Chapman includes painful death of daughter in his late 2016 memoir

Steven Curtis Chapman reacted to family tragedy with his 17th album, "Beauty Will Rise," in 2009. It showcased his first songs written as tributes to 5-year-old daughter Maria Sue Chunxi Chapman.

In May 2008, Maria Sue died from injuries and blood loss after being struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser as it slowly was moved into the family driveway by brother Will Franklin Chapman, then 17. She had run, unseen, in front of the SUV.

A devout Christian since his youth, her dad said he never stopped relying on faith, even as he described his grief as "unfix-able" to a reporter seven years later.

Opening himself to more questions about Maria years later became inevitable when Chapman included her in a memoir called "Between Heaven and the Real World: My Story." His book was published only five months ago. It remains fresh on the minds of many.

The recording artist juggles more than one project.

For example, Chapman, 54, joked that he at times is referred to as simply "the old guy" while touring with the ninth annual Rock and Worship Roadshow. The tour makes another stop at 7 p.m. Friday at the United Supermarkets Arena.

Producing the tour is Compassion International, the world's largest Christian child development organization. Company president Brian Seay described the tour as one with "something for everyone. Each night promises amazing music and ministry."

A multiple award-winning, contemporary Christian recording artist, he is aware that his own audiences quite often include three generations of fans. Yet each roadshow spotlights varied genres of faith-fueled music. At least seven more acts will play in Lubbock: Francesca Battistelli, Rend Collective, Passion, Family Force 5, Jordan Feliz, Derek Minor and Urban Rescue.

"Those attending will hear everything from urban and hip hop to modern worship and fun faith," said Chapman, "with all the bells and whistles, from a light show to video screens.

"Plus, tickets are just $10 at the door. It is an affordable family night. I've been a part of some of these tours before, and they've always been fun."

Nearing his mid-50s, Chapman has amassed literal fame and fortune. He and wife Mary Beth are parents to five children, two sons and three daughters. The late Maria Sue was the third girl adopted by Steven and Mary Beth from China.

The couple helped make the entire world more aware of the importance of adoption. No doubt parents everywhere admire the Chapmans' having secured futures for their children.

One wonders, then, if Chapman has a personal bucket list. Is he now considering retirement, family travel or an easier life?

He chuckles, saying, "Mary Beth talks about retirement more than me. I can't imagine me without my guitar; I'll always want to sing my stories. But I do want to take my grandchildren to the zoo. I think my challenge is working smarter, not harder.

"And I'm still trying to figure out how to do that."

Since releasing his first album at age 24 in 1987, Chapman has won five Grammy Awards and a record 58 Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association. His seven Dove Awards as Artist of the Year set yet another record.

He mentions in his book, however, that, for years, his goal was to one day perform on stage at the Paducah Civic Center.

Instead, he would tour the globe and play at Carnegie Hall. Those were mighty big dreams coming true for a guitar picker in Paducah, Kentucky, population 24,000.

As for bucket list items, he may one day expand on his memoir. "I did not get in everything I wanted to say," he explained.

That is despite "Between Heaven and the Real World" touching on his marital difficulties, his wife's depression, a daughter's death and the recovery of son Will Franklin.

"Will always carries it within him," said Charman. "But he has recovered nicely."

In fact, Will, a drummer, plays in contemporary Christian pop band Colony House with older brother and singer Caleb Stevenson Chapman.

Steven Chapman also was in need of recovery after lashing out at God when alone with Maria after her death. He screamed at God, saying Maria did not deserve such a fate. Chapman even demanded that God use his power to bring Maria back to life, then coped with prayers by the faithful not being answered.

"What could I do?" he asked. "I clung to my family. That is what we believe in: We hold on, get through one night at a time.

"I pray every day for my children to be safe. When something like this happens, am I an idiot because my prayer was not answered. I'm still in a process. It helped me to remember a Bible verse from when Job had lost everything."

Paraphrasing Job 1:21, Chapman said, "Naked I came into the world, and naked I leave. I choose to keep worshiping you, when you give and when you take away."

He would add, "Because I believe my story is not over. … I must trust that I cannot yet see the whole picture. That's why it's called faith. … Even at the risk of being a fool, I have nothing else to hold on to."