Steven Curtis Chapman

A songwriting trailblazer from Paducah, Kentucky, Steven Curtis Chapman is one of Christian music’s most prolific artists with more than 20 albums to his credit.

If that wasn’t enough to earn the singer/songwriter bragging rights, he’s has a trophy case full of honors with 56 Dove Awards, five Grammy Awards and sales of more than 10 million albums. However, as anyone who’s spent any time with Steven already knows, that’s all just good fodder for press releases. In Steven’s world what really matters is his relationship with God and his family who are always a staple in the stories he tells from stage and the loves of his life.

Growing up in a tight-knit family in Kentucky, Steven grew up playing the guitar and singing. Given his early love of music, it really wasn’t a surprise when Steven traded in his pre-med major in Kentucky for a shot at pursuing music in Nashville.

After writing a track that was recorded by The Imperials, Steven eventually signed a songwriting deal and penned songs for other artists before releasing his first album, First Hand in 1987. Another project, Real Life Conversations, would follow a year later, and Steven officially had his breakthrough in the music scene.

It wasn't until back-to-back albums More to This Life and For the Sake of the Call that Steven truly became a household name. Not only did he score several #1 singles, but Steven won his first Grammy Award.

Over the years, Steven has continued to come up with fresh inspiration for project after project, and songs like “The Great Adventure,” “Dive,” “Live Out Loud” and “Let Us Pray” have been the soundtrack to many believers’ journeys.

An outspoken advocate for adoption awareness, Steven and his wife Mary Beth adopted three daughters from China, Shaohannah, Stevie Joy and Maria Sue. In 2008, Maria was tragically killed when she was accidentally run over in the family’s driveway. Steven channeled that pain and his ultimate hope in God into his 17th studio album, Beauty Will Rise, which featured "Heaven is the Face," a song written in remembrance of his daughter. Describing the songs as his “personal psalms,” Steven was able to share his and his family’s story of hope in the midst of sorrow in mainstream media outlets including “Larry King Live,” “Fox News” and "People."

His "family" theme is continued with his newest album Safe In The Arms, as Steven worked with fellow Christian artist Matt Redman to produce the album's first single "Close To Your Heart." The album release was coupled with a tour with his wife Mary Beth entitled "A Night with the Chapmans," where she showcased her new book Choosing to See. The book discusses the journey of the Chapmans over the past few years, and the role of their faith and hope in God to get them through.