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{{Infobox musical artistInfobox_Contents |Name = Michael W. Smith|Img = Michael W. Smith.jpg|Img_capt topic_name = Michael W. Smith|Background = solo_singer |Birth_name = Michael Whitaker Smith|Alias subtopics = Smitty|Born = [[October 7]], [[1957]]Major songs - [[Kenova, West Virginia|KenovaHealing Rain]], [[West VirginiaMissing person]]|Died = |Origin opinion_pieces = {{flagicon|USAshort_opinions}} [[USA]]|Instrument = [[Piano]][[Guitar]]|Genre = [[Contemporary Christian music|CCM]][[Worship music|Worship]][[Pop music|Pop]]|Occupation = [[Musician]][[Songwriter]][[Composer]]|Years_active = 1983 – present (Solo)|Label = [[Reunion Records]]|Associated_acts = [[Amy Grant]]|URL = [http://www.michaelwsmith.com/ www.michaelwsmith.com]|Current_members = |Past_members = }}

'''Michael Whitaker Smith''' (born [[October 7]], [[1957]]Since his first solo project in 1983, to Paul and Barbara Smith has become one of the most popular artists in the [[Kenova, West Virginia|KenovaContemporary Christian Music]]world, [[West Virginia]])while also finding considerable success in the mainstream. Smith has frequently topped both Christian radio and Billboard charts, and is often nicknamed "Smitty", is a [[Christian]] [[singer]], [[songwriter]], [[guitarist]]listed as one of the top keyboardists in rock and roll in Keyboard Magazine. Smith had sold more than seven million records and had 25 #1 hit songs. By 2003, he had 10 gold records and [[keyboardist]]3 platinum records.

Since his first solo project in 1983, By the time Smith has become one of the most popular artists in the [[Contemporary Christian music]] worldgraduated from high school, while also finding considerable success in the mainstreamhe had found himself with serious drug and alcohol abuse problems. Smith himself is hesitant Nevertheless, he was able to put get through a label on couple of years of college and develop his music songwriting skills with various local bands. In October of 1979, Smith suffered an emotional and states mental breakdown that he "doesn't make awakened a record for recommitment to the Christian market or for the Pop market, [he] just makes a recordbeliefs of his childhood." <ref>''Change Your World Live'' video</ref> Smith has frequently topped both Christian radio He cleaned up his substance abuse problem and [[Billboard magazine|Billboard]] charts and is often listed as one of began playing keyboards for the top keyboardists in rock and roll in Keyboard Magazine. Smith has sold more than 13 million records and has had 29 #1 hit songs. By 2005CCM group, he had garnered 14 gold records and 5 platinum records, 40 Dove Awards, an American Music Award and 3 [[Grammy Award]]s. He was also named one of [[People magazineHigher Ground]]'s most beautiful people.

By the time In 1981, Smith graduated from high schoolwas signed as a writer to Meadowgreen Music, where he had found himself with serious drug and alcohol abuse problems. He attended racked up a number of highly successful gospel hits penned for artists like [[Marshall UniversitySandi Patty]] for a brief period while developing his songwriting skills with various local bands around , [[HuntingtonKathy Troccoli]], West Virginia[[Bill Gaither]]. Smith dropped out of college and moved to [[NashvilleAmy Grant]] to pursue a professional music career. In November of 1979The following year, he suffered an emotional and mental breakdown that awakened Smith began touring as a re-commitment keyboardist for Grant on her Age to [[Christianity]]Age tour. He cleaned up would eventually become Grant's opening act, and recorded his substance abuse problem and began playing keyboards for first Grammy nominated solo album, Michael W. Smith Project (which he also produced), in 1983, on the CCM groupReunion label, a label started by Grant's brother-in-law, Dan Harrell, Higher Ground.<ref>[http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/1988/003/1.56along with Michael Blanton.html| Christianity Today, 1988]</ref>

In 1981, Smith was signed as a writer to Meadowgreen Music, where he racked up a number of highly successful gospel hits penned for artists like [[Sandi Patty]], [[Kathy Troccoli]], [[Bill Gaither]], and [[Amy Grant]]. The following year, By the time 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 second pop album: ''[[The Michael W. Smith Project]]'' (which he also produced), in 1983, on the [[Reunion Records]] label; a label started by Grant's brother-was released in-law, Dan Harrell1984, along with Michael Blanton. This album contained the first recording of his hit ''Friends'' which he co-wrote with was headlining his wife Deborahown tours. IncidentallyIn 1986, Smith released the song that is most associated critically acclaimed rock effort The Big Picture, with himwell known record producer Johnny Potoker (Brian Eno, probably took him the least amount of time to writeGenesis, Madonna, No Doubt, as they wrote it one afternoon for a friend who was moving awayTalking Heads, never thinking it would become the hit it hasetc).

