Michael W. Smith
Encyclopedia
Michael Whitaker Smith is a Billboard top ten Billboard Hot 100
recording artist and Grammy Award
-winning American
singer-songwriter
, composer
, and actor
. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in Contemporary Christian music
. Smith also has achieved a considerable amount of success in the mainstream music industry. Smith is a three-time Grammy Award
winner, and has earned 40 Dove Awards. Over the course of his career, Michael W. Smith has sold more than 13 million albums and recorded 29 No. 1 Hit songs, fourteen gold albums, and five platinum albums. Smith is an American Music Award recipient; he was also named one of People
magazine's "Most Beautiful People".
. His father was an oil refinery
worker at the Ashland Oil Refinery, one of the top ten largest oil refineries in the world, in nearby Catlettsburg, Kentucky
and his mother was a caterer. He inherited his love of baseball
from his father, who had played in the minor league
s. As a child, he developed a love of music through his church. He learned piano
at an early age and sang in his church choir
. At the age of 10, he had "an intense spiritual experience" that led to his becoming a devout Christian
. "I wore this big cross around my neck," he would recall, "It was very real to me." He became involved in Bible
study and found a group of older friends who shared his religious faith.
After his older Christian friends moved away to college, Smith began to struggle with feelings of loneliness and alienation. After graduating from high school, he gravitated toward alcohol and drugs. He attended Marshall University
for a few semesters while developing his songwriting skills. He also played with various local bands around Huntington, West Virginia
. During that time, his friend Shane Keister
, who worked as a session musician in Nashville
, encouraged him to move to Nashville, the Country Music capital, and pursue a career in music.
In 1978, Smith moved to Nashville
, taking a job as a landscaper to support himself. He played with several local bands in the Nashville club scene. He also developed a problem with substance abuse
.
In November 1979, Smith suffered a breakdown that led to his recommitment to Jesus Christ. The next day he auditioned for a new Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) group, Higher Ground, as a keyboardist and got the job. It was on his first tour with Higher Ground, playing mostly in churches, that Smith was finally able to put the drugs and alcohol behind him.
hits penned for artists such as Sandi Patty
, Kathy Troccoli
, Bill Gaither and Amy Grant
, to the effect that some of these popular worship songs can now be found in church hymnals. The following year, Smith began touring as a keyboardist for Grant on her Age to Age
tour. He would eventually become Grant's opening act and recorded his first Grammy-nominated solo album The Michael W. Smith Project
(which he also produced) in 1983 on the Reunion Records
label, a label started by Grant's brother-in-law, Dan Harrell, along with Michael Blanton. This album contained the first recording of his hit "Friends", which he co-wrote with his wife Deborah. They wrote it one afternoon for a friend who was moving away.
By the time Smith's second pop
album was released in 1984, he was headlining his own tours. In 1986, Smith released The Big Picture
, produced
by Johnny Potoker. Smith intros "Tearing Down the Walls" with an Amy Grant recording of "Emmanuel" played backwards via the CD search button. He has explained that he and Potoker were trying to come up with a different way to go into the song.
After the release of his 1988 effort, i 2 (EYE)
, Smith once again teamed up with Grant for her "Lead Me On World Tour". The following year, Smith recorded his first Christmas
album.
, his first mainstream effort, including the mainstream crossover
hit "Place in This World," which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100
. In 1992, he released Change Your World
(which included the No. 1 adult contemporary hit "I Will Be Here for You
"), 1995's I'll Lead You Home
, and 1998's Live the Life
. Also in 1998, Smith released his second Christmas effort, Christmastime. In 1999, Smith released "This Is Your Time" (about Cassie Bernall
, one of the students killed during the Columbine massacre
). In the music video for this song, the beginning shows a real video of Bernall talking about her religious beliefs and how she wanted to spread the word of God. Smith wrote the song with Wes King
, the brother-in-law of Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris
. Smith had been asked to perform at some of the memorial services that were held in honor of the victims.
In 1996, Smith opened his own record label, Rocketown Records
, named for a song on The Big Picture. He does not personally record on it. He states the label is driven by the artists, and the first artist signed was Chris Rice
, who had written "Go Light Your World", a No. 1 hit song by Kathy Troccoli
, in 1995. In 1999, Smith collaborated with Jim Brickman
on "Love of My Life" from the album Destiny, which went to No. 9 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
.
