Across the board people agree Beauty Will Rise is unlike any other Chapman release. Calling it his most candid work yet, the project is filled with “raw lyrics and honest emotion” that while bringing “many to tears,” also “gives tremendous hope” to all who listen.
“…the aching candor that suffuses the album, paired with Mr. Chapman’s unmistakable gift for melodic uplift, exerts a deep emotional pull. The production, leaner than usual, backs up the raw feeling behind the songs.”- New York Times
“He quietly, thoughtfully works through his grief but never surrenders to despair. If you can’t imagine how to find hope out of such devastation, Chapman can show you.”- USA Today
“Both intensely personal, yet universal as well, this is a brilliant, deeply moving album sure to resonate with listeners on many levels.”-Billboard Magazine
“After his daughter's death, the veteran artist battles despair but finds hope in his most candid record to date.”-ChristianityToday.com
“What might seem as a depressing premise for a recording has turned into an extremely hopeful, intensely raw and gut-wrenchingly honest recording that brings the listener through the wrestling and into the hope that awaits.”- Advance Magazine
“Beauty Will Rise is a CD that is sure to move you emotionally. Every song on the album will make you feel as if Chapman is singing to your own pain, and offering hope for your own situation. And in a very real way, he is.”-Gospelmusicupdate.com
“The bare-bones structure incorporates musical gestures of hope, using a colorful glockenspiel, bellowing chimes and triumphal timpanis to convince listeners Chapman's spiritual testing is not countering his steadfast faith. Even dissonant strings haunt the famous father's melancholic intimations, but without deterring the album's blunt beauty.”-CCM Magazine
The radio single “Heaven Is The Face,” is already at No. 22 on the AC monitored chart, and continues to climb with 10 new adds in the last two weeks, including The Fish Atlanta and K-Love.
Chapman is extremely thankful for all the support and encouragement that he and his family have received through blogs, letters and emails. Although this was a recording that Chapman wishes he never had to make, he says he has gleaned a measure of peace knowing that these songs may help heal others.
Chapman states, “If there is comfort to be given to others then that is going to make some sense out of this; that is important and vital to us. Part of what makes this survivable is that we can see God using it for good in the lives of other people.”
Nashville, TN - (October 7th, 2009) - In celebration of November as National Adoption Awareness Month, Show Hope and Steven Curtis Chapman, along with Focus on the Family and FamilyLife, are helping to lead the charge on Sunday, November 8th -"Orphan Sunday" - for a live event in Nashville with one goal: raising awareness of the more than 140 million orphans worldwide. The free event, beginning at 4pm CST, will be simulcast through satellite, Moody Radio Network and Gospel Music Channel, and will also be available through a webcast at www.OrphanSunday.org. The event will feature a special acoustic performance from Chapman, with other musical guests Geoff Moore and the Children of the World Choir. Guest speakers include Focus on the Family President Jim Daly, a former orphan himself, Dr. Sharen Ford, Manager for Permanency Services for the Colorado Department of Human Services in the Division of Child Welfare Services, Jedd Medefind of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, and adoptive father Dennis Rainey, president of FamilyLife.
"Our experience with the miracle of adoption and the chance to touch the lives of orphans has been infinitely rich and full," said Chapman, who adopted three daughters from China. "It's a privilege that God invites us to, and there are so many other children around the world who need homes and help. We're doing this event on November 8th to compel people to take action right now to be involved in caring for the world's orphans. We can each do something, whether it is donating, adopting, fostering, mentoring, visiting orphans or supporting families who have taken in orphans."
UPDATE:
Click here to visit the auction!
Porter’s Call, the Franklin, TN organization that offers free counsel, support and encouragement to recording artists and their families, has partnered with the premier celebrity auction website, www.clothesoffourback.org, to host an online celebrity auction September 14th – 30th. The auction’s direct link is www.clothesoffourback.org/porterscall.
The auction is an effort to sustain the organization’s long-term financial health and to continue to offer free services to the community of recording artists. More than 30 music and sports stars, television personalities and best-selling authors have donated several one-of-a-kind, autographed items for this auction. Some highlights include:
- Autographed Guitars from Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, Gene Simmons, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mercy Me, and Paramore
- Autographed wardrobe items from Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Keith Urban, Big Kenny, Michael W. Smith and tobyMac
- Concert and meet & greet packages from Casting Crowns, Diamond Rio and Mandisa
- Titans and Predators tickets with special passes
- Framed autographed handwritten lyrics from Vince Gill and Amy Grant
- Autographed books from Mike Huckabee, Steve Harvey and Rick & Bubba
- Other autographed items from Jonas Brothers, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Billy Bob Thornton, Alison Krauss, Gretchen Wilson, Sara Evans and Josh Turner
“We are so grateful for the overwhelming show of support we’ve received from the participating artists-many of whom we’ve never met,” said Porter’s Call founder Al Andrews. “This auction collection holds a diverse and unique array of items that is sure to excite and delight their fans. While we know these items will raise significant funds to further the work of Porter’s Call, we hope that awareness for the service we provide is already rising significantly within the music community and that we will be able to serve more artists in the months to come.”
