Christian Artist - Michael W. Smith Biography:
Michael Whitaker Smith was born in Kenova, West Virginia, on October 7, 1957, the son of an oil refinery worker and a caterer. At age 5 he wrote his first song. At age ten he gave his life to Christ and he spent the remainder of his youth with a group of strong Christian friends. However, once he was in college he found a new group of friends and started experimenting with alcohol, drugs and partying.
In 1978 he moved to Nashville to work as a songwriter and he quickly started playing music with a local band. A year later he hit bottom and recommitted his life to Christ.
In 1981, he signed to Meadowgreen Music as a staff writer. He joined Amy Grant's band as a keyboardist in '82 and the following year released his first album. Michael wrote all the music and his wife Debbie wrote the lyrics. The release garnered him a GRAMMY nomination for Best Gospel Performance.
25+ years later he has become one of the best-known names in Christian music. Smitty has won several Dove and GRAMMY Awards, has topped Billboard charts and has sold over 13 million CDs. He has founded a teen club as well as a record label and written several books. In 2009 he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Michael W. Smith Facts:
- Michael is the husband of Debbie (since 1982) and the father of 5 children
- 33 Number One Hit Songs
- Career sales over 15 million
- 5 Platinum records
- 16 Gold records
- Winner of 36 Dove Awards
- Winner of 3 GRAMMY Awards (from 13 nominations)
- Founded Rocketown Records
- Founded Rocketown Ministries
- Named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People"
- National Spokesperson for Compassion International
- Received the Apostelos Christou Award for Distinguished Christian Leadership in April 2008 at King’s College and Seminary
Michael W. Smith Dove Awards:
- Dove Male Vocalist of the Year - Michael has won this award once
- Dove Artist of the Year - Michael has won this award three times
- Dove Song of the Year - Michael has won this award twice
- Dove Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year - Michael has four of these
- Dove Inspirational Song of the Year - and two of these
- Dove Praise and Worship Album of the Year - and four of these
Add in 20 more for videos, songwriting, special events albums and producing and you're talking about a large trophy case!
Michael W. Smith Fun:
- Michael W. Smith Concert Schedule - Find concert dates
- Michael W Smith Fan Quiz - Test your Smitty knowledge
- Michael W. Smith Christmas Music
- Who Sings "Above All?"
- Who Sings "Here I Am to Worship?"
- Song Poll - Name Your Favorite Song on the Second Decade
- Song of the Week - "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - May 15, 2005
- Photo From 36th Annual GMA Awards
Michael W. Smith News:
- Michael W. Smith Christmas Tour - 2008
- President Bush Names Michael W. Smith To President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation
- Michael will make his big screen acting debut in February, 2006 in the movie The Second Chance
- Come Thirsty with Max Lucado and Michael W. Smith - Sept. 04
- One Nation Tour - July 04
- Michael W. Smith Nominated for GRAMMY - Feb. 04
Michael W. Smith Discography:
- A New Hallelujah, October 28, 2008 (Compare Prices)
- It's A Wonderful Christmas , 2007
- Stand, 2006 - (Compare Prices)
- Healing Rain, 2004 - (Compare Prices) - Certified Gold on 9/14/2005
- The Second Decade (1993-2003)- (Compare Prices)
- Worship Again, 2002 - (Buy Direct) - Music Book - Certified Gold on 1/14/2003
- Worship, 2001 - (Buy Direct) - Music Book - Certified Gold on 12/17/2001, Platinum on 8/06/2002
- Freedom, 2000 - (Buy Direct) - Music Book - Certified Gold on 9/11/2006
- This Is Your Time, 1999 - (Compare Prices) - Certified Gold on 5/30/2000
- Christmastime, 1998 - (Compare Prices) - Certified Gold on 12/16/2003
- Live The Life, 1998 - (Compare Prices) - Certified Gold on 4/01/1999
- I'll Lead You Home, 1995 - (Compare Prices) - Certified Gold on 11/07/1995, Platinum on 4/12/2004
- Living On The Edge, 1994
- The First Decade 1983-1993, 1993 - Certified Gold on 2/16/1995
- Change Your World, 1992 - (Compare Prices) - (Buy Direct) - Sheet Music - Certified Gold on 11/17/1992, Platinum on 11/05/1997
- The Live Set, 1991 - (Compare Prices)
- Go West Young Man, 1991 - Certified Gold on 8/01/1991, Platinum on 2/26/2004
- Christmas, 1989 - (Compare Prices) - Certified Gold on 9/11/2006
- I 2 Eye, 1988 - (Compare Prices) - Certified Gold on 8/01/1991
- Michael W Smith Live, 1988 - (Compare Prices)
- The Big Picture, 1986
- Michael W. Smith 2, 1984 - (Compare Prices)
- Michael W. Smith Project, 1983 - (Compare Prices) - Certified Gold on 7/26/1990
Michael W. Smith Links:
- Reunion Records - His label - offers news, a bio, tour info and more.
- FamilyChristian.com's Interview with Michael - Titled "A New Kind of Freedom", about his instrumental album, Freedom.
- Lyrics - from the Songbook at manueladam.com.
- Guitar Tab/Chords - Courtesy of Christian Guitar Resources, to over 70 Smitty songs.
