Michael W. Smith

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albums

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- The First Decade: 1983-1993
- Released 1993

- A New Hallelujah
- Released 2008

- A New Hallelujah
- Released 2008

- A New Hallelujah (Bonus Tracks)
- Released 2008

biography

Michael Whitaker Smith became one of the most enduringly popular artists in the contemporary Christian music market while also finding brief success as a mainstream artist. The songwriter was born in Kenova, WV, the son of an oil refinery worker and a caterer. He became a devout Christian at age ten and spent his teenage years around a support group of fellow believers who frequently gathered to create music. That support group split up after high school, and Smith turned to alcohol, drugs, and wild times. Meanwhile, he scraped through a couple semesters of college and began honing his songwriting skills, when led to a songwriting company's interest in his music in 1978. He moved to Nashville, where he played with a series of local bands, including Rose. He was still heavily into drugs and continued using until October 1979, when he suffered an emotional mental breakdown that culminated in recommitting to Christ. The next day, he auditioned for a new CCM group, Higher Ground, as a keyboardist. Smith landed the gig and began to clean up his act while touring with the group.

Michael W. Smith signed to Meadowgreen Music as a staff writer in 1981, and he spent the next few years penning gospel hits for such artists as Sandi Patti, Kathy Troccoli, Bill Gaither, and Amy Grant. He began touring as a keyboardist with Grant in 1982; one year later, he released his first solo album, The Michael W. Smith Project, and became her opening act. Smith's debut album garnered him a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance, and he became a headliner following the release of his second effort, the appropriately titled Michael W. Smith 2. Afterwards, he changed musical directions and began recording more rock-oriented music in order to reach a younger audience. As a result, some of his new secular material began breaking through to mainstream audiences.

Smith's label, Reunion Records, allowed Geffen Records to distribute his albums in 1991, providing the singer with a new chance to tap into the mainstream market. The label chose a two-pronged promo campaign with ads designed to appeal to both CCM audiences and to the mainstream pop audience. "Place in This World," a power ballad from the album Go West Young Man, effectively bridged the gap between Smith's Christian roots and mainstream aspirations, reaching the Top Ten on the pop singles charts and pushing the accompanying album to platinum status. This caused some controversy among his more religious fans, who feared that Smith was selling out to the more lucrative secular market, but Smith saw things differently, claiming that he was only trying to get his message out to a wider audience. As his career progressed, Smith won both Dove and Grammy awards, sent additional albums to gold and/or platinum status, and was hailed by Keyboard magazine as one of the top keyboardists in rock.

Michael W. Smith continued his musical reign into the new millennium, having sold more than seven million records and notched 25 chart-topping Christian hits during the earlier phase of his career. Recorded in Ireland and released in 2000, Freedom featured backing from the Irish Film Orchestra Limited and contained Smith's personal songs composed with classic piano arrangements. A pair of live albums, Worship and Worship Again, followed, and 2004 saw the release of Healing Rain, Smith's first recording of new studio material since the turn of the millennium. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Music Guide

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comments

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- - Way To Cool
  - - By hammyston
    - 6/5/2009 15:48:34
  - I first heard of Michael W. Smith when I saw his Healing Rain in my parents CD collection when I was at their house one year, and of course I have all of Michael's CD's and its one of the reasons way I am where I am today.
  - 2 out of 2 people
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- - Here i am to worship
  - - By carolpal41
    - 5/3/2009 22:55:55
  - Just awnt to you to know that your music is very inspirational and very uplifting.
    Here i am to worship is my favourite and this should be everyones disire to worship the King of kings.
    Continue to to walk with him as he continue to guide you as you write these uplifting songs of praise to him. God Bless you always.
  - 1 out of 1 people
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- - Uplifting
  - - By One4MsRobi
    - 3/4/2009 07:32:18
  - MWS is the first christain musician I have heard, 16 years ago, he is my favorite. I love "A New Hallelujah" and I have the countdown going until I get the new DVD. I love listening to all of his music, it lifts me up when I need a boost, and it brings me to my knees when I need to be humbled.
  - 4 out of 4 people
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- - Awsome!
  - - By Brego17
    - 2/16/2009 15:39:25
  - M.W. Smith is one of the most awsome artists I know. The themes that he puts in his songs are uplifting and encouraging. Keep it up!
  - 2 out of 2 people
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- - MWS
  - - By takendrummer
    - 5/27/2008 10:25:11
  - Undoubtedly MWS is my favorite artist of all time. I seemed to grow up with him in musical tastes and sensibilities. I was first introduced to him when I was a DJ at a church youth group dance when I got multiple requests for “Friends.” But his musical dominance in my life took hold with “The Big Picture” - which is beyond a hesitation in my mind - the best 1980s album ever released. I’ve seen him in concert on seven separate occasions starting with Amy Grant’s “Lead Me On” tour when MWS was the opening act. The highlight performance that I witnessed was during a performance with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in which he performed some of his light rock songs, plus the rocker “Cross of Gold” and a song from the yet (at that time) unreleased “Freedom” instrumental CD. The last time I saw him was in San Diego during the “Live the Life” tour. Hopefully that won’t be the last, since I can’t seem to get enough of his music. Michael, you’re alright – the race is still on.
  - 3 out of 3 people
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