Juno-winning gospel artist Steve Bell coming to Mount Pearl
Juno award-winning gospel singer and songwriter Steve Bell is bringing his Atlantic Canada tour to Mount Pearl on March 29.
Bell will perform at Church of the Good Shepherd at 7 p.m. The Manitoba-born singer has recorded 23 albums over a career that began when a Catholic priest gave him $10,000 to record his first Christian music album.
Raised Baptist with evangelical roots, Bell has spent about 25 years within the Anglican church. His concerts blend original music with personal storytelling, a style he says grew out of his upbringing.
“I grew up with storytellers,” Bell said. “My grandparents were missionaries in China and Tibet. When you’re a little boy hearing those great adventures, it stays with you. My dad was a prison chaplain and preacher, but his main technique was storytelling.”
Bell started out playing bars and clubs, keeping quiet between songs. That changed when a pastor in southern Manitoba asked him to play for their church.
“A myriad of stories just poured out between the songs,” he said. Bell has been weaving stories through his music at every concert since.
He says he is looking forward to returning to the province.
“I’m very excited to be coming back to Newfoundland. I haven’t been there since before COVID, so this will really be fun for me. I always receive such a warm welcome from Newfoundlanders. They totally enjoy the music and storytelling.”
Last year Bell released his 23rd album, a combination book and CD of all new music. The book includes 13 chapters describing the inspiration and meaning behind each song.
This year, Bell is working with English poet Malcolm Guite on a new project called The Bell and the Bard, expected out in the fall. The release will include about 17 songs written with or inspired by Guite’s poetry, along with a book of theological reflection by author Brian Walsh.
Tickets for the March 29 concert at Church of the Good Shepherd in Mount Pearl are available at stevebell.com.