Started 9 years ago with an initial grant, Porter’s Call was created to meet a need to come alongside artists in their pilgrimage of life and music and faith. Because of this, many artists are able to avoid the pitfalls so common in the industry. Since its doors opened, Porter’s Call has offered its service at no charge to artists. This has been made possible through the generous support of record labels, artists and those working throughout various facets of the music industry.
Located in an historic home in Franklin, TN, it’s a safe and confidential place for artists where questions can be asked and explored; where broken lives can be restored and healed; where God can be encountered and discovered; where creative gifts can be deepened and enhanced.
Counselors Al and Nita Andrews have welcomed almost 500 artists through their doors since its inception.
The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation is a 501c3 organization that hosts charity auctions showcasing today's hottest celebrity attire. Items are put up for bid to the public with proceeds going to benefit children's charities. Clothes Off Our Back was founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle," "Raising the Bar") and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing," "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") whose efforts, along with their celebrity and designer friends have helped improve the lives of children across the globe. For more information and to bid, log onto www.clothesoffourback.org.
September 10, 2009…Nashville, TN…The debut single from multi-platinum selling artist Steven Curtis Chapman’s upcoming project Beauty Will Rise, “Heaven Is The Face,” has been welcomed with open arms. Available digitally on September 8, the single released to radio August 21 and has already pulled at the hearts of many. Thirty-one stations have added the single already, quickly finding that it is resonating with all who hear it, offering light in a dark place:
"Heaven Is The Face” is a song that takes you a little deeper each time you hear it,” says Tulsa, OK, KXOJ Program Director, Bob Thorton. “The first time all I thought about was Steven and Maria. The second time all I thought about was the door of Heaven and the mystery of not being able to see the other side. The third time and each spin since, it's become a more personal song that takes me into simultaneous thanks for the present and worship for what is to come. This is raw, honest depth from our greatest writer."
“The lyrics are specific to the Chapman story, but the Hope shared is something we can all cling to,” says Sandi Brown, General Manager of JoyFM in St. Louis.
Outside of radio circles, the media are also vocalizing their support for the song and Chapman family:
"Heartbreak and hope are powerfully intertwined in the lyric of this incredible song. Chapman has always had a gift for sharing how real and vibrant his faith is through his music, and even after the loss of his precious daughter, that faith remains and continues to inform his artistry. I can think of no more powerful testimony."- Billboard
“’Heaven Is The Face’ marks the return of Steven Curtis Chapman to music for the first time since the tragic loss of his adopted daughter last year, and the new single is a deeply emotional journey that addresses Chapman’s personal hopes and struggles throughout the painful season. It’s a beautiful song and a gift to anyone who knows what it’s like to experience loss.”-Jesusfreakhideout.com
“ ‘Heaven Is The Face’ portrays what Chapman <http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-2770-Christian-Entertainment-Examiner~y2009m4d29-Michael-W-Smith-and-Steven-Curtis-Chapman-together-for-the-first-time-on-The-United-Tour> , his wife Mary Beth, and their family describe as ‘grieving with hope.’ This song resonates with a psalmist’s dichotomy of loss and sorrow, hope and longing. It digs deep within the pain to find something to offer others; a promised eternal life where pain and tears do not exist and where love and joy abound.”-Examiner.com
"Heaven Is the Face is a testament to Steven Curtis Chapman's perseverance in the face of tragedy. He continues to excel as a songwriter, but most importantly, is a living testimony to the power of hope and healing."- Freelancer and Gospelmusicchannel.com contributor.
As Chapman explains it, “Heaven Is The Face” is a song that he never wished to write:
“Obviously heaven has become a much more real place and something I long for more now than ever before. I can’t wait to see the face of my little girl that I long to see again. I’m saying to God, ‘You know my heart, and I know that heaven is so much more than that, but right now Lord, this where my heart is.’ So I’m just crying out to God with this song, and it’s as honest and personal as I’ve ever been; I just poured out my heart.”
Beauty Will Rise is a collection of 12 new and profound songs created over the past 15 months during the walk through the darkness of the loss of his daughter Maria and while God continued to meet him there on the journey. Part lament, part praise, part grief, part hope, part wrestling, part pondering; these tracks resonate as Chapman’s personal psalms. It is a desperately hopeful, raw, personal, and honest recording that is likely the most important of his already incredible 20 plus year ministry.
“I began this process a couple of months after May 21st, not really knowing if I would ever feel like I could sing, stand on stage again, or express the emotions, the grief and the loss in music. But, in the days that followed, I felt that God was allowing me to write my own psalms, and that’s really what these are to me; a collection of my own psalms, laments, ponderings, and God meeting me and my family in the grief and in the midst of our journey of the last year. It’s been an amazing, wild process; very raw, real, honest.”
GRAMMY® Award winning and multi-platinum selling artist Steven Curtis Chapman has announced plans to release Beauty Will Rise on November 3rd on Sparrow Records.