By After the time Smith's second pop album was released in 1984release of his 1988 effort, he was headlining his own tours. In 1986I 2 eye, Smith released the critically acclaimed rock album ''[[once again teamed up with Amy Grant for her "Lead Me On World Tour". The Big Picture (Michael W. following year, Smith recorded his first Christmas album)|The Big Picture]]'', with well known [[record producer]] Johnny Potoker ([[Brian Eno]], [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]], [[No Doubt]], [[Talking Heads]], etc).

After the release of In 1990, Smith released Go West Young Man, which was his 1988 first real mainstream effort. That album was followed by 1992's Change Your World, 1995's I'[[i 2 (EYE)]]'ll Lead You Home and 1998's Live The Life. Also in 1998, Smith released his second Christmas effort, Christmastime. In 1999, Smith once again teamed up with [[Amy Grant]] for her "[[Lead Me On]] World Tour"released This Is Your Time, largely inspired by the Columbine shootings. The following yearSmith had been asked to perform at some of the memorial services that were held in honor of the victims, which made a huge impression on Smith recorded his first Christmas album.

==In 1996, Smith opened his own record label (although he does not record on it), Rocketown Records, named for a teen club which he established for Christian youth in the mainstream==Nashville area. He states the label is driven by the artists, and one of its first artists signed was Chris Rice, who had written "Go Light Your World," a #1 hit song by Kathy Troccoli, in 1995.

In 1990, Michael W. Nearly all of Smith released ''[[Go West Young Man]]'', which was his first real mainstream effort, including the mainstream [[crossover (music)|crossover]] hit "Place In This World". That album was followed by 1992s ''[[Change Your World (Michael W. Smith album)|Change Your World]]'' (which included the #1 adult contemporary hit "I Will Be Here For You"), 1995s ''[[I'll Lead You Home]]''s albums contain at least one instrumental track, and 1998s ''[[Live The Life]]''. Also in 19982000, Smith released recorded his second Christmas effortfirst all instrumental album, ''[[Christmastime]]''Freedom. In 1999The following year, Smith released ''[[This Is Your Time]]'', written by Smith an all praise and [[Wes King]]worship album, the brother-in-law of Florida Secretary of State [[Katherine Harris]]called Worship, which was inspired followed by the [[Columbine High School massacre|Columbine]] shootingsa sequel, Worship Again. Smith had been asked to perform at some of the memorial services that Both albums were held recorded live in honor of the victimsconcert. A Worship Again DVD was released in 2002, which made a huge impression on himimmediately topped the Billboard video charts.

In 1996After two decades, Smith opened his own record label (although he does not record on it), [[Rocketown Records]], named for a song on ''The Big Picture''. He states finally won the label is driven by coveted Male Vocalist of the artists, and Year award at the first artist signed was [[Chris RiceDove Awards]], who had written "Go Light Your World", a #1 hit song by [[Kathy Troccoli]], in 19952003.

Nearly all of Smith's albums contain at least one instrumental tracklatest album, and "Healing Rain" was released in 2000, Smith recorded his first all instrumental album, ''[[Freedom (Michael W2004. Smith album)|Freedom]]'', after many years It combines the pop style of wanting to create an instrumental album. The following year, Smith released an all his previous recordings with the praise and worship album, called ''[[Worship (2001 album)|Worship]]'', interestingly on [[September 11]]feel of his two releases in that genre. This album The title track was followed by a sequel, ''[[Worship Again]]'' in 2002. Both albums were recorded live in concert. (Both are also the only two albums to be comprised almost entirely of songs he did not write himself). A ''Worship'' DVD, which comprised first released as a selection of songs from both albumssingle, was and Smith has recently recorded live in [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]] at a youth conference and released in 2002. It immediately topped the Billboard music video charts and became a Gold seller in both to coincide with the U.S. and [[Canada]]song.

