Maximizing audience participation at the upcoming Steven Curtis Chapman tour in support of his fall studio release, fans are getting a taste of the new music through a three week partnership on iTickets.com. In order to create familiarity with the yet-to-be heard music from This Moment, which releases October 23, Chapman is teaming up with iTickets.com to bring exclusive “rehearsals” that went live on the homepage of iTickets yesterday with the first of two new songs being taught by Chapman in his Franklin, TN home studio. Check out the first week of class at www.itickets.com.

“Historically Steven’s tours have followed the release of an album by several months, so fans walking into the show knew his new songs already. However on the timeline for the “Live In This Moment” tour, the album isn’t even available for audiences in the first 16 markets,” explains Jim Houser, Creative Trust Entertainment and Literary Management. “We knew we wanted to be creative and engage the fans with the new music some way. Something this Innovative, interactive and fun had to be launched with great reach and a great partner, enter iTickets.com.”

Yesterday’s rehearsal video, still viewable the rest of the week, features the song Children of God, and next Monday’s session he will teach With One Voice. Chapman instructs fans on the chorus so they will be familiar with the new songs on the tour. He also encourages the fans to come prepared for the chorus of “Children of God” with t-shirts and signs stating “We Are,” and in true Chapman fun, perhaps be selected for “special” concert-song participation. At the end of each session, the full song lyrics for the songs are posted and streamed to reinforce Chapman’s instruction.

“We are excited about this opportunity to work with Steven and his upcoming tour,” shares Ed Novak of iTickets and Christian Happenings. “We have always viewed our role as ‘How do we best support Christian events?’ Usually that meant working side by side with local and national promoters to create event awareness, and in the case of ticketed events, making it as easy and economical as possible for the Christian audience to get tickets. Here we have a chance to get on board with this project at the concept level, providing our members on iTickets an opportunity to get a look at all the work and effort that goes into creating a tour. We are happy to be a part of this effort with Steven Curtis Chapman and the upcoming tour.”

Chapman will be hitting the road for his 50+ city “Live in This Moment” tour kicking off September 20th in Grand Rapids, MI closing the year on November 16th in Nashville, TN. The tour will feature rockers Sanctus Real and singer/songwriter Bethany Dillon. Special guest band members include Chapman’s sons Will Franklin (Drums) and Caleb (Guitar), who make a special appearance on This Moment and recently earned their keep and band roles with their dad during the recent Winter Jam tour. Tour dates are at iTickets.com and at the newly redesigned and launched SCC site: http://www.StevenCurtisChapman.com.

This Moment marks the sixteenth studio album for Chapman on Sparrow Records and his first studio project in three years. The disc is a musically modern, poignant, personal studio release that captures the vital importance of embracing the “Miracle of the Moment,” which is the title of the debut radio single that is currently shooting up the AC at No. 14 (CRW), debuting at No. 18 on AC Monitored and No. 25 on AC Indicator. He seamlessly applies his chosen theme across various sonic settings and three distinct areas: family, global mindedness, and worship. Co-produced by Steven Curtis Chapman and Matt Bronleewe (TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Leeland, Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay), This Moment was tracked in Los Angeles with a solid studio band whose combined credits include Sting, Paul McCartney, and Sheryl Crow.

Stay tuned to YMZ as we will have a sneak peek of This Moment next week.