Steven Curtis Chapman grew up watching his grandfather Ruble Rudd — a Purple Heart World War II veteran who came home with shrapnel permanently lodged in his leg, the only survivor of his platoon — live out a quiet, grateful patriotism that never left him. That legacy is at the heart of a new song Steven wrote for America's 250th birthday, a reimagining of America the Beautiful with the same chorus and new verses, recorded with country singer Chris Janson and debuted at the Grand Ole Opry on July 31, 2024 — the same night Ricky Skaggs walked out to invite Steven to become the Opry's newest member.

Gratitude, division, and what happens when algorithms keep feeding us reasons to fight: Steven shares why he felt compelled to write a song that names the thing tearing America apart — including a lyric about algorithms that he was not sure belonged in a patriotic song but knew he had to say — and why his prayer for it is simply that people would lay down their weapons long enough to be grateful. He also opens up about the song Cinderella never becoming a number one because some Christian radio stations did not consider it a Christian song, why I Will Be Here was born from his parents' marriage dissolving, and why after four decades he is playing music with more joy than ever.

Highlights
The Purple Heart grandfather who survived his platoon and gave Steven a lifelong love for the cost of American freedom
The night he debuted the new song at the Grand Ole Opry and was immediately invited to become a member
Why he put the word algorithms in a patriotic song and what he believes social media is doing to American unity
How he and Chris Janson connected as Opry brothers and why Janson jumped at the chance to record it together
Why Cinderella never reached number one because some Christian radio stations said it was not a Christian song
The painful season behind I Will Be Here, written after his parents' marriage dissolved, and why it surprised him by becoming one of his most beloved songs
The Speechless 25th Anniversary Tour, a string quartet, a full band, and why he is playing music with more joy now than ever
What he told his record label when he started — and what they told him about his singing before they signed him anyway

Resources / Links / CTA
🌐 Steven Curtis Chapman website: https://stevencurtischapman.com
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevencurtischapman
🎵 Single: America the Beautiful with Chris Janson
🎤 Speechless 25th Anniversary Tour
🌐 Follow, share, and explore more of Crosswalk Talk
👉 Follow, share, and subscribe for more faith-driven conversations on Lifeaudio

Steven Curtis Chapman grew up watching his grandfather Ruble Rudd &mdash; a Purple Heart World War II veteran who came home with shrapnel permanently lodged in his leg, the only survivor of his platoon &mdash; live out a quiet, grateful patriotism that never left him. That legacy is at the heart of a new song Steven wrote for America's 250th birthday, a reimagining of America the Beautiful with the same chorus and new verses, recorded with country singer Chris Janson and debuted at the Grand Ole Opry on July 31, 2024 &mdash; the same night Ricky Skaggs walked out to invite Steven to become the Opry's newest member.
Gratitude, division, and what happens when algorithms keep feeding us reasons to fight: Steven shares why he felt compelled to write a song that names the thing tearing America apart &mdash; including a lyric about algorithms that he was not sure belonged in a patriotic song but knew he had to say &mdash; and why his prayer for it is simply that people would lay down their weapons long enough to be grateful. He also opens up about the song Cinderella never becoming a number one because some Christian radio stations did not consider it a Christian song, why I Will Be Here was born from his parents' marriage dissolving, and why after four decades he is playing music with more joy than ever.
Highlights
<ul>
<li>The Purple Heart grandfather who survived his platoon and gave Steven a lifelong love for the cost of American freedom</li>
<li>The night he debuted the new song at the Grand Ole Opry and was immediately invited to become a member</li>
<li>Why he put the word algorithms in a patriotic song and what he believes social media is doing to American unity</li>
<li>How he and Chris Janson connected as Opry brothers and why Janson jumped at the chance to record it together</li>
<li>Why Cinderella never reached number one because some Christian radio stations said it was not a Christian song</li>
<li>The painful season behind I Will Be Here, written after his parents' marriage dissolved, and why it surprised him by becoming one of his most beloved songs</li>
<li>The Speechless 25th Anniversary Tour, a string quartet, a full band, and why he is playing music with more joy now than ever</li>
<li>What he told his record label when he started &mdash; and what they told him about his singing before they signed him anyway</li>
</ul>
Resources / Links / CTA
<ul>
<li>🌐 Steven Curtis Chapman website: <a href="https://stevencurtischapman.com/">https://stevencurtischapman.com</a></li>
<li>📱 Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stevencurtischapman/">https://www.instagram.com/stevencurtischapman</a></li>
<li>🎵 Single: <a href="https://music.apple.com/sb/album/america-the-beautiful-single/6775631922">America the Beautiful with Chris Janson</a></li>
<li>🎤 Speechless 25th Anniversary Tour</li>
<li>🌐 Follow, share, and explore more of <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/crosswalk-talk-celebrity-christian-interviews/">Crosswalk Talk</a></li>
<li>👉 Follow, share, and subscribe for more faith-driven conversations on <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/">Lifeaudio</a></li>
</ul>

Join us each week on Crosswalk Talk where we interview your favorite Christian celebrities. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment.

Some of our favorite interviews include:

⭐️ Chrissy Metz and Bradley Collins Discuss Their Heartwarming Children's Book on Prayer

⭐️ Patricia Heaton and David Hunt Talk Faith, Life and Their Adoption Film Unexpected

⭐️ Willie and Korie Robertson Open Up About The Blind and the Generational Impact of Faith

⭐️ Phil Wickham Talks New Album, Songwriting, and the Deconstruction Movement

Let us know what famous Christian celebrities you want us to interview for the show!

Join us each week on Crosswalk Talk where we interview your favorite Christian celebrities. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment.
Some of our favorite interviews include:
⭐️ Chrissy Metz and Bradley Collins Discuss Their Heartwarming Children's Book on Prayer
⭐️ Patricia Heaton and David Hunt Talk Faith, Life and Their Adoption Film Unexpected
⭐️ Willie and Korie Robertson Open Up About The Blind and the Generational Impact of Faith
⭐️ Phil Wickham Talks New Album, Songwriting, and the Deconstruction Movement
Let us know what famous Christian celebrities you want us to interview for the show!

Join us each week on Crosswalk Talk where we interview your favorite Christian celebrities. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment.

Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews

Join us each week on Crosswalk Talk where we interview your favorite Christian celebrities. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment.
Some of our favorite interviews include:
⭐️ Chrissy Metz and Bradley Collins Discuss Their Heartwarming Children's Book on Prayer
⭐️ Patricia Heaton and David Hunt Talk Faith, Life and Their Adoption Film Unexpected
⭐️ Willie and Korie Robertson Open Up About The Blind and the Generational Impact of Faith
⭐️ Phil Wickham Talks New Album, Songwriting, and the Deconstruction Movement
Let us know what famous Christian celebrities you want us to interview for the show!

Can We Just Be Grateful? Steven Curtis Chapman on America at 250

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/db07ce78-bf4b-4858-9439-b488010af80e/transcript