Do You Believe in Miracles?
10 Exercises to Stay Spiritually Fit
20 Scriptures That Bring Hope to Any Situation
5 Ways to Revive Your Dream!
7 Ways to Plant Seeds of Greatness in Your Life
20 Powerful Declarations to Fight Discouragement
5 Ways to Stay Healthy This Summer
5 Tips for Better Sleep
7 Top Health Issues Facing Today’s Women
Celebrities Who Won't Back Down
Words of Wisdom from Dr Joyce Brothers
A Conversation with Minnesota Wild Center Matt Cullen
Yes, Gratitude Works!
10 Ways to To Handle Life Changes With Courage
The Fruits of Desire
Nurturing a Healthy Marriage
10 Ways to Get Over a Hurtful Past
Ten Things Every Dad Should Tell His Son
From the honesty and transparency of discussing his daughter’s death to the energy and passion of their greatest songs to the warmth and joy in a loyal audience, Steven Curtis Chapman’s pairing with Michael W. Smith on their current tour is a night of inspiration, unity and family.
I’ve met both of the guys before and can testify that they’re as transparent and authentic off-stage as they are excellent and entertaining on it. And on the “United” tour brings out the best of them. I was recently able to catch the Cincinnati stop, and would say that If you’re anywhere near Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, Birmingham, Tulsa, Albany, Denver, Las Vegas, Nashville or any of the other stops in the next few months, it’s worth the trip and the price.
The loyal audience gave them a standing ovation before they even started, and from their first song it was clear that this wouldn’t be an ordinary night. These guys paid tribute to each other by singing each other’s songs together and at times even covering the other’s songs in solo numbers. They played the best of their oldies and their newbies. They encored and ad-libbed and added verses and showcased new arrangements.
And, of course, if you know anything about Chapman’s story (for most of us, from “Larry King Live”), you know there were few dry eyes in the place as he shared and sang about his five year old daughter’s recent death.
If you love great music that’s inspiring, clean and family friendly, then this tour is for you. If you’ve grown up with these guys or just stumbled onto them recently, this tour is for you. If your Christian faith is important to you, this is a night that’s as worshipful as it is wonderful and it’s certainly for you. And if you think this is only for older types, your kids will love seeing both Smith’s and Chapman’s sons as part the band.
Smith has won three Grammys and been nominated for nine others. Chapman has made 18 CDs and won over 50 awards, including the Grammys and the Gospel Music Association. Their newer stuff is great and their older stuff has stood the test of time. They’re not as young as many of the newer names on the Christian music scene, but they’re great guys who put on a great show and in many ways they’re better together.
posted October 17, 2008 at 6:19 pm
My wife and I were at the same concert. A wonderful, wonderful nite. It left me wanting to quit my job and just follow this tour the next two months. Twp great men of God singing and speaking about their walk bringing inspiration and encouragement. Do not miss this tour!!
posted October 17, 2008 at 11:50 pm
If you like good Christian Music, then check out http://www.myspace.com/struggling2 Don’t forget to tell your friends and church leaders about this site. Again the site is http://www.myspace.com/struggling2. Wow, I missed another great show again!
posted October 18, 2008 at 9:02 am
My husband and 7 yr old daughter drove 4 hrs to see this show in Myrtle Beach. To sum it up, WOW! We have been praying diligently for two years about a major decision we need to make for our family. After the show, my husband and I could not go to sleep without seriously discussing this issue once again, but it felt like our hearts were softened this time around. The message that came through loud and clear to both of us was to do it now, before our “Cinderellas” are gone….whether it be to be with Jesus, or to leave to start a new family. We have been praying for the Chapman’s daily since May, but to hear that pain come through words and song in person, was a humbling experience to say the least. From MWS, we have received the gift of encouragement to reach out more to those who are close to us, that still don’t get “IT”. Thanks guys, you have literally been a part of a life-changing event that is about to take place in our household!
posted October 20, 2008 at 2:00 pm
What a night! What am emotional rollercoaster! From tears over scc’s broken heart – shared so real, so transparently – to exhilirating worship – surely a taste of heaven and worship that is to come. My sincere thanks to scc and mws for a fabulous, phenomenol night of worship. I walked away from your concert with a generous gift of love from you both, through your songs and heartfelt moments of sharing yourselves with all of us in the audience. What a night!!! Hope to join you both again on your next tour(s) in Atlanta.