Steve Bell | The Glad Surprise | Release Date: 1/10/24
Hello and welcome!
If you’re reading this, you are likely considering supporting my new album project, The Glad Surprise, scheduled for release in early October 2024.
Thank you so much. I am more than pleased with this current batch of songs, and I’m excited to share them with you once the recording is done.
Why I Need Support
It used to be that independent artists like myself could risk a bit of debt going into a recording project because we could count on product sales to relieve the debt soon after release. Those days are over….we no longer hope to recover costs from sales. These days, we rely on donations from folks who believe in the significance of our artistry enough to help get the work done.
The hard cost for this album (recording and manufacturing) will be close to $40,000. I hope to raise as much of this as possible in advance, which would help relieve the pressure on salaries and day-to-day business expenses.
What’s Inside?
This new album (produced by Murray Pulver) pokes at several themes: universal human dignity, hope during seasons of disorientation and alienation, the co-suffering love of Christ, and THE GLAD SURPRISE that, according to Howard Thurman (mentor to Martin Luther King Jr.), bottoms all of life.
Several of the songs were co-written with Malcolm Guite, including a rollicking piece called Pentecost, which celebrates “the feast of fire, air and water/ poured out and breathed and kindled into earth.” Indeed, the album cover, so beautifully rendered by designer Roberta Landreth, depicts those elements of creation.
The songlist also includes a unique take on Bruce Cockburn’s 1984 song “Lovers in a Dangerous Time,” which may be more poignant today than when it was written 40 years ago.
I’ll be writing a book of reflections to accompany the songs, which will be part of the CD package.
Speaking of a Glad Surprise…
Winnipeg chocolatier Constance Popp has designed a unique chocolate to commemorate the release of this project. Every donor of $100 or more will receive a signed copy of the CD/book and a pair of Glad Surprise chocolates as soon as they become available in late September.
Note: Canadian tax law requires us to deduct the fair market value of the gift CD ($25 ) from your tax receipt.
Thank You So Much For Your Support
I have enjoyed the enthusiastic support of my listeners for decades, which is, in large part, why the music keeps coming…. 🙂
Peace to you and yours,
Steve Bell xo
To Donate
Donate $100.00 or more and receive a signed copy of Steve’s new album, a pair of Glad Surprise chocolates and a tax receipt for your donation (less the fair-market cost of the gift.) Sorry, CRA says we can’t give away free stuff!
All donations for Steve Bell are processed and receipted by IncarNATION Ministries, a registered Canadian charity:
No. 88728 3208 RR0001.
Mail Cheques
Please make all cheques payable to Incarnation Ministries (memo line – New Album) and send them to:
Incarnation Ministries
Box 16, Station L
Winnipeg MB
R3H 0Z4
Online Donations
To make a custom donation by phone, please call Faye Hall at:
E-Transfers Now Accepted (Canadians only)
Send to: Faye@stevebell.com
In the “Message” area for the transfer, please state that the amount is meant for New Album Project, and leave your name, address and phone number so we can send you a tax receipt.
In accordance with Canadian charitable regulations, Incarnation Ministries reminds each donor to Incarnation Ministries that while she or he has requested that Incarnation Ministries apply her or his gift to the work of Steve Bell’s ministry, Incarnation Ministries is required by law to have complete discretion on how it uses its resources and will not return the gift to the donor even if it does not use the gift in the manner the donor requests.
Historically, Incarnation Ministries has consistently, since its inception in 2003 in Canada, directed 100% of all gifts (other than from its principal benefactor, who pays for all administration costs) to the artists, theologians and projects chosen by Incarnation Ministries.