Beauty Will Rise is a collection of 12 new and profound songs created over the past 15 months during the walk through the darkness of the loss of his daughter Maria and while God continued to meet him there on the journey. Part lament, part praise, part grief, part hope, part wrestling, part pondering; these tracks resonate as Chapman’s personal Psalms. It is a desperately hopeful, raw, personal, and honest recording that is likely the most important of his already incredible 20 plus year ministry.
Chapman announced the news on his video blog (http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/scc/2009/08/steven-announces-new-album-beauty-will-rise.html) from Maria’s Big House of Hope, the special needs healing home that Show HOPE, (the adoption and orphan care ministry founded by Chapman and his wife Mary Beth) recently opened. The facility is named in loving memory of their five-year old daughter and is located in Luoyang, China. Maria’s Big House of Hope will care for orphans with medical impairments, such as cleft palate, clubbed feet, urological disorders, blindness, and neurological disorders.
For the first time in his career, due to the intensely personal nature of this project, Chapman made the album in a total vacuum while traveling all over the country on tour last fall and spring. From the rooftop of Maria’s Big House of Hope, Steven shared details on his blog entry about how the songs for this project came about:
“I am standing on top of the building that because of it’s name, represents something that we never would have scripted, asked for, or imagined. But, we are right in the middle of part of the beauty that God is bringing from the pain and ashes of our last year. I began this process a couple of months after May 21st, not really knowing if I would ever feel like I could sing, stand on stage again, or express the emotions, the grief and the loss in music. But, in the days that followed, I felt that God was allowing me to write my own songs, and that’s really what these are to me; a collection of my own songs, laments, ponderings, and God meeting me and my family in the grief and in the midst of our journey of the last year. It’s been an amazing, wild process; very raw, real, honest.”
The album’s first single, “Heaven is the Face,” will be released to radio on August 21st with the digital single available on September 8th. Album pre-sales of Beauty Will Rise begin September 25. Chapman spoke about this song via video blog as well (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnHM_2x-pBI) commenting that “obviously heaven has become a much more real place and something I long for more now than ever before. I can’t wait to see the face of my little girl that I long to see again. I’m saying to God, ‘you know my heart, and I know that heaven is so much more than that, but right now Lord, this where my heart is.’ So I’m just crying out to God with this song, and it’s as honest and personal as I’ve ever been, I just poured out my heart.”
**Steven Curtis Chapman fans displayed “a father’s love” for their children in a special Father’s Day video tribute that features Chapman’s hit single “Cinderella.” Fans were encouraged to submit family photos and as a result, over 150 photos were chosen to create two heart-warming videos on animoto.com. To view these unique Father’s Day tributes visit: http://www.tangle.com/stevencurtischapman. In addition, everyone is invited to create his or her own Father’s Day video to “Cinderella” by visiting:
http://animoto.com/create?partner=emi&song_key=mN1w5dpWuGSq5ksSEBY0aw
**“Cinderella,” inspired by Chapman’s youngest daughters Stevie Joy and Maria Sue, is a song that reflects how we must cherish every moment we are given with those that we love, especially with our children. Chapman reminds us that life is too short and too fast; to take hold of the small and large moments that occur throughout life because “all too soon the clock will strike midnight, and she’ll be gone.” (lyrics from Cinderella).
Nashville, TN - May 11, 2009 - At the Nashville stop of the United Tour, the nationwide concert co-headlined by Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith, in front of a sell-out crowd, family and friends, Chapman was awarded by Smith with the Lifetime Volunteer Service Award from The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. This service honor recognizes Chapman's tireless passion of caring for the millions of orphans around the world through Show HopeTM, the orphan care ministry started by he and his wife, Mary Beth. This lifetime achievement service award, the highest level possible from The President's Council, comes on the heels of the recent recognition of the Chapman's and their orphan care advocacy from the Children's Hunger Fund's Children's Champion Award.
ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President's Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service, encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation, and inspires others to make service a central part of their lives. The Council was established to recognize the important contributions Americans of all ages are making within their communities through service and civic engagement. Administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, it brings together leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, education, government, nonprofits, and the media. Michael W. Smith is the Vice-Chair of The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, co-chairing with Jean Case, founder of The Case Foundation. Some of the other serving Council members are Tony Dungy (former head coach, Indianapolis Colts), Cokie Roberts (ABC News political news correspondent) Roxanne Spillett (President of the Boys & Girls Club of America), among others.
In a country that has a long and proud tradition of volunteer service, volunteers are committed more than ever to to help others in this country and around the world to bring us together as families, as neighbors, as communities, and as a nation.
For more information about Show Hope and the President's Volunteer Service Award, please visit www.ShowHope.org and www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/tg/pvsainfo/dspAboutAwards.cfm.