Nearly all of Smith's albums contain at least one instrumental track, and in 2000, Smith recorded his first all instrumental album, Freedom
. The following year, Smith released an all Christian music album, Worship
, on September 11. This album was followed by a sequel, Worship Again
in 2002, recorded live at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. Both albums were recorded live in concert. (Both are also the only two albums to be composed almost entirely of songs he did not write himself). A Worship DVD
, which comprised a selection of songs from both albums, was recorded live in Edmonton
, Alberta
at YC Alberta and released in 2002. It immediately topped the Billboard video charts and went gold in both the U.S. and Canada
.
Smith won the Male Vocalist of the Year award at the GMA Music Awards
in 2003.
Smith wrote a song entitled "There She Stands", inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks
. He performed this song live for the 2004 Republican National Convention
, saying that President George W. Bush
, whom he said is a fan and a family friend, had asked him to write a song about the attacks.
Smith's album, Healing Rain
, was released in 2004 and debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 200 Chart. The title track rose to No. 1 on the Radio & Records Charts and a music video for the song was released. The album nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
, combines the pop style of his previous recordings with the religious feel of his two releases in that genre. A new album, Stand
, was released in November 2006.
In October 2007, he released It's a Wonderful Christmas
. On June 20, 2008, Smith recorded his third live Worship album at the Lakewood Church
in Houston, Texas
, titled A New Hallelujah
. It was released in October 2008. That same month he began a tour with Steven Curtis Chapman
. In September 2010, he released Wonder, and in October started touring with Third Day
, tobyMac
, and Max Lucado
on the "Make a Difference" tour.
, in Nashville, Tennessee
(6th Avenue). Later in early 2003, the club was moved to a new location — a renovated warehouse in downtown Nashville. The venue offers a large dance floor, extensive indoor skate park, and a cafe hosting live acoustic music.
Smith is actively involved in volunteer service and is vice chair of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation
, which is chaired by Jean Case
of the Case Foundation
. He is also an avid spokesperson for sponsoring children through Compassion International
. Smith finished work on a film directed by Steve Taylor
entitled The Second Chance
which was released on February 17, 2006 in selected theatres. In the movie, he stars as a pastor assigned to work in the inner city. The DVD of the movie was released in July 2006.
)), Tyler Michael (keyboard player for the United Tour), Anna Elizabeth and Emily Allison. He resides in the Nashville suburbs and spends time at the Smith family farm.
Alderson-Broaddus College
awarded Smith the degree Doctor of Music honoris causa in 1992.
Smith is the founding and visionary pastor of New River Fellowship in Franklin, Tennessee
where he was the lead pastor from 2006 to 2008. Currently Smith and his wife remain involved members of the church.
Smith supports the Republican Party
, and is personal friends with several prominent Republicans, including former President George W. Bush
.
Grammy Nominations
Dove Awards
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
recording artist and Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
. Smith also has achieved a considerable amount of success in the mainstream music industry. Smith is a three-time Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winner, and has earned 40 Dove Awards. Over the course of his career, Michael W. Smith has sold more than 13 million albums and recorded 29 No. 1 Hit songs, fourteen gold albums, and five platinum albums. Smith is an American Music Award recipient; he was also named one of People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
magazine's "Most Beautiful People".
Early life
Michael Whitaker Smith was born to Paul and Barbara Smith in Kenova, West VirginiaKenova, West Virginia
Kenova is a city in Wayne County, West Virginia, at the confluence of the Ohio and Big Sandy Rivers. The name of the town comes from its unique position where the borders of Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia meet. Founded in 1859 but not incorporated until 1894, the town's early history and...
. His father was an oil refinery
Oil refinery
An oil refinery or petroleum refinery is an industrial process plant where crude oil is processed and refined into more useful petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt base, heating oil, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas...
worker at the Ashland Oil Refinery, one of the top ten largest oil refineries in the world, in nearby Catlettsburg, Kentucky
Catlettsburg, Kentucky
Catlettsburg is a city in Boyd County, Kentucky, United States and is the county seat of Boyd County. The city population was 1,960 at the 2000 census. The city's postal ZIP code serves a greater population of 10,029, which is a better reflection of the community's size. Catlettsburg is a part of...
and his mother was a caterer. He inherited his love of baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
from his father, who had played in the minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
s. As a child, he developed a love of music through his church. He learned piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
at an early age and sang in his church choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
. At the age of 10, he had "an intense spiritual experience" that led to his becoming a devout Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
. "I wore this big cross around my neck," he would recall, "It was very real to me." He became involved in Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
study and found a group of older friends who shared his religious faith.
