Stephen B. Steward Soars Over Competition and Takes Top Prize in Season Two of The Prayze Factor

Stephen B. Steward an artist that walks quietly but when he opens his mouth you understand how huge the anointing is on his life and ministry. Hailing from Mississippi by way of Los Angeles you can sense how a small town upbringing nurtured the man you see today. Steward is a rare find in today’s industry; he could go on about who he knows or who he has worked with but he doesn’t do that he chooses to let the
work and the music speak for itself. I met Stephen at this year’s Stellar
Awards while he was waiting to showcase; funny thing he wasn’t in the thick of things or hanging out with the other artists. He was quietly sitting on the periphery observing, when he finally took the stage from the first note to the last breath you could tell that he had spent time perfecting his craft. Stephen is now retired after a 28 year long career with the city of Los Angeles. Some might say that is too late to begin a full time recording career. I believe the opposite in those 28 years God has been perfecting him. You see the seed was planted in Mississippi all those years back now the harvest is ready. Stephen B. Steward also took home two additional awards Best Praise & Worship and Best Contemporary Christian Artist.

You are the Season Two Prayze Factor winner, how will you represent the Prayze Factor platform?

It is an honor to represent a ministry such as the Prayze Factor platform. I will endeavor to represent first with spiritual integrity and gratitude. As I share my gift and speak to radio, media, , blogs, print and online news outlets,  social media, and to God’s people everywhere,  the Prayze Factor platform will be recognized as a premiere  platform for independent gospel artists. 

A People’s Choice Award is fan driven and you received over a million votes; how do you as an artist stay connected to your fan base?

My fans are the reason I can say I am the Season 2 champion.  I will stay connected with them online, on the phone, through personal contact and just utilizing these relationships at work, with family, friends and ministry associations to expand and establish an even broader fan base. My plan is to broaden the fan base initiative established in Season 2 through my monthly online newsletter “The Praisemaker”, eblasts, postcardflyers and advertisements utilizing by website, www.stephenbsteward.com, reverbnation, facebook, twitter, and my radio single “With My Whole Heart”, currently  #59 on the Gospel Billboards.

What would you call your musical style; and what artist(s) influences you?

The musical style that would best describe my music would be
contemporary praise and worship with a smooth jazz flow.  The artist that has influenced my music the most is none other than the gospel legend, my friend and mentor, Pastor Andrae Crouch.  I grew up fascinated by the
sound, lyrics and flow of his music. Other influences are Dannibelle Hall, Ron Kenoly, Michael W. Smith, vocal artists Donny Hathaway and Sam Cooke.

What is the best thing about being an independent artist?

One of the best things of being an independent artist is the freedom to be me; to write, arrange and produce music that is first birthed in the spirit and then evolves with my own creative touch is an awesome experience.

What advice do you have for aspiring artist(s)?

One important thing for an aspiring artist is to recognize
and always acknowledge the giver of their gift.  One should also understand that in order for the gift to reach its potential, it has to be developed.  Practice God’s presence while staying humble with a teachable spirit. After developing the gift through instruction, release it back to the giver (God) so He can use it for His glory.

Where do you hope your ministry takes you in the near future?

I believe this is the time and season God has released my ministry in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, to flow from my heart to the masses.  I set no personal goals regarding my ministry in song, but make the declaration that is spoken in Ephesians 3:20 – Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ask or think.  It is all about what God wants to do and me to be obedient enough to just “sing” minister and allow Him to cross ethnic, cultural, denominational barriers of today. It has been prophetically declared that this music ministry will not be just national, but international with no boundaries, and I believe that.

 Steward’s radio single is titled “With My Whole Heart”. It was co-written by Stephen B. Steward and GRAMMY® Award-winning artist and gospel music legend Andrae Crouch. It is currently #62 on Billboard Top Gospel Singles Chart and gaining momentum.  Steward’s album, “ENTER YOUR GATES” is already
shaping up to be the praise and worship event of 2013. In order to prepare
audiences for what’s to come on the collection, Stephen B. Steward recently
performed his single on high profile television networks and events including,
WATC 57 Atlanta Live, WACH Fox 57’s The Jeffrey Lampkin Show, Nashville’s CBS News Channel 5 Issues of Faith with Ben Hall and various events during the 28th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards weekend among many more. You can find out more information on Steward on his website www.stephenbsteward.com
or www.prayzefactorawards.com .