Grammy winner coming to Fremont in July

Five-time Grammy winner Steven Curtis Chapman is coming to Fremont.

The contemporary Christian artist, who’s chart-topping songs include “The Great Adventure” and “Live Out Loud,” will perform at 7 p.m. July 13 during the John C. Fremont Days festival. The concert will take place in the Midland Lutheran College Events Center.

Chapman’s performance was announced Wednesday afternoon in a press conference at the center.

“I don’t know that we’ve ever had a Grammy winner in town and Steve’s a five-time Grammy winner,” said Micheal Dwyer, who was instrumental in drawing the musician to Fremont. “To my knowledge, this is the largest event since the Grass Roots were here in 1971.”

Tickets, which go on sale May 22, cost $36 each for the gold circle -- those first 12 rows of chairs -- and $24 general admission. They will be available at itickets.com, Parables in Omaha, MDP Inc., in Arlington, Millard and Lincoln and Midland Lutheran College in Fremont.

Plans to bring a major Christian musician to Fremont began in January.

Chapman was Dwyer’s top pick.

“His shows are tight and wonderfully encouraging,” said Dwyer, later adding, “Musically it’s going to be a really rich show. Steven -- in addition to being a singer and songwriter -- was voted Christian music’s best guitar player two years ago.

“On stage, he’s very animated. He’s going to be passionate when it’s a quiet song and jumping around a lot during the rock and roll stuff.”

Dwyer, who founded The September Project, a Christian music group comprised of area teens, has long been impressed with Chapman’s ability as a musician.

“His music is very much like a tapestry. There’s a lot of depth musically. ... It’s got a lot of intricate parts ... lyrically, he’s a great poet. ... He’s a fabulous writer and great entertainer.”

The area man also appreciates Chapman’s depth of character.

“He’s exactly the same onstage as backstage,” said Dwyer, who has photographed the last four opening nights of Chapman’s tours. “He really lives the stuff he talks about -- the importance of his family, his relationship with Christ and his craft, his entertainment.”

Dwyer also added the concert will be a family event and mentioned Chapman’s involvement with Shaohannah’s Hope, an organization that helps Christian families reduce the financial barriers to adoption.

“Once the event is paid for, the rest of the (concert) proceeds will go to Shaohannah’s Hope,” Dwyer said.

As the countdown to the concert begins, Dwyer finds he’s not alone in his enthusiasm.

“Fremont Days is really excited about adding this to our schedule,” said Jeff Hoffman, the festival’s executive director. “We’re ending things earlier in the park to encourage people to come to this.”

Phil Carter, associate vice president of communications at Midland, is pleased the concert is taking place in the Events Center.

“This is the type of event we had in mind for this facility,” Carter said. “We’re really excited about it.”

Theo Bland, event center communications coordinator, echoed similar sentiments.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to have a concert like this,” he said. “This will be our first concert of this size.”

The Events Center has a general seating capacity of about 2,150.

It’s a smaller venue for Chapman who easily performs before audiences of 8,000 to 10,000.

“This is going to be an intimate, almost private concert,” Carter said.

“It will be a great-looking show in a small venue,” Dwyer added.

Besides promoting the cozy atmosphere, concert organizers also are encouraging young people to attend, noting The September Project will be a special guest.

Nick Schreck, a former TSP member, urges younger people to attend.

“This is a concert that it’s cool to come to with your parents,” said Schreck, the concert’s site manager. “His (Chapman’s) music is very inspirational and upbeat.”