After his older Christian friends moved away to college, Smith began to struggle with feelings of loneliness and alienation. After graduating from high school, he gravitated toward alcohol and drugs. He attended Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
for a few semesters while developing his songwriting skills. He also played with various local bands around Huntington, West Virginia
Huntington, West Virginia
Huntington is a city in Cabell and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Most of the city is in Cabell County, for which it is the county seat. A small portion of the city, mainly the neighborhood of Westmoreland, is in Wayne County. Its population was 49,138 at...
. During that time, his friend Shane Keister
Shane Keister
Shane Keister is an American musician. He is known for his work as a studio musician, writer, arranger and producer. He plays synthesizer, piano, Hammond B3, Synclavier, Fairlight, Fender Rhodes, and others.-History:...
, who worked as a session musician in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, encouraged him to move to Nashville, the Country Music capital, and pursue a career in music.
In 1978, Smith moved to Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, taking a job as a landscaper to support himself. He played with several local bands in the Nashville club scene. He also developed a problem with substance abuse
Substance abuse
A substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
.
In November 1979, Smith suffered a breakdown that led to his recommitment to Jesus Christ. The next day he auditioned for a new Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) group, Higher Ground, as a keyboardist and got the job. It was on his first tour with Higher Ground, playing mostly in churches, that Smith was finally able to put the drugs and alcohol behind him.
Career
In 1981, Smith was signed as a writer to Meadowgreen Music, where he wrote a number of gospelGospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
hits penned for artists such as Sandi Patty
Sandi Patty
Sandra Faye "Sandi" Patty is an American Christian music singer. For many years she was known as Sandi Patti. She has been dubbed "The Voice" by critics, because of her wide range and flexibility.-Early life:...
, Kathy Troccoli
Kathy Troccoli
Kathleen Colleen "Kathy" Troccoli is a contemporary Christian singer, author, and speaker.-Personal:Born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 24, 1958, Troccoli moved at age three and was raised in Islip Terrace, Long Island, New York, graduating from East Islip High School. At 15, she lost her father...
, Bill Gaither and Amy Grant
Amy Grant
Amy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
, to the effect that some of these popular worship songs can now be found in church hymnals. The following year, Smith began touring as a keyboardist for Grant on her Age to Age
Age to Age
Age to Age is the sixth album by Christian music singer Amy Grant, released in 1982 on Myrrh Records.Age to Age was Amy Grant's breakthrough album, finally earning her serious recognition within the burgeoning Contemporary Christian music community as it ushered her into stardom, and also...
tour. He would eventually become Grant's opening act and recorded his first Grammy-nominated solo album The Michael W. Smith Project
The Michael W. Smith Project
The Michael W. Smith Project is Michael W. Smith's début album. Initially released in 1983, it was re-issued in CD format in 1987 with a new cover featuring an updated photo of Smith...
(which he also produced) in 1983 on the Reunion Records
Reunion Records
Reunion Records is a Christian music record label based in Brentwood, Tennessee and operating under the Provident Label Group. The label was founded in 1982 by Dan Harrell and Mike Blanton.-History:...
label, a label started by Grant's brother-in-law, Dan Harrell, along with Michael Blanton. This album contained the first recording of his hit "Friends", which he co-wrote with his wife Deborah. They wrote it one afternoon for a friend who was moving away.
By the time Smith's second pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
album was released in 1984, he was headlining his own tours. In 1986, Smith released The Big Picture
The Big Picture (Michael W. Smith album)
The Big Picture is the third album by CCM artist Michael W. Smith, released in 1986. The title comes from "Pursuit of the Dream," in which it's heard a few times, but also applies to the variety of themes for young people to learn about from the songs...
, produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
by Johnny Potoker. Smith intros "Tearing Down the Walls" with an Amy Grant recording of "Emmanuel" played backwards via the CD search button. He has explained that he and Potoker were trying to come up with a different way to go into the song.
