Michael W. Smith
Michael Whitaker Smith (born October 7, 1957) is an American musician who has charted in both contemporary Christian and mainstream charts.[2] His biggest success in mainstream music was in 1991 when "Place in This World" hit No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Over the course of his career, he has sold more than 18 million albums.[3]
For other people named Michael Smith, see Michael Smith (disambiguation).
Michael W. Smith
- Musician
- actor
- worship leader
- pastor (formerly)
5
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
- Vocals
- keyboard
- piano
- guitar
1983–present
Smith is a three-time Grammy Award winner, an American Music Award recipient,[4] and has earned 45 Dove Awards.[5] In 1999, ASCAP awarded him with the "Golden Note" Award for lifetime achievement in songwriting,[6] and in 2014 they honored him as the "cornerstone of Christian music" for his significant influence on the genre.[7] He also has recorded 31 No. 1 Hit songs, fourteen gold albums, and five platinum albums.[3] He has also starred in two films and published 14 books including This Is Your Time, which he worked with Christian author Gary Thomas to write.[8]
Music career[edit]
Beginning (1981–1989)[edit]
In 1981, while he was playing keyboards for Higher Ground,[11] Smith was signed as a writer to Meadowgreen Music, where he wrote numerous gospel 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 became Grant's opening act and recorded his first Grammy-nominated solo album The Michael W. Smith Project (which he also produced himself) in 1983 on the Reunion Records label. This album contained the first recording of his hit "Friends", which he co-wrote with his wife Deborah. By the time Smith's second album Michael W. Smith 2 was released in 1984, he was headlining his own tours. In 1986, Smith released The Big Picture.
After the release of his 1988 effort, i 2 (EYE), Smith once again collaborated with Grant for her "Lead Me On" world tour. The following year, Smith recorded his first Christmas album, simply titled Christmas (1989).
Acting career[edit]
In 1994, Smith made his acting debut as Billy Holden in Secret Adventures: "Shrug". In 2006, Smith was the lead actor in The Second Chance, a film directed by Steve Taylor. He also did some of the score and soundtrack for this film.
In 2015, Smith starred as Cliff McArdle in the film adaptation of the best-selling book 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper.[45] In addition, he collaborated with his son on the score and soundtrack for this film.
Smith also starred as James the disciple in The Passion, a live musical film that was aired on FOX on March 20, 2016.[46]
Other ventures[edit]
In 1994, Smith opened a teen club, named Rocketown, 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 café hosting live acoustic music.
In 1996, Smith opened his own record label, Rocketown Records. The label was named after a song on his third album The Big Picture. The first artist signed was Chris Rice, who had written "Go Light Your World", a No. 1 hit song by Kathy Troccoli, in 1995. Smith didn't record under the label himself until 2018.
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.[47]
Smith was active in Billy Graham Crusades as well as Samaritan's Purse.[48] Smith sang "Just As I Am" in a tribute to Graham at the 44th GMA Dove Awards.[49] He also sang it at the memorial service honoring Graham at the United States Capitol rotunda on February 28, 2018.[50][51]
Personal life[edit]
Smith is married to Deborah "Debbie" Kay Davis and has five children, including filmmaker Ryan Whitaker Smith.[52][53][54]
He lives in the Nashville suburbs. Smith attended Belmont Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and is mentored by its long-time pastor, Don Finto.[55] Smith is also the founding pastor of New River Fellowship Church in Franklin, Tennessee, where he was the lead pastor from 2006 to 2008.
Smith was a friend of former President George H. W. Bush and is a friend of his son, former President George W. Bush.[56][57] Smith was invited to play at the 2004 Republican National Convention[58] singing "There She Stands", as well as the state funeral of George H. W. Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2018, singing "Friends".[59]
Smith is also friends with U2 singer Bono and they have collaborated on a Christmas album[60] as well as One Campaign.[61]
Alderson-Broaddus College awarded Smith the degree Doctorate of Music honoris causa in 1992.[62][63]
Smith was also named one of People magazine's "Most Beautiful People" in 1992.[64]
In 2018, he performed at Billy Graham's memorial and funeral.[65][66]
In June 2019, Smith signed a declaration by Franklin Graham, that called for a special day of prayer for President Donald Trump, that God would protect, strengthen, embolden, and direct him.[67]
Grammy Awards
Grammy nominations
Dove Awards
American Music Awards
Gospel Music Hall of Fame
