Steve Bell (musician)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Steve Bell


Img_capt = Steve Bell (right) in a 2006 concert.
Img_size = 150px
Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1960|11|17 Calgary, Alberta, Canadacite news | url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/country_focus/7435/p2/ | publisher=CrossRhythms (UK) | first=Ben | last=Forrest | title=Country Guide: Steve Bell | date=1 November, 2002 | accessdate=2008-09-27]
Died =
Origin = Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Instrument = guitar, vocals
Voice_type =
Genre =
Occupation = performer, songwriter, producer
Years_active =
Label = Signpost Music
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.steve-bell.com/ www.steve-bell.com]
Current_members =
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Steve Bell is a Canadian singer/songwriter and guitarist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is among the best-known Christian musicians in Canada and is an accomplished songwriter and record producer. Steve has an extensive catalogue of songs including "Deep Calls to Deep", "Eventide" and "Fresh and Green". Before embarking on his solo career he was a long-time member of the group Elias, Schritt, and Bell. In 1989 Steve founded his independent recording label Signpost Music. His first solo album "Comfort My People" was released on Signpost that same year. Bell now has sixteen albums to his credit. Among his many awards are two Junos.

Musical career

Steve Bell has been performing music since childhood. His recording career began at 13 when his family's gospel band, The Alf Bell Family Singers, recorded an LP. The album contains some of his earliest songwriting. After graduating from high school he was a member of a succession of bands playing a number of different musical genres. For about ten years he played with the secular folk trio Elias, Schritt and Bell, along with Tim Elias and John Schritt. [cite news | url=http://nextreformation.com/?p=1145 | publisher= | first=Len | last=Hjalmarson | title=Steve Bell Interview Part I | date=17 August, 2006 | accessdate=2008-09-27] The group released one commercial studio album, "Awakening", in 1982. Steve quit the band and withdrew from performing in 1988. It was during this period that he became a Christian recording artist, writing most of the material for his first four solo projects. [ [http://www.emusic.com/artist/Steve-Bell-MP3-Download/11634359.html Emusic Canada review] . Retrieved on 2008-09-27] Faced with a lack of interest from established labels he formed his Indie record label Signpost Music in 1989 and released his first album. The first edition of "Comfort My People" comprised 300 Cassettes. [ [http://signpostvillage.com/stevebell/category/uncategorized/ Signpost Village] . Retrieved on 2008-09-06]

Steve has gone on to release fifteen solo albums. His tours have taken him all over North America and the world. In 1994 Signpost Music received a boost when Steve became business partners with his producer Dave Zeglinski. Bell was the Juno Award's first winner in the Best Gospel Album category in 1998. That category was formed out of the previous Blues/Gospel Album category, representing the industry's recognition of Contemporary Christian Music in Canada. [cite news | url=http://www.christianweek.org/stories/vol12/no01/story2.htm | publisher=ChristianWeek | first=Debra | last=Fieguth | title=Gospel Juno goes to Steve Bell | date=14 April, 1998 | accessdate=2008-09-27] He has also won and been nominated for several Gospel Music Association Canada Covenant Awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year, Recorded Song Of The Year and Album of the Year. Steve is scheduled to perform at the 30th annual Covenant Awards night on October 24, 2008. [ [http://www.gmacanada.ca/go/site/news/performers_announced_for_the_30th_annual_covenant_awards/ GMAC 2008 Covenant Award Performers] (Awards held October 24, 2008)]

Discography

Elias, Schritt & Bell albums

Discography list
Type = studio
Name = Awakening
Other info =
Released = 1982
Format =
Label =
Writer =
Producer =
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks =
Bonus tracks =
Singles =