After the release of his 1988 effort, i 2 (EYE)
I 2 (EYE)
i 2 is Michael W. Smith's fifth album and his first platinum album. Smith collaborated again with lyricist Wayne Kirkpatrick, and produced a music video for the song "Secret Ambition"...
, Smith once again teamed up with Grant for her "Lead Me On World Tour". The following year, Smith recorded his first Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
album.
In the mainstream
In 1990, Smith released Go West Young ManGo West Young Man
In 1990, Michael W. Smith released his sixth studio album, Go West Young Man. This record was his first attempt at mainstream success. It was successful, as it scored a Billboard Hot 100 top ten hit in Place in this World which peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in...
, his first mainstream effort, including the mainstream crossover
Crossover (music)
Crossover is a term applied to musical works or performers appearing on two or more of the record charts which track differing musical tastes, or genres...
hit "Place in This World," which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. In 1992, he released Change Your World
Change Your World (Michael W. Smith album)
Change Your World is a 1992 album by CCM artist Michael W. Smith.-Track listing:#"Picture Perfect" – 4:00 #"Love One Another" – 4:55 #"I Will Be Here for You" – 4:35...
(which included the No. 1 adult contemporary hit "I Will Be Here for You
I Will Be Here for You
"I Will Be Here for You"is a 1992 single written by Diane Warren and Michael W. Smith and performed by Smith. The single was a track from his, "Change Your World" and was a number hit on the Adult Contemporary chart. "I Will Be Here for You" went to number one for two weeks and peaked at number...
"), 1995's I'll Lead You Home
I'll Lead You Home
I'll Lead You Home is a 1995 album by Michael W. Smith.-Track listing:#"Cry for Love" – 5:10#"Breakdown" – 5:27 #"As It Is in Heaven" – 5:09 #"Straight to the Heart" – 2:48 #"Someday" – 3:52 #"I'll Be Around" – 4:44...
, and 1998's Live the Life
Live The Life
Live the Life is an album by Michael W. Smith. One notable song on this album was "In My Arms Again," which Michael W. Smith wrote for the film Titanic. There were 26 songs written and completed for the album, whose release date was pushed back twice as Smith wasn't fully satisfied with the...
. Also in 1998, Smith released his second Christmas effort, Christmastime. In 1999, Smith released "This Is Your Time" (about Cassie Bernall
Cassie Bernall
Cassie René Bernall was a student killed in the Columbine High School massacre, at age 17.Initial reports suggested that one of the assailants, either Eric Harris or Dylan Klebold, asked Bernall if she believed in God moments before fatally shooting her. She was reported to have answered "Yes, I...
, one of the students killed during the Columbine massacre
Columbine High School massacre
The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine, an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two senior students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12...
). In the music video for this song, the beginning shows a real video of Bernall talking about her religious beliefs and how she wanted to spread the word of God. Smith wrote the song with Wes King
Wes King
Wes King , born in Winder, Georgia, is an American contemporary-Christian singer, songwriter, and musician. He is perhaps best known for his 1993 album The Robe. For a very brief period in the late 1980s, he attended Covenant College outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee...
, the brother-in-law of Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris
Katherine Harris
Katherine Harris is an American Republican politician, former Secretary of State of Florida, and former member of the United States House of Representatives. Harris won the 2002 election to represent Florida's 13th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. She held that post...
. Smith had been asked to perform at some of the memorial services that were held in honor of the victims.
In 1996, Smith opened his own record label, Rocketown Records
Rocketown Records
Rocketown Records was an independent record label which was started in 1996 by Michael W. Smith. The dream was to create a new, independent Christian record label that wouldn't follow the rules of the modern music business. In the fall of 1995, Michael W. Smith met with Don Donahue, who was, at...
, named for a song on The Big Picture. He does not personally record on it. He states the label is driven by the artists, and the first artist signed was Chris Rice
Chris Rice
Chris Rice is an American songwriter who works in the contemporary Christian music, contemporary folk, and adult contemporary genres with a style similar to David Wilcox and James Taylor. He became a recording artist as well in 1996 after signing a contract with Michael W...
, who had written "Go Light Your World", a No. 1 hit song by Kathy Troccoli
Kathy Troccoli
Kathleen Colleen "Kathy" Troccoli is a contemporary Christian singer, author, and speaker.-Personal:Born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 24, 1958, Troccoli moved at age three and was raised in Islip Terrace, Long Island, New York, graduating from East Islip High School. At 15, she lost her father...
