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Quick Facts

Steve Bell is a songwriter, storyteller, and troubadour for our time. Over the course of a 30 year solo career, he has been sharing a message of love, hope and faith through songs, stories, and writings. He is a purveyor of truth and beauty and champion of kindness, on a focused mission for “refreshing Christian faith and spiritual tradition for the weary and the wary.” He is a mentor to many, and an advocate of numerous meaningful causes.

Steve Bell is a resolute Christian pilgrim; a spiritual sommelier; a ‘deeper-life’ troubadour…”  Jim Van Eerden, award-winning film producer

Raised in a musical recording and touring family, Steve learned to play guitar in Drumheller Prison when he was 8 years old (father was a federal prison chaplain).

Member of Winnipeg’s acclaimed Elias, Schritt & Bell in early 80’s and active in Winnipeg’s studio and night-club scene throughout the decade

Since 1989 has independently released 20 solo CDs with combined sales of over 400,000 units.

CDs have been awarded 3 JUNOs with another 3 nominations (includes Roberta Landreth’s win for best packaging design on Steve’s 4-disc boxset Pilgrimage).

CDs have won 4 Western Canadian Music awards, numerous GMA and Prairie Music awards including Producer of the Year in 2002.

Since 1989 has performed over 2000 concerts to over a half million people in 15 countries including Ireland, Bulgaria, India, Thailand, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Poland, and throughout the US and Caribbean.

Symphony concerts (30 and counting) have played to sold-out and capacity crowds in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Thunder Bay, Hamilton, Burlington, Ottawa, Saskatoon, Nashville and with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Massey Hall.

Advocacy work has raised significant support for organizations like World Vision, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Compassion Canada, and the North End Family Centre (Winnipeg).

Recipient of the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal  awarded to select Canadians who have “made a significant contribution to their fellow countrymen, their community, or to Canada over the previous sixty years.”

Recipient of the WSO’s 2013 Golden Baton Award

Co-authored book on Psalms with Jamie Howison.

Vinyl release of newest analogue recording project, Where the Good Way Lies, released in Fall 2016.

Has won 3 Word Guild Awards for song lyrics, poetry and published articles.

Authored a seven-book series on the spirituality of the Christian calendar year called Pilgrim Year. The books are accompanied by a 2 CD compilation set of the music highlighting the Christian calendar year songs that Steve has produced over his career. Steve has also developed a corresponding For the Journey retreat.

Appointee to the Order of Manitoba in 2021.

Appointee the Order of Canada in 2022.

Bio

Steve Bell, C.M., O.M.
“Steve Bell is a resolute Christian pilgrim; a spiritual sommelier; a ‘deeper-life’ troubadour…” Jim Van Eerden, award-winning film producer

Steve Bell is a Winnipeg-based singer-songwriter who has released 21 albums over a 30-year career, with album sales exceeding 400,000 units. Add four concert videos, five songbooks, and more than 3,000 live shows, and you have a body of work equaled by few artists in any genre.

Beyond the commercial success, Steve’s music has garnered many accolades, including three JUNO Awards, numerous Western Canadian Music and Covenant (CGMA) Awards, and the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Steve has performed his material over 30 times with nine symphony orchestras, to sold-out and capacity crowds, including the iconic Massey Hall in Toronto.

In 2021, Steve was recognized with the Order of Manitoba, and in 2022, he was inducted into the Order of Canada, an honour presented to those “whose service has shaped our society, whose innovations have ignited our imaginations, and whose compassion has united our communities.”

His remarkable longevity, characterized by an unwavering dedication to social and artistic endeavours, has garnered him a substantial and steadfast fan base that continues growing in Canada and the United States.

Steve is currently working on a series of online guitar masterclasses based on the songs he’s written and recorded over the years, along with the continued release of new episodes of his podcast, Way Stations. He continues to perform regularly, having recently completed tours in Western Canada and Northern Ontario.

Early in 2024, Steve will begin work on his 22nd album, tentatively called “The Glad Surprise,” with a scheduled release in the fall.

Steve lives with his wife Nanci in Winnipeg, Treaty 1 Territory and homeland of the Métis Nation.

