Steven Curtis Chapman sings at a benefit concert in Shanghai

American gospel singer Steven Curtis Chapman held a concert in Shanghai on 20 May, 2005. Dismissed out of hand by the folks covering the music scene over at Shanghaiist, the concert nevertheless garnered a two-page spread in the latest issue of the Shanghai lifestyle weekly The Bund (外滩画报), which interviewed the singer about his music, his interaction with Chinese musicians, and his three adopted Chinese daughters.

Though he's been to China seven times for travel, adoption of his daughters, and work with the fund he has set up to facilitate adoptions of Chinese children, this was Chapman's first time in Shanghai. Aside from the adoption angle, his English cover of Jacky Cheung's song "Blessing" (祝福) also caught the attention of the mainland media.

Don't fret if you missed the concert; Steven Curtis Chapman has been formally invited to perform at the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Chapman: Angel in Adoption

When the famous melody of "King of the Jungle" began to sound softly at the start of the performance, the audience got on its feet and swayed to the music. This song once swept across America, and even eleven-year-old children could sing it with feeling in churches.

There were almost no empty seats in the place. When the concert started, everyone began to applaud the singers' entrance.

In the audience were children from Chinese orphanages who were in the Oriental Art Center for the first time.

This was a concert put on last Saturday by five-time Grammy winner and 50-time GMA Dove winner Steven Curtis Chapman.

Steven said, "It was God's hand that brought me to China, and gave me three daughters." In 2000, Steven brought his family to China, and when he visited an orphanage, he adopted a Chinese girl. Later, he adopted two more Chinese girls, and established Shaohanna's Hope Fund in the name of his first adopted daughter to bring more people into the ranks of adoptions. In 2001, Steven was given the title "Angel of Adoption" by the UN (trans. note: this is actually a title given by the Congress of the US).

At this concert, Steven performed an English version of Jacky Cheung's song "Blessing," "because the message of this song is very similar to my songs. They all are blessings - they bless many people."

Later, Steven, his wife, and their American and Chinese daughters will live for a few months with children at an orphanage. He and his daughters will play music and sing for the orphans. "It'll be a real concert!" he said.

Bund: Why did you adopt three Chinese girls?
Chapman: I've always had a special feeling for children. At first when I came to China I didn't think of adopting. When I went to orphanages, I saw that China had so many orphans, especially girls - they had no homes and no warmth. I had an intense desire to give them a home, so I first adopted a little girl named Shaohannah. Later, Shaohannah's beauty kindled my love for Chinese children, and I wanted to adopt a few more children with the same cultural background as Shaohannah. So I now have three lovely Chinese girls.
    My wife and I and our American daughters love them very much, and we get along well. I feel it's like God led me to China and led me on this road.

Bund: You started singing Gospel music when you were seven. Why do you like that kind of music?
Chapman: I've loved music since I was a kid. I listened to lots of different kinds of music, and as a kid who liked to play around with a guitar, I listened to lots of songs by artists like John Denver and James Taylor. Those are singers I like, and later I fell in love with the Eagles. But all along I loved Christian music; from the first time I started singing in church I knew that this kind of music was an inseparable part of me.

Bund: What's the difference between Gospel music and other music?
Chapman: Gospel music actually uses the sound of pop music when it is sung, but it is able to convey more about life. It is full of love. The love God gives me, my love for my family, the love of people around me. I'm very happy to be able to share this gift of love with even more people through my music.

Bund: At this concert, you performed a new rendition of Jacky Cheung's "Blessing", and you put the song on your new album. Why did you choose this song?
Chapman: I've enjoyed spending so much time in China and meeting so many talented songwriters and musicians. I'm also happy to have had the opportunity to perform the familiar Chinese song "Blessing."
    Actually, this idea came from a conversation I had. I was at EMI's Hong Kong office talking about the upcoming Asian release of my new album with my friend Hans Ebert, and I thought that I should include one or two songs that would be familiar to listeners. He told me that "Blessing" is a very well-known song among Chinese people, it has to do with blessing, just like a major theme in my music. I should sing an English version of "Blessing," then.
    I took his advice, and keeping the original mood of the song, I tried to put my own feelings into it in the most natural way possible to sing for the listeners. Besides this, I also sing "The Circle Game" on the album, a song popular in China in the 80s. It's a kids' song, with a pretty melody, and singing a new version presented a new challenge to me.

Bund: You've won five Grammies, an award dreamt of by all singers. What do you think is necessary for good music?
Chapman: All of my music comes from my own life experiences, from the things that have affected me. I think that good music should be full of love, and should come from inside you. My music might only last for a few months, or maybe a few years, but in the end it will be forgotten. All music will eventually face that day. But love is eternal. My hope is that through my music, I can share eternal love with others.

Bund: Many people love your song "I Will Be Here." How was it written?
Chapman: This song was actually written about my feelings for my wife and family. At the time my parents had divorced, and this was a large burden on my wife. She worried that this would happen between us, so I wrote this song for my wife, promising that I would always be here waiting for her. If God is the most important thing in my life, my wife ranks just below. Even if life may sometimes lack warmth, or there's arguments, if it's not always perfect, I'll still keep my promise.

Bund: Your daughters have filled you with feelings toward China. What are your impressions of China?
Chapman: I know many Chinese people love music, especially music that is filled with feeling. I am happy to be able to connect with Chinese audiences here. China is right now in a time filled with hope. I'll have many more opportunities to come to China.