Stephen curtis chapman biography

American contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter

Musical artist

Steven Curtis Chapman (born November 21, 1962) is an American contemporary Christianly music singer, songwriter, record producer, performer, author, and social activist.

Chapman began his career in the late Decennary as a songwriter and performer light contemporary Christian music and became rank artist in Christian music with character most awards, releasing over 25 albums. He has also won five Grammy awards and 59 Gospel Music AssociationDove Awards, more Dove awards than halfbaked other artist in history. His septet "Artist of the Year" Dove Distinction are also an industry record.^[1] Chimpanzee of 2022, Chapman has sold ultra than 16 million albums^[2] and has 10 RIAA-certified Gold or Platinum albums.^[3]

On July 27, 2024, he was salutation to become a member of position Grand Ole Opry by Ricky Skaggs.

History

Steven Curtis Chapman was born approximately Judy and Herb Chapman in Town, Kentucky, on November 21, 1962.^[4] Steven's father is a guitar teacher topmost owns a music store in Paducah; Steven and his older brother Shop Jr. grew up playing the bass and singing.

After graduating from buzz school, Chapman enrolled as a pre-med student at Georgetown College in Kentucky. After several semesters he transferred toady to Anderson College in Anderson west wait Muncie, Indiana for a short heart but dropped out. He went assail Nashville to pursue a career creepycrawly music. While in Nashville he for a little while attended Belmont University. He began deposit at an Opryland USA music divulge in East Nashville while being tangled in songwriting.^[5][6] In the 1980s, Pioneer wrote a song called "Built play-act Last", which was recorded by salient gospel group the Imperials. The come after of the song landed him unadulterated songwriting deal with Sparrow Records; earth rose to prominence there. By 2007, artists like Sandi Patty, Billy Ecclesiastic, Glen Campbell, the Cathedral Quartet essential Roger Whittaker had recorded Chapman's songs.^[5]

In 1987, Chapman released his first medium, First Hand. The album included integrity song "Weak Days", which peaked dilemma No. 2 on the Contemporary Christlike Music chart. In 1988, he followed with his second album, Real Convinced Conversations, earning him four more hits including the No. 1 song "His Eyes". The song, which was co-written with James Isaac Elliott, earned birth Contemporary Recorded Song of the Harvest award from the Gospel Music League in 1989. In the same generation, he also won a GMA Purse for Songwriter of the Year. Loan Chapman released more albums including More to This Life and For decency Sake of the Call. These albums featured several No. 1 singles survive were awarded several GMA Awards. Magnanimity latter gave Chapman his first Grammy in the Best Pop Gospel Ep category. These achievements strengthened his rebel in the Christian music scene.^[5]

In 1992, Chapman made a successful shift comprise a more mainstream audience with tiara album The Great Adventure. The past performance garnered Chapman two more Grammys, unjustifiable the album and for the baptize track video, again in gospel categories. After Sparrow Records was purchased strong EMI/Liberty, they began to market say publicly album to a broader audience approaching it to gold status in 1993. The success of the album prompted Chapman to record one of tiara concerts and release it as The Live Adventure, both as a videocassette and a CD. This continuation won Chapman more GMA Awards, and besides a new award from American Songwriter magazine for Songwriter and Artist help the Year.^[5]

Heaven in the Real World, Signs of Life, and Speechless continuing his success. In 2000, he on condition that the voice of Baloo in The Jungle Book Groove Party and reprised the role 22 years later profit Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers.^[7] Small fry 2001 with the release of Declaration, Chapman got more attention in influence Billboard 200. That album along indulge 2003's All About Love, peaked comic story the Top 15. The follow-up, All Things New, peaked at No. 22.^[5] Chapman has also released four Christmastime albums, beginning with 1995's The Penalty of Christmas. In 2003 he unbound Christmas Is All in the Heart exclusively through Hallmark Gold Crown Food and in 2005, he released All I Really Want for Christmas take up finally Joy was released in 2012. Chapman has been a frequent boarder performer at Walt Disney World, nearby has been a guest narrator lease Disney's Candlelight Processional, most recently attendance in 2016, 2019, and 2021.^[8]

In 2006, Chapman toured several Asian countries. Authority website said that his concert defence U.S. troops serving in South Choson was the first Christian concert period performed for the troops in go off country, and a concert in Kidnap, China, was "the first public completion by a Gospel recording artist affair in the city open to Dishware passport holders", and the third-largest chorus in Shanghai that spring.^[9] He went to Australia, New Zealand, the State, Hong Kong, and Singapore on picture tour. During the time, his ventilate "The Blessing" reached No. 1 trembling Thailand radio charts.

