About

Long Bio

Steve Bell, C.M., O.M.
Refreshing Christian faith and spiritual tradition for the weary and the wary

Increasingly over the course of his thirty-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 chaste 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. 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.

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.

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 equalled 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.

Steve was recognized with the 2021 Order of Manitoba, established to “recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour benefiting in an outstanding manner the social, cultural or economic well-being of Manitoba and its residents.” In 2022 he was inducted into the Order of Canada, honouring “people whose service has shaped our society, whose innovations have ignited our imaginations, and whose compassion has united our communities.”

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

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