Awards & Recognition

2022 The Order of Canada 

2021 The Order of Manitoba

2019 Catholic Press Association
runner up for Best New Religious Book Series: Pilgrim Year

2018 CMU Pax Award (see: article)created to acknowledge and honour people who lead exemplary lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in church and society

2017 Crandall University Leadership Award

2013 Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Golden Baton Award (see article)
for artistic achievement

2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal  (see article)
commemorative medal serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

2008 Distinguished Christian Leadership Award
Providence College and Seminary

1999 Cantate Award Citation (St. Benedict’s Monastery)
for contributing “beauty and goodness” to the life of Winnipeg citizens

JUNO Awards

2021 nominee, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: Wouldn’t You Love To Know

2017 nominee, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: Where the Good Way Lies

2015 Recording Package of the Year: Pilgrimage Boxset designed by Roberta Hansen

2010 nominee, Best Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album: Devotion

2002 nominee, Best Gospel Album: Waiting For Aidan

2001 Best Gospel Album: Simple Songs

1998 Best Gospel Album: Romantics & Mystics

Western Canadian Music Awards

2021 nominee, Spiritual Artist of the Year: Wouldn’t You Love to Know

2015 Album Design: Pilgrimage

2015 nominee, Roots Album of the Year: Pilgrimage

2013 Spiritual Recording of the Year: Keening for the Dawn

2009 Contemporary Christian/Gospel Recording of the Year: Devotion

2008 Outstanding Contemporary Christian Recording: Symphony Sessions

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

2022 Folk Artist of the Year

2022 Video of the Year (In Memoriam)

2018 Album of the Year (Where the Good Way Lies)

2018 Lifetime Achievement Award

2018 Collaboration of the Year (Where The Good Way Lies)

2018 Inspirational Song of the Year (Wait Alone in Stillness)

2015 Album Artwork: Pilgrimage

2015 Folk Album of the Year: Pilgrimage

2015 Seven additional nominations (Pilgrimage):

  • Album of the Year
  • Artist of the Year
  • Male Vocalist of the Year
  • Producer of the Year (with Murray Pulver & Dave Zeglinski)
  • Song of the Year: “Turn It Around”
  • Folk Song of the Year: “Big Mistake”
  • Seasonal Song of the Year: “Lenten Lands”

2009 Jazz/Blues Song of the Year: “Embrace The Mystery”

2008 Producer of the Year (with Dave Zeglinski)

2007 nominee, Male Vocalist of the Year

2006 four nominations:

  • Male Vocalist of the Year
  • Album of the Year: My Dinner with Bruce
  • Folk/Roots Album of the Year: My Dinner with Bruce
  • Recorded Song of the Year: “Lord of the Starfields”

2002 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year: Waiting for Aidan

2001 two nominations:

  • Favourite Male Artist of the Year
  • Favourite Song of the Year: “Burning Ember”

Canadian Folk Music Awards

2015 nominee, Producer of the Year (with Murray Pulver & Dave Zeglinski)

Gold Crown Award

2009 Best Music Video: Steve Bell in Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

Shai/Vibe Awards

2005 nominee, Male Soloist of the Year

2004 Artist of the Year

2004 Male Soloist of the Year

2003 Male Vocalist of the Year

Prairie Music Awards

2002 Outstanding Christian Recording: Waiting For Aidan

2001 Outstanding Christian Recording: Simple Songs

2001 Outstanding Producer (with Dave Zeglinski): Simple Song

The Word Awards

2018 Word Award for Single Article “Success: The Art of Staying Closely Behind” (Seven Magazine)

2017 Word Award for Poetry – “Freedom Road” (Intotemak Magazine)

2015 Terence L. Bingley Award for Best Song Lyrics – “Long Love” from Pilgrimage

2014 Terence L. Bingley Award for Best Song Lyrics – “Oracles” from Keening for the Dawn

Christian Film Festival Awards (Newport News, Virginia)

2017 Inspire Award: Steve Bell / Burning Ember: The Steve Bell Story (documentary)

2017 Best Song – Fan Favourite: What Can Save Me / Burning Ember: The Steve Bell Story (documentary)

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

Nomination: Roberta Landreth / Album Design – Wouldn’t You Love to Know

2022

Nominee, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: Wouldn’t You Love To Know

2021

Nominee, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: Where the Good Way Lies

2017

Recording Package of the Year: Pilgrimage Boxset designed by Roberta Hansen

2015

Nominee, Best Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album: Devotion

2010

Nominee, Best Gospel Album: Waiting For Aidan

2002

Best Gospel Album: Simple Songs

2001


Best Gospel Album: Romantics & Mystics

1998

Gospel Music Association of Canada Covenant Awards

Awards

  • Folk Artist of the Year
  • Video of the Year (In Memoriam)

