I've been a fan of his ever since I got my first CD of his over a decade ago - it was his 1999 release "Speechless", & here I am today still loving every piece of music he puts out.
("Long Way Home" - the first song he ever wrote with the ukelele; & here is a live version from the K-LOVE station)(also some more details on the song itself here)
Steven Curtis Chapman was born in 1962 in Paducah, KY. Music has been a part of Chapman's life from early on, especially after a revival of sorts in his hometown in 1969. He started playing guitar at the age of 7, & was also in his dad's choir; by the time he was 15, Chapman was writing songs, starting with his very first called "Well Done" - the title itself even appropriately foreshadowing his life to come. After being in the music industry for some time, Chapman & his wife, Mary-Beth, established what has come to be Show Hope - originally named after their first adopted daughter Shaohannah Hope Chapman. Sadly, however, in 2008, Maria Sue Chunxi Chapman - the Chapmans' third adopted daughter - passed away after being struck by a car in their driveway. Through much grief & trial though, they've stepped forward again & again, with much of her memory in their minds*.
"re:creation"** was his 17th studio album (including his 3 Christmas albums) that hit the streets on August 9th, 2011 with Sparrow Records. It was an idea that he had for a number of years - the concept: release an album in which they essentially 'recreated' a few of his classic, older songs alongside some new tracks. This was the result, & also the album in which Chapman uses a ukelele for the first time. You can find out more behind the album on YouTube.
As mentioned, I've been a fan of his ever since I heard his song "Dive" from "Speechless", & so it's only natural that I would find myself here loving "re:creation", too. There are some nice, freshly updated versions of some of his older classics, & all in all I find it to be an enjoyable, relaxing album.
Some more highlights: "Do Everything" (<-- for which he has received another Grammy nomination); "Dive (Deeper)"; "Live Out Loud (re:created)"; "Morning Has Broken (ft. Caleb Chapman)/Sing Hallelujah" (<-- they flow beautifully into each other - you have to listen to them together)
* - you can read more about Maria's story here: http://www.showhope.org/AboutUs/RememberingMaria/HerStory.aspx
** - http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/re-creation/id445184575
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