, in 1995. In 1999, Smith collaborated with Jim Brickman
Jim Brickman
Jim Brickman is an American songwriter and pianist. He has been named the most charted male Adult Contemporary artist to date, with six of his albums receiving Gold and Platinum status. He is known for his solo piano compositions, pop-style instrumentals, and vocal collaborations with artists...
on "Love of My Life" from the album Destiny, which went to No. 9 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
.
Nearly all of Smith's albums contain at least one instrumental track, and in 2000, Smith recorded his first all instrumental album, Freedom
Freedom (Michael W. Smith album)
Freedom is Michael W. Smith's fifteenth album. It was released in 2000 on Reunion Records, and is his first full-length disc of instrumentals. This is Michael's first of two instrumental albums, the second one being Glory.- Track listing :...
. The following year, Smith released an all Christian music album, Worship
Worship (2001 album)
-Personnel :* Michael W. Smith – Arranger, Programming, Vocals, Producer, Piano, Main Performer* Cindy Morgan – Choir, Chorus* Raymond Boyd – Drums* Chris Rice – Choir, Chorus* Leigh Cappillino – Vocals* Chance Scoggins – Vocals* Darwin Hobbs – Choir, Chorus...
, on September 11. This album was followed by a sequel, Worship Again
Worship Again
Worship Again is Michael W. Smith's seventeenth album. This is Smith's second album of worship music. The album was recorded live in 2002 at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky before a live audience.-Track listing:-Music video:...
in 2002, recorded live at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. Both albums were recorded live in concert. (Both are also the only two albums to be composed almost entirely of songs he did not write himself). A Worship DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
, which comprised a selection of songs from both albums, was recorded live in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
at YC Alberta and released in 2002. It immediately topped the Billboard video charts and went gold in both the U.S. and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Smith won the Male Vocalist of the Year award at the GMA Music Awards
GMA Music Awards
The Gospel Music Association Dove Awards are presented annually by the Gospel Music Association for outstanding achievements in the Christian music industry. The awards are usually presented during a ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee, that features performances by a number of the industry's newest...
in 2003.
Smith wrote a song entitled "There She Stands", inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
. He performed this song live for the 2004 Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
, saying that President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, whom he said is a fan and a family friend, had asked him to write a song about the attacks.
Smith's album, Healing Rain
Healing Rain
Healing Rain is Michael W. Smith's nineteenth album.- Track listing :# "Here I Am"# "Healing Rain"# "Live Forever"# "Hang On"# "Fly To The Moon"# "Human Spark"# "We Can't Wait Any Longer"# "I Am Love"# "Bridge Over Troubled Water"...
, was released in 2004 and debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 200 Chart. The title track rose to No. 1 on the Radio & Records Charts and a music video for the song was released. The album nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
The Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album was awarded from 1991 to 2011. From 1991 to 1993 it was awarded as Best Pop Gospel Album.The award will be discontinued from 2012 in a major overhaul of Grammy categories...
, combines the pop style of his previous recordings with the religious feel of his two releases in that genre. A new album, Stand
Stand (Michael W. Smith album)
Stand is Michael W. Smith's twentieth album.- Track listing :# "Cover Me" - 3:28# "Open Arms" - 3:49# "Come To The Cross" - 4:06# "How To Say Goodbye" - 2:19# "Be Lifted High" - 4:11# "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful" - 2:37# "Grace" - 4:07...
, was released in November 2006.
In October 2007, he released It's a Wonderful Christmas
It's a Wonderful Christmas
It's a Wonderful Christmas is Michael W. Smith's twenty-first album. This is Smith's third album of Christmas music.-Background:This is Michael's third holiday themed album...
. On June 20, 2008, Smith recorded his third live Worship album at the Lakewood Church
Lakewood Church
Lakewood Church is a non-denominational Christian megachurch located in Houston, Texas. It is the largest congregation in the United States, averaging more than 43,500 in attendance per week. The 16,800-seat Lakewood Church Central Campus, home to four English language services and two Spanish...
in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, titled A New Hallelujah
A New Hallelujah
A New Hallelujah is Michael W. Smith's twenty-second album. This is his third album of worship music, and his fourth live album overall. This album was recorded in Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas, on June 20, 2008.-Reception:...
