Editing Michael W. Smith (section)

== Music career ==

=== Beginning (1981–1989) ===
In 1981, while he was playing keyboards for Higher Ground,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smith|first1=Michael W.|title=It's Time To Be Bold|date=2003|publisher=Thomas Nelson}}</ref> Smith was signed as a writer to Meadowgreen Music, where he wrote numerous [[gospel music|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 (Michael W. Smith album)|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 (Michael W. Smith album)|Christmas]]'' (1989).

=== Mainstream venture and inspirational pop albums (1990–1999) ===

[[File:Graham Crusade Smith.JPG|thumb|Michael W. Smith and [[TobyMac]] with evangelist [[Billy Graham]] in 1994]]
In 1990, Smith released ''[[Go West Young Man (Michael W. Smith album)|Go West Young Man]]'', his first mainstream effort, which included the mainstream [[crossover (music)|crossover]] hit single "[[Place in This World]]". The song peaked at No. 6 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. In 1992, he released ''[[Change Your World (Michael W. Smith album)|Change Your World]]'', which included the No. 1 adult contemporary hit "[[I Will Be Here for You]]". In 1993 Smith released his first box set, ''[[The Wonder Years (Michael W. Smith box set)|The Wonder Years]]'' and his first greatest hits album, ''[[The First Decade (1983–1993)]]''. The latter also includes two new songs, "Do You Dream of Me?" and "Kentucky Rose".

In 1994, Smith appeared as a guest pianist on the album ''[[Swing, Swang, Swung]]'' by [[Christian rock]] band [[Guardian (band)|Guardian]].<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=[[Swing, Swang, Swung]] |others=[[Guardian (band)|Guardian]] |year=1994 |type=Liner notes |publisher=Myrrh |id=7012529261 |location=Los Angeles}}</ref>

In 1995, Smith released his eighth album ''[[I'll Lead You Home]]'', which combines the pop style of his secular albums with a touch of religious feel. ''[[Live the Life]]'' (1998) and ''[[This Is Your Time (Michael W. Smith album)|This Is Your Time]]'' (1999) follow the same style. In 1998, Smith also released his second Christmas album, ''[[Christmastime (Michael W. Smith album)|Christmastime]]''.

Smith collaborated with [[Jim Brickman]] on "Love of My Life", a romantic love song for Brickman's album ''Destiny'' in 1999. The song went to chart at No. 9 on the [[Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks]]. Also in 1999, he became the first Christian artist to receive the [[ASCAP]] "Golden Note" Award for lifetime achievement in songwriting.<ref name=goldennote /><ref>{{cite news|title=Greater Cincinnati – Northern Kentucky Mission|url=http://www2.cincinnati.com/billygraham/guests.html|newspaper=Cincinnati.com|access-date=May 21, 2015|quote=He is also the first Christian artist to receive the ASCAP "Golden Note" Award for lifetime achievement in songwriting}}</ref>

=== Instrumental and live worship albums (2000–2003) ===

Nearly all of Smith's albums include at least one instrumental track, and in 2000 Smith recorded his first all instrumental album, ''[[Freedom (Michael W. Smith album)|Freedom]]''. The following year, Smith released his first all-worship music album, ''[[Worship (Michael W. Smith album)|Worship]]'', on September 11. This album was followed by a sequel, ''[[Worship Again]]'' in 2002. Both albums were recorded live in concert. ''Worship Again'' also includes a song that Smith wrote called "There She Stands", inspired by the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]]. He performed this song live for the 2004 [[Republican National Convention]],<ref name="ccm1 ">{{cite journal| last=Croteau | first=Roberta | title =Ready for His Close-up |journal=[[CCM Magazine]]| date=December 2004|url =http://www.ccmmagazine.com/search/11535181/ |access-date= August 15, 2009}}</ref> saying that President [[George W. Bush]], who he said is a fan and a family friend, had asked him to write a song about the attacks.<ref name="cbn">{{cite web|last=Woodland|first=Shannon|title=Mr. Smith Goes to Washington|url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/interviews/700club_mwsmith112404.aspx |publisher=CBN Music|access-date=November 10, 2011}}</ref>

In 2002, Smith released a live concert DVD titled ''Worship'', filmed live in [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]] at YC Alberta. The concert includes songs from both ''Worship'' (2001) and ''Worship Again'' (2002). It immediately topped the Billboard video charts and went [[Music recording sales certification|gold]] in both the U.S. and Canada.