After two decades, ==Links==*[http://en.wikipedia.org/Michael_W._Smith Wikipedia - Michael W. Smith finally won the Male Vocalist of the Year award at the ]*[[GMA Music Awards]http://www.michaelwsmith.com Homepage - Michael W. Smith] in 2003{{LMW|Michael_W._Smith LifeMusic Wiki}}

Smith wrote a song entitled "There She Stands", prompted by the {{returnto}} [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11Christianity]] terrorist attacks. He performed this song live for the 2004 -> [[Republican National ConventionChristian literature, art, music and media]]. In introducing the song before he performed it, he made remarks about meeting personally with President -> [[George W. BushChristian music]] in the -> [[Oval OfficeSong writers]] in October of 2001, a short time after the attacks. Smith mentioned that the President, a personal fan (as is the President's father), and family friend of the artist, had asked him to attempt to write a song about the attacks. The song is about America's ability to rise from the ashes and remain strong even after such horrific events.

Smith became a good friend of [[U2 (band)|U2]] frontman [[Bono]]. The two have joined forces on a number of occasions for performances and in connection to Bono's DATA Organization. While U2 was recording its album ''[[How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb]]'', Bono even invited Smith to jam with them in the studio. The song that the group worked on with Smith did not end up making it onto the record, but might surface in the future on another project.  Smith's album, ''[[Healing Rain]]'', was released in 2004 and debuted at #11 on the Billboard Hot 200 Chart. The title track rose to #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 praise and worship feel of his two releases in that genre. A new album, ''[[Stand (Michael W. Smith album)|Stand]]'', was released in November, 2006. Smith and his wife have written the theme songs for [[Kanakuk Kamps]] for the past two decades. The theme songs have birthed such notable hits as "Love Crusade", "Live the Life", and "Straight to the Heart". The [[Christian]] youth at this camp give Smith access to a steady, young audience even as his original fans age. == Other ventures == In 1994, Smith opened a teen club, named Rocketown, in Franklin, Tennessee. 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. Rocketown is located on 401 6th Ave. S. Quoting a [httpCategory://www.christianactivities.com/youth/story.asp?ID=2469 Christian Activities] article, ''Rocketown's mission is to create culturally relevant environments that foster vital relationships between disenfranchised adolescents and Christian mentors in order to meet their physical, social, and spiritual needs.'' 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]]. 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 film also stars [[Jeff Obafemi Carr]], and features a soundtrack now available from [[Reunion Records]]. The DVD of the movie was released on July 18, 2006. ==Discography=====Albums==={| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 class="wikitable"!align="center" valign="top"|Album Cover!align="center" valign="top"|Title!align="center" valign="top"|Release Date!align="center" valign="top"|The [[Billboard magazine|Billboard]] 200 <br/> Chart Position!align="center" valign="top"|[[RIAA Certification]]!align="center" valign="top"|[[CRIA]] Certification <br/> Canada|-|align="center"| [[Image:Project.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[The Michael W. Smith Project]]''|align="center" valign="top"| 1983|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| Gold|-|align="center"| [[Image:Mws2.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[Michael W. Smith 2]]''|align="center" valign="top"| 1984|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| |-|align="center"| [[Image:Bigpicture.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[The Big Picture (Michael W. Smith album)|The Big Picture]]''|align="center" valign="top"| Feb. 1, 1986|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| |-|align="center"| [[Image:Liveset.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[The Live Set]]''|align="center" valign="top"| Mar. 1, 1987|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| |-|align="center"| [[Image:I2eye.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[i 2 (EYE)]]''|align="center" valign="top"| 1988|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| Gold|-|align="center"| [[Image:Christmas_%28album%29.