Photo of Steven Curtis Chapman © by Kathryn E. Darden

Who is Steven Curtis Chapman?

Singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman is originally from Paducah Kentucky, but he moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University so he could pursue a career in the Christian music industry. He began performing at one of the music shows popular at Nashville's old Opryland theme park.

Steven Curtis Chapman - Nashville beginnings

Steven Curtis Chapman cracked the door of the gospel music industry when he wrote a song which was recorded by legendary gospel group, the Imperials. He was then signed to Nashville's Sparrow Records where he wrote songs for many popular gospel artists as well as mainstream artists including Glen Campbell and Roger Whitaker.

Steven Curtis Chapman - the great adventure begins

By 1987, Steven Curtis Chapman had recorded First Hand, his first gospel music album, but it was Real Life Conversations, his second album, that propelled him to the forefront of the gospel music industry, a place he remains today. In 1992, Steven Curtis Chapman recorded The Great Adventure which made the crossover into the mainstream music much as gospel artists like Amy Grant had successfully done before and was certified Gold in just under seven months. Still recording two decades later, Chapman released Beauty Will Rise in November of 2009.

Steven Curtis Chapman - the loss of his daughter

Chapman's tragic loss of his five-year-old daughter, Maria Sue Chapman, through a horrible family accident made national news in 2008. Steven Curtis Chapman followed that tragedy with the beautiful song "Cinderella" (which was written before Maria was killed) and by opening up Maria's Big House of Hope on July 2, 2009 in Luoyang, China. In August of 2008, Steven Curtis Chapman partnered with Michael W. Smith on The United Tour.

Steven Curtis Chapman - honors and awards

In 2009, Steven Curtis Chapman was nominated for Gospel Music Association Dove Awards for Song of the Year twice - both for the song "Cinderella" and for the song "You Reign" with Bart Millard of Mercy Me. He was also nominated for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song for "Cinderella" and for Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Steven Curtis Chapman, who has has sold more than ten million award-winning albums during his career, won Dove Awards for Artist of the Year and for Songwriter of the Year in 2009, bringing his total to 56 Dove Awards, more than any other artist in history.

Read more on Steven Curtis Chapman at: Steven Curtis Chapman to release Beauty Will Rise November 3 (with SCC slideshow)

Also see:

Gospel Music 101: Top ten gospel love songs - romantic music for weddings and special occasions (includes Steven Curtis Chapman)