American singer-songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman has recently become the first contemporary Christian artist to achieve 50 No. 1 songs in his genre.
Author of hit songs such as ‘Live Out Loud,’ ‘I Will Be Here,’ or ‘For the Sake of the Call,’ Chapman achieved the landmark with his latest single “Don’t Lose Heart”.
“I’m completely blown away by the support for this song and for my music, even after so many years,” Chapman said in a statement.
“To ever have a number one song at radio as an artist/songwriter is a dream come true, and to have fifty is simply unbelievable! This only happens because of an amazing team and a community of friends around me who have believed in the unbelievable. I’m grateful and humbled beyond words.”
The 60-year-old achieved his first No.1 in 1998 with his single ‘His Eyes’ from his ‘Real Life Conversations’ album.
With a career that spans three-and-a-half decades, at least 16 of his over 25 released albums have been listed on the Billboard 200 and has sold more than ten million albums.
Many people took to Twitter to congratulate him. One user said: “Congratulations! Thanks for being the soundtrack for so many. For our faith. For our lives.”
Another wrote: “Congratulations on 50 # Ones! May God continue to bless you and your family!”.
Chapman is the most awarded artist in Christian music history with 59 GMA Dove Awards and five Grammy Awards.