Michael W. Smith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael W. Smith
Smith in 2019
Born	Michael Whitaker Smith (1957-10-07) October 7, 1957 (age 67) Kenova, West Virginia, U.S.
Occupation	Musician actor worship leader pastor (formerly)
Spouse(s)	Deborah Kay Davis ​ (m. 1981)​
Children	5
Musical career
Origin	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	CCM Christian rock pop pop rock
Instruments	Vocals keyboard piano guitar
Years active	1983–present
Labels	Reunion Provident Capitol Rocketown
Associated acts	Amy Grant, Kathy Troccoli

Michael Whitaker Smith (born October 7, 1957) is an American musician. He is famous for his Christian music and has also had hits on mainstream music charts. In 1991, his song "Place in This World" reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He has sold over 18 million albums during his career.

Michael W. Smith has won three Grammy Awards and an American Music Award. He has also received 45 Dove Awards. In 1999, ASCAP gave him the "Golden Note" Award for his songwriting achievements. In 2014, they called him a "cornerstone of Christian music" for his big impact on the genre. He has had 31 No. 1 hit songs, fourteen gold albums, and five platinum albums. He has also acted in two movies and written 14 books. One of his books is This Is Your Time.

Early Life and Music Start

Growing Up in West Virginia

Michael Whitaker Smith was born in Kenova, West Virginia. His parents were Paul and Barbara Smith. His father worked at an oil refinery, and his mother was a caterer. Michael loved baseball, just like his dad, who used to play in the minor leagues.

He started loving music through his church when he was young. He learned to play the piano early and sang in the church choir. When he was 10, he had a strong spiritual experience. This led him to become a dedicated Christian. He remembered wearing a big cross around his neck, saying it felt very real to him. He also joined Bible study groups with older friends who shared his faith.

Moving to Nashville

After his older Christian friends went to college, Smith felt a bit lost. He went to Marshall University for a semester but left to focus on songwriting. He also played in local bands around Huntington, West Virginia. A friend, Shane Keister, who was a musician in Nashville, encouraged him to move there. Nashville is known as the Country Music capital.

In 1978, Smith moved to Nashville. He worked as a landscaper to support himself. He also played in local clubs. In 1979, he decided to fully commit to his Christian faith again. The very next day, he tried out for a new Christian music group called Higher Ground. He got the job as a keyboard player. His singing was heard on Christian radio with the song "I Am."

Michael W. Smith's Music Career

Early Success (1981–1989)

In 1981, Michael W. Smith signed with Meadowgreen Music as a songwriter. He wrote many popular gospel songs for artists like Sandi Patty and Amy Grant. Some of these songs are now even in church songbooks. The next year, he started touring as a keyboard player for Amy Grant.

He soon became Grant's opening act. In 1983, he released his first solo album, The Michael W. Smith Project. He also produced this album himself. It was nominated for a Grammy Award. This album included his famous song "Friends," which he wrote with his wife, Deborah. By 1984, when his second album, Michael W. Smith 2, came out, he was already headlining his own tours. In 1986, he released The Big Picture.

After his 1988 album, i 2 (EYE), Smith toured with Amy Grant again. In 1989, he released his first Christmas album, simply called Christmas.

Mainstream Hits and Pop Albums (1990–1999)

Michael W. Smith and TobyMac with evangelist Billy Graham in 1994

In 1990, Smith released Go West Young Man. This album was his first big step into mainstream music. It featured the hit song "Place in This World," which reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 1992, he released Change Your World. This album included "I Will Be Here for You," which was a No. 1 hit on adult contemporary charts.

In 1993, Smith released his first collection of songs, The Wonder Years. He also released his first greatest hits album, The First Decade (1983–1993). This album had two new songs: "Do You Dream of Me?" and "Kentucky Rose."

His 1995 album, I'll Lead You Home, mixed pop music with a religious feel. Live the Life (1998) and This Is Your Time (1999) continued this style. In 1998, he also released his second Christmas album, Christmastime.

In 1999, Smith worked with Jim Brickman on the song "Love of My Life." This romantic song reached No. 9 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. Also in 1999, he was the first Christian artist to receive the ASCAP "Golden Note" Award for his songwriting achievements.

Instrumental and Live Worship Albums (2000–2003)

Michael W. Smith often includes instrumental songs on his albums. In 2000, he released his first album with only instrumental music, called Freedom. The next year, on September 11, he released his first album of worship music, Worship.