Solo albums

Discography list
Type = studio
Name = Comfort My People
Other info =
Released = 1989
Format =
Label = Signpost
Writer =
Producer = Steve Bell
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "Psalm 90", "Comfort My People", "Amen, Listen To Our Prayer", "Jenny", "You Are To Be Holy", "Ride On, King Jesus", "Shepherd Of Life", "The Lord Has Done Great Things", "You Are Near", "The Lord's Prayer"
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Discography list
Type = studio
Name = Deep Calls to Deep
Other info =
Released = 1992
Format =
Label = Signpost
Writer =
Producer = John Paul O'Neill
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "Wings Of An Eagle", "Why Do We Hunger For Beauty", "Hear Our Prayer", "Faith's Song", "Cashe Island", "Fashion For Me", "Deep Calls To Deep", "What A Longing", "Marie", "Blessed Are The Poor", "The Wellspring / Holy Lord"
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Discography list
Type = studio
Name = Burning Ember
Other info = review [cite web | url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Steve_Bell/Burning_Ember/15418/ | publisher=CrossRhythms (UK) | accessdate=2008-02-04 | date=1 April 1998 | first=Steve | last=Rimmer | title=(Review) Steve Bell - Burning Ember ]
Released = 1994
Format =
Label = Signpost
Writer =
Producer = Steve Bell, Dave Zeglinski
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "Dakota Hymn", "As Long As The Sun", "Psalm 40", "Never Mind", "How Long", "House Of Peace", "Song For The Life", "So Long", "She's In Love With Me", "I Will Not Be Shaken", "Burning Ember", "Psalm 32", "Even So Lord Jesus Come"
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Discography list
Type = studio
Name = The Feast of Seasons
Other info = Christmas seasonal
Released = 1995
Format =
Label = Signpost, Rhythm House (USA)
Writer =
Producer = Steve Bell, Dave Zeglinski
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "Ready My Heart", "May It Be Done", "Magnificat (Holy Is His Name)", "The Angel Gabriel", "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Angels We Have Heard On High / Silent Night (Instrumental)", "The Coventry Carol", "O Holy Night", "I Heard The Bells", "Every Stone Shall Cry", "Home Again (Old Sage)", "The Coventry Carol (Reprise)"
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Discography list
Type = studio
Name = Romantics & Mystics
Other info =
Released = 1997
Format =
Label = Signpost
Writer =
Producer = Steve Bell, Dave Zeglinski
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "Dark Night Of The Soul", "Here By The Water", "Remember Me", "Alone Tonight", "Drumheller Circle", "All For A Loveless Night", "Moon Over Birkenau", "Lament For A Nation", "Keeping Vigil", "This Is Love", "Can I Go With You", "Let's Do It Again"
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Discography list
Type = studio
Name = Beyond a Shadow
Other info = review [cite web | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/reviews/album_review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=768766 | publisher=Billboard Magazine | accessdate=2008-10-05 | date=26 June 1999 | first= | last= | title=(Review) Steve Bell - Beyond A Shadow ]
Released = 1999
Format =
Label = Signpost, Rhythm House (USA)
Writer =
Producer = Steve Bell, John Paul O'Neill, Dave Zeglinski
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "Here By The Water", "Remember Me", "Wings Of An Eagle", "Psalm 40", "Never Mind", "How Long", "Burning Ember", "Drumheller Circle", "Ride On, King Jesus", "Shepherd Of Life", "The Wellspring", "Holy Lord", "This Is Love"
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Discography list
Type = live
Name = Steve Bell Band Live in Concert
Other info = USA version titled "Each Rare Moment"
Released = 1999
Format =
Label = Signpost, Rhythm House (USA)
Writer =
Producer = Steve Bell, Dave Zeglinski
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "Ready My Heart", "Comfort My People", "Burning Ember", "Hear Our Prayer", "The Wellspring", "Holy Lord", "Wings Of An Eagle", "I Feel The Winds Of God Today", "The Story Of Drumheller Circle", "Drumheller Circle", "Shepherd Of Life", "Here By The Water", "Come Home", "Deep Calls To Deep"
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Discography list
Type = studio
Name = Simple Songs
Other info =
Released = 2000
Format =
Label = Signpost
Writer =
Producer = Steve Bell, Dave Zeglinski
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "God Our Protector", "Home", "High Above The Fray", "Fox Glove", "All The Diamonds", "Down The Way", "Done Made My Vow", "What Kind Of Love Is This", "Unto The Least Of These", "Fresh And Green", "Peace Prayer", "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus / Be Thou My Vision / Great Is Thy Faithfulness", "We Come", "For The Journey"
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Discography list
Type = studio
Name = Waiting for Aidan
Other info =
Released = 2001
Format =
Label = Signpost
Writer =