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[Christmas (Michael W. Smith album)|Christmas]]''|align="center" valign="top"| June 1989|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| |-|align="center"| [[Image:Gowestyoungman.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[Go West Young Man]]''|align="center" valign="top"| 1990|align="center" valign="top"| 74|align="center" valign="top"| Platinum|-|align="center"| [[Image:Changeyourworld.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[Change Your World (Michael W. Smith album)|Change Your World]]''|align="center" valign="top"| Jan. 1, 1992 |align="center" valign="top"| 86|align="center" valign="top"| Platinum|-|align="center"| [[Image:Firstdecade.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[The First Decade (1983-1993)]]''|align="center" valign="top"| Oct. 12, 1993|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| |-|align="center"| [[Image:Illleadyouhome.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[I'll Lead You Home]]''|align="center" valign="top"| Aug. 29, 1995|align="center" valign="top"| 16|align="center" valign="top"| Platinum|-|align="center"| [[Image:Livethelife.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[Live The Life]]''|align="center" valign="top"| Apr. 28, 1998|align="center" valign="top"| 23|align="center" valign="top"| Gold|-|align="center"| [[Image:Christmastime.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[Christmastime]]''|align="center" valign="top"| Oct. 13, 1998|align="center" valign="top"| 90|align="center" valign="top"| |-|align="center"| [[Image:Thisisyourtime.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[This Is Your Time]]''|align="center" valign="top"| Nov. 23, 1999|align="center" valign="top"| 21|align="center" valign="top"| Gold|-|align="center"| [[Image:Freedom_%28album%29.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[Freedom (Michael W. Smith album)|Freedom]]''|align="center" valign="top"| Nov. 21, 2000|align="center" valign="top"| 70|align="center" valign="top"| |-|align="center"| [[Image:MWSWorship.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[Worship (2001 album)|Worship]]''|align="center" valign="top"| Sep. 11, 2001|align="center" valign="top"| 20|align="center" valign="top"| Platinum|align="center" valign="top"| Gold|-|align="center"| [[Image:Cdmichaelwsmith_worshipagain.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[Worship Again]]''|align="center" valign="top"| Oct. 22, 2002|align="center" valign="top"| 14|align="center" valign="top"| Gold|-|align="center"| [[Image:G05929g9eqg.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[The Second Decade|The Second Decade (1993-2003)]]''|align="center" valign="top"| Oct. 7, 2003|align="center" valign="top"| 38|align="center" valign="top"| |-|align="center"| [[Image:MwsHealing_Rain.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[Healing Rain]]''|align="center" valign="top"| Oct. 26, 2004|align="center" valign="top"| 11|align="center" valign="top"| Gold|-|align="center"| [[Image:Stand.jpg|50px|]]|align="left" valign="top"| ''[[Stand (Michael W. Smith album)|Stand]]''|align="center" valign="top"| ''Nov 7. 2006''|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| |} ===Imports==={| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 class="wikitable"!align="center" valign="top"|Album!align="center" valign="top"|Release <br/> Year!align="center" valign="top"|The [[Billboard magazine|Billboard]] 200 <br/> Chart Position!align="center" valign="top"|[[RIAA Certification]]|-|align="left" valign="top"| ''Live the Life (w/bonus tracks - Japanese Import)''|align="center" valign="top"| 1998|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|-|align="left" valign="top"| ''Freedom''|align="center" valign="top"| 2000|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|-|} ===Collaborative Albums==={| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 class="wikitable"!align="center" valign="top"|Album!align="center" valign="top"|Release <br/> Year!align="center" valign="top"|The [[Billboard magazine|Billboard]] 200 <br/> Chart Position!align="center" valign="top"|[[RIAA Certification]]|-| ''Our Hymns''|align="center" valign="top"| 1991|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|-| ''My Utmost for His Highest''|align="center" valign="top"| 1995|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|-| ''My Utmost for His Highest: The Covenant''|align="center" valign="top"| 1996|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|-| ''Emmanuel''|align="center" valign="top"| 