Christopher Stevens (musician)

Christopher Edmund Stevens (born November 29, 1967) is an American record producer, mix-engineer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist[2] based in Nashville, Tennessee.[3]

Chris Stevens
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Edmund Stevens[1]
Born (1967-11-29) November 29, 1967 (age 56)
Eugene, Oregon
OriginNashville, Tennessee
GenresCountry, contemporary Christian music
Occupations
Instruments
  • Bass guitar
  • drums
  • guitar
  • electric guitar
  • keyboards
  • vocals
Years active1995–present
Websitechristopherstevens.com

Early and personal life

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Stevens was born November 29, 1967,[4] in Eugene, Oregon.[3] He graduated from North Eugene High School[5] and studied electronics at Lane Community College. After working as a composer for video games in the 1990s, Stevens eventually relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue songwriting and record production full-time.[5]

Credits awards and accomplishments

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Christopher Stevens has earned five Grammy awards[6] and thirteen GMA Dove awards.[7] He has produced and mixed contemporary Christian music artists TobyMac, and American Idol finalists Mandisa and Colton Dixon, among others. Stevens has also worked on projects for country artists Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood. In September 2013 Stevens traveled to Barcelona, Spain, to work with International pop star Shakira on her 2014 studio album,[8] lending his programming talents on several of her songs. He has also contributed his skills on two studio albums, Nothing Left to Lose, and Just Kids, for fellow Oregonian and Universal Republic recording artist Mat Kearney. Stevens also collaborated with world-pop artist Michael Franti and Spearhead for his 2020 Album, "Work Hard and Be Nice."[9]

Stevens has handled production, writing, and mixing for numerous artists under the EMI CMG, Word Records, Provident, INO Records, Gotee Records, and Curb Records labels. He is also credited with programming and keyboards on the Carrie Underwood single "Cowboy Casanova".[10]

In 2010 and 2012, Stevens was honored as BMI's Christian Songwriter of the Year.[11][12] In 2013 he earned his first Grammy as a producer and mixer on TobyMac's Eye on It.[13] In 2014 Stevens took home two more Grammys for Contemporary Christian Album for Mandisa's Overcomer and Contemporary Christian Song for its title song.[14] In June 2015 he received his third BMI Christian songwriter of the year award.[15] In February 2016, Stevens was awarded his fourth Grammy for production and engineering on Tobymac's This Is Not a Test.[16]

In January 2020 Stevens earned his fifth Grammy award in the roots gospel category for production on Gloria Gaynor's album, Testimony.[17]

Beginning in 2016 Stevens began focusing on songwriting in the pop and country genres and has had songs recorded by Jason Aldean, Lindsay Ell, David Lee Murphy, Kenny Chesney, Justin Moore, Morgan Wallen, Drew Baldridge, and Logan Mize.[citation needed] In June 2018, Stevens celebrated his first number one Billboard and Mediabase Country Song with David Lee Murphy's "Everything's Gonna Be Alright", featuring Kenny Chesney.[18] Stevens co-wrote the song with Murphy and Jimmy Yeary, and produced the background track.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Songwriter/Composer: STEVENS CHRISTOPHER EDMUND". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved June 4, 2015.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Christopher Stevens : Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Bio". Fabmusic. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  4. ^ Stevens, Christopher (November 29, 2011). "busy bday! mixing a smash today for @itsbrittnicole and @davidgarcia83, writing with @therealtobymac and doing a new mlb playstation theme". Twitter. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Christopher Stevens". LinkedIn. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  6. ^ "Christopher Stevens | Artist | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  7. ^ "Past Winners". doveawards.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  8. ^ "Chris Stevens Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & Mo..." AllMusic. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  9. ^ Work Hard and Be Nice - Michael Franti, Michae... | AllMusic, retrieved August 10, 2024
  10. ^ "Play On - Carrie Underwood - Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  11. ^ "2012 BMI Christian Music Awards Honor Genre's Most-played Songs". BMI.com. June 20, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  12. ^ "Photos: 2010 BMI Christian Awards | Press". BMI.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  13. ^ "Awards". GRAMMY.com. April 30, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  14. ^ "Awards". April 30, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  15. ^ "2015 BMI Christian Awards Celebrates Christian Music's Best Songs, Songwriters and Publishers". BMI.com. June 24, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  16. ^ "2016 Grammy Award Winners: Tobymac, Israel Houghton, Kirk Franklin for CCM and Gospel Albums, Song". February 16, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  17. ^ "2020 Grammy Awards: The Full List Of Winners". January 26, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2022 – via NPR.
  18. ^ "Who wrote "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" by David Lee Murphy?". Genius. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
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