Steven Curtis Chapman talks faith, tragedy and touring solo

Sometimes when one looks back to the past, it changes the course of the future. That’s what happened when Steven Curtis Chapman started writing his 2016 memoir “Between Heaven & The Real World.”

While working on the project, Chapman, 55, decided to try touring as a solo artist.

“I had done solo dates here and there but I never embarked on a solo tour,” Chapman says while calling from his Franklin, Tenn., home. “The thought of me and my guitar going from city to city really excited me. So far, so good.”

Chapman, who will perform solo Oct. 4 at the Carolina Theatre in Durham, talks about why he takes requests and what can go wrong when you try to play a song that’s not been played in years. The contemporary Christian recording artist explains how he became closer to God after the accidental death of his daughter and whether this is his final tour.

Q: What’s most satisfying about going on a solo tour?

A: That I can do whatever in the moment. It’s just me and my guitar. At the end of the set, I’ll call out for requests.

Q: Has anyone called out a song that you couldn’t play since your canon is so deep?

A: Yes. That’s how things might not go as you would expect but that can be a good thing. It’s a little dangerous to toss something out like that to the audience. Someone the other night screamed out for “Hearts Cry,” and I made it through half of the song.

Q: What song did you completely blank on?

A: “I Am Found in You,” which was from a greatest hits album. It was an extra song on the album. I spent a few seconds trying to get started but it became painfully obvious that I don’t know it anymore. I told the fan that I was giving her a rain check. But I’ve recorded about 250 songs. It’s hard to remember them all.

Q: How cathartic was it to write the book?

A: Very much so. I aired everything out. It was amazing but it was also a hard and wonderful process. I had an opportunity to retrace my steps. It was my journey going back.

Q: You’ve always said that God has a plan for you, correct?

A: Absolutely. God has a plan for everyone.

Q: How do you explain how you’ve had so much success but some of your peers, who are just as devout Christians, haven’t been as fortunate in terms of sales and acclaim?

A: When you talk about that I feel like I’m on some shaky ground. We’re in pretty deep water. It’s hard to say why certain people might not have gotten the blessing from God that others receive. But life isn’t easy even for devout Christians. No matter who you are, you’re going to face some difficult situations in life.

Q: Nothing was more difficult for you than the accidental death of your daughter. You detail that experience in your book. Some people after experiencing something so tragic, move away from God. Did you ever feel like doing that?

A: The tragedy was devastating but I didn’t lose faith. I’m closer to God than ever. That tragedy made me think about everything and it made me closer to God. I had to deal with the unfixable. Sometimes in life you have to deal with something you can’t fix. I try to fix whatever is broken. Sometimes we have to look through a dark glass.

Q: When you write a memoir and hit the road for a solo tour looking back at your work, fans might think this is your swan song. Is this farewell?

A: It’s not a farewell tour. I can see how people might think that this is it, but it’s not. There’s much more ahead. I plan to write and record another album. We’ve done some recording in the studio. I’ll continue with my band. I’m just enjoying this right now. I know there are a lot of farewell tours but this isn’t one of them.

Q: You say you’re about to leave for a show at the Grand Ole Opry right now. You’ll do three songs. What’s more difficult, playing three songs or figuring out what you’re going to play for an entire show in Durham?

A: Definitely what I’ll be doing in Durham. It’s pretty easy when I think about the Opry show. Larry Gatlin, who is one of my all-time favorites, will be at the Opry. I asked him if I could do my favorite song of his with him, which is “Help Me.” But I have so much to figure out when I play a place like Durham. And then I have to deal with requests. That can be hard but all in all, it’s a lot of fun.

Details

Who: Steven Curtis Chapman

When: Oct. 4, 7 p.m.

Where: Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St., Durham

Tickets: $34.75 to $69.75

Info: 919-560-3030 or carolinatheater.org