Producer = Steve Bell, Dave Zeglinski
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "Eventide", "Jesus My Glory", "Pleasing To You", "Somebody's Gotta Pay", "Restless", "The Water Runs", "Diamonds From The Other Side", "Waiting For Aidan", "A Sorrow For Connoisseurs", "Oh Love", "Psalm 121", "Stay Awake", "Eventide (Reprise)"
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Discography list
Type = studio
Name = Sons & Daughters
Other info = with daughter Sarah Bellcite news | url=http://www.anglicanjournal.com/culture/music/043/article/second-generation-a-welcome-addition/ | publisher=Anglican Journal | accessdate=2008-02-04 | title=Second generation a welcome addition | first=Wilfred | last=Langmaid | date=1 March 2004 ]
Released = 2003
Format =
Label = Signpost
Writer =
Producer = Steve Bell, Dave Zeglinski
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "In The Morning", "Hosea (Come Back To Me)", "Ever Present Need", "We Believe In Love", "I'll Fly Away", "Psalm 116", "Getting Ready For Glory", "Everything's Lies", "Air Jam", "Subtle Shiver", "Lauds", "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)"
Bonus tracks = "Rain Song"
Singles = Discography list
Type = studio
Name = Solace for Seasons of Suffering
Other info = review [cite web | url=http://www.tollbooth.org/2005/reviews/sbell1.html | publisher=The Phantom Tollbooth | accessdate=2008-02-02 | date=23 October 2005 | first=Michael | last=Dalton | title=(Review) "Solace for Seasons of Suffering" ]
Released = 2005
Format =
Label = Signpost
Writer =
Producer =
Director = Steve Bell, Dave Zeglinski
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "Psalm 90", "God Our Protector", "Remember Me", "Burning Ember", "Shepherd Of Life", "How Long", "Dark Night Of The Soul", "Moon Over Birkenau", "Ever Present Need", "Wings Of An Eagle", "Hear Our Prayer", "Deep Calls To Deep", "For The Journey", "Hymn Medley"
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Discography list
Type = studio
Name = My Dinner With Bruce
Other info = reviews [cite web | url=http://www.tollbooth.org/2006/reviews/sbell.html | publisher=The Phantom Tollbooth | accessdate=2008-02-02 | date=25 March 2006 | first=Michael | last=Dalton | title=(Review) "My Dinner with Bruce (Songs of Bruce Cockburn)" ] [cite web | url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2006/mydinnerwithbruce.html | publisher="Christianity Today" | accessdate=2008-02-02 | title=(Review) "My Dinner with Bruce: Songs of Bruce Cockburn" | first=Russ | last=Breimeier | date=2006 ]
Released = 2006
Format =
Label = Signpost
Writer =
Producer = Steve Bell, Dave Zeglinski
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "Lord Of The Starfields", "Wondering Where The Lions Are", "Red Brother Red Sister", "Going To The Country", "All The Ways I Want You", "The Coming Rains", "Thoughts On A Rainy Afternoon", "Pacing The Cage", "Southland Of The Heart", "Closer To The Light", "My Lady And My Lord", "God Bless The Children", "Love Loves You Too"
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Discography list
Type = studio
Name = Story and Song (vol. 1)
Other info = review [cite web | url=http://www.tollbooth.org/2007/reviews/stevebell.html | publisher=The Phantom Tollbooth | accessdate=2008-02-02 | date=18 December 2006 | first=Michael | last=Dalton | title=(Review) "Story and Song (live) Volume One" ]
Released = 2006
Format =
Label = Signpost
Writer =
Producer = Dave Zeglinski
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "Intro", "Psalm 40", "Fat And Flourishing", "Fresh And Green", "Go Forth And Multiply", "Marie", "Romance And Reality", "That's Alright With Me", "Censoring The Laments", "How Long", "Pick Up The Phone", "In Closing", "Lauds"
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Discography list
Type = live
Name = Symphony Sessions
Other info = review [cite web | url=http://www.tollbooth.org/2007/reviews/sbell.html | publisher=The Phantom Tollbooth | accessdate=2008-02-02 | date=11 November 2007 | first=Michael | last=Dalton | title=(Review) "Symphony Sessions" ]
Released = 2007
Format =
Label = Signpost
Writer =
Producer = Steve Bell, Dave Zeglinski
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "Burning Ember", "Deep Calls To Deep", "Dark Night Of The Soul", "Here By The Water", "Even So Lord Jesus Come", "Moon Over Birkenau", "This Is Love", "Pleasing To You", "Waiting For Aidan", "Lord Of The Starfields", "The Wellspring", "Holy Lord", "Eventide"
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Discography list
Type = studio
Name = Devotion
Other info = worship album
Released = 2008
Format =
Label = Signpost
Writer =
Producer = Roy Salmond
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = "Almighty God", "Everything We Need", "He Will Know", "Praise The Father", "Gone Is The Light", "Embrace The Mystery", "Jesus Feed Us", "Who Condemns You Now", "The Lorica", "Benediction", "Praise The Father (String Mix)", "Gone Is The Light (String Mix)"
Bonus tracks =
Singles =

