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
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
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
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