GRAMMY® award-winning and multi-platinum selling artists Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith wrapped up their highly successful United Tour last week, finishing a string of 44 shows with sell-out performances at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and in Chapman’s hometown of Paducah, Kentucky. That capped off multiple sell-outs on a historic tour that began last fall and continued into the spring, pairing the two iconic artists for the first time in their lengthy careers in front of a cumulative audience of more than 100,000 people.
Both artists performed music from their current albums – Chapman’s This Moment and Smith’s award winning A New Hallelujah, and A New Hallelujah – The Live Worship DVD – while also collaborating together on songs from each of their expansive catalogs. Those collaborative moments on stage became crowd-pleasers each night, giving fans an opportunity to catch shared glimpses of humor and inspiration between the two long-time friends. Concert reviewers caught on quickly to the special moments:
“From the honesty and transparency of discussing his daughter's death to the energy and passion of their greatest songs to the warmth and joy in a loyal audience, Steven Curtis Chapman's pairing with Michael W. Smith on their current tour is a night of inspiration, unity and family…. If your Christian faith is important to you, this is a night that's as worshipful as it is wonderful and it's certainly for you.” (Belief.net)
“Hopefully this won't be the last time Smith and Chapman share the stage on tour together... and hopefully more artists will take cues from these guys on how to make a tour of talent a special night for fans to remember and cherish.” (JesusFreakHideout.com)
“When you get a ticket to a concert featuring Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman, there are moments you hope for… These were moments that remind you iconic artists are fully capable of appreciating other iconic artists’ work.” (Rich Copley, Lexington Herald-Leader)
Creative Artist Agency’s John Huie notes, “The United Tour exceeded all our expectations. The way these two iconic statesmen of Christian music intertwined their sets and enjoyed singing each other’s songs is part of the creative process that is missing from a lot of live shows! Three cheers for Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith for their history of great work and their humble ability to share it together! For those who were able to see it, this show was truly a night no one will forget!”
“Sharing the stage with Steven, both in the fall and again in the spring, was a privilege for me,” Smith says. “His consistency over the years as a great artist and a great man of faith was evident every single night of the tour. I feel like the timing of this tour, the timing for Steven and I to share the stage together, was God’s timing – and it was worth the wait. I’m so grateful to everyone who came out for the experience. Steven and I will never forget it.”
“The United Tour has been an incredible experience, and how amazing to get to tour with Michael,” Chapman adds. “He was an incredible friend and brother in walking through this time with our family. It’s been a profound opportunity to see friends around the country who have ached and prayed for us and thank them in person. And it’s been important and meaningful for me to declare these truths in my songs again. I think all of us that were part of ‘United’ have learned again at a deeper level the truth of what we’ve been writing and singing all these years... that God is faithful, even when life is hard, and that the Gospel is true and God is worthy of our praise. My sincere thanks to all who worked on stage and off stage, and to all who came to join us on The United Tour.”
Two of Christian Music’s most recognized and beloved artists, Chapman and Smith ended The United Tour on the heels of major Dove Award wins for both of them. Chapman took home the honors for the Gospel Music Association’s Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, while Smith’s A New Hallelujah was named Praise & Worship Album of the Year as well as Inspirational Song of the Year. Together, the two artists have garnered a staggering eight GRAMMY ® awards, 100 Dove Awards, 78 No. 1 singles and more than 30 gold and platinum albums.
Show Hope™, the orphan care ministry originally founded by Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman, was the sponsor for the United Tour's 2009 spring leg. The tour’s response was overwhelming as over 2,400 individuals and families made monthly commitments to sponsor orphan care and adoption. With a mission to share the message of caring for the world’s orphans, Show Hope sponsors will be able to help more orphans than ever before find their forever families. Since its inception, Show Hope has financially helped provide forever homes for over 2,000 orphans from 40 countries, including the U.S. The ministry receives over 150 new adoption assistance requests each month. In addition to those needs, financial support to Show Hope also provides medical care, love and hope to orphans, and specifically special needs orphans at Maria’s Big House of Hope in Luoyang, China, which will house over 100 orphans at full capacity. For more information on how you can support the needs of Show Hope, please visit www.ShowHope.org.
Smith’s long-time ministry partner Compassion International (www.compassion.com) was able to benefit during the fall leg of The United Tour. More than 2,000 orphaned children in Compassion’s program around the world were sponsored as a result of the tour’s first 20 dates. “The fact that literally thousands of orphaned children’s lives were impacted through Compassion International in the fall and Show Hope in the spring is just an added blessing that came about through this tour,” Smith says.
The United Tour also formed a unique partnership with HearItFirst.com. With nearly 200,000 members, HIF proved itself the premiere online destination for behind-the-scenes videos and artist interviews with exclusive United Tour content featuring video of Steven and Michael interviewing each other. HearItFirst.com also partnered with the tour via a home page takeover, information to its members through its weekly newsletter, and a contest that won HIF fans free seats and backstage meet & greet passes in each city.
April 24, 2009…Nashville, TN… Gospel Music Association’s most honored artist, Steven Curtis Chapman accepted two awards, for artist of the year and songwriter of the year, on an emotional and moving night at the 40th Annual Dove Awards. Chapman was honored less than a year after the tragic loss of his daughter Maria. The ceremony was broadcast LIVE on Gospel Music Channel at 7pm (CST) from the famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN.
