[Mickey]

Nashville, TN…(8/23/02)…Steven Curtis Chapman has reached the top at radio again with “Magnificent Obsession,” his fourth radio single from his gold-selling album Declaration, and this time, for eight weeks in a row, setting the new record on R&R’s AC Christian Chart. The first single released from Declaration, “Live Out Loud,” was #1 at AC consecutively for six weeks.

Written by Chapman, the idea behind “Magnificent Obsession” came to him during a sermon he heard by his pastor. He comments, “He (the pastor) was using Paul’s words that ‘I will boast in the cross of Christ.’ The cross represents God’s expression of love and it represented life for Paul- the cross and Jesus, giving his life for Him, led to Paul becoming obsessed with the cross. It became Paul’s magnificent obsession.”

Chapman explains further, “This song talks about wanting God to recapture my heart again, to say to Him I want You to be the one thing that consumes me and my passion and my desire. I want You to be my magnificent obsession.”

The next single, “Jesus Is Life,” released to AC and CHR formats this month.

"Magnificent Obsession" is proof Chapman’s continuous strength within the radio market. The song has not only impacted the radio listener but those who work in radio.

"’Magnificent Obsession" has a message that we've come to expect from Steven. It's a song that we need to hear, and one that we'll be playing for years.”
-Michael Sadowski, Assistant Program Director/Music Director WBGB-FM

“Steven Curtis Chapman is a legend. He started setting the standard over a decade ago and with every CD release I'm amazed how he keeps ‘kickin' it up a notch’!!”
-Dale Riddick, WPSM, Ft. Walton Beach, FL

“’Magnificent Obsession...in a word...WOW! Is it any wonder where Steven keeps coming up with these amazing songs? More than just singing about the things of God, He lives them out loud right before our very eyes! These are the songs that Steven sings, not just on a record, but in life; Steven thanks for sharing the soundtrack of your life with us! You have inspired us once again!”
- Scott W. Smith, Z88.3 WPOZ, Orlando, FL

Chapman has recently returned from the jungles of Ecuador and his second visit with the Woadoni tribe, this time in part to premiere the documentary about the them entitled Beyond the Gates of Splendor (beyondthegatesthemovie.com). His 24-city Live Out Loud U.S. fall tour, presented by Wycliffe Bible Translators (www.wycliffe.org), kicks off September 13th in Fairfax, VA. For tour updates see StevenCurtisChapman.com.

For much more on Steven Curtis Chapman, click here

[GMartin2R]

that's cool

i love that song and most of that cd for that matter.