All of his solo albums have Canadian distribution through [http://www.signpostmusic.com/ Signpost Music] .

Audio magazines

* "Blessings", volume 1
* "Can God Be Trusted", volume 2

Collaborations

* "Arrival", "Allanah" with Hugh Marsh

Song books

* "The Music of Steve Bell" (1989-1995)
* "Romantics & Mystics" (1997)
* "Simple Songs" (2000)
* "Waiting For Aidan" (2001)

Songs in other projects

* "Signpost Collections Vol. 1", "Ever Present Need" (co-written with Sarah Bell), "Stay Awake" (Signpost, 2003)

Video

* "Steve Bell - In Concert, At Home, and With Friends" (1996)
* "Steve Bell Band In Concert" (1999)
* "Steve Bell in Concert with The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra" (2007)

Awards and recognition

Note that years indicated represent award ceremony dates, not the years in which qualifying albums were released.

Juno Awards

* 1998: Best Gospel Album: "Romantics & Mystics"
* 2001: Best Gospel Album: "Simple Songs"
* 2002: nominee, Best Gospel Album: "Waiting For Aidan"

Prairie Music Awards

* 2001: Outstanding Christian Recording: "Simple Songs"
* 2001: Outstanding Producer (with Dave Zeglinski): "Simple Songs"
* 2002: Outstanding Christian Recording: "Waiting For Aidan" [Brian Kauste also won a 2002 Outstanding CD/DVD Artwork Design award for "Waiting For Aidan"]

Western Canadian Music Awards [The [http://www.westerncanadianmusicawards.ca Western Canadian Music Awards] succeeded the Prairie Music Awards from 2003.]

* 2004: nominee, Outstanding Christian Recording (with Sarah Bell): "Sons & Daughters"
* 2004: nominee, Outstanding Producer (with Dave Zeglinski): "Sons & Daughters"

= Gospel Music Association of Canada Covenant Awards =

* 2002: Pop/Contemporary Album Of The Year: "Waiting For Aidan"
* 2006: nominee, Male Vocalist Of The Year
* 2006: nominee, Album Of The Year: "My Dinner with Bruce"
* 2006: nominee, Folk/Roots Album Of The Year: "My Dinner with Bruce"
* 2006: nominee, Recorded Song Of The Year: "Lord Of The Starfields"
* 2007: nominee, Male Vocalist Of The Year
* 2008: eight nominations [ [http://www.gmacanada.ca/go/site/news/bell GMAC: Bell Leads 2008 Covenant Award Nominees] (Awards held October 24, 2008)]

Shai/Vibe Awards [These Canadian Christian/Gospel music awards were originally known as the Vibe awards. The name was changed to Shai Awards in 2005 to avoid confusion with the controversial American Vibe Magazine awards. The 2006 Shai Awards were cancelled.]

*2003: Male Vocalist Of The Year
*2004: Artist Of The Year
*2004: Male Soloist Of The Year
*2005: nominee, Male Soloist Of The Year

Personal life

He has three children (Sarah, Jesse and Micah) with his wife Nanci. In addition the couple has also raised a foster daughter, Kendara. His daughter Sarah was a featured vocalist on the 2003 release "Sons & Daughters".

See also

* Hugh Marsh (Collaborations)
* Music of Manitoba

References

External links

* [http://www.steve-bell.com Steve Bell official site]
* [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Bell/17251521323 Steve Bell's Facebook]
* [http://www.signpostmusic.com Signpost Music] (label)
* [http://www.solaceproject.com "Solace for Seasons of Suffering" album site]
* [http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/singleConcert.html?20071221sbell CBC Radio 2: Concerts On Demand : Steve Bell & The WSO - A Feast of Seasons] Concert recording of 14 December 2007.
*
*