Steven Receives First Ever Rich Mullins Impact Award
This past week the trade group, Christian Music Broadcasters [4] (CMB) honored Steven Curtis Chapman with the first-ever Rich Mullins Artist Impact Award. The award is presented each year to an artist or group to recognize their long-time contributions to the music and ministry of Christian Radio. CMB members nominate artists to be considered for the award.
Steven was truly touched by the honor, becoming emotional when he was presented with the award at a ceremony at the CMB's annual convention, Momentum, by long time friend and Christian radio legend, Jon Rivers and American Idol performer and the newest artist on the Sparrow Records label, Colton Dixon. Chapman reached #1 with his song "Do Everything" this past year, his 46th track to top radio charts. With the support of Christian radio and friends and fans, Steven has now achieved a #1 single in the 80's,90's, 2000's, and 2010's.
Steven has just completed his new Christmas recording, JOY, releasing this October. He heads out on the 12 Gifts Tour [5] this November and December (LINK=12gifts.com) with New York Times best selling author wife Mary Beth, Grammy winner Laura Story, bestselling authors and speakers including Patsy Clairmont, Luci Swindoll and others.
The award's namesake, Rich Mullins, was a songwriter and artist whose influence continues to be felt years after his death. A winner of multiple Dove Awards, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, his classic songs such as “Sing Your Praise To The Lord” (recorded both by Rich and by Amy Grant), “Sometimes by Step”, “Hold Me Jesus”, “Creed”, “My Deliverer” and the timeless “Awesome God” helped define the Christian Music Radio format in the 80s and 90s. His love for Jesus and his commitment to the poor and most vulnerable of all mankind was at the heart of everything he did. Rich died tragically in an automobile accident just outside of Bloomington, IL in 1997.