Christian singer to perform at NPAC

Van Wert independent/NPAC information

For 20 plus years, Steven Curtis Chapman has impacted contemporary Christian music with nearly 10 million records sold, 56 Dove awards, five Grammys, 16 studio projects and 45 career No. 1 radio singles.  This seven-time “Artist of the Year” will be performing at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center Sunday, September 25, at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are now on sale.

The joys and challenges of daily existence reverberate throughout Steven’s music and his songs have become the soundtrack of life for believers everywhere.  For Chapman, life and music have always been inextricably intertwined.  So in the aftermath of unspeakable tragedy — the death of his 5-year-old daughter Maria — Steven did what all songwriters do, he poured the torrent of emotion into his music.

The result is “Beauty Will Rise,” a stunning body of work inspired by a circumstance no father should ever have to endure.  In this album, Steven asks the questions we all ask when horrible things happen to the innocent, yet he conveys the hope and peace we find when we seek God.

“The last thing I wanted to do is turn any of this into a song,” says Steven. “Then you realize ‘God, this is what has happened to us and now what would you have me to do with it?’ Slowly songs began to just come out as ways for me to try to process what I was thinking and feeling and what my family and I were walking through.”

Chapman will perform songs from this newest album and some from his other 17 albums, nine of which are Recording Industry Association (RIAA) Certified Albums.  The constant success of Chapman’s songs comes from the undeniable truth and overwhelming hope he ingrains in each of them.  The song “No Better Place” encourages us to follow the will of God which leads to the best place of all, heaven and the song “His eyes” reminds us of Gods constant protection.

Steven Curtis Chapman spent seven consecutive years (1989-1995) as Gospel Music Association’s Songwriter of the year. He not only writes and records his own music, but also produces songs for other artists. “Voice of Truth,” the 2005 Dove award for “Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year,” was produced by Chapman and recorded by Casting Crowns.

His television appearances include “Good Morning America,” “60 Minutes,” “Larry King Live” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

He placed No. 12 on Christianity Today’s Top 12 Albums of 2009 for Beauty Will Rise and some of his well known radio chart songs include “Cinderella,” “Yours,” “All Things New,” “Dive,” “Magnificent Obsession” and “I Will Be Here.”

Tickets for the September 25 concert range from $16-$46.  Tickets are available online 24/7 at www.npacvw.org and at the NPAC box office at 10700 State Route 118 on the south edge of Van Wert, or by phone at 419.238.NPAC (6722) Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m.  For more information about tickets and additional shows at the NPAC, visit our website or find the Niswonger on Facebook.  This concert is sponsored in part by local family television station WTLW-TV 44.