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 Hansen’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 retreat.
Short Bio
Rarely does one come across an artist whose career has been as varied as it is focused. On each journey his music takes him, Manitoba-based singer/songwriter Steve Bell consistently plumbs the depths of beauty and truth while maintaining a humble generosity—a robust kindness—that has profoundly impacted the lives of countless individuals. More than a quarter-century since the release of Steve’s first solo album, his accomplishments continue to demonstrate his commitment to excellence and creativity, as well as his marked dedication to the performing arts within Canada and beyond.
A modern-day troubadour, Steve composes eloquent songs and sings them in his charming vocal style, accompanied by rootsy guitar riffs and storytelling prowess that are uniquely his own. He uses these remarkable gifts to share a message of hope that resonates deeply within the hearts and souls of fans, providing both solace and inspiration. It is this connection, rather than platinum plaques to hang on the wall, that is Bell’s true goal and his most real achievement.
Despite having flown under the radar in terms of media recognition, Steve Bell’s career statistics are striking. To date he has put out a total of 20 albums which have sold well over 400,000 copies independently. Add in four concert videos, five songbooks, and more than 2000 shows, and you have a body of work equaled by few artists in any genre. Over the past several years Bell has also performed his material 30 times with nine different symphony orchestras, often to capacity crowds including Massey Hall in Toronto. Refuge31 Films released a feature length documentary about his career and life journey, entitled Burning Ember: The Steve Bell Journey.
These endeavors have led not only to commercial success for Steve’s self-launched record label Signpost Music, but have also garnered a stream of accolades including three JUNO Awards, numerous Western Canadian and Prairie Music Awards, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. His rare longevity, marked by a commitment to his vocation as equally social and artistic, has earned him a large and loyal fan base that continues to grow both in Canada and the United States.
After a storied lifetime of contribution to the Canadian music industry, Steve remains compelled to express his art in the wider context of bounty and need. As such, he has mentored several emerging artists and worked with various organizations to promote arts and education. He also uses his stage to attract attention, build awareness, and provide thoughtful helps to the world’s less fortunate and resourced—locally, nationally and internationally—represented by such worthy organizations as Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Compassion Canada, Siloam Mission, and the National Roundtable on Homelessness and Poverty.
In addition to his year-round touring schedule and increasing number of speaking engagements at conferences and universities, Bell has written articles for various publications; co-published a book on the Psalms with Jamie Howison; and recently completed a seven-book boxset called Pilgrim Year, which features reflections on the spirituality of the Christian liturgical calendar that incorporate story, song, poetry and art. He lives with his wife Nanci in Winnipeg, Treaty 1 Territory and homeland of the Métis Nation.
Long Bio
Troubadour for our Time: Songwriter, Storyteller, Writer, Mentor, Advocate
Increasingly over the course of his 30 year solo career, Steve Bell has been referred to as a modern-day troubadour, namely a lyric poet or musician who is sent to bear a message of love. A storyteller at heart, Steve often recounts how his vocation as a singer-songwriter, borne of a deep sense of calling, has led him down avenues entirely unforeseen. As humble as he is talented, however, Steve leaves it up to his loyal fan base to recount the infinite ways he has spoken into their lives—as a purveyor of truth and beauty, a champion of kindness, a mentor and an advocate.
Born in Calgary in 1960, Steve’s life centered on music since childhood. His father was a Baptist minister, and his mother a gifted classical pianist, guitar player, and songwriter. Whilst he was bathed in the piano melodies of Gershwin and the classics, it was the guitar that most captured Steve’s attention. He taught himself to play by observing his mother’s skills and practicing on her guitar whenever she left the room. Eventually he was caught, but his parents, impressed by his abilities, purchased him a guitar of his own.
His skills were further honed in a medium-security penitentiary where his father was a chaplain. The inmates, some of whom where great guitar pickers in the Chet Atkins style, were permitted to have jam sessions in the chapel on Saturday afternoons. When they realized Steve’s captivation during one of their bluegrass jams, they invited him to grab a guitar and sit in. Steve often reminisces at concerts that one reason why he tours the world now is because several of Canada’s most unwanted men invested in him when he was eight years old.