Sparrow Records’ 10-million selling, award winning artist received multiple nominations with wins in the coveted Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year categories. For the first time in the history of the Dove Awards, Artist of the Year nominees were voted on by Gospel music fans in the days leading up to the ceremony and throughout the telecast. Chapman was also nominated in three other categories, including two for “Song of the Year” with both “Cinderella” and “You Reign,” a song he co-wrote with MercyMe. Chapman’s total Dove wins now total 56 over the course of his music career--more than any other artist in the history of Gospel Music. Last night's honors now make seven "Artist of the Year" awards and ten "Songwriter of the Year" awards for Chapman's Dove legacy.
Chapman and his band, which includes sons Caleb and Will Franklin, gave a powerful performance this evening of the Dove nominated song “Cinderella.” Chapman wrote the song about his daughters Stevey Joy and Maria Sue. Since the death of his youngest daughter Maria Sue Chapman who passed away in an accident on May 21, 2008, the moving ballad that compels us to treasure each moment, has an even deeper urgency. Following their loss of Maria, Steven changed this song’s poignant last line in live performance to “’Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight/But the truth is... The dance goes on.”
Chapman is currently wrapping up the incredibly successful United Tour alongside close friend Michael W. Smith, concluding on April 30 in Paducah, KY. The tour highlights the chance for concert goers to become involved with Show Hope, a foundation caring for orphans around the world, and will finish just in time to celebrate Chapman’s eldest son, Caleb’s marriage.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – April 24, 2009 -- Dove Awards were handed out last night in Nashville for the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards with singer/songwriter Brandon Heath and worship band Casting Crowns earning the most awards. Steven Curtis Chapman was honored as Artist of the Year and Tenth Avenue North received the Dove Award for New Artist which for the first time were voted on by both the gospel/Christian music industry and its fans.
Televised live on the Gospel Music Channel and held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, this year’s Dove Awards spread the love around like never before, with more than 75 artists, songwriters and producers receiving Dove trophies, including 38 out of the 43 award categories featuring different recipients. A complete list of all winners is avaiable at http://www.gospelmusic.org/newsmedia/pressRoom_detail.aspx?iid=40927&tid=33.
“Many different artists have obviously connected with people in powerful ways this year as evidenced by last night’s impressive number of singular honorees. The list of Dove Award recipients is very culturally and musically diverse, yet together they reveal the unique ability for gospel and Christian music to reach across cultural, religious and generational divides to encourage and inspire with the good news of the Gospel,” said John W. Styll, president of the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and executive producer of the Dove Awards.
This year’s Dove Awards show offered a powerful picture of Christian/gospel music’s appreciation for the past and embrace of the future. While the voting process welcomed new technologies that allowed fans to vote for the first time, southern gospel music icon Bill Gaither earned a Dove Award in 2009, 40 years after he received his first at the inaugural Dove Awards ceremony in 1969. The show’s musical performances continued the theme with moving tributes to legendary artists and performances from several New Artist of the Year nominees.
The Dove Award recipients in the overall categories were:
Artist of the Year – Steven Curtis Chapman
New Artist of the Year – Tenth Avenue North
Song of the Year -- “Give Me Your Eyes”; songwriters Brandon Heath and Jason Ingram
Songwriter of the Year -- Steven Curtis Chapman
Male Vocalist of the Year -- Brandon Heath
Female Vocalist of the Year -- Natalie Grant
Group of the Year -- Casting Crowns
For the first time, fans became stakeholders in the Dove Awards with an opportunity to vote for the winner of Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year, in a campaign coordinated by the Gospel Music Channel. In an unprecedented engagement of fans, 250,000 votes were cast on gospelmusicchannel.com and via text messaging, including through the first part of the live broadcast.
Steven Curtis Chapman, who is used to making Dove Awards history, having already received more Dove Awards than any other artist in the awards show’s 40 years, was named Artist of the Year for the seventh time and Songwriter of the Year for the 10th time. His 2008-09 worldwide hit “Cinderella” not only brought Chapman praise for his always consummate songwriting skills, it became a worldwide hit and sentimental favorite because of the tragic loss he and his family experienced nearly a year ago, when five-year-old Maria, one of three Chinese-adopted daughters who inspired “Cinderella,” died in an accident. Introduced by current tour mate Michael W. Smith and joined on stage in his band by sons Will Franklin and Caleb, Chapman’s performance of “Cinderella” brought the audience to tears and to their feet.
Tenth Avenue North became the first New Artist of the Year to be voted on by fans. The melodic pop-rock group, currently on tour with MercyMe, became the best selling new Christian artist of 2008 with its debut CD Over and Underneath.