1996|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|-| ''Tribute: The Songs Of Andrae' Crouch''|align="center" valign="top"| 1996|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|-| ''[[The Jesus Record]]''|align="center" valign="top"| 1997|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|- | ''Exodus''|align="center" valign="top"| 1999|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|-| ''The McCaughey Septuplets: Sweet Dreams''|align="center" valign="top"| 2000|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|-| ''Your Love Broke Through: The Worship Songs of Keith Green''|align="center" valign="top"| 2002|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|-| ''Roaring Lambs''|align="center" valign="top"| 2005|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|-| ''Ultimate Music Makeover: The Songs of Michael W. Smith''|align="center" valign="top"| 2005|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|} ===Singles/Specialty/EP's==={| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 class="wikitable"!align="center" valign="top"|Album!align="center" valign="top"|Release <br/> Year!align="center" valign="top"|The [[Billboard magazine|Billboard]] 200 <br/> Chart Position!align="center" valign="top"|[[RIAA Certification]]|-| ''Live The Life (Remix EP)''|align="center" valign="top"| 1997|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|-| ''The Acoustic Set: A Live Recording''|align="center" valign="top"| 2000|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|-| ''Devotions''|align="center" valign="top"| 2001|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| -|} ===Singles==={| class="wikitable"!rowspan="2"|'''Year'''!rowspan="2"| '''Title'''!colspan="2"| '''Chart positions'''|-|[[Billboard magazine|Billboard]] Adult Contemporary|Billboard Hot 100|- | 1991| "Place In This World"|align="center" valign="top"| 5|align="center" valign="top"| 6|- | 1991| "For You"|align="center" valign="top"| 20|align="center" valign="top"| 60|- | 1992| "I Will Be Here For You"|align="center" valign="top"| 1|align="center" valign="top"| 27|- | 1993| "Somebody Love Me"|align="center" valign="top"| 10|align="center" valign="top"| 71|- | 1998| "Love Me Good"|align="center" valign="top"| -|align="center" valign="top"| 61 |-| 1999| "This Is Your Time"|align="center" valign="top"| 25|align="center" valign="top"| -|-| 2005| "Bridge Over Troubled Water"|align="center" valign="top"| 28|align="center" valign="top"| -|} === Video (DVD/VHS) ===*''Live in Concert &ndash; A 20 Year Celebration'' (DVD) (2003)*''Worship'' (DVD) (2002)[[CRIA]] Gold in Canada*''Change Your World Live'' (VHS) (1993)*''The Big Picture Tour'' (VHS) (1987)*''Michael W. Smith In Concert'' (VHS) (1985) === Soundtrack (CD) ===*''The Second Chance'' (CD) (2006) === Motion picture (DVD) ===*''[[Joshua]]'' (DVD) (2002)*''[http://www.thesecondchancemovie.com/_site/mediaplayer/index.php?id=28dcf5b6b1e4da21f4c6de1029dec85a] [[The Second Chance]]'' (DVD) (2006) == Notes ==<div class="references-small"><references /></div> ==External links==*[http://www.michaelwsmith.com Michael W. Smith's official website]*[http://www.michaelwsmith.de/ Michael W. Smith's archive] (contains one-minute samples of all tracks)*[http://www.reunionrecords.com Reunion Records' website]*[http://www.rocketownrecords.com Rocketown Records] *[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0809363 Michael W. Smith] at the [[Internet Movie Database]]*[http://www.casefoundation.org/web/guest/spotlight/youthservice/council/michael_w_smith Interview about his charitable work]*[http://www.christianguitar.org/csongs467/Michael-W.-Smith Michael W. Smith guitar tabs]*[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0602/10/lkl.01.html Transcript of February 10, 2006 interview with [[Larry King]]] [[Category:1957 births|Smith, Michael W.]][[Category:Living people|Smith, Michael W.]][[Category:American musicians|Smith, Michael W.]][[Category:American songwriters|Smith, Michael W.]][[Category:Christian musicians|Smith, Michael W.]][[Category:Dove Award winners|Smith, Michael W.]][[Category:People from Huntington, West Virginia|Smith, Michael W.]][[Category:People from Nashville|Smith, Michael W.]][[Category:American Christians|Smith, Michael W.]][[Category:Grammy Award winners|Smith, Michael W.]][[Category:People from Nashville, Tennessee]] [[cs:Michael W. Smith]][[de:Michael W. Smith]][[fr:Michael W. Smith]][[hu:Michael W. Smith]][[nl:Michael W. Smith]][[pt:Michael W. Smith]][[fi:Michael W. Smith]][[sv:Michael W. Smith]][[zh:米高·維塔克·史密夫]]