Steven Curtis Chapman Starting 'All Things New'

By John Ma

For multi-award winning singer and songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman, new things are happening in his path of recording success physically as well as spiritually. Earlier, Chapman announced that he will be releasing his fourteenth record with Sparrow Records. The project, due in September 21, 2004, will be promoted by its tour titled after the album, the "All Things New Tour," which will cover 65 major markets nationwide starting this fall in October 2004.

The very theme that Chapman has chosen uses his skills and musical talent in revealing the happenings of Christian daily life, including scripture reading and prayer. Chapman's conception of All Things New was also partially inspired by sermons from his pastor, and the writings of John Piper and Philip Yancey.

Reflecting upon his 17-year effort in the business, Chapman explains, "Lately I've come to realize that God will forever be making all things new. I'm only starting to know who God really is because He continues to reveal more and more of Himself to me every day. He gives us new seasons, He gives us a new 24 hours each day, He gives us a new sunrise. All of these things continue to remind us that He is the Renewer of all things."

Underscoring his approach to making this record, Chapman took the All Things New title literally. Co-producing with his long-time cohort Brown Bannister, upon creating the record he surrounded himself with musicians and an engineer new to the Chapman experience.

"One of the many strengths of Steven Curtis Chapman is his courage and commitment to walk in obedience to God in the context of his professionaland personal life," comments the President of EMI CMG label, Peter York. All Things New reflects the theme associated with this new project, and also encompasses the participation of a virtually and entirely new creative team made up of some of the finest musicians and production personnel in the music industry today."

Trina Shoemaker, who engineered the project, has also worked with artists such as Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Joe Cocker and The Neville Brothers. Studio musicians included Lyle Workman, guitar (Lisa Marie Presley, Sheryl Crow), Chris Chaney, bass guitar (Celine Dion, Alanis Morrissette), Matt Chamberlain, drums (Elton John, John Mayer, Faith Hill), George Cochini, guitar (Third Day, Anointed), and Patrick Warren, keyboards (Jewel, Michelle Branch).

Building on the success of his "Live Out Loud Tour" and festival appearances taking him to 70 cities and more than 300,000 people, the All Things New Tour promises more of the exciting concert experience for which Chapman has become well-known. The tour is tentatively scheduled to kick off October 21 in Albuquerque, NM* and end mid-April in Nashville, TN*.

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