Multi-Grammy and GMA Dove Award winning Steven Curtis Chapman was officially welcomed into the Grand Ole Opry family tonight by Opry members Lady A. In addition to Lady A, Chapman personally requested these artists be a part of his special night: Opry members Ricky Skaggs--who invited Chapman to become an Opry member this summer--and Carly Pearce, plus Russell Dickerson and rock band Colony House, which featured two of Chapman's sons, front man Caleb Chapman and drummer Will Franklin Chapman. For the special occasion, Chapman wore a custom suit designed by Manuel Cuevas' son Manny Jr.
To begin his performance, teenaged Chapman sang "Cinderella" and "He Stopped Loving Her Today" after telling the story about forgetting the words to that song during his Opry debut when he was a teenaged performer at Opryland Theme Park. He was then joined by his father and brother to perform "My Redeemer Is Faithful and True," offering his father a lifelong dream to sing on the Opry stage.
Lady A joined him on stage to welcome him into the family with kind words about his life and music including how he inspires with the gifts God has given him, how he encourages with his integrity and authentic faith and a deep love of music every time he steps into the circle.
"More than we can ask or imagine, God has promised," said Chapman. "I know it doesn't always look like this moment, but I do believe God has so much more for us. And sometimes we get to see it in very tangible and real ways. Like standing in this circle on stage tonight. As I look down, there is an actual light that glows all the way around it. A full circle, an unbroken circle. God is in front and back and side to side, he has us surrounded."
Chapman then performed a song he wrote specifically for this night, "Grand Ole Opry Stage" and closed with a performance of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" with members of his family, performers from tonight's show and a handful of Opry members who attended the show.
Chapman and the Opry kicked off National Adoption Month today by donating $5 from each ticket sold to benefit Show Hope, the nonprofit organization founded by Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, that provides ongoing care and support to children who have been orphaned and families impacted by adoption and foster care.
With 50 No. 1 hits, Chapman is the most awarded artist in Christian music history. The beloved singer made his Opry debut 42 years ago at age 19 when he was a performer at the Opryland USA theme park, singing the songs of Opry greats including George Jones, Ricky Skaggs and more.
Chapman is also scheduled to perform on this season's Opry Country Christmas. The Opry member will be the Spotlight Artist on December 22. Presented by Humana, the series will also feature special performances by Spotlight Artists including Opry members Jon Pardi (12/1), Lorrie Morgan (12/2), The Oak Ridge Boys (12/4), Scotty McCreery (12/5), Chris Young (12/8), Chris Janson (12/11), Jamey Johnson (12/16), and more.
