Have you discovered the music of Chappell Roan? Chappell is a major pop star who won in two categories of the 2025 ASCAP Pop Music Awards. She was nominated for six categories for the Grammy Awards and seven categories in the American Music Awards. That’s a lot of honor and acclaim for a twenty-seven-year-old singer/songwriter! Chappell first caught my eye (ear?) when I was doing a fun workout and along came her music. I dug it! I am always looking for artists and music that I enjoy, especially if they are from this century. My music collection, as you might imagine, is heavily populated with rock & roll, Americana, funk, blues, Broadway, and a little disco from the 1970’s and 80’s. Last century.
You know me. I get curious. I looked for more information about Chappell and discovered that her birth name was Kayleigh Rose Amstutz.* Amstutz! Amstutz is also the surname of my third great-grandmother, Catherine Amstutz (1827-1881). I had to know. I had already done quite a bit of work on the Amstutz surname. My very good friend, Sheri, is also my cousin via Amstutzes in Sigriswil, Bern, Switzerland in the 1600s.
Chappell is my 10th cousin 1x removed! We are related via my mother’s side of the family. So if you are related to me via my mother, Joann (Schantz) Love, then Chappell is also your cousin! How are we related? Our shared ancestors are Hans Amstutz (abt 1628-1688) and Barbara Boss (1634-1680). Chappell, Sheri and I are all descendants from that ancestral couple.
Both Chappell and I descend from Amstutz families that became Anabaptist (Amish and Mennonite) while Sheri’s ancestors did not. Chappell and my Amstutz ancestors moved to the Alsace region in France as a result of persecution in Switzerland. They then moved to North America. Sheri’s ancestors came directly from Switzerland to the United States.
How cool is it to discover all these great connections?!
I really enjoy Chappell’s music. I realize that it is not for everyone. You do you. In the meantime, well, you can find me dancing down at the Pink Pony Club.
Chappell Roan: Tiny Desk Concert on NPR Music
FYI – Explicit Content
* “Chappell” is her mother’s maiden name.
** Pink Pony Club logo: Creative Commons license
If you would like more information or need details about my sources, please contact me at renee@reneecue.com.