Smith won the Male Vocalist of the Year award at the [[GMA Music Awards]] in 2003.<ref name="about">{{cite web|title=GMA Dove Awards Male Vocalist of the Year History|url=http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/tp/gmamalevocalisthistory.htm|publisher=About.com|access-date=November 10, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219062214/http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/tp/gmamalevocalisthistory.htm|archive-date=February 19, 2012}}</ref> The same year he also released his second greatest hits album, ''[[The Second Decade (1993–2003)]]'', which includes a new single called "Signs".

=== Contemporary Christian albums (2004–2010) ===
[[File:Michael W. Smith.jpg|thumb|Michael W. Smith during a concert in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania in 2005]]
Smith's album, ''[[Healing Rain]]'', was released in 2004 and debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 200 Chart. The title track rose to No. 1 on the Radio & Records Charts and a music video for the song was released. The album combines the pop style of his previous recordings with the religious feel of his two live worship albums.  It was also nominated for a [[Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album]]. In 2006 he released ''[[Stand (Michael W. Smith album)|Stand]]'', which is similar to ''Healing Rain'' (2004) in style and genre but with more Christian-themed songs. Also in 2006, Smith did the score and soundtrack to the film ''[[The Second Chance]]'', which he also starred in. He also released a single from the soundtrack album, "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 at the [[Lakewood Church]] in [[Houston, Texas]], titled ''[[A New Hallelujah]]''. It was released in October 2008. That same month he began a tour with [[Steven Curtis Chapman]]. In September 2010, he released ''[[Wonder (Michael W. Smith album)|Wonder]]'',<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/reviews/michael-w-smith-wonder-review-von-buseck.aspx Michael W. Smith Reveals the "Wonder" of God's Grace: Review], ''CBN.com''.</ref> which follows the CCM style of ''Healing Rain'' (2004) and ''Stand'' (2006).

=== Orchestral instrumental, hymns, and studio worship albums (2011–2016) ===

Smith's second instrumental album, ''[[Glory (Michael W. Smith album)|Glory]]'', was released on November 22, 2011. Unlike his first instrumental album, ''Freedom'' (2000), this album features a 65-piece orchestra recorded at [[Air Lyndhurst|AIR Studios Lyndhurst Hall]] in London and Wildwood Recording Studio in Nashville.<ref name="cduniverse">{{cite web|title=Glory|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8622747 |publisher=CD Universe|access-date=December 10, 2011}}</ref> The following year he released his third compilation album, ''[[Decades of Worship]]'' (2012).

Smith's concert in Draper, Utah, on July 24, 2012 was almost canceled due to a complaint filed by a Utah resident on July 16, 2012. He claimed that a show "conflated with prayer and worship" should remain in church or private property, not in the "public's backyard". The following day the city council decided to cancel the concert, but a day later they decided to host the show as planned after all, following a criticism from a Utah evangelical group that equated cancelling the concert to an assault on religious liberty.<ref>{{cite web|title=Christian concert in Draper on again despite lawsuit threat|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54512569-78/concert-draper-walker-money.html.csp|work=The Salt Lake Tribune|access-date=July 22, 2012}}</ref> The Mayor of Draper and several city council members were present at the event and were recognized for their support.