This was followed by a second worship album, Worship Again, in 2002. Both albums were recorded live during concerts. Worship Again includes a song called "There She Stands." Smith wrote this song after the attacks on September 11, 2001. He performed this song live at the 2004 Republican National Convention. He said that President George W. Bush, who was a fan and family friend, asked him to write a song about the attacks.

In 2002, Smith released a live concert DVD called Worship. It was filmed in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The DVD quickly became a top seller and went gold in the U.S. and Canada.

Smith won the Male Vocalist of the Year award at the GMA Music Awards in 2003. That same year, he released his second greatest hits album, The Second Decade (1993–2003). It included a new song called "Signs."

Contemporary Christian Albums (2004–2010)

Michael W. Smith during a concert in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania in 2005

Smith's album, Healing Rain, came out in 2004. It reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 200 Chart. The main song, "Healing Rain," became No. 1 on the Radio & Records Charts. A music video was also made for the song. This album mixed his pop style with the religious feel of his live worship albums. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.

In 2006, he released Stand. This album was similar to Healing Rain but had more Christian-themed songs. Also in 2006, Smith created the music for the movie The Second Chance, in which he also starred. He released a song from the movie's soundtrack called "All in the Serve."

In October 2007, he released his third Christmas album, It's a Wonderful Christmas. On June 20, 2008, Smith recorded his third live worship album, A New Hallelujah, at the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. It was released in October 2008. That same month, he began a tour with Steven Curtis Chapman. In September 2010, he released Wonder. This album followed the contemporary Christian music style of Healing Rain and Stand.

Orchestral, Hymns, and Studio Worship (2011–2016)

Smith's second instrumental album, Glory, was released on November 22, 2011. Unlike his first instrumental album, this one featured a 65-piece orchestra. The next year, he released his third collection album, Decades of Worship (2012).

Michael W. Smith performing in June 2014

In 2014, Smith released three albums. Hymns was his first album of traditional hymns. It sold well and won a 2014 Dove Award for "Inspirational Album of the Year." Sovereign, released on May 13, 2014, was his first studio worship album. It was also his first album with Capitol Records. This album was his highest-charting album at the time, reaching No. 10 on the Billboard 200.

His third album of 2014 was The Spirit of Christmas. This album featured duets with many famous artists like Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, and Amy Grant. It won a 2015 Dove Award for "Christmas Album of the Year."

In 2014, ASCAP honored Smith and Amy Grant. They were called the "cornerstone of Christian music" for their big impact. In 2015, Smith and his son Tyler wrote the music for the movie 90 Minutes in Heaven. Smith also had a small acting role in this film.

In November 2015, Smith and Amy Grant started their yearly Christmas tour again. They had taken a break for about 15 years.

Smith's second hymns album, Hymns II - Shine on Us, came out on January 29, 2016. Later in 2016, Smith released a Christmas musical project. It was called Almost There – A Christmas Musical.

A Million Lights and Surrounded (2017–Present)

On August 11, 2017, Smith released a new song, "A Million Lights." This song showed a new sound for him. It was the main song from his pop album, A Million Lights, released on February 16, 2018. A week later, on February 23, 2018, Smith released another album called Surrounded. This was his first live worship album in ten years. These two albums became his 30th and 31st top 10 albums on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart. This is the most for any solo artist in his career.

In May 2018, Smith started a new children's book series called Nurturing Steps. He created it with Mike Nawrocki, who co-created VeggieTales. The first book, Nighty Night and Good Night, came out on May 8. He also released his first children's album, Lullaby, to go with the book.

On August 30, 2018, Smith hosted a free event in Nashville called "Surrounded: A Night to Pray, Worship and Be Awakened." This event was shown on TBN in many countries.

On February 22, 2019, Smith released Awaken: The Surrounded Experience, another live worship album. In March 2024, Smith released his worship EP Worthy is the Lamb. It was recorded at Belmont University.

Acting Career

Michael W. Smith has also acted in movies and TV. In 1994, he first appeared as Billy Holden in Secret Adventures: "Shrug." In 2006, Smith played the main character, Ethan Jenkins, in The Second Chance. He also helped create the music for this film.

In 2015, Smith starred as Cliff McArdle in the movie 90 Minutes in Heaven. This film was based on a popular book. He and his son also worked on the music for this movie.

Smith also played James the disciple in The Passion. This was a live musical film shown on FOX on March 20, 2016.

