Steven Curtis Chapman

Deeper Roots: Where the Bluegrass Grows / Album Bio

“The first sound I remember as a little barefoot boy was my daddy’s Martin guitar and a 5 string banjo,” Steven sings in the opening track on his latest recording.

The backing soundtrack to Steven Curtis Chapman’s childhood was bluegrass music. Some of his earliest memories are of watching and hearing live bluegrass music with his dad on guitar and a couple of his dad’s best friends on the dobro and banjo. (Dobro player Jack Curtis Martin is Chapman’s namesake). When he was still a toddler, Chapman’s dad opened a music store in his hometown of Paducah, Kentucky. Following in his dad’s footsteps, Chapman developed a love for music and playing the guitar. “I learned to play all the instruments hanging on the wall in my dad’s shop just well enough to sell one,” Chapman recalls. For example, “I’d play a little bit of “Cripple Creek” and “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” on the banjo to show people what that banjo sounded like. Then I’d quickly hang it back on the wall since those were the only two songs I knew on a banjo!” Those early days surrounded by music were enough to not only pique the interest of a little boy, but to develop a celebrated career that’s impacted people around the world for more than thirty years.

Deeper Roots: Where the Bluegrass Grows, the newest project from Steven Curtis Chapman, harkens back to those younger days of hearing his dad play bluegrass and folk music as well as playing bluegrass tunes for music store customers. It’s a well-crafted collection of songs highlighting Chapman’s lifelong love for bluegrass and includes songs like “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” “How Great Thou Art,” ”Victory In Jesus,” and fan favorites “Cinderella” and “Dive (featuring Ricky Skaggs)” which has transformed into a frenetic, joy-filled bluegrass breakdown. Another stand-out track is “’Til the Blue (featuring Gary LeVox),” a signature Chapman soul-filled tearjerker. Woven throughout the project is the faith-filled message fans have come to expect from Chapman, a lifetime love for Jesus standing front and center. Deeper Roots is also packed with guest appearances from family members and fellow musicians who hold a special place for Chapman including Ricky Skaggs, Gary LeVox (Rascal Flatts), Herb Chapman Sr., Herb Chapman Jr., Caleb Chapman and Jillian Edwards Chapman.

“Ricky Skaggs is a childhood hero of mine,” Chapman shares. “He really brought bluegrass into the mainstream and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame this year. I never imagined I’d someday get to have him sing on one of my songs.”

While hints of bluegrass have always shown up in Chapman’s music, his goal with Deeper Roots is to more fully engage people in a genre of music they may not expect from him. “It’s a different landscape than it ever has been. Bluegrass elements are much more accessible now, even showing up in pop and alternative music, which I’ve been excited to hear. These songs are an opportunity for me to share some music and songs that are woven into the DNA of who I am creatively, and as always, my desire is to ultimately bring encouragement and hope to those who listen.”

The last track on the record, “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” is an appropriate close for the album. “My

Dad sang it as his mom’s funeral and I wanted so much to capture that moment,” Chapman shares. “Dad will turn 80 this year, so it’s really special to have him singing that song to close out the album.” Herb Chapman Sr.’s rich vocals and sincere delivery are an apt summary of the spirit of Deeper Roots as he sings – I’d rather have Jesus / Than men’s applause / I’d rather be faithful / to His dear cause / I’d rather have Jesus / Than worldwide fame / I’d rather be true to His holy name.

Laced with family history, incredible musicianship and moments of soul-searching as well as abundant joy, Deeper Roots hits the right note for longtime fans and those discovering Chapman’s music for the first time.

49 #1 Radio Hits
Deeper Roots: Where the Bluegrass Grows : Dive (feat. Ricky Skaggs)
The Glorious Unfolding : Love Take Me Over
Joy : Christmas Time Again
Recreation : Do Everything
This Moment : Yours
All Things New: All Things New, Much Of You, Believe Me Now
All About Love : All About Love, Moment Made For Worshipping
Declaration : Live Out Loud, God Is God, Magnificent Obsession
Speechless : The Change, Fingerprints of God, The Invitation, Great Expectations, Be Still and Know, Dive, Speechless
The Apostle Movie : I Will Not Go Quietly
Greatest Hits : Not Home Yet
Signs of Life : Lord of The Dance, Signs of Life, Let Us Pray, Free, Hold Onto Jesus
The Music Of Christmas : Christmas Is All In The Heart
My Utmost : Sometimes He Comes In The Clouds
Heaven in the Real World : Heaven in the Real World, King of the Jungle, Dancing with the Dinosaur, The Mountain, Heartbeat of Heaven
The Great Adventure : The Great Adventure, Where We Belong, Go There With You, Still Called Today (feat. Bebe Winans)
For The Sake Of The Call : For The Sake Of The Call, When You Are a Solider, No Better Place, Busy Man, What Kind Of Joy
More to This Life : More to This Life, I Will Be Here, Love You With My Life, Treasure Island
Real Life Conversations : His Eyes, My Turn Now
Awards
5 Grammys
59 GMA Dove Awards (Gospel Music’s most awarded artist)
1 American Music Award
Certified Albums
R.I.A.A Certified Platinum Recording (1 Million Units)
Heaven In The Real World, Speechless

R.I.A.A Certified Gold Recording (500,000 Units)
All About Love, Declaration, Greatest Hits, Signs Of Life, The Music Of Christmas, The Great Adventure, More To This Life, For The Sake Of The Call, Heaven In The Real World, Speechless

Television Appearances
Good Morning America, Larry King Live, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, CBS Sunday Morning, Fox & Friends, , CNN, 60 Minutes, MSNBC, Hallmark Channel’s “Adoption” Series, Fox TV, ABC’s American Music Awards, The White House, Live…With Regis & Kathie Lee, The Sunday Today Show, CBS “Home for the Holidays” TV Special, CBS This Morning, PAX TV – “Doc”, Channel One News, Huckabee Show, Extra!, E! Entertainment, CNN Showbiz, Donny & Marie, A Musical Christmas At Disney World

Videography
(2019) A Great Adventure
(2003) ​Abbey Road Sessions/The Walk DVD
(2003) ​Steven Curtis Chapman Live DVD
(2002) ​Videos, Video Hits Collection
(1997) ​The Walk
(1993​) The Live Adventure ​
(1992) ​The Great Adventure ​
(1990​) Front Row
Discography
(2019) A Great Adventure
(2019) Deeper Roots: Where the Bluegrass Grows
(2016) Worship and Believe
(2013)​ The Glorious Unfolding
(2013) #1’s, Vol 2
(2012) ​Joy
(2011) ​re:creation
(2009) Beauty Will Rise
(2008) ​This Moment: Cinderella Edition
(2007)​ This Moment
(2005)​ All I Really Want For Christmas
(2004​) All Things New
(2003)​ All About Love
​(2003) Christmas Is All In The Heart (Hallmark)
(2001​) Declaration (RIAA certified Gold)
(1999)​ Speechless (RIAA Certified Platinum)
(1997​) Greatest Hits (RIAA Gold)
(1996)​ Signs Of Life (RIAA Gold)​
(1995)​ The Music Of Christmas (RIAA Gold)
(1994)​ Heaven In The Real World (RIAA Platinum)​
(1993)​ The Live Adventure​
(1992)​ The Great Adventure (RIAA Gold)​
(1990)​ For The Sake Of The Call (RIAA Gold)​
(1989)​ More To This Life (RIAA Gold)​
(1988)​ Real Life Conversations​​
(1987​) First Hand