Chapel Hart)[37] |
— | ||
| "The Girls Are Back in Town" | 21[38] | ||
| "Made for Me"[39] | 2022 | — | — |
| "Ol' Church Hymn" (Darius Rucker with Chapel Hart) |
— | Carolyn's Boy | |
| "Glory Days" | 2023 | — | Glory Days |
| "Welcome to Fist City" | — | ||
| "2033" | 2024 | — | TBA |
Music videos
edit| Title | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|
| "Whenever Forever" | 2020 | — |
| "Country Paradise" | ||
| "Jesus & Alcohol" | David Abbott[40] | |
| "I Will Follow" | 2021 | Nick Barrett Media[41] |
| "You Can Have Him Jolene" | David Abbott[15] | |
| "Made for Me" | 2022 | Edward Miller[18] |
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Chapel Hart biography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "Country trio Chapel Hart gains recognition for songwriting and new music video". Picayune Item. September 19, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ Brandy McGill (September 20, 2020). "Black female country trio from South Mississippi on the rise". NBC 12. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "New Orleans-based Country and Soul Band Hyperphlyy Releases New Album". My New Orleans. July 26, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ^ a b Mona Moore (March 21, 2023). "Chapel Hart wowed 'America's Got Talent' judges. Get to know the trio before live finals". Sun Herald. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Paul Zollo (September 12, 2020). "ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons Joins Country Trio Chapel Hart for "Jesus & Alcohol"". American Songwriter. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Family trio Chapel Hart is breaking country-music down barriers". Houston Chronicle. September 25, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "Left at the Altar, Chapel Hart Get Through With "Jesus & Alcohol"". CMT. September 8, 2020. Archived from the original on September 8, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "Chapel Hart Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
- ^ "CMT REVEALS THE NEXT WOMEN OF COUNTRY CLASS OF 2021". CMT. January 23, 2021. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ "2021 CMT NEXT WOMEN OF COUNTRY CLASS MEMBERS CHAPEL HART FEEL "IT'S [THEIR] TIME NOW"". CMT. June 15, 2021. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ Marcus K. Dowling (February 5, 2021). "Chapel Hart Band Keep The Party Going With 'I Will Follow'". CMT. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "Chapel Hart music video for new single 'I Will Follow' premiered by CMT on Friday, February 5th". Texas Border Business. February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "Single Review: Chapel Hart, "I Will Follow"". Country Universe. February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ a b "REMIERE: Chapel Hart Offers Defiant Spin On Dolly Parton Classic With "You Can Have Him Jolene"". CMT. March 17, 2021. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ "2021 CMT Next Women of Country Class Members Chapel Hart Feel "It's [Their] Time Now"". Archived from the original on July 29, 2021.
- ^ "'The Girls Are Back in Town' as Chapel Hart Announces Upcoming Sophomore Album". August 6, 2021.
- ^ a b Cindy Watts (March 30, 2022). "CMT Premiere: Chapel Hart Hopes to Inspire People to Chase Their Dreams with "Made for Me"". CMT. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- ^ a b Billy Dukes (August 16, 2022). "Chapel Hart almost didn't audition for 'America's Got Talent'". Taste of Country. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ "Local country music band Chapel Hart preparing for America's Got Talent". WXXV 25. July 5, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- ^ "Watch the Brilliant Act That Earned the Second-Ever Combined Judges' Golden Buzzer Tonight on America's Got Talent". Parade. July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
- ^ "AGT judges break show's rules, hit unanimous Golden Buzzer for this ode to Dolly Parton". USA Today. July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
- ^ Weisholtz, Drew (July 20, 2022). "See the 'AGT' judges go crazy over a country trio's Dolly Parton-inspired bop". Today. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
- ^ "The country girl band has officially advanced to the AGT Season 17 Finale!". NBC. August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ "Chapel Hart Wins Big Despite Last Night's Disappointing AGT Loss". Southern Living. September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ "Watch: Chapel Hart returns to 'America's Got Talent' with original track 'The Girls Are Back in Town'". CMT. August 17, 2022. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ "Darius Rucker Set to Release New Song Featuring Chapel Hart". DRG News. September 19, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
- ^ "Chapel Hart Asks Fans To "Keep The Prayers Coming" As Danica Recovers From Vocal Cord Surgery". Southern Living. November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ "Single Review Roundup: Vol. 2, No. 2 – February 2023". Country Universe. February 13, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ a b "CHAPEL HART TALKS "GLORY" AND GROWTH AHEAD OF LAUNCHING LARGEST TOUR OF THEIR CAREER". CMT. January 20, 2023. Archived from the original on January 21, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
- ^ "Chapel Hart Announces 'Glory Days' Album, Out May 19". MusicRow. March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c Jessica Nicholson (May 18, 2023). "Chapel Hart On Unfiltered New Album 'Glory Days': 'We Want to Tell Our Stories'". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ Holly Smith (May 16, 2023). "Chapel Hart, Glory Days". Holler Country. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ "Chapel Hart Somehow Outdid Themselves with a Stunning Encore of "American Pride"". NBC Insider. January 16, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
- ^ Lorie Hollabaugh (October 11, 2024). "Chapel Hart Unveils Track List For New 'Hartfelt Family Christmas' Album". MusicRow. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ "Hyperphlyy - Made for Me". Spotify. September 20, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ "Grown Ass Woman – Single by Mickie James". Apple Music. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ Robert K. Oermann (March 31, 2022). "DISClaimer Single Reviews: The Isaacs Give A Handful Of Hope On 'Humpty Dumpty Heart'". MusicRow. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
- ^ "Jesus and Alcohol". YouTube. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ "Chapel Hart - I Will Follow". YouTube. Retrieved February 10, 2021.