Chapman, Smith Hit Road for Spring 'United Tour'

By Josh Kimball, Christian Post Reporter Sunday, March 29, 2009

Christian music stars Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith have teamed up for a second round of dates for their "United Tour" – the historic joint tour they kicked off last fall that reached a cumulative audience of more than 50,000 in 20 major markets.

The new monthlong tour, which kicked off Saturday in Chattanooga, Tenn., will showcase two of Christian Music's most recognized and beloved artists, who together have garnered a staggering eight Grammy awards, 96 Dove Awards, 77 No. 1 singles and more than 30 Gold and Platinum albums.

The idea for the joint tour came shortly after Chapman and Smith spent time together in the United Kingdom last year working on the "Compassionart project," which brought more than 10 of Christian Music's most revered singers, songwriters and worship leaders together to write and record a collection of songs for charity.

"Michael and Steven have been friends for years and really connected on a creative level while overseas together working on the Compassionart project," reported Chaz Corzine, Michael W. Smith's manager. "I think they have such great respect for each other and each other's music; it was inevitable they'd eventually work together."

As arranged during the joint Oct. 7-Nov. 8 tour last year, proceeds from the new round of concerts will go toward Smith's long-time ministry partner, Compassion International, and Chapman's adoption ministry, Shaohannah's Hope.

Throughout the spring tour, both artists will perform music from their latest albums – Chapman's This Moment and Smith's A New Hallelujah.

The upcoming outing currently spans 24 U.S. cities from coast to coast, wrapping April 30 in Paducah, Ky. Stops in between include Cleveland; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Baltimore; Indianapolis; Lexington, Ky.; Little Rock, Ark.; Nashville; Springfield, Mo.; and four cities across California.