Heath, who was 2008’s New Artist of the Year, proved he was no rookie by following that up with three Dove Awards this year, including Male Vocalist of the Year. Heath also received the prestigious Song of the Year Dove Award for co-writing with Jason Ingram “Give Me Your Eyes,” from Heath’s sophomore CD What If We. “Give Me Your Eyes,” which spent 14 weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart, and 27 weeks at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Song Chart also earned a trophy for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. Heath offered a compelling performance of “Give Me Your Eyes” during the live awards broadcast, that included a step/stomp dance routine that mirrored Heath’s music video of the song.
Casting Crowns also earned three Dove Awards, including the band’s fifth consecutive Group of the Year trophy, winning this award every year it has been nominated. The band also took home honors for Christmas Album of the Year for its 2008 chart-topping, first Christmas project Peace On Earth and a Dove Award for Short Form Music Video for the powerful music video “Slow Fade,” which appears on the band’s recent RIAA Gold-certified The Altar and The Door Live DVD/CD.
Grant extends her reign as Female Vocalist of the Year with her fourth consecutive trophy in that category. Only Sandi Patty has been honored as Female vocalist more times. Notably, Grant was not the only one in her family to be honored last night. Husband and songwriter/producer Bernie Herms was named Producer of the Year (He produced Grant’s Relentless with Shaun Shankel). Grant shared the stage with hip/hop artist Group 1 Crew for an electric R&B-flavored performance of “Make it Matter.”
Among the Dove Awards other multiple artist winners were Smith (for Inspirational Recorded Song and Praise & Worship Album), Blind Boys of Alabama (Traditional Gospel Recorded Song and Album), Chris Tomlin (for his contributions to Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song and Special Event Album), Jeff & Sherri Easter and Lewis Family (Bluegrass Recorded Song and Bluegrass Album).
Last night’s broadcast of the Dove Awards featured nothing but unforgettable performances, starting with urban gospel duo Mary Mary’s high energy rendition of their Dove Award-winning Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song “Get Up.” and culminating with GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame members and double Dove Award winners the Blind Boys of Alabama bringing a New Orleans jazz sound to “Free At Last,” with special guest Mac Powell (of Third Day) who then introduced a final celebration of the 40th anniversary of “Oh Happy Day,” the 18th century hymn which became gospel music’s first mainstream crossover hit when it was arranged and recorded by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. Hawkins himself was joined onstage by a group of artists including Donnie McClurkin and American Idol finalists Mandisa and Phil Stacey and Gospel Dream Winner Melinda Watts.
Several other performances paid tribute to the past including an emotional multi-artist segment honoring Southern Gospel legend and GMA Gospel Music Hall of Famer Dottie Rambo who died in a tragic bus accident last year. Kim Hopper, Brian Free & Assurance, Ronnie Milsap, Jason Crabb and Rambo’s daughter and family members Reba Rambo McGuire, Dony McGuire and Destiny McGuire and a reunion appearance of Larnelle Harris and Sandi Patty performed some of Rambo’s biggest hits. MercyMe, reflecting on a decade in Christian music, performed a stirring arrangement of their huge mainstream hit single from 2001 “I Can Only Imagine.” The band was introduced by Miss California U.S.A. Carrie Prejean.
Also appearing in performances or presenting on the Dove Awards were Kierra Sheard, Third Day, Chris Tomlin, Francesca Battistelli, Jonathan Nelson, Remedy Drive, Chris Sligh, Tenth Avenue North, Billy Baldwin, Chynna Vaughan, Sinbad, A.J. Styles, Fireflight, Kirk Franklin, Richie McDonald, Ronnie Milsap, Tye Tribbett, Jeremy Camp, Martha Munizzi, Mary Alessi, DecembeRadio, GRITS, Jason Crabb, Kim Hopper, The Afters, Canton Jones, Isaiah D. Thomas, Marty Magehee, Mark Harris, Wayne Watson, Rebecca St. James and Lisa Kimmey.
The Dove Awards pre-telecast featured the presentation of the majority of the evening’s 43 Dove Awards as well as performances by Meredith Andrews, Downhere and J.R.
Also this evening, Jars of Clay was also recognized with Gospel Music Channel’s annual Gospel Angels Award, which recognizes recording artists who activate and inspire others to positively change the lives of people. Jars of Clay was honored for its Blood:Water Mission project, a non-profit organization that empowers communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crisis founded by the members of the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning band. To find out more about the Blood:Water Mission, please visit http://www.bloodwatermission.com/.
Steve Gilreath, producer of the GMA Dove Awards for the 8th consecutive year, was joined by producer Rob Cowlyn to put on the live stage show and broadcast.
This is the second straight year that Gospel Music Channel has televised the Dove Awards live. In addition to the exclusive live broadcast, Gospel Music Channel will present back-to-back encore broadcasts that night and additional re-airings following. Gospel Music Channel’s rapid growth has made it the fastest growing network in television for the past two years and GMC is now available in more than 45 million homes in all major markets on the major cable systems as well as on DIRECTV on Channel 338.
The American Bible Society (http://www.americanbible.org/) is the official charity for the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards.