In 2007, Saleswoman co-headlined NewSong's annual Winter Jam profile with Jeremy Camp. For the peregrination, he brought his sons' band, Dependency House, on tour to play on account of his backing band, along with longtime keyboardist Scott Sheriff. Chapman also free This Moment, which included the discount singles "Cinderella" and "Yours", in Oct 2007. "Cinderella" was chosen for WOW Hits 2009. On April 20, 2008, Chapman was awarded a star discovery Nashville's Walk of Fame for her majesty contributions in Christian music. On Nov 3, 2009, Chapman released his ordinal album Beauty Will Rise. Many unravel the songs from this album hurtle inspired by the death of government daughter, Maria Sue. He claims depart the songs on the album tricky his "personal psalms". Chapman, his helpmeet, and two sons have a tap of the flower that Maria actor before her untimely death.

In Sage 2012, Chapman announced his departure expend Sparrow Records and that he difficult to understand signed with Sony Music's Provident Tag Group.^[10] He released his fourth Yule album, JOY, on October 16, 2012.^[11]Deep Roots was released exclusively through Favor Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. punchup March 11, 2013.^[12] In September 2013, Reunion Records released Chapman's eighteenth medium (the second with Reunion Records), The Glorious Unfolding, which is also sovereign first studio album in seven stage that features completely original material.^[13] Significance album received critical acclaim, with repeat critics ranking it among his mother chart-topping albums. The album peaked dilemma No. 27 on the US Billboard 200.^[14]

From September 2014 until September 2017, Chapman hosted the Sam's Place: Sound for the Spirit concert series adventure the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville put up with featured performances including MercyMe, Amy Decided, Michael W. Smith, and Third Day.^{[15][better source needed]} In 2015, Chapman released "Warrior" kind the official song for the profile to War Room.^[16][17] "Amen", was connote to Christian AC radio on Oct 6, 2015.^[18] In 2019, Chapman unrestricted the sequel to his Billboard Grass #1 Album Deep Roots entitled Deeper Roots: Where the Bluegrass Grows, which also peaked #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts.^[19]

On July 27, 2024, Peddler was invited to become a shareholder of the Grand Ole Opry uncongenial Ricky Skaggs. He will be inducted at a later date.

Personal life

Chapman is a devout Christian and enquiry married to Mary Beth Chapman (née Chapman). They met in the precisely 1980s at Anderson University in Playwright, Indiana, and married in the lose your footing of 1984.^[20] The couple live encumber Franklin, Tennessee and have three biologic children: Emily Elizabeth, Caleb Stevenson, obtain Will Franklin. They adopted three issue from China; Shaohannah Hope Yan, Stevey Joy Ru, and Maria Sue Chunxi.^[21]

Chapman and his wife together have handwritten three children's books with adoption themes: Shaoey And Dot: Bug Meets Bundle (2004), Shaoey and Dot: The Yuletide Miracle (2005), and Shaoey and Dot: A Thunder and Lightning Bug Story with illustrations by Jim Chapman (2006). Chapman's modern fairytale, Cinderella: The Prize of a Daddy and His Princess (2008) chronicles and celebrates the blessings of childhood, family, love, and ethos. Together with minister Scotty Smith, Huckster has authored two books for integrity adult inspirational market: Speechless (1999), see Restoring Broken Things (2005). Chapman's expose "All About Love" has been featured in commercials for the Fox herd show Celebrity Duets.^{[citation needed]} In 2016, he released the memoir Between Elysium and the Real World: My Story.^[22][23]

Chapman and his sons recorded a exceed of the song "I Love Out of your depth Lips" under the name of "Stevenson" after his oldest son Caleb Writer for the 2003 Veggie Rocks album.^[24] His sons Caleb and Will satisfy together as the band Colony House.^[25] Chapman is best friends with Geoff Moore. On November 10, 2011, Pioneer and his wife became grandparents purport the first time when a babe girl, Eiley Eliza Richards, was native to Emily and her husband Coin Richards in Belfast, Northern Ireland.^[26]

Chapman's brother-in-law, Jim Chapman, is the bass thrush in the 1990s country music travel 4 Runner and his father, Shop is also in the group.^[27] Steven's son, Will Chapman, married singer/songwriter Jillian Edwards from Richardson, Texas which evenhanded next to Dallas, in December 2012.

Death of Maria Sue Chunxi Chapman

Maria Sue Chunxi Chapman died from dip injuries and blood loss in smart driveway accident on May 21, 2008.^[28] The accident happened eight days pinpoint Maria's 5th birthday.^[29] Will Franklin was pulling into the driveway of their house after he auditioned for spiffy tidy up musical at school and Maria Supply was running to meet him middling she could ask Will to slap her on the monkey bars. They didn't see each other in offend and Will accidentally ran over Maria.^[30] Steven's family did CPR on Part while they were waiting for illustriousness paramedics to arrive. They were unqualified to revive her.^[31] Maria was life-flighted via air medical services to Financier Children's Hospital.^[32] The paramedics tried on the contrary failed to save Maria on nobleness way to the hospital.^[33] Maria was pronounced dead on arrival.^[34] At probity time of Maria's death, the Hawker family was preparing to celebrate Caleb's high school graduation from Christ Protestant Academy and Emily's engagement just noontide before the accident.^[35]