Steve’s recording career began at age 13 when his family’s gospel band, The Alf Bell Family Singers, recorded an LP; the album contains some of his earliest songwriting. After graduating from high school he was a member of a succession of bands playing various musical genres ranging from folk to jazz-rock, novelty and country. For three years he played with the Manitoba folk trio Elias, Schritt & Bell, which found regional success and released one commercial studio album in 1982. Bell eventually left the band and performed with various artists until 1988 when he withdrew from performing. It was during this period that his childhood Christian faith became reanimated and over a six-month period he wrote most of the material for his first three solo projects. Faced with a lack of interest from established labels he formed the Winnipeg-based independent record label Signpost Music in 1989 and released his first album, Comfort My People, which comprised 300 cassettes.
Steve was soon joined by Mid-Ocean Recording Studios founder Dave Zeglinski, who has been a co-producer and business partner in Signpost Music ever since. Subsequent albums were increasingly lauded for their high calibre production and instrumental values, such that Bell won his first JUNO in 1997 for the brand new category of Best Gospel Album. Since then, Bell has gone on to release 20 albums, 4 concert DVDs, 5 songbooks, and a co-authored book on the Psalms. His work has earned him three JUNOs, four Western Canadian Music Awards, three Prairie Music Awards, eleven Gospel Music Association Covenant Awards, and many more nominations. In 2014 he was the subject of the award-winning feature length documentary Burning Ember: The Steve Bell Journey by Refuge 31 Films, a superb narrative on the true meaning of “success” in not only the music industry, but in one’s overall life and vocation.
With over 2000 concerts under his belt, Bell has developed his own musical style, one that shines in vividly contrasting settings. Like any talented troubadour, he can enchant—both in concert and on disc—armed only with guitar and voice. On top of his eloquent songwriting and gently melodic, charming vocal style, Bell’s charismatic performances are lauded for his compelling stories that give history and context to already rich lyrics. Steve takes his role as a storyteller very seriously. “When you tell stories, whether through song or through speaking, it is thrilling to watch people engage and respond so deeply. You realize what a service it is you are offering people. They might suddenly imagine a different universe or simply take a needed, brief respite from their daily life. You can help them laugh or cry, and perhaps make emotional, social or spiritual connections they would not otherwise. When you’re onstage you can see it happening to people right in front of your eyes. That’s really magical.”
The inherent melodic strength of Steve Bell’s material and its potential for musical expansion renders it perfect for translation to an orchestral setting. An unexpected invitation from the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in 2007 led to a sold out concert hall debut (with scores masterfully composed by Mike Janzen), demonstrating the extent to which Steve’s music is celebrated by the wider community. The resulting Symphony Sessions album captured this magical collaboration, flourishing into 30 performances to date with nine different symphony orchestras, including the prestigious Nashville Symphony at Opryland, USA. In December of 2011, Steve fulfilled a life-long dream of performing, to a rapt capacity-crowd, at Massey Hall with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. For his “skill, his musicality, for his connection with the symphony, and for his openness,” Steve was awarded the Winnipeg Symphony Golden Baton Award.
Bell has also recruited some of Canada’s best players to record and tour with him: an impressive list including the likes of Hugh and Fergus Marsh, pianist Mike Janzen, and bassist Gilles Fournier. “I always ensure that in any Steve Bell band, I am the weakest link,” he cites. “I learn like crazy and I play better when I’m around people like that. Those guys will suck the ego right out of you. You realize they’re in it for the music and the beauty of those moments.” Additionally, Signpost Music began taking on new artists in 2003, the first being Jacob Moon, followed by others whom Steve has mentored over the years. Steve has a particular generosity in his recognition and encouragement of emerging artists that has seen many of them flourish in successful careers of their own.
Bell’s critically acclaimed 2011 release, Kindness, was inspired by the recognition that the simplest words carry the greatest freight: Love. Kindness. Grace. Beauty. Truth. Goodness. In Steve’s words, “kindness, hardly a quaint sentiment, is fundamental to the fabric of authentic, good life. Neither utopian nor naïve, sustainable kindness flows from a deeply internalized knowledge of the kinship of all things—what the saints have always known—that a lived regard for the other, cherishing (even enemies) is the sanest way forward.”
