Herb Chapman
Vocals, Bass
Herbie Chapman grew up in Paducah, Kentucky playing little league shortstop for Bill’s Pharmacy , going to Cub Scout den meetings and singing tenor in the Olivet Church choir. But nothing could beat the family harmony when mom, dad and little brother joined him around the kitchen table. It was around that same kitchen table that Herbie first felt the love of Jesus inviting him to surrender his heart to God’s plan, as a 10 year old boy.
After high school Herbie toured with Columbia Artist & The Young Americans in "A Salute to Richard Rodgers." The choice to remain with this group in California or return to his southern roots seemed a simple one as he and his younger brother, Steven Curtis Chapman, decided to try to break into the music business in Nashville. They joined the cast of Opryland USA's "Country Music USA", and "The General Jackson Showboat Revue".
In 1991 Herbie toured with Steven as his bass player and backup vocalist with the "For the Sake of the Call" American Tour. Herbie also toured with the gospel quartet "The Chapman Brothers" with The Queen of Country Music, Loretta Lynn. He still performs and records on occasion with his brother, Steven and has toured most recently with Nashville vocal band 4Runner.
He and his lovely wife, Sherri have 5 children & make their home in Franklin, Tennessee.
Steve Charles
Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin
Steve picked up the guitar at age nine and early on developed a love for folk and bluegrass. Inspired by artists like Glen Campbell, John Denver, Dan Fogelberg, Ricky Skaggs and others, Steve's love for music led him to Indiana University where he earned a degree in Audio Engineering at IU’s prominent school of music.
Moving to Nashville, Steve began his career as an engineer and audio technician earning album credits with artists like Michael W Smith, David Baroni, Vanessa Williams, and others. As a guitarist/vocalist Steve toured with Steven Curtis Chapman on the 'For the Sake of the Call' tour where he met Herb and Dennis. He later landed a recording contract with Step One Records as a member of country band Western Flyer. Sharing stages with Alabama, Tammy Wynette, Diamond Rio, Wynonna Judd, and many others, Western Flyer had hits including "She Should’ve Been Mine", "Cherokee Highway", and "What Will You Do With M-E."
Growing up in Northeast Ohio, Steve also learned banjo and played a little mandolin (is there another size?), and as a multi-instrumentalist Steve continues to write and record, recently returning to his bluegrass roots with The Forty-First!
Steve is a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. and his testimony is summarized in Psalm 40!
Dennis Kurttila
Vocals, Guitar, Percussion
Dennis fell in love with drums at age 9 and has been playing and creating music ever since.
Dennis’s songs have been recorded by artists in various genres and styles with one of the most successful being “He Will Carry Me” co-written with Sampson Brueher and Mark Shultz. “He Will Carry Me” was nominated for song of the year and enjoyed a rare spot at the top of the charts for seven consecutive weeks.
Dennis spent several years playing and singing with Steven Curtis Chapman, Sandi Patty and alongside other notable artists in Christian music both on records and live tour dates.
He is delighted to be reunited with his band mates, Steve and Herbie from his first big tour out of Nashville over thirty years ago, in The Forty-First. He loves the fact that he has been given this rare opportunity to create and perform amazing music with some of his oldest and dearest friends. “Our blend of voices and musical abilities is so amazing still, after all these years. It really just doesn’t get better than this!”
Dennis has always and will always continue to hone his craft and sound as it feeds his hunger for learning and his passion for excellence.
His passion and love for music and his constant desire to learn and grow, have allowed him to perform both throughout this great country and much of the world. However, presently Dennis gets his greatest joy in his home studio working on his own creations and recording drums and background vocals for other artists projects.
Dennis is a Christian, a husband, father and grandfather and believes that his life is summed up not in the trappings of any success but in all of the ways he serves the needs of others. He enjoys his work and the feeling that his life and music are making a difference in the world.