Steven Curtis Chapman

He's sold more than nine million albums, and performs to packed concerts all over the country and he says Tulsa feels like a home-away-from-home for him. <br/><br/>Steven Curtis Chapman has experienced

Thursday, February 17th 2005, 10:31 am

By: News On 6

He's sold more than nine million albums, and performs to packed concerts all over the country and he says Tulsa feels like a home-away-from-home for him.

Steven Curtis Chapman has experienced phenomenal success over the past couple of decades. He's won more than 40 Dove Music Awards, several Grammy's and an American Music Award. And his impact on millions of fans is lasting.

News on 6 anchor Craig Day got the chance to interview Steven Curtis Chapman, one of the biggest names in the Christian Music industry. And as you'll see, Craig Day found a very down to earth guy who loves what he's doing.

His performances are high energy, high volume, and high powered productions. As a kid growing up in Paducah, Kentucky, Steven Curtis Chapman loved music, but never imagined the success he would have. I got the chance to visit with Chapman about his incredible career.

"I had the privilege and opportunity 20 years ago to start writing songs for other people and then make a recording of my own music, never imagining it would bring me to the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At that point I just knew there was something burning in my heart to do and to say and music that was playing in my heart and I had to get it out."

There's no problem "getting it out.â€ Chapman is on a 70 city tour for his latest CD "All Things New." A recording that garnered a Grammy award in the Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album Category, his fifth Grammy.

Fans say Steven Curtis Chapman's music is both touching and inspirational. "When people say that, it is very, very rewarding and a humbling thing. Because I really believe at that point I realize God really does have his hand in this whole thing."

Steven Curtis Chapman says God also had a hand outside the music. The Chapman family grew after the adoption of an orphan from China six years ago and two more little girls since. The Chapman's created a foundation called Shaohannah's Hope. It's designed to encourage adoptions. So far the foundation has helped hundreds of families with adoption expenses. A couple of families helped by the foundation surprised Chapman before his concert in Tulsa. Adoptive mother Connie Johnson: "I just wanted to thank him so much for his message and for his positive influence. For the inspiration that he is."

Steven Curtis Chapman: "If through my music, through our ministry, by telling others about adoption. Whatever it is, if I could say I got to be a part of other people's journey, pursuing and getting to know who God is that would be an awesome, awesome thing."

As for the future, Steven Curtis Chapman will keep writing songs, performing, and sharing an uplifting message through his music. Steven Curtis Chapman is considered one of the pioneers of modern Christian music. His success has fueled a surge in the music's popularity.