LYNN BECKMAN -

   With the echoes of country, Gospel and traditional music embedded in his life and career, Lynn Beckman continues to deliver his own brand of music to international audiences via his recordings. As a prolific songwriter, Lynn is called by some the "WORD-SLINGER" because of his abilithy to string words together to create memorable images and pull people into the subject matter as if they were personally involved in the story line. Further, his smooth, mellow, resonante and conversational delivery of a song makes listening to him seem as though the musical event is like a personal story-- like a telling visit on a summer evening while sitting on the listener's front porch.  Many of his Gospel songs are inspired musical versions of homilies he delivered while serving in pastoral ministry in his mid-career between the years of 1977 and 1988. 

   Lynn's education includes studies in Accounting and Business Administration from business school; a BA in Liberal Arts from WVU University; and a Master of Divinity Degree from EMS.  He is an ordained (retired) elder in full connection of the WV Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  In addition to pulpit ministry, Lynn also served on the administrative management team as Vice President for Advancement for the Burlington United Methodist Family Services (Burlington Children's Home) in Burlington, WV.  He was also involved in the Burlington Old-Fashioned Apple Harvest Festival.

   In addition to broadcasting, ministry and music, Lynn's career experiences were also manifested in finance as an Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for First United Bank and Trust in Oakland, MD; and as Vice President, Trust Department of American Trust Bank and Keystone Bank (Cumberland, MD).

    "I consider myself to be more of a traditional country and Gospel singer and songwriter," Beckman says.  "Even though my own compositions are fresh and new they reflect the music of my past, hints of personal experiences or encounters, and the traditional roots of my life."   

   Born in Keyser (Mineral County), WV, and reared in Swanton (Garrett County), MD, Lynn cut his musical teeth on traditional music and gained his first experiences as a singer and musician mainly in elementary school and in churches. However, as a shy, quiet and reserved youngster, he recalls finding himself terrified in front of a church, school or community audience even though each performance gained him affirmation and encouragement. His mother tells of his earliest experiences as a toddler entertainer when the family lived in Westernport, MD. She recalls how a couple of young girls in the neighborhood discovered Lynn's unique abilities as a toddler to charm people with his little songs, nursery rhymes, alphabet, and his shy kid smile, and they would invite neighborhood mothers and kids to come to the Beckman's backyard, pay a nickel admission, and watch Lynn stand on a board pile and perform.

   It was while attending a business college in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1962 and 1963 that Beckman found himself hanging around a couple of local radio stations. It was then that he realized he wanted to become a broadcaster. Soon the management of WCUM put him on the air as an intern, and later he landed jobs on WMSG in Oakland, MD, and later on WCST in Berkeley Springs, WV, where he also met his wife, Mary. They were married in 1965.

   In 1967 while serving as Executive Director of the Deep Creek Lake--Garrett County Promotion Council, Inc., Lynn became one of the founders of the famous and popular AUTUMN GLORY FESTIVAL.  In October, 2017, the 50th anniversary year of the Festival, the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce released a commemorative Festival CD of four songs written and recorded by Lynn.  The lead song on the CD is entitled, AUTUMN GLORY TIME IS HERE, a song in tribute of the 50th historic year.  The song is slated to become a permanent part of each Festival year as a musical ID and promotional item.

   However, before the big moment of marriage there was another one big moment. It was in November,1964, when Lynn was invited by Nashville's WSM Radio P.R. person, Trudy Stamper, as Mr. D.J. U.S.A., and he appeared on the Friday and Saturday Grand Ole Opry Shows. The invitation came on the heels of a discussion he had with Melba Montgomery whom he met at one of her concerts. Melba suggested that he should go to Nashville as Mr. D.J. U.S.A. The invitation came shortly thereafter from WSM. While in Nashville for the Opry Shows he also appeared with the late Grant Turner, a WSM and Opry announcer, on the Friday evening "Mr. D.J. Show" that was broadcasted live following the Friday Night Opry and on the Opry Warm-Up Show from the Ryman stage on Saturday.  Later that night Lynn appeared on the world famous GRAND OLE OPRY as a guest. He has also guested on the country legend, WWVA in Wheeling, WV; The Old Dominion Barn Dance in Richmond, VA; The Shenandoah Jubilee in the Shenandoah Valley of VA; and the Sagebrush Round-Up in Fairmont, WV in the years since.