Nominations

  • Album of the Year (Wouldn’t You Love to Know)
  • Artist of the Year
  • Musical Collaboration of the Year
  • Male Vocalist of the Year
  • Live Music Artist of the Year

2022

Album of the Year (Where the Good Way Lies)

2018

Lifetime Achievement Award

2018

Collaboration of the Year (Where The Good Way Lies)

2018

2018Inspirational Song of the Year (Wait Alone in Stillness)

Album Artwork: Pilgrimage

2015

Folk Album of the Year: Pilgrimage

2015

Seven additional nominations (Pilgrimage):

  • Album of the Year
  • Artist of the Year
  • Male Vocalist of the Year
  • Producer of the Year (with Murray Pulver & Dave Zeglinski)
  • Song of the Year: “Turn It Around”
  • Folk Song of the Year: “Big Mistake”
  • Seasonal Song of the Year: “Lenten Lands”

2015

Jazz/Blues Song of the Year: “Embrace The Mystery”

2009

Producer of the Year (with Dave Zeglinski)

2008

nominee, Male Vocalist of the Year

2007

Four nominations:

  • Male Vocalist of the Year
  • Album of the Year: My Dinner with Bruce
  • Folk/Roots Album of the Year: My Dinner with Bruce
  • Recorded Song of the Year: “Lord of the Starfields”

2006

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year: Waiting for Aidan

2002

Two nominations:

  • Favourite Male Artist of the Year
  • Favourite Song of the Year: “Burning Ember”

2001

Western Canadian Music Awards

Nominee, Spiritual Artist of the Year: Wouldn’t You Love to Know

2021

Album Design: Pilgrimage

2015

Nominee, Roots Album of the Year: Pilgrimage

2015

Spiritual Recording of the Year: Keening for the Dawn

2013

Contemporary Christian/Gospel Recording of the Year: Devotion

2009

Outstanding Contemporary Christian Recording: Symphony Sessions

2008

Nominee, Outstanding Christian Recording (with Sarah Bell): Sons & Daughters

2004

Nominee, Outstanding Producer (with Dave Zeglinski): Sons & Daughters

2004

Gold Crown Award

Best Music Video: Steve Bell in Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

2009

Canadian Folk Music Awards

Nominee, Producer of the Year (with Murray Pulver & Dave Zeglinski)

2015

Shai/Vibe Awards

Nominee, Male Soloist of the Year

2005

Shai/Vibe Awards

  • Artist of the Year
  • Male Soloist of the Year

2004

2003

Shai/Vibe Awards
Male Vocalist of the Year

Prairie Music Awards

Outstanding Christian Recording: Waiting For Aidan

2002

Prairie Music Awards

  • Outstanding Christian Recording: Simple Songs
  • Outstanding Producer (with Dave Zeglinski): Simple Song

2001

Catholic Press Association
runner up for Best New Religious Book Series: Pilgrim Year

2019

Word Award for Single Article “Success: The Art of Staying Closely Behind” (Seven Magazine)

2018

Word Award for Poetry – “Freedom Road” (Intotemak Magazine)

2017

Terence L. Bingley Award for Best Song Lyrics – “Long Love” from Pilgrimage

2015

2014

Terence L. Bingley Award for Best Song Lyrics – “Oracles” from Keening for the Dawn

Appointee to The Order of Canada

2022

Canadian International Faith & Family Film Festival (CIFF)

Lifetime Faith Achievement Award

2020

CMU Pax Award (see: article)created to acknowledge and honour people who lead exemplary lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in church and society

2018

Crandall University Leadership Award

2017

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Golden Baton Award for Artistic Achievement

(see article)

2013

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

 (see article)
commemorative medal serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

2012

Distinguished Christian Leadership Award

Providence College and Seminary

2008

Cantate Award Citation (St. Benedict’s Monastery)
for contributing “beauty and goodness” to the life of Winnipeg citizens

1999

GMA’s (Gospel Music Association of Canada Covenant Awards)

Music Video of the Year: In Memoriam

2022

Canadian International Faith & Family Film Festival (CIFF)
Best New Media (The Loft Sessions)
Lifetime Faith Achievement Award

2020

Christian Film Festival Awards (Newport News, Virginia)

  • Inspire Award: Steve Bell / Burning Ember: The Steve Bell Story (documentary)
  • Best Song – Fan Favourite: What Can Save Me / Burning Ember: The Steve Bell Story (documentary)

2017