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Steven Curtis Chapman wanted to be a dentist. And Michael W. Smith wanted to play pro baseball.

But God got a hold of both guys late in their teen years and set 'em straight. He told Steven to put away the biology books and keep plucking away at his guitar strings. He urged Michael to hang up the bat and glove and keep plunking away at the piano keys.

Christian music lovers everywhere are grateful for those decisions. Altogether, these guys have made 27 albums and hundreds of songs of hope, healing and inspiration for millions around the world.

Campus Life readers may be the most appreciative of them all. For a dozen years, CL readers have chosen either Michael or Steven as Best Christian Male Artist in our annual Music Awards survey.

We thought it would be cool to interview both guys. Together. Surprisingly, that had never been done before.

So we're proud to give you some excerpts from the first-ever interview with Steven and Michael, in which we talked about a little of almost everything—long hair, fan letters, lasting popularity, and, of course, each other.

When did you guys first hear of each other?

Steven: I was a freshman at Anderson College in Indiana. Somebody in the dorm had Michael's first record, and he said, "You've gotta hear this. This is awesome." I listened, and I thought, Man, this guy is a contemporary musical genius. I'd been a huge Christian music fan, listening to the Imperials and other Southern Gospel stuff, but this was so different. Michael was doing a new thing with electronic music, and it was exciting and inspiring.

Michael: The first time I heard anything by Steven was on the radio. But I also remember the first time I saw him, at the 1988 Dove Awards. I remember thinking, Who's the long-haired blond guy? But I was still in the long-haired stage then too.

Steven: Weren't we all? (Both guys laugh.)

Michael: Yeah, we thought we were hip, cool and groovy.

Steven, what's your favorite Michael W. Smith song?

Steven: He's written so many great songs, and I've always loved his worship songs. If I had to pick a favorite, I'd say "Great Is the Lord." I just love the truth of that song. That song has inspired me for years.

Michael, what's your favorite Steven Curtis Chapman song?

Michael: "I Will Be Here." It's a hit. It connects. I love the melody.

You both get lots of fan mail. Michael, I recently read a letter from a 15-year-old guy who says your Live the Life CD helped his dad recover from drug addiction and depression. He also said your music made a big difference in his own life. How do letters like that affect you?

Michael: I'm kind of in awe of it, really. For some reason, the Lord has given me a platform to be able to proclaim the gospel and change people's lives. I think, Lord, what were you thinking? You must have a sense of humor. But that's God. He can take somebody who's weak, and inspire a simple song like "Live the Life" or whatever it is, and somebody's life is changed forever. That's incredible.

Steven, here's a letter from a girl in Norway who says God speaks to her through your music. One night she was depressed, and felt that God was far away. When she listened to "Be Still and Know" from your Speechless CD, she started sobbing as she felt God's comfort. How do letters like that affect you?

Steven: I resonate with what Michael said. This music thing is so much bigger than I am, especially knowing myself as I do. I'm a guy who isn't perfect, who argues with his wife and kids, who doesn't have all the answers. And yet God uses me. I mean, God could raise up a rock and do a better job. It's overwhelming, and it definitely drives you to your knees and to the cross.

What were you guys like as teenagers?

Michael: I was a Jesus freak. I wore a big wooden cross and carried a big leather Bible. I was in Bible studies three or four times a week. I went to church every Sunday morning and Sunday night and Wednesday night—not because I had to, but because I wanted to. And I was an athlete; I wanted to be a professional baseball player. But all that changed. The piano kept grabbing my attention, and all of a sudden I was writing songs and my friends were saying I should go for it.

But then, as a senior in high school, I kind of went off the deep end. I sort of bought into a lie about what it means to have "fun." I got involved in drinking and drugs, and turned my back on God for a few years. Those are times I'm not real proud of. But my parents believed in me and loved me through those times. I would not be where I am today if not for my parents, who showed me unconditional love.*

Steven: I grew up in a home where we were pretty much on fire for God. It was an exciting time. Most of my high school memories are great. I wanted to play football, but I had asthma. But every year when football season rolled around, the coaches and other kids would say, "Hey Chapman, what's wrong with you?" I was in band and choir, so that was pretty much a double whammy against me at a school that loved football! (Laughs.)

How would you guys describe your friendship today?

Michael: Well, we don't spend enough time together. I would love to spend more time with Steven because I think we have a lot in common, and not just music. We're both dads. We both have teenagers. Our kids go to the same school. When we see each other at football games and other things at school, we seldom talk music. We talk about life and kids and school, and I just cherish that kind of relationship. I crave something real. And that's what I appreciate about Steven. He's real.

Steven: Michael is one of those guys that I think, I wish we could hang out together more often. I wish we had more time to get to know each other better and pray together. Michael is a guy I respect and appreciate so much.

Do you see each other as competition?

Steven: Michael should have no fear of me ever playing the piano like he does. (Laughs.) I played piano on one song on my new record, and it took me three days. Michael could have done it in five minutes. If there's any feeling of competition, it probably comes more from our record labels. Maybe 10 years ago, I would look to see how we were both doing on the charts. But it was a bigger deal then because I still didn't know if my music was going to pay the bills.

Michael: I was the same way back then. There's that place in you that's trying to find a little security, and you want to be No. 1. But the spiritual side of you says, You know what? You're supposed to be last. I tell my record company, "Look, I don't want to know about my album sales, so don't tell me." What I do doesn't have anything to do with being No. 1. I couldn't care less about being a pop star.

Why are you guys still popular? Why haven't you become washed-up old geezers?

Steven (laughing): It's the magic of Photoshop on our album covers. And it's because Michael's so doggone cute! (They both laugh.) Seriously, I think Michael is great at staying connected with the hearts of teens. It's important for both of us to speak the language of the culture, and find ways to do that honestly. But it's more than that. Michael and I just love to listen to music, and we are influenced by what we hear.

Michael: Maybe people just appreciate us for staying true to who we are. And you just can't deny the power of a good song. If you've got a great song that connects on an emotional level, it doesn't matter how old you are. I'm not as cool as some of the younger bands, and I don't try to be. There are a lot of younger groups coming up and doing all this great stuff, and I love it. I'm ready to pass the baton, you know?

No need to pass that baton just yet, Michael. Hang on to it—you holding one end, Steven the other. Because we think there's plenty more great music to come from both of you guys!

*If you want to know more about Michael's prodigal story, go to www.christianitytoday.com/cl/1988/003/1.56.html.

Read more from 'Bands & Artists'

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