   It was during his "Mr. D.J." visit to Nashville that he met many of the artists who have been most influential in his life and career since. Among these is country singing legend Billy Walker, who a few years before his tragic death in 2006 recorded a Gospel song, entitled "FOR ME" that Lynn wrote. The song is in Billy's 'BACK ON THE MOUNTAIN' Gospel CD. (Available from www.billywalker.com). "It is ironic," Lynn says, "that my most successful song to date was recorded and released by one of the first professionals I ever got to know in the music business. Billy's recording of my song has elicited many responses from as far away as Africa and has also climbed to the top of the New Christian Music Charts in Europe. Released by an English label on March 1, 2004, the song debuted at number three on the NCM Charts the week of March 11, 2004. Up until Billy Walker's tragic death in the crash of his touring van on May 21, 2006, Beckman appeared many times on the road with the Billy Walker Show and has appeared various times with the Opry legend and his band on the famous WSM Midnight Jamboree from the Texas Troubadour Theatre at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Nashville. "I cannot imagine how many people have heard my songs around the world because of those shows,"Lynn comments. "The shows were live on WSM and on the internet. Then, they were archived on the record shop's website and were made available for listening following their original airings."

    Lynn has also worked shows in recent years with bluegrass master Ronnie Reno and The Reno Tradition. Reno also appears as a guest artist on Lynn's CD entitled, "LOOKIN' DOWN THE ROAD." Reno lends his musicianship to all of the tracks with special guitar and mandolin solos on traditional songs like "PICTURE ON THE WALL," "YOU ARE MY FLOWER," "DON'T THAT ROAD LOOK ROUGH AND ROCKY," and "WRECK OF THE OLD 97." Another newer CD, "CONNECTED: GRASSLAND TO GLORYLAND," is a Gospel bluegrass CD that features the talents of bluegrass legend RONNIE RENO along with his fabulous band, THE RENO TRADITION, and Lynn. This CD has attained world acclaim and demonstrates that Lynn can hold his own in the bluegrass genre also. The CD was recorded in nothing less than historic sessions at the famous HILLTOP STUDIOS in Nashville in August, 2008. Thirteen new and traditional tunes were recorded that were released in January, 2009. The project was produced by Ronnie Reno. Many of the new songs were written by Lynn.  Some were co-written by Lynn and his wife, Mary; while others were written by local writers such as Rodney C. Uphold and Ellis "Buss" Harvey (both now deceased). The CD not only features the expert picking of The Reno Tradition and the unmistakable harmonies of Ronnie Reno honed by his years appearing with Reno & Smiley, The Osborne Brothers and also Merle Haggard and The Strangers, but it features for the first time Lynn's wife, Mary singing harmony on two special tracks.

   Lynn Beckman writes most of his materials and also has written for other artists besides Billy Walker who have recorded his works including Germany's famed top-chart country artist, HERMANN LAMMERS MEYER who has released Beckman's "HARD TO HANDLE EASY TO LOVE" in Europe on Desert Kid Records. Hermann has also recorded another Lynn Beckman song, the popular "NONE AS WONDERFUL AND YOU" also on Desert Kid Records. The song was released as a 2013 spring promotion radio single on Desert Kid Records.   Lynn has also collaborated with Hermann on material included in Bear Family's 35th Anniversary box set.

   Lynn also wrote a Gospel song recorded by LISA MEADOWS entitled, "HIS PROMISE TO ME" released in January, 2006, in the USA. The song was also released internationally on NCM Records out of the United Kingdom and charted globally as high as number 6 on the New Christian Music Charts. Some of Beckman's recordings from the mid-1970s on the famed (Houston, TX) D Record label were internationally released in July, 2005, in a box set by Bear Family Records out of Germany; a box set that also features country artists such as George Strait, Floyd Tillman, songwriter-singer Eddie Noack, and many country notables who recorded for "Pappy" Daily's famous southwest record label; a label that launched many artists' careers including the legendary George Jones.