Following a successful run of 2008 fall dates which included multiple sold-out performances, GRAMMY® award-winning and multi-Platinum selling artists Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman will once again hit the road together for the spring leg of “The United Tour.” Kicking off March 28, in Chattanooga, the tour will hit 24 cities across the country including Cleveland, Baltimore, Visalia, Colorado Springs, Little Rock, Indianapolis, Lexington, Nashville and more.
This unique tour showcases two of Christian Music’s most recognized and beloved artists. Together, Chapman and Smith have garnered a staggering eight GRAMMY ® awards, 96 Dove Awards, 78 No. 1 singles and more than 30 gold and platinum albums. The idea for the tour came together shortly after Chapman and Smith spent time together in the UK working on the CompassionArt project that brought more than 10 of Christian Music’s most revered singers, songwriters and worship leaders together to write and record a collection of songs for charity.
The United Tour marks the first time Smith and Chapman have ever toured together, with both artists performing music from their current albums: Chapman’s This Moment and Smith’s A New Hallelujah. The tour took them into 20 major markets last fall, with a cumulative audience of more than 50,000.
In addition to uniting on stage, the two artists are also bringing their ministry passions together. Through a groundbreaking partnership, Chapman’s ministry dedicated to orphan care, Shaohannah’s Hope (www.showhope.org), and Smith’s long-time ministry partner Compassion International (www.compassion.com) will benefit from the tour. More than 2,000 orphaned children in Compassion’s program around the world were sponsored as a result of the tour’s first 20 dates. This spring, Shaohannah’s Hope and their efforts to assisting families who desire to adopt will receive the tour’s charity focus.
About Michael W. Smith:
Throughout his 25-year career as a recording artist, Michael W. Smith has amassed an impressive catalog of achievements. His 20 albums have garnered multiple honors including an American Music Award, three GRAMMY ® Awards (from 13 nominations), 42 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and 33 No. 1 radio hits. In addition, he holds 16 Gold and five platinum albums for career sales approaching 15 million.
Smith, who was recently inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, has scored several film projects, written 11 books and has been featured by media outlets including, NBC’s Today Show, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Larry King Live, FOX and Friends, Hannity and Colmes, USA Today, NY Times, The Washington Post, LA Times, Newsweek, has been named one of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People and has presented multiple times on the GRAMMY Awards show. His tours consistently rank among the best attended in the country and he has performed to capacity crowds throughout the world. Constantly giving back to the community, one of his current projects is Rocketown--a nightclub for teens in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn.--which serves as safe place for young people to enjoy music and for artists to be discovered. He and wife Debbie Smith are the proud parents of five children.
Michael W. Smith’s 21st album (and third worship project), A New Hallelujah, was recorded live before more than 12,000 in attendance with a choir of 250 and a few very special guests including The African Children’s Choir and worship leader Israel Houghton. Smith will release A New Hallelujah – The Live Worship DVD on March 17. Smith’s first worship album, simply titled Worship, released in 2001 and has sold more than a million-and-a half copies. Its 2002 follow up, Worship Again, is nearing the 800,000 mark. For up-to-date information on Michael W. Smith, please visit www.michaelwsmith.com.
About Steven Curtis Chapman:
Steven Curtis Chapman has sold over 10 million records including two RIAA-certified platinum albums and seven RIAA-certified gold albums. Along with his Dove and GRAMMY ® awards, Chapman has won an American Music Award, recorded 45 No. 1 US radio hits and been awarded 54 Dove Awards, more than any other artist to date. Since his recording career began in 1987, he has recorded 16 projects with Sparrow Records.
Chapman has performed at the White House and has appeared on multiple national programs via CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, CMT, FOX News, the Hallmark Channel and E!, including Good Morning America, Larry King Live, CBS Sunday Morning, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and more. More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife Mary Beth created Shaohannah’s Hope after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1800 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. For further information on Shaohannah’s Hope the adoption ministry of Steven Curtis Chapman, please visit: www.stevencurtischapman.com.
Chapman recently achieved his 45th No. 1 single with “Yours,” which topped R&R’s soft AC chart. The third single from This Moment, “Yours (new verse)” is available digitally with an additional verse written and recorded after the loss of his daughter. “Yours” follows the hit Christian and mainstream single “Cinderella” a song written by Chapman compelling us to cherish every moment to the fullest with those that we love, especially our children.
“THE UNITED TOUR” Spring 2009
*Dates, markets and venues subject to change without notice.