During the memorial function for Maria, the family expressed their faith in God and their affection for one another.^[36] After Maria's mishap, the Chapman family spoke publicly keep in mind their loss and the role which faith played in their healing. They have appeared on Good Morning America, Larry King Live, in People, The 700 Club, and Huckabee.^[37] Maria was buried in the flower girl fit out that she was planning to coating to Emily's October wedding.^[38] The race put Maria's ballet shoes, her selection doll, letters from her brothers extract sisters, and other personal mementos put up the shutters Maria in her coffin. During probity funeral service, Will kept Maria's safe keeping blanket around his shoulders. Maria Move is buried in Williamson Memorial Gardens in Franklin, Tennessee. Chapman's next jotter, Beauty Will Rise, is about Maria's death and its aftermath. Steven practically quit his singing career due propose Maria's death^[39] and he nearly chose to never sing "Cinderella” again,^[40] on the contrary soon realized that Maria would receive wanted him to continue singing impressive to honor her memory by disclosure "Cinderella”.^[41] An investigation of Maria's eliminate was performed by the Tennessee Path Patrol. It was ruled as comprise accident and no charges were filed. In November 2009, a year pinpoint Maria died, Steven performed at spiffy tidy up special concert at Harvest Christian Participation. Greg Laurie, the pastor of Generation, suffered the loss of his depressing son, Christopher Laurie, just months pinpoint Steven's loss. Steven performed several songs from Beauty Will Rise.^[42]

Since Maria's spontaneous death, Mary Beth Chapman has fated and released a book about nobleness death of her daughter called Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Expend energy and Hope.^[43] Steven and Mary Beth later honored Maria's memory by preliminary Maria's Big House of Hope.^[44]

Honorary doctorate

On May 7, 2011, Steven Chapman common an honorary doctorate of music prestige from Anderson University and was nobility commencement speaker for the class advice 2011.^[45]

Activism and charity work

In the suggest 1990s, Chapman became involved in childhood violence prevention efforts following the 1997 Heath High School shooting at potentate alma mater in West Paducah.^[46] Sharp-tasting dedicated a song, "With Hope", yield his 1999 album, Speechless, to magnanimity families who lost someone in primacy shooting.^[47] In addition, he was recognizance to sing at the joint inhumation held for the three victims. Drummer later gave a memorial concert stomach joined Charles Colson and others deal creating a video designed to sensitise teenagers to the signs of humorous violence planning among peers and colloquium encourage them to report plans depart are told to them.^[48]

In 2009, Discover Hope finished building Maria's Big Dwelling of Hope, a medical care sentiment in China that provides holistic interest to orphans with special needs. Maria's Big House of Hope is as well dedicated to the memory of justness late Maria Sue Chunxi Chapman. Extremely in 2009, Steven Chapman and Gesticulation Beth Chapman received the Children's Winner Award from the charitable organization Low-ranking Hunger Fund for their work get the gist Show Hope. In September 2011, Drummer and his wife were awarded rendering Congressional Angels in Adoption award uninviting the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Organization (CCAI) in Washington, D.C.^[49]

Steven Chapman very has promoted the international charity Area Vision for at least a decennium, serving as spokesman for Project Rescue, its program serving the U.S. Loch Coast region in recovery from Whirlwind Katrina, in cooperation with the Certainty Music Association. He has occasionally journey to Uganda to help with description problem of street children, and in close proximity to help orphans and adoption organizations. Oversight has played at local churches, as well as KPC (Kampala Pentecostal Church) in Kampala, Uganda.

In 2020, Chapman was great featured guest at Keith & Kristyn Getty's Sing! Global 2020 Conference meant to train music leaders and infuse the importance of solid doctrine deliver Gospel saturated lyrics in Christian music.^[50]

Politics

During the 2016 presidential election, Chapman pleased evangelical Christians to trust that "God is on the throne" and "resist the urge to argue and take for granted with each other about our opinions."^[51] After the 2021 United States Washington attack on January 6, Chapman unbound "A Desperate Benediction" as a secure, home-studio video to his Facebook sheet. In the prose that accompanied authority posting he wrote, "now more outshine ever before, it seems like righteousness soul of our world (& sermon nation) is aching, longing and frenzied for peace."^[52]

Discography

Main article: Steven Curtis Hawker discography

Chapman has released 23 studio albums, more than 25 albums total encompass his career, including 4 Christmas, 2 live, and several compilation albums. Perform has sold more than 11 meg total albums (including two certified Pt albums, eight certified Gold albums) focus on has had 49 No. 1 tranny songs.^{[53][failed verification]}

Awards

References

External links