Nashville, TN (April 6, 2006)
Sparrow Records’ artist Steven Curtis Chapman was awarded his 50th Dove Award at the 37th Annual GMA Music Awards, held last night at the Grand Ole Opryhouse in Nashville, Tennesseee. Chapman’s 50th Dove win was for his involvement in the multi-artist Special Event Album of the Year for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Chapman makes history by holding the record of being awarded more Dove Awards than any other artist. He has a record-setting nine Dove Awards for Songwriter Of The Year and won an unprecedented six Dove Awards at the Doves ceremony in 1993 and 1995 and 2000, as well as a record-breaking 10 nominations in 1989.

A highlight of last evening was the special musical presentation for Chapman, celebrating his feat of 50 Dove Awards. With surprise performances by Jeremy Camp, David Crowder, Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall and Third Day’s Mac Powell, all influenced by Chapman in their own musical careers, they performed popular Chapman hits “For The Sake Of The Call,” “More To This Life,” “Magnificent Obsession,” “I Will Be Here” and “Dive.” The special presentation ended with a standing ovation, as everyone in attendance celebrated in Chapman’s amazing achievement thus far. For more highlights and information, please visit StevenCurtisChapman.com and GospelMusic.org.

On April 24th, Chapman and his band will depart on a 20-city international tour, performing in such countries as Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, South Korea and China. Following his tour, he and his family will then spend one month together in China, as they will be working in area Beijing orphanages. Chapman is scheduled to be back just in time to head into the studio to start recording for his upcoming studio release.

# # #

In his musical career, Chapman has won five GRAMMY© Awards, most recently at the 2005 awards for his release All Things New. Steven Curtis Chapman has sold over ten million records including two RIAA certified platinum albums and seven RIAA certified gold albums. Along with his Dove and GRAMMY© awards, Chapman has won an American Music Award, has recorded 44 No. 1 radio hits as well as receiving numerous other honors. Since his recording career began in 1987, Chapman has recorded fifteen projects with Sparrow Records. He has performed at the White House and has appeared on: CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, CMT, Fox News, Hallmark, E!, as well as CBS Sunday Morning, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, among many others. The Chapman family has established Shaohannah’s Hope, a foundation providing information and assistance to families who desire to adopt. For more information please visit ShaohannahsHope.org and StevenCurtisChapman.com.