Michael W. Smith is an American singer and songwriter born in 1957 in West Virginia, a pioneer of contemporary Christian music since the 1980s. Once Amy Grant's keyboardist, he wrote worship songs sung around the world, including Above All, and has sold more than 18 million albums.
Michael W. Smith was born in 1957 in Kenova, West Virginia, into a modest family where faith was lived out at the local church, at the piano and in the choir. He arrived in Nashville in 1978 to break into music and went through a period of drifting before fully returning to his faith at the end of 1979. He then became a keyboardist, and later a songwriter for artists like Amy Grant, whose touring musician he was in the early 1980s.
His first solo album, The Michael W. Smith Project, came out in 1983; he kept releasing albums throughout the following decade, up to the mainstream success of Go West Young Man (1990) and its single Place in This World, which reached number 6 on the American pop charts. From the 2000s on, he refocused on worship albums such as Worship (2001), which helped popularize songs like Above All in churches around the world.
- Origin
- Kenova, West Virginia, USA
- Style
- Contemporary Christian music, worship
- Active since
- 1983
- Good to know
- Above All, a worship song that became a classic performed in many languages
How did Michael W. Smith get started?
Michael W. Smith grew up in Kenova, West Virginia, where he learned piano and sang in his church choir. A powerful spiritual experience at age ten shaped his faith for good. In 1978, he left for Nashville hoping to break into music; the beginnings were tough, until a personal turning point at the end of 1979 brought him fully back to his Christian faith.
He then became a keyboardist with the band Higher Ground, and later a songwriter for the label Meadowgreen Music, where he wrote for artists like Sandi Patty and, above all, Amy Grant. Starting in 1982, he toured as Amy Grant's keyboardist before becoming her opening act, which opened the door to a solo career.
What makes Michael W. Smith unique?
Few Christian artists have had such a lasting influence on the church repertoire: Above All, which he performed at an official prayer service in 2001, has become a worship song sung in many languages. A songwriter before he was a performer, he also wrote for other artists and received ASCAP's Golden Note Award in 1999, a first for a Christian artist, honoring his body of work.
Where should you start with Michael W. Smith?
Hymn For Communion is a great entry point into his most recent, most liturgical side. Follow it with Kingdom Come for its contemporary worship energy, then with Your Love Is A Flood for the melodic warmth that has defined his reputation for forty years.
songs
Hymn For Communion
A recent song centered on the communion table, in the liturgical vein Michael W. Smith has favored since his earliest days.
Kingdom Come
A call for God's kingdom to come, carried by the sweeping orchestration typical of his worship-era work.
Your Love Is A Flood
A song about God's overwhelming love, in the tradition of the great worship songs written by the artist.
Discography
- 2020Still, Vol. 1
- 2018A Million Lights
- 2016Hymns II: Shine on Us
- 2014Hymns
- 2014Sovereign
- 2010Wonder
- 2006Stand
- 2004Healing Rain
- 2002Worship Again
- 2001Worship
- 1999This Is Your Time
- 1998Live the Life
- 1995I'll Lead You Home
- 1992Change Your World
- 1990Go West Young Man
- 1988i 2 (Eye)
- 1986The Big Picture
- 1984Michael W. Smith 2
- 1983The Michael W. Smith Project
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Michael W. Smith?
Michael W. Smith is an American singer, songwriter and pastor born in 1957, considered one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian music since the 1980s. Once a musician for Amy Grant, he has sold more than 18 million albums and won three Grammy Awards.
Is Michael W. Smith a Christian?
Yes, his Christian faith has been at the heart of all his music since the beginning. He was also the founding pastor of a church in Franklin, Tennessee, between 2006 and 2008, alongside his music career.
What is Michael W. Smith's best known song?
Above All is arguably his most widely sung song in churches around the world; in terms of sales, Place in This World (1990) remains his biggest hit on the American pop charts.
Where can you listen to Michael W. Smith?
His albums are available on all streaming platforms, and his official YouTube channel features music videos, lyric videos and recordings of his most recent worship songs.
What is Michael W. Smith's latest album?
Still, Vol. 1, released in 2020, is his most recent full studio album; he has since released several singles, including Hymn For Communion, Kingdom Come and Arms Around the Sun.
Has Michael W. Smith won any Grammy Awards?
Yes, he has won three Grammy Awards over the course of his career, along with numerous Dove Awards, making him one of the most decorated artists in American Christian music.