Clay Aiken has stated that he is a huge fan of Steven Curtis Chapman.  Do you know Steven?

Steven Curtis Chapman is a name that anyone and everyone who listens to Christian music knows.

Born in 1962 in Paducah, Kentucky, Chapman is an amazing talent and a real star in contemporary music.

Chapman started his career in the late 1980’s as a songwriter.  But, today he is known as one of the most prolific singers in the Christian music field and has released more than 20 albums.

His list of accomplishments includes 56 Dove Awards, more than any other artist in history.  He has earned 5 Grammys, an American Music Award, 2 certified platinum and 10 gold albums. He has sold over 10 million albums and has had 45 #1 radio hits. Chapman also won seven “Artist of the Year” Dove Awards.  His latest was in 2009 and is an industry record.

In 1995, Chapman released his first Christmas Album entitled, “The Music of Christmas” and it was a huge success.  The album was re-released in 2004 as a Hallmark exclusive.

It is not surprising that Clay Aiken is a huge fan of Steven Curtis Chapman.  They have met more than once and Clay has sung many of Chapman’s songs.  Clay even dazzled Chapman’s fans in 2007 when he was a surprise guest at the Winter Jam in Greensboro, NC.  He joined Chapman, singing “The Great Adventure.”

Because of Clay’s love of Steven’s songs, it is not surprising that Clay chose to start his Joyful Noise Concert in 2004 with a beautiful rendition of “The Music of Christmas.”  Joined by a children’s choir, Clay made a dramatic entrance onto the stage and the entire audience was right in the palm of his hands.

One of the most exciting concerts of that tour was in Pasadena, California.  The concert was after Christmas as the original date was postponed because Clay was ill.  The following video is wonderful as it shows the exciting entrance, the wonderful children’s choir, the excitement of the crowd and the brilliant song, penned by Steven Curtis Chapman and sung from the heart by Clay Aiken.

There’s a man who stands in the cold wind tonight,
And he greets everyone passing by
With a smile and a ringing bell;
And the song that he’s playing, is his own way of saying:
Love is here, it’s the music of Christmas.

And there’s a lady who sits all alone with her thoughts,
And the memories of all that she’s lost,
When she hears a sound at her door,
And a song comes to find her, as a gentle reminder:
Love is here, it’s the music of Christmas.

CHORUS
So listen, listen with your heart
And you will hear a song in the laughter of a child.
Oh won’t you listen for the sound of hope,
And you will hear the music of Christmas,
For the music of Christmas is love;
Oh, its love.

So light the fire, tell the family to gather around,
And the walls will echo the sound
Of memories that are and will be;
And their voices, like a chorus, will sing it so sweetly for us;
Love is here, it’s the music of Christmas.

(chorus)

Long ago, a baby was born in the night,
And as He let out His very first cry,
The sound was bringing hope alive.
Stars were shining, angels singing;
All heaven and earth was ringing:
Love is here, this is the music of Christmas.

(chorus)