. It was released in October 2008. That same month he began a tour with Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, actor, author, and social activist.After starting his career in the late 1980s as a singer/songwriter of contemporary Christian music, Chapman has since been recognized as one of the most prolific singers in the genre,...
. In September 2010, he released Wonder, and in October started touring with Third Day
Third Day
Third Day is a Grammy award-winning Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and former member Billy Wilkins. The other band members are bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr...
, tobyMac
TobyMac
Toby McKeehan , better known by his stage name TobyMac , is a Christian recording artist, music producer, hip-hop/pop artist, singer-songwriter, and author....
, and Max Lucado
Max Lucado
Max Lucado is a best-selling author and writer and preacher at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas...
on the "Make a Difference" tour.
Other ventures
In 1994, Smith opened a teen club, named RocketownRocketown
Rocketown is a facility with entertainment space, a coffee bar, and indoor skate park, located in Nashville, Tennessee. First opening in Franklin, TN in 1994-95 by Christian artist Michael W. Smith, Rocketown was created as a safe, drug- and alcohol-free place for teenagers to hang out. After...
, in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
(6th Avenue). Later in early 2003, the club was moved to a new location — a renovated warehouse in downtown Nashville. The venue offers a large dance floor, extensive indoor skate park, and a cafe hosting live acoustic music.
Smith is actively involved in volunteer service and is vice chair of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation
President's Council on Service and Civic Participation
The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation was created by President George W. Bush in January 2003 by executive order. Its mission is to encourage volunteerism and to recognize the contributions Americans make through service and civic participation.In January 2002, President...
, which is chaired by Jean Case
Jean Case
Jean N. Case is CEO of the Case Foundation, which she and her husband, AOL co-founder Steve Case, created in 1997. In June 2006 she was appointed by President Bush to chair the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation....
of the Case Foundation
Case Foundation
Founded in 1997 by AOL co-founder Steve Case and his wife Jean Case, the Case Foundation invests in individuals, nonprofits, and social enterprises aiming to connect people, increase giving, and catalyze civic action....
. He is also an avid spokesperson for sponsoring children through Compassion International
Compassion International
Compassion International is a Christian child sponsorship organization dedicated to the long-term development of children living in poverty around the world. Compassion International, headquartered in Colorado Springs, functions in 26 countries such as Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, Haiti, Kenya, and...
. Smith finished work on a film directed by Steve Taylor
Steve Taylor
Roland Stephen Taylor , is an American Christian singer, songwriter, record producer and film director.-Early life:Taylor, the eldest of three children, was born in Brawley, California. Taylor's father, Roland Taylor, was a Baptist minister. When Taylor was six years old, the family relocated to...
entitled The Second Chance
The Second Chance
The Second Chance is a 2006 drama film, directed by veteran musician Steve Taylor. The film won Best Feature Film at the Christian WYSIWYG Film Festival....
which was released on February 17, 2006 in selected theatres. In the movie, he stars as a pastor assigned to work in the inner city. The DVD of the movie was released in July 2006.
Personal life
Smith is married to Deborah "Debbie" Kay Davis (b. 1958) and has five children: Ryan Whitaker, Whitney Katherine Smith-Mooring (married to Jack Mooring (of the band LeelandLeeland
Leeland is a Christian rock band from Baytown, Texas. The band was formed in 2004, although lead singer Leeland Mooring had been writing songs beforehand. Leeland is composed of Leeland Mooring , Jack Mooring , Casey Moore , Shelly Mooring and Mike Smith...
)), Tyler Michael (keyboard player for the United Tour), Anna Elizabeth and Emily Allison. He resides in the Nashville suburbs and spends time at the Smith family farm.
Alderson-Broaddus College
Alderson-Broaddus College
Alderson–Broaddus College — informally known as "A–B" — is a private, four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA and the West Virginia Baptist Convention located in Philippi, West Virginia, USA...
awarded Smith the degree Doctor of Music honoris causa in 1992.
Smith is the founding and visionary pastor of New River Fellowship in Franklin, Tennessee
Franklin, Tennessee
Franklin is a city within and the county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 62,487 as of the 2010 census Franklin is located approximately south of downtown Nashville.-History:...
where he was the lead pastor from 2006 to 2008. Currently Smith and his wife remain involved members of the church.
Smith supports the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, and is personal friends with several prominent Republicans, including former President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
.
