Can We Just Be Grateful? Steven Curtis Chapman on America at 250

About this episode

Steven Curtis Chapman grew up watching his grandfather Ruble Rudd — a Purple Heart World War II veteran who came home with shrapnel permanently lodged in his leg, the only survivor of his platoon — live out a quiet, grateful patriotism that never left him. That legacy is at the heart of a new song Steven wrote for America's 250th birthday, a reimagining of America the Beautiful with the same chorus and new verses, recorded with country singer Chris Janson and debuted at the Grand Ole Opry on July 31, 2024 — the same night Ricky Skaggs walked out to invite Steven to become the Opry's newest member. Gratitude, division, and what happens when algorithms keep feeding us…