[[File:Michael_W._Smith_in_June_2014.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Michael W. Smith performing in June 2014]]
In 2014, Smith released three albums, ''[[Hymns (Michael W. Smith album)|Hymns]]'', ''[[Sovereign (album)|Sovereign]]'', and ''[[The Spirit of Christmas (Michael W. Smith album)|The Spirit of Christmas]]''. ''Hymns'' is Smith's first effort at doing his own rendition of traditional hymns, and it was released exclusively at [[Cracker Barrel Old Country Store]] on March 24, 2014.<ref name=newreleasetuesday>{{cite web|url=http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/news_detail.php?newsid=117|title=Michael W. Smith Announces Exclusive "Hymns" Release at Cracker Barrel|publisher=NewReleaseTuesday.com|date=March 8, 2014|access-date=March 14, 2014}}</ref> The album sold 12,000 copies in its first week of release and debuted at No.&nbsp;24 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name=billboarddebut>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/chart-alert/6039653/chart-moves-gods-not-dead-sales-surge-london-grammar-gains|title=Chart Moves: 'God's Not Dead' Sales Surge, London Grammar Gains, Karmin's Full-Length Arrives|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=April 4, 2014|access-date=April 7, 2014}}</ref> It was also the best-selling [[Christian music]] album for the week of April 19, 2014,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Christian Albums (link shows current list and at the bottom there's an archive for every week back to year 2000)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-albums|access-date=September 28, 2014}}</ref> and won a 2014 Dove Award for "Inspirational Album of the Year".<ref>{{cite web|title=Dove Awards 2014 Winners: Pre-Show Awards Given Out to Switchfoot, Skillet, Michael W. Smith, and More|url=http://www.breathecast.com/articles/dove-awards-2014-winners-pre-show-awards-given-out-to-switchfoot-skillet-michael-w-smith-and-more-list-20467/|publisher=BREATHEcast|access-date=November 4, 2014|date=October 7, 2014}}</ref> ''Sovereign'', released on May 13, 2014, is his first studio worship album and his first album released through Capitol Records,<ref>{{cite web|last=Papadatos|first=Markos|title=Interview with Michael W. Smith: 'You Won't Let Go'|url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/a-and-e/music/interview-with-michael-w-smith-you-won-t-let-go/article/376209|work=Digital Journal|access-date=March 14, 2014|date=March 14, 2014}}</ref> after leaving his long-time label Reunion Records in 2013.<ref name=Capitol/> The album sold almost 16,000 copies in its first week,<ref name=debutcharts>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6092255/billboard-200-black-keys-michael-jackson-albums-rascal-flatts|title=The Black Keys Earn First No. 1 Album, Michael Jackson Debuts at No. 2|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=May 21, 2014|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> and debuted at No. 10 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], making it the highest-charting album in his career as of 2014.<ref name=debutcharts/> ''The Spirit of Christmas'', officially released as ''Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas'', is Smith's first duet album. Released on September 30, 2014, it features duets with [[Carrie Underwood]], [[Lady Antebellum]], [[Little Big Town]], [[Jennifer Nettles]], [[Martina McBride]], [[Vince Gill]], [[Bono]], [[Amy Grant]], and [[Michael McDonald (singer)|Michael McDonald]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Horton|first=Carrie|title=Michael W. Smith Announces Christmas Album with Lots of Country Stars|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/michael-w-smith-christmas-album-country-stars/|work=Taste of Country|access-date=September 16, 2014|date=August 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Stephens|first=Samantha|title=Carrie Underwood, Lady A Get Festive With Michael W. Smith|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1730274/carrie-underwood-lady-a-get-festive-with-michael-w-smith.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822171621/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1730274/carrie-underwood-lady-a-get-festive-with-michael-w-smith.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 22, 2014|work=CMT|access-date=September 16, 2014|date=August 19, 2014}}</ref> The album marks Smith's third new album in 2014 to enter the Billboard 200,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|title=Billboard 200 Chart Moves: Herb Alpert Returns After 27-Year Absence|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6281527/herb-alpert-returns-charts|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 10, 2014|date=October 12, 2014}}</ref> peaking at No. 16 {{as of|2014|12|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Michael W. Smith - Chart History|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/310914/michael-w-smith/chart?f=305|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 25, 2014}}</ref> It also won a 2015 Dove Award for "Christmas Album of the Year".

Smith, along with Amy Grant, was honored as the "cornerstone of Christian music" by [[ASCAP]] in 2014 for his significant influence on the genre.<ref name="ASCAP Christian Music Awards"/> In 2015, Smith and his son Tyler wrote the score and soundtrack for the film ''[[90 Minutes in Heaven (film)|90 Minutes in Heaven]]'', in which he also has a small acting role.