Other Activities

In 1994, Smith opened a teen club called Rocketown in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2003, the club moved to a new, bigger location. It has a large dance floor, an indoor skate park, and a café with live music.

In 1996, Smith started his own record label, Rocketown Records. The label was named after a song from his album The Big Picture. The first artist he signed was Chris Rice.

Smith is very involved in helping others. He is the vice chair of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. He also strongly supports sponsoring children through Compassion International.

Smith has been active in Billy Graham Crusades and with Samaritan's Purse. He sang "Just As I Am" to honor Billy Graham at an awards show. He also sang it at Graham's memorial service at the United States Capitol rotunda in 2018.

Personal Life

Michael W. Smith is married to Deborah "Debbie" Kay Davis. They have five children, including filmmaker Ryan Whitaker Smith.

He lives in the Nashville area. Smith attended Belmont Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He was mentored by its pastor, Don Finto. Smith also helped start New River Fellowship Church in Franklin, Tennessee. He was the lead pastor there from 2006 to 2008.

Smith was a friend of former President George H. W. Bush and is friends with his son, former President George W. Bush. Smith was invited to perform at the 2004 Republican National Convention. He sang "There She Stands." He also sang "Friends" at the state funeral of George H. W. Bush in 2018.

Smith is also friends with U2 singer Bono. They have worked together on a Christmas album and the One Campaign.

Alderson-Broaddus College gave Smith an honorary Doctorate of Music degree in 1992. In 1992, People magazine named him one of their "Most Beautiful People."

Works

Discography

Amy Grant (left) and Michael W. Smith (right) have gone on several concert tours together

Publications

Audio Books

• The Gospels Come to Life. Irving, Texas: Gospels Come to Life, 2003.

Filmography

• Secret Adventures: Shrug (1994) as Billy Holden
• The Second Chance (2006) as Ethan Jenkins
• 90 Minutes in Heaven (2015) as Cliff McArdle
• The Passion (2016) as James the disciple

Awards and Honors

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
• 2008 Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for Stand
• 2019 Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Surrounded

Dove Awards

• 1985 Songwriter of the Year
• 1987 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for The Big Picture
• 1988 Long Form Music Video of the Year for "The Big Picture Tour Video"
• 1990 Short Form Music Video of the Year for "I Miss the Way"
• 1991 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Go West Young Man
• 1992 Choral Collection of the Year for The Michael W. Smith Collection
• 1992 Musical Album of the Year for Change Your World
• 1992 Song of the Year for "Place in this World"
• 1993 Praise and Worship Album of the Year for Songs from the Loft
• 1993 Recorded Music Packaging of the Year for The Wonder Years
• 1994 Musical Album of the Year for Living on the Edge
• 1996 Songwriter of the Year
• 1996 Special Event Album of the Year for My Utmost For His Highest
• 1997 Special Event Album of the Year for Tribute: The Songs of Andrae Crouch
• 1998 Children's Music Album of the Year for Sing Me to Sleep Daddy
• 1998 Special Event Album of the Year for God With Us: A Celebration of Christmas Carols and Classics
• 1998 Enhanced CD of the Year for Live the Life – Maxi Single
• 1999 Artist of the Year
• 1999 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Live the Life
• 1999 Producer of the Year
• 1999 Special Event Album of the Year for Exodus
• 2000 Short Form Music Video of the Year for "This is Your Time"
• 2000 Song of the Year for "This Is Your Time"
• 2000 Songwriter of the Year
• 2001 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for This is Your Time
• 2001 Youth/Children's Musical Album of the Year for Friends 4 Ever
• 2002 Album of the Year for Worship
• 2002 Artist of the Year
• 2002 Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year for "Above All"
• 2002 Instrumental Album of the Year for Freedom
• 2003 Album of the Year for Worship Again
• 2003 Artist of the Year
• 2003 Long Form Music Video of the Year for Worship DVD/Video
• 2003 Male Vocalist of the Year
• 2008 Christmas Album of the Year for It's a Wonderful Christmas
• 2009 Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year for "A New Hallelujah"
• 2009 Praise & Worship Album of the Year for A New Hallelujah
• 2012 Best Instrumental Album of the Year for Glory
• 2014 Inspirational Album of the Year for Hymns
• 2015 Christmas Album of the Year for The Spirit of Christmas

American Music Awards

• 1992 Favorite New Adult Contemporary Artist

Gospel Music Hall of Fame

• 2008 Inductee

See also

In Spanish: Michael W. Smith para niños