Tis the Season for Tribute Albums: Honoring the Gaithers & Steven Curtis Chapman

Every year as we get closer to the holidays, Christian music leans into nostalgia — the songs that raised us, the voices that shaped us, and the writers whose melodies have become part of our spiritual DNA. But this year, something special is happening. It isn’t just Christmas albums dropping left and right, it feels Read More

Every year as we get closer to the holidays, Christian music leans into nostalgia — the songs that raised us, the voices that shaped us, and the writers whose melodies have become part of our spiritual DNA. But this year, something special is happening. It isn’t just Christmas albums dropping left and right, it feels like it’s tribute season, a full-blown celebration of the giants who defined the soundtrack of modern faith.

Two major releases land this Friday, November 21, and both pay homage to pillars of Christian music: Bill & Gloria Gaither and Steven Curtis Chapman. Add in Phil Wickham bringing a new spark to “Awesome God” and Tori Harper delivering a stunning revival of “I Love You, Lord,” and it feels like the classics are having a full-on resurgence. Maybe it’s the times, maybe it’s the season, but the church is singing the classics again.

The Martins Honor Bill & Gloria Gaither

This Is The Time I Must Sing: An A Cappella Tribute to the Songs of Bill & Gloria Gaither

Few groups are as synonymous with harmony as The Martins. Their blend is the kind of sound that can only come from family. Joyce, Jonathan, and Judy have been singing together for decades. Now, they’re going back to where it all began with a brand-new all-a cappella tribute album, This Is The Time I Must Sing.

“Recording this project brought back so many memories of where our journey began,” say The Martins. “From small-town churches to the biggest stages, the message has never changed. In this album we wanted to honor Bill and Gloria and say thank you for these songs that are both relevant for listeners today and timeless for generations to come.”

The tracklist reads like a Gaither greatest-hits collection — “Because He Lives,” “Gentle Shepherd,” “I Will Serve Thee,” and the triumphant title track. With nothing but their voices, The Martins strip these songs down to their bones, letting the lyrics and melodies stand in their purest form.

If you know their story, this tribute feels even more poetic. Their career began when Gloria Gaither happened to overhear the group’s impromptu audition in Indiana. That was the moment that sent The Martins from small Southern churches to the Gaither Homecoming stages, Carnegie Hall, and even the White House. Their legacy — 5 #1 singles, 8 Dove Awards, and 3 GRAMMY nominations — is inseparable from the Gaithers’ influence.

This album is a thank-you letter, sung from the heart.

Joseph Habedank Reimagines Steven Curtis Chapman

The Great Adventure: A Tribute to Steven Curtis Chapman

On the same day The Martins honor the Gaithers, Joseph Habedank steps up to salute another giant: Steven Curtis Chapman. With The Great Adventure: A Tribute to Steven Curtis Chapman, Habedank revisits SCC’s most beloved songs, putting his rich, soulful signature on timeless anthems including “His Strength Is Perfect,” “My Redeemer Is Faithful and True,” and of course, “The Great Adventure.”

“Steven Curtis Chapman’s music has been a soundtrack of faith for so many of us,” shares Joseph Habedank. “It’s an honor to pay tribute to the incredible songs that shaped my own walk and to share them with today’s audiences in a new way.”

Steven’s response? Pure humility.

“I’m truly humbled by Joseph’s decision to record this tribute,” says Chapman. “Hearing these songs interpreted through his voice and heart is such a gift. I pray they will continue to encourage and inspire people just as they have throughout the years.”

And then, the line that every longtime SCC listener felt in their chest:

“I’m blown away and incredibly honored that my friend Joseph is releasing an entire album of my songs! I can’t wait for everybody to hear it!” —Steven Curtis Chapman

A Season of Sacred Remembrance

November 21 is shaping up to be a landmark day.

And honestly? ’Tis the season for it.

The classics have returned, sung by new voices, wrapped in fresh arrangements, and delivered with the same truth they carried decades ago. Whether you grew up with the Gaithers, Steven Curtis Chapman, Rich Mullins, or the simple power of “I Love You, Lord,” this year’s tribute season is a celebration worth turning up loud.

All albums release November 21, 2025.
And trust me — these tributes are more than nostalgia. They’re reminders of the songs that still hold us together.