Amidst his intensive North American touring schedule, Bell has consistently found time to live out this kindness in tangible ways. Working on behalf of such worthy aid organizations as World Vision, Compassion Canada, and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, his advocacy efforts have helped raise awareness and significant financial support. A close association with the National Roundtable on Homelessness and Poverty has helped draw attention to the plight of Canada’s marginalized. Steve has served on the Board of Directors for Street Level, a Canadian forum on homelessness designed to educate those who serve the poor and disadvantaged, as well as on the Board of Directors for Winnipeg’s North End Family Centre, a community gathering place that provides a comfortable and safe environment for empowering families to overcome the challenges of living with poverty.
In 2005, Steve released a two-disc compilation, Solace for Seasons of Suffering, to comfort people who were sick or grieving, inspired by a fan who was dying of cancer. Steve interviewed him, and samples of the interview are on the second disc of the compilation titled Can God Be Trusted, which also includes guests John Stackhouse, Jamie Howison, Chris Vais and Glen Soderholm. With the help of IncarNATION Ministries, Signpost Music has been able to give away thousands of albums to those who are in need of comfort, mostly through palliative care centers, counselors, pastors and community organizations. For contributing “beauty and goodness” to the life of Winnipeg citizens, Steve received the Cantate Award Citation from St. Benedict’s Monastery.
Having traveled extensively in the Third World, Bell spreads hope via his music and message to communities in India, Thailand, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Palestine, Kenya, Guatemala, and many other countries. He views such work as part of his responsibility as an artist. “To some degree, it is our job to go and have those experiences, bring them back, and find a way to articulate them. We are given unique opportunities and I think we have a social responsibility to help others experience things they wouldn’t otherwise. And perhaps through our witness they become self-motivated to engage with some of the issues. If I can tell a story or sing a song that places someone in Calcutta or the Afar Desert of Ethiopia, they’ll never be the same.” For this commitment to social concerns, along with dedication to excellence in his craft, Steve was awarded the Distinguished Leader Award from Providence University College, as well as the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
On the heels of receiving a JUNO, a Western Canadian Music Award, and two GMA Covenant Awards for his ambitions 25th anniversary boxset Pilgrimage, Steve shows no signs of slowing down. Alongside his extensive touring schedule, Steve’s newest undertaking was to record and press a vinyl record using retro analogue technology. He and long-time manager / producer Dave Zeglinski recently refurbished and fired up their old equipment to lovingly and painstaking record Steve’s latest collection of new material using the old techniques they had perfected in the early days of working together. Partly for the nostalgia of it, and partly to determine once-and-for-all whether analogue actually does sound richer than digital, the project—titled Where the Good Way Lies—was released on vinyl as well as compact disc in fall 2016. In 2018, Steve began a new direction furthering his writing career with a seven-book series on the spirituality of the Christian calendar year, called Pilgrim Year. Accompanying the books is a two-disc CD compilation highlighting music cited in the book.
Over the past few years, Steve has also been invited to speak and perform at an increasing number of conferences and university courses, sharing his depth of wisdom on topics ranging from prayer, the psalms, and the liturgical calendar, to issues around poverty and justice, First Nations people, and arts and faith. He is a purveyor of knowledge and insight regarding our cultural milieu, offering glimpses of truth and shared humanity among young and old alike.
Steve’s career has been marked equally by achievements and disappointments, triumphs and letdowns, but he continues to persevere in his vision of truth, beauty, and goodness, ever expanding his artistic boundaries and challenging the definition of success. Underlying it all is the simple fact that Steve Bell’s music, words, and concerts resonate deeply within the hearts and souls of his fans, providing both solace and inspiration. It is this connection, rather than platinum plaques to hang on the wall, that is Bell’s true goal and his most real accomplishment. “This is a social thing we are doing,” Steve explains. “It is public work, not just a musical commodity where we are trying to sell as many albums as we can.”
And so, whether onstage for an acoustic guitar solo set, with an orchestra, or with a band performing pop-jazz material that spotlights the prowess of the gifted artists who tour with him, Steve Bell has forged a path that is uniquely his own. With artistry and talent shaped by faith, music rich in the seasons and things to savor in life, he certainly has stories to tell. It’s been an extraordinary journey—one that holds just as much promise for the future.
For more information, contact:
Dave Zeglinski / Signpost Music
p: 1.800.854.3499
e: dave@signpostmusic.com
Further information about Steve can be found on Wikipedia If you are looking for something that’s not here, please don’t hesitate to contact Faye at 1-800-854-3499, or email her at faye@stevebell.com
Photos
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
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