In November 2015, Smith and Amy Grant started their annual Christmas tour again after a roughly 15-year break.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amy Grant reflects on Christmas traditions and keeping family close in advance of Hershey show with Michael W. Smith|url=http://lancasteronline.com/features/entertainment/amy-grant-reflects-on-christmas-traditions-and-keeping-family-close/article_5e66bc8c-dba0-11e7-b4cd-6bb07f9e027b.html|website=lancasteronline.com|access-date=January 12, 2018|date=December 10, 2017}}</ref>

Smith's second hymns album, called ''[[Hymns II (Michael W. Smith album)|Hymns II - Shine on Us]]'', was released on January 29, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Partners with Michael W. Smith to Sponsor Nationwide Christmas Tour|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151202005268/en/Cracker-Barrel-Country-Store%C2%AE-Partners-Michael-W.|website=businesswire.com|access-date=December 2, 2015|date=December 2, 2015}}</ref> Like his first hymns album released in 2014, the album was sold exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.

On June 21, 2016, Smith released a new single titled "He Will Never End" which was originally released in March 2016 as a bonus track on the [[Target (store)|Target]] exclusive edition of ''The Passion: New Orleans'' soundtrack CD (2016).<ref>{{cite web|title=The Passion: New Orleans, Soundtrack arrives March 18. Target version of the album features a brand new Michael W. Smith song inspired by the Passion!|url=http://michaelwsmith.com/the-passion-new-orleans-soundtrack-arrives-march-18-target-version-of-the-album-features-a-brand-new-michael-w-smith-song-inspired-by-the-the-passion/|website=michaelwsmith.com|access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> On June 27, 2016, he released the music video for the single which was filmed entirely in Israel in April 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael W. Smith "He Will Never End" Music Video|url=http://www.thechristianbeat.org/index.php/official-videos/2308-michael-w-smith-he-will-never-end-music-video|website=thechristianbeat.org|access-date=July 15, 2016|date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>

Later in 2016, Smith released a Christmas musical project in a collaboration with Wes King, Bradley Knight, and Luke Gambill called ''Almost There – A Christmas Musical''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Almost There – A Christmas Musical – Now Available for Church Worship/Choir Directors… (Listen to the musical here)|url=http://michaelwsmith.com/almost-there-a-christmas-musical-now-available-for-church-worshipchoir-directors-listen-to-the-musical-here/|website=michaelwsmith.com|access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref> The musical is named after a song Smith wrote a few years ago for his Christmas album ''The Spirit of Christmas'' (2014).<ref>{{cite web|title=Almost There Arrangers: Michael W. Smith, Wes King, Bradley Knight, Luke Gambill|url=http://brentwoodbenson.com/Choral/Christmas/Almost-There/001SC05190AF|website=Brentwood Benson|access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref>

=== ''A Million Lights'' and ''Surrounded'' (2017–present) ===

On August 11, 2017, Smith released a new single, "A Million Lights", which marks a departure from his previous sound.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael W. Smith Releases 'A Million Lights' Single Today|url=http://www.newreleasetoday.com/news_detail.php?newsid=2531|website=newreleasetoday.com|publisher=NewReleaseToday|access-date=October 27, 2017|date=August 11, 2017}}</ref> It is the lead single and title track from his [[A Million Lights (Michael W. Smith album)|pop album]] released on February 16, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ryan|first1=Patrick|title=Michael W. Smith is lost in space in 'A Million Lights' video|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2017/10/24/exclusive-michael-w-smith-lost-space-uplifting-a-million-lights-video/785063001/|work=USA Today|access-date=October 27, 2017|date=October 24, 2017}}</ref> A week after, on February 23, 2018, Smith released another album called ''[[Surrounded (Michael W. Smith album)|Surrounded]]'' which is his first live worship album in ten years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Two For February: Second album by Michael W Smith to be released in February|url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/news/Two_For_February/61797/p1/|website=Cross Rhythms|access-date=January 12, 2018|date=January 2, 2018}}</ref> The two albums became his 30th and 31st top 10 entries in ''Billboard'''s Top Christian Albums chart, the most among solo artists in the span of his career.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Asker|first1