Discography
- The Michael W. Smith ProjectThe Michael W. Smith ProjectThe Michael W. Smith Project is Michael W. Smith's début album. Initially released in 1983, it was re-issued in CD format in 1987 with a new cover featuring an updated photo of Smith...
(1983) - Michael W. Smith 2Michael W. Smith 2Michael W. Smith 2 is Michael W. Smith's second album. Released in 1984, it produced the CCM hits "I Am Sure" and "Hosanna". The album was notable for the collection of musicians who contributed to the recording, including Dann Huff and Mike Brignardello, who went on to form the heavy metal band...
(1984) - The Big PictureThe Big Picture (Michael W. Smith album)The Big Picture is the third album by CCM artist Michael W. Smith, released in 1986. The title comes from "Pursuit of the Dream," in which it's heard a few times, but also applies to the variety of themes for young people to learn about from the songs...
(1986) - i 2 (EYE)I 2 (EYE)i 2 is Michael W. Smith's fifth album and his first platinum album. Smith collaborated again with lyricist Wayne Kirkpatrick, and produced a music video for the song "Secret Ambition"...
(1988) - Go West Young ManGo West Young ManIn 1990, Michael W. Smith released his sixth studio album, Go West Young Man. This record was his first attempt at mainstream success. It was successful, as it scored a Billboard Hot 100 top ten hit in Place in this World which peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in...
(1990) - Change Your WorldChange Your World (Michael W. Smith album)Change Your World is a 1992 album by CCM artist Michael W. Smith.-Track listing:#"Picture Perfect" – 4:00 #"Love One Another" – 4:55 #"I Will Be Here for You" – 4:35...
(1992) - I'll Lead You HomeI'll Lead You HomeI'll Lead You Home is a 1995 album by Michael W. Smith.-Track listing:#"Cry for Love" – 5:10#"Breakdown" – 5:27 #"As It Is in Heaven" – 5:09 #"Straight to the Heart" – 2:48 #"Someday" – 3:52 #"I'll Be Around" – 4:44...
(1995) - Live the LifeLive The LifeLive the Life is an album by Michael W. Smith. One notable song on this album was "In My Arms Again," which Michael W. Smith wrote for the film Titanic. There were 26 songs written and completed for the album, whose release date was pushed back twice as Smith wasn't fully satisfied with the...
(1998) - This Is Your Time (1999)
- FreedomFreedom (Michael W. Smith album)Freedom is Michael W. Smith's fifteenth album. It was released in 2000 on Reunion Records, and is his first full-length disc of instrumentals. This is Michael's first of two instrumental albums, the second one being Glory.- Track listing :...
(2000) - WorshipWorship (2001 album)-Personnel :* Michael W. Smith – Arranger, Programming, Vocals, Producer, Piano, Main Performer* Cindy Morgan – Choir, Chorus* Raymond Boyd – Drums* Chris Rice – Choir, Chorus* Leigh Cappillino – Vocals* Chance Scoggins – Vocals* Darwin Hobbs – Choir, Chorus...
(2001, live) - Worship AgainWorship AgainWorship Again is Michael W. Smith's seventeenth album. This is Smith's second album of worship music. The album was recorded live in 2002 at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky before a live audience.-Track listing:-Music video:...
(2002, live) - Healing RainHealing RainHealing Rain is Michael W. Smith's nineteenth album.- Track listing :# "Here I Am"# "Healing Rain"# "Live Forever"# "Hang On"# "Fly To The Moon"# "Human Spark"# "We Can't Wait Any Longer"# "I Am Love"# "Bridge Over Troubled Water"...
(2004) - StandStand (Michael W. Smith album)Stand is Michael W. Smith's twentieth album.- Track listing :# "Cover Me" - 3:28# "Open Arms" - 3:49# "Come To The Cross" - 4:06# "How To Say Goodbye" - 2:19# "Be Lifted High" - 4:11# "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful" - 2:37# "Grace" - 4:07...
(2006) - A New HallelujahA New HallelujahA New Hallelujah is Michael W. Smith's twenty-second album. This is his third album of worship music, and his fourth live album overall. This album was recorded in Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas, on June 20, 2008.-Reception:...
(2008, live) - WonderWonder (Michael W. Smith album)-Promotion and release:Michael's first single for the album "Save Me From Myself" debuted at #17 on the US Hot Christian Songs Chart, and #33 on the Canadian Christian Songs Chart...
