The Music Career of Steven Curtis Chapman Quiz

Answer: First Hand

Steven Curtis Chapman was born in Paducah, Kentucky on November 21, 1962. He attended college in Kentucky and Indiana but dropped out to pursue a career in music. His first album, "First Hand", was released in 1987, with the single "Weak Days" peaking at number two on the US Contemporary Christian chart.

Answer: His Eyes

The track "His Eyes" would become a hit on the Contemporary Christian singles chart in 1988, and the album helped Chapman to his first Grammy nomination in the category of Best Gospel Performance, Male, in 1989.

Answer: More to This Life

It was the title track "More to This Life" that was a major hit on Christian radio in 1989 and 1990 and propelled Chapman's third album to RIAA Gold Certification and a number two peak on the US Christian Albums chart. It was his first critical success and in 1990, Chapman would win four Dove Awards for Songwriter of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year.

Answer: For the Sake of the Call

"For the Sake of the Call" took Chapman to new heights of success. Chapman was awarded the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album (his first of five); the album as well helped Chapman pick up three Dove Awards in 1991, and was certified RIAA Gold in 1994.

Answer: The Great Adventure

Chapman's history of excellence continued into his fifth album which won a number of accolades, including another six Dove Awards and the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. The title track and hit single "The Great Adventure" became a staple on Contemporary Christian radio throughout the 1990s and the album was awarded RIAA Gold status in 1994.

A second single, "Where We Belong," was also well-received and gained significant radio play.

Answer: Heaven in the Real World

Another commercial success, "Heaven in the Real World" won six GMA Dove Awards in 1995 and became Chapman's first album to reach Platinum certification, with over 1,000,000 units sold. It was also nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards.

Answer: Brown Bannister

Brown Bannister is a legendary CCM producer most associated with the early musical career of Amy Grant. He was especially active throughout the 80s and 90s and after his first collaboration with Chapman on 1995's "The Music of Christmas" would go on to produce another three albums with Chapman; his career as a producer has netted him four Grammy Awards and 27 Dove Awards.

Answer: Leland Sklar

Steven has worked with many great session musicians and music artists over his career and Leland Sklar (or Lee) is among the greatest. Lee (b. 1947) is reputed to have lent his talents on bass to over 2,000 records, and was the long-time bassist for Phil Collins and Lyle Lovett. Sklar's superb bass playing can be heard on the opening track, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/The Music Of Christmas", and "This Baby", among others.

"The Music of Christmas" is notable for its adaptation of traditional Christmas carols to contemporary Christian standards while maintaining the character of the original songs, as well as some Chapman originals. The album also landed Chapman his seventh Grammy nomination, for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.

Answer: Free

"Signs of Life" was a Gold-certified record as well as the winner of the GMA Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year in 1997. The song "Let Us Pray" won the GMA Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year in 1998.

Answer: Dive

"Speechless" helped Chapman win an armful of Dove Awards in 2000, as well as marking his second Platinum award. It would peak at number 31 on the US Billboard 200, and number one on the US Christian Albums charts. It won the Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.

It was recorded at The Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tennessee, and Abbey Road in London. It was mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound. It produced seven number one hits for Christian radio and was his second-highest selling album after "Heaven in the Real World".