   Lynn has had songs of his in the Gospel charts in Europe in recent years including "A BRAND NEW BOOK" that remained on the charts for 17 weeks following its July 1, 2004, release and the evergreen and popular "THERE WERE NO TOYS," a Christmas song that climbed to number 2 on the Euro Charts during the 2004 Christmas season. The song charted again during Christmas 2005. In more recent months the Gospel song "HE IS RISEN," has been charted in Europe after its debut in March, 2005; and in 2006 two songs have been listed on the New Christian Music and Euro charts overseas. In March, 2006, "THERE'S A CHURCH ON THE HILL" charted and climbed to number 2, and in May, 2006, "COME AND DINE" became Lynn's first NUMBER 1 record on the international Christian Music and Euro charts. It remained at number 1 for two weeks. Another song that climbed to number 1 for two consecutive weeks is, "THE ROYAL TELEPHONE," the lead track on the "CONNECTED: GRASSLAND TO GLORYLAND" CD. It led the Hot-Disc charts globally in the fall and winter of 2012-2013 by staying in the top ten for most of the season. It remains one of the top-selling and most requested songs in the Lynn Beckman library of materials and is continually listed on DJ and station plays lists world-wide.

   Lynn continues to write and record even though he has curtailed his public performance schedule.  He released two new projects in 2017 entitled "A MASTERPIECE: Painted In 10 Original Songs" (a project that also features his youngest son, Tim); and "TELL THE STORM," a Gospel compilation of some of Lynn's best-selling tracks and newly added original songs.

    A prize-winning release is slated for early release on MON HILLS RECORDS, a commercial-label subsidiary of the Creative Arts Division of West Virginia University.  The CD features 15 original tracks written and arranged for this special project.  Copies will be available upon release by the various global music resellers and from MON HILLS RECORDS. This historic project will certainly become an archive collectible worthy of investment and acclaim.  It may become the crowning apex of Lynn's musical career and a tribute to the grass-roots mountain music of the State of West Virginia and the mountains of Maryland.

   Most of Lynn's recordings may be ordered from the "BUY MUSIC" section of this website. His songs are also available from most of the major music retailers and internet marketers globally.  Samples are available on this website and a large inventory may be heard on YOU TUBE. An internet search of "Lynn Beckman Music" will reveal these digital download and physical CD sales websites. Digitals and physical CDs are also available from www.cdbaby.com (search Lynn Beckman or look by song title). The D Singles Collection Vol. 6 box set is available at www.bear-family.de (Germany) and at many other fine music retailers around the world. The Box Set may be ordered through this website. Just CLICK ON "LINKS" and go to the "D" Record Collection -- Bear Family Records section.

A nearly complete anthology of Lynn's music and career materials was added to the displays of the Garrett County Historical Museum located on Second Street in Oakland, Maryland, in 2018.  The public is invited to stop by and see the display and other notable artifacts and historical memorabilia.  Lynn's display includes the new MON HILLS (WV University's commercial label) release, "MY MOUNTAIN HOME," that features Lynn's special MOUNTAIN KIN BAND. 

   Lynn and wife Mary currently reside on what they named as the HICKORY HOLLOW FARM near Swanton, Maryland.  Their family consists of three sons Richard (Rick) and wife Joanna; Keith and wife Tina; and Timothy (Tim) and wife Andrea.  They have six grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and two step-great grandchildren. 

20 songs on 2 CDs. Click picture to hear clips. 10 songs from the Country Swing side and 10 songs from Country's Softer side. Click the photo to preview songs.

13 songs of inspiration. It features "PASS IT ON" as the lead track followed by the popular and uplifting song entitled, "HE MET ME THIS MORNING." This collection of original songs will be a wonderful addition to any inspirational library. Click the picture above and enjoy song clips. To order your physical copy click the "Contact" button above and send a message.

A variety of 20 songs covering 50 years of writing and recording talent and musical endeavors. 5 brand new songs; 5 songs from 1972; 10 songs from the "between years." Selections include hard country; middle-of-the-road; novelty; gospel; patriotic songs and more. Includes the unofficial Maryland State song, "MY HOMELAND IS MARYLAND." Click picture to preview songs.