MARCH
3/28 Chattanooga, TN Abba's House
3/29 West Lafayette, IN Elliott Hall of Music
3/30 Springfield, MO Hammons Student Center
APRIL
4/1 Cleveland, OH Allen Theatre
4/2 Baltimore, MD The Hippodrome
4/3 Utica, NY Stanley Theater at Utica College
4/4 Wilkes Barre, PA FM Kirby Center
4/5 Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall Theatre
4/9 Santa Rosa, CA Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
4/10 Visalia, CA Visalia Conv. & Concert Center
4/11 Long Beach, CA Terrace Theater
4/12 Palm Desert, CA McCallum Theater of PA
4/14 Colorado Springs, CO Pikes Peak Center
4/16 Bismarck, ND Bismark Civic Center
4/17 Sioux City, IA Orpheum Theatre
4/18 Peoria, IL Peoria Civic Center
4/19 Little Rock, AR Robinson Center Music Hall
4/21 Holland, MI Central Wesleyan Church
4/22 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre
4/25 St. Peters, MO Church on the Rock
4/26 Lexington, KY Theatre at Rupp Arena
4/28 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
4/29 Charleston, WV Charleston Municipal Aud.
4/30 Paducah, KY Carson Four Rivers Center
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) November 11, 2008 – Two GRAMMY® award-winning and multi-Platinum selling artists, Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith joined forces for the “The United Tour” which concluded in St. Augustine, Fl. on November 8.
Smith and Chapman performed together in 20 major markets with 14 completely sold out shows and a cumulative audience of more than 50,000. In addition to uniting on stage, the two also brought their ministry passions together. Through a ground breaking partnership between Chapman’s ministry dedicated to orphan care, Shaohannah’s Hope (www.ShowHope.org) and Smith’s long-time ministry partner, Compassion International (www.compassion.com) more than 2,000 orphaned children in Compassion’s program around the world were sponsored as a result of the tour.
Andrew Kaplan, with Chicago-based JAM concerts, shared, “Each of these beautiful evening
concerts offered terrific variety. Fans were very moved and there was such a feeling of community in the room.”
“This has truly been one of the greatest tours we’ve had the privilege to participate in,” said Chaz Corzine, Michael W. Smith’s manager. “Michael and Steven have been friends for years and really connected on a creative level while overseas together working on the Compassionart project. I think they have such great respect for each other and each other’s music; it was inevitable they’d eventually work together.”
“We’re grateful to have been a part of this memorable and historic event,” commented Chapman’s manager Jim Houser. “The collaboration and partnership on tour of these two incredible men was a long time coming, but well worth the wait.”
Chapman commented, “This time on the road with my great friend and touring partner Michael was truly a gift. In this difficult season, I wasn’t sure how I would be able to do it. I’m grateful to all involved and look forward to the chance to join together again soon.”
Smith, shared, “This was one of the most special tours I’ve been on. While this was a big tour, Steven and I, along with our families, got to connect with so many people on a personal level. It’s a tour I’d love to do again very soon.”
The upcoming “It’s A Wonderful Christmas” Tour, featuring Melinda Doolittle, will launch on November 29 in Youngstown, OH and will play 16 shows in 13 markets before wrapping up in Phoenix, Ariz. on December 19th. Tickets for this tour are already on sale. Further information can be found on www.michaelwsmith.com
This past week, the third single off Chapman’s most recent release This Moment, ”Yours” topped R&R’s soft AC chart. It is Steven Curtis Chapman’s 45th No. 1 single. “Yours” also climbed further into the top 10 at R&R’s AC chart. “Yours (new verse)” is available digitally with an additional verse written and recorded after the loss of his daughter that allowed Chapman to acknowledge his experience. “Yours” follows the hit Christian and mainstream single “Cinderella” a song written by Chapman compelling us to cherish every moment to the fullest with those that we love, especially our children.
You’ve heard Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Cinderella”, the stirring song about family and growing up. Now send the story along to the people you love with the “Cinderella” ecard. Write a personal message, attach a photo and email this to a parent, child, bride, graduate or anyone else you’d like.
Click here to see the e-card!Steven Curtis Chapman will be a guest on CMT's "The Top 20 Countdown" this week. This episode of the network's top-rated show, will premiere today and repeat several times throughout the weekend (see air times below). Chapman's video for the title song of his new Christmas project, All I Really Want For Christmas (Sparrow Records) has been added to the rotations of both CMT and GAC (Great American Country). This week's episode of "Top 20 Countdown" features an interview with Chapman and show host Lance Smith along with the debut of the video. Directed by Brandon Dickerson, the video features orphans from the U.S., China and Africa.
Air Times
Thursday Dec. 15 3:30 pm CST
Thursday Dec. 15 7:00 pm CST
Friday Dec. 16 3:30 pm CST
Saturday Dec. 17 10:00 am CST
Sunday Dec. 18 10:30 am CST
The countdown is on. The Christmas Tour with Steven Curtis Chapman and Mercy Me kicks off the day after Thanksgiving. Steven’s new Christmas album release ALL I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS is in stores now. And now also available, the general public can secure tickets to SCC's first ever Christmas concerts, The Christmas Tour with Steven and Mercy Me. Don't miss this very special evening of Christmas classics and new holiday memories. Check the tour page at StevenCurtisChapman.com site for all the latest tour information.
Spreading the word about the tour. Click here to enjoy an e-card on the tour, and send it on to friends to invite them to join you. It’s the first Christmas show for each of these incredible artists... and this may be your only chance to see Steven Curtis Chapman and Mercy Me together.