(2010) - GloryGlory (Michael W. Smith album)Glory is the seventeenth studio album by Christian singer Michael W. Smith, set for release on November 22, 2011. This is Michael's second instrumental album, the first one being Freedom, which was released November 21, 2000....
(2011)
Awards
Grammy Awards- 1984 Best Gospel Performance, Male for Michael W. Smith 2
- 1995 Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for I’ll Lead You Home
- 2002 Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for Worship Again
Grammy Nominations
- 1983 Best Gospel Performance, Male for Michael W. Smith Project
- 1986 Best Gospel Performance, Male for The Big Picture
- 1988 Best Gospel Performance, Male for I 2(Eye)
- 1989 Best Gospel Vocal Performance, Male for "Holy, Holy, Holy"
- 1990 Best Pop Gospel Album for Go West Young Man
- 1998 Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for Live the Life
- 2000 Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for This Is Your Time
- 2002 Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for 'Worship
- 2006 Best Christian Pop Album for Healing Rain
Dove Awards
- 1985 Songwriter of the Year
- 1987 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for The Big Picture (producer, artist)
- 1988 Long Form Music Video of the Year for "The Big Picture Tour Video" (artist)
- 1990 Short Form Music Video of the Year for "I Miss the Way" (artist)
- 1991 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Go West Young Man (producer, artist)
- 1992 Choral Collection of the Year for The Michael W. Smith Collection (artist)
- 1992 Musical Album of the Year for Change Your World (artist)
- 1992 Song of the Year for "Place in this World" (artist)
- 199324th GMA Dove AwardsThe 24th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 1, 1993 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1992. The show was held in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Barbara Mandrell.-Award recipients:*Artist of the Year**Michael English...
Praise and Worship Album of the Year for Songs from the Loft (artist) - 199324th GMA Dove AwardsThe 24th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 1, 1993 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1992. The show was held in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Barbara Mandrell.-Award recipients:*Artist of the Year**Michael English...
Recorded Music Packaging of the Year for The Wonder YearsThe Wonder YearsThe Wonder Years is an American television comedy-drama created by Carol Black and Neal Marlens. It ran for six seasons on ABC from 1988 through 1993. The pilot aired on January 31, 1988 after ABC's coverage of Super Bowl XXII....
(artist) - 199425th GMA Dove AwardsThe 25th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 28, 1994 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1993. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Amy Grant.-Award recipients:*Artist of the Year...
Musical Album of the Year for Living on the Edge (artist) - 1996 Songwriter of the Year
- 1996 Special Event Album of the Year for My Utmost For His Highest (artist)
- 1997 Special Event Album of the Year for Tribute: The Songs of Andre Crouch (artist)
- 1998 Children’s Music Album of the Year for Sing Me to Sleep Daddy (artist)
- 1998 Special Event Album of the Year for God With Us – A Celebration of Christmas Carols and Classics (artist)
- 1999 Artist of the Year
- 1999 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Live the Life (producer, artist)
- 1999 Producer of the Year
- 1999 Special Event Album of the Year for Exodus (artist)
- 2000 Short Form Music Video of the Year for "This is Your Time" (artist)
- 2000 Song of the Year for "This Is Your Time" (artist)
- 2000 Songwriter of the Year
- 2001 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for This is Your Time (producer, artist)
- 2001 Youth/Children’s Musical Album of the Year for Friends 4 Ever (artist)
- 2002 Album of the Year for Worship (producer, artist)
- 2002 Artist of the Year
- 2002 Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year for "Above All" (artist)
- 2002 Instrumental Album of the Year for Freedom (producer, artist)
- 2003 Album of the Year for Worship Again (producer, artist)
- 2003 Artist of the Year
- 2003 Long Form Music Video of the Year for Worship DVD/Video (producer, artist)
- 2003 Male Vocalist of the Year
- 2008 Christmas Album of the Year
- 2009 Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year for "A New Hallelujah"
- 2009 Praise & Worship Album of the Year for A New Hallelujah
External links
- Michael W. Smith at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0602/10/lkl.01.htmlTranscript of February 10, 2006 interview with Larry KingLarry KingLawrence Harvey "Larry" King is an American television and radio host whose work has been recognized with awards including two Peabodys and ten Cable ACE Awards....
] - Yamaha Corporation artist biography