Wow, this show was amazing! Great songs, both old classics and new hits, and great artists who have a deep love for each other and the Lord. Sightings in the audience included Steven's wife, MaryBeth, and daughters Shaoey and Stevey, but out of privacy, no pictures were taken, even though Steven introduced them and had them wave. I had wanted to meet them, but I felt that loving them from a distance was best at this time... David Trask, Steven's road manager, was also sighted (one picture included in the slide show), but I did not get to say hello to him either. In keeping with the 'united' theme, the band consisted of a joined band of performers, including Steven's son Caleb and Michael's son Tyler. I wish I could tell you a specific set list, but the concert was so amazing that I wasn't paying attention or keeping track of order, just enjoying the powerful worship. I wish I could remember the show in detail, but I have been sick with a cold and specifics are a bit foggy at this time... : )
However, here is a brief recap and overview with highlighted pictures from the slide show...
First of all, I need to say that Steven Curtis Chapman is my favorite christian artist of all time, and Michael W. Smith is another of my favorites. They are and will forever be the biggest christian music artists of all time, and I was able to see them on stage - together! Wow! Seeing them walk out on stage and embrace was such a powerful moment, and they immediately set the tone for the evening.
The show began with both Steven and Michael singing a medley of "Blessed Be Your Name" and "How Great Is Our God" along with a few introductory songs (primarily Steven's), and at one point switched places for a song (Michael on Guitar and Steven on keys). Then Steven took the stage by himself and sang a wonderful list of his songs from his new album, This Moment, and a few other recent favorites. He told of the pain he and his family are continuing to work through, sharing of God's healing power and singing "Yours" and "Cinderella." 
He took some time to talk about the only two days that matter, This day and THAT DAY, and knowing that on THAT DAY he will be reunited and dance with his cinderella - and we are all invited to see it!!! Steven also had such a powerful testimony when singing songs like "Magnificent Obsession" and "God is God." Other fan favorites included "Live Out Loud," "This Moment," and "My Redeemer is Faithful And True." He then brought Michael back onstage to join him for "Dive," and it was the best arrangement of the song I've ever heard! Steven on guitar and Michael on keys with an amazing band to back them up - wow!
After "Dive," the band left Michael and Steven alone and just the two of them sang each other's classic hit songs and teased each other back and forth (Steven joked about growing up to Michael's music and Michael being the leader in both music styles and hairstyles between the two before saying that in truth they were nearly the same age). Michael sang Steven's "The Great Adventure," and Steven countered with a song he said came way before (another age joke here!) and sang Michael's "Go West Young Man." 
Michael sang "For The Sake Of The Call," and Steven sang "Place In This World" and "I Will Be Here For You" before they both sang one of Steven's most popular songs, "I Will Be Here," which Steven dedicated to his wife who was in the audience with an "I love you, honey!" Seeing and hearing just the two of them on stage together, it was obvious that these two not only respect each other's professional careers when at one point they were considered industry competitors, but are truly great personal friends.
After a brief intermission, Michael took the stage with one of his most popular songs, "Friends," joined by Steven at the end. Michael then had three things to say about politics: he's ready for it all to be OVER, vote-vote-vote, and pray-pray-pray! (When Michael said "let's talk politics," Steven stepped way back from the microphone and pointed to the stage as if to say "No thanks, but go ahead, Michael!") Any military veterans in the audience were then asked to stand, and both Steven and Michael led the hymn "America, the Beautiful." Michael then led solo in some powerful worship, mostly songs from his latest album, A New Hallelujah, including the title track and "Deep In Love With You." Michael's set included old hits like "This Is Your Time" and newer worship songs like "Mighty To Save" and "The River Is Rising." Steven joined Michael for the last song, a medley of "Agnus Dei" and closing out the show the way it began, singing "How Great Is Our God," before taking a final bow. 
I do wish that the audience had been more involved in the show and stood up more, but the audience was a bit older, probably old enough to remember when these two artists began their careers (unlike me)! I also wish that I had better luck with my camera - sadly, the battery died right after Michael took the stage after intermission. This is probably evidenced by the heavy amount of SCC pictures in this post, but it is my own fault for taking too many pictures of the trip to Waukegan and not conserving battery power... Even so, some of the pictures turned out very well! And despite my cold, I am sure to remember this night for the rest of my life! It was filled with many memories and it was truly an unforgettable night! While I imagine that many in the audience came to see both or one of these two performers, the show was entirely God-focused. The entire show from beginning to end was worshipping God, centered on the musicianship of these two artists and their passion for glorifying God through it. They were able to take the attention off of themselves and onto the Lord, which says so much when you consider the star power and sheer talent involved in this tour. Even though some of them are quite blurry, here are a few more pictures I was able to capture...
^ Steven looked right at me!!!
^ Steven looked right at me again!!!
^ Steven introducing son Caleb!
^ Michael looked right at me!!!
All photos (c) copyright Stefanie in Illinois.
Learn more about Michael's partnership with Compassion International and Steven's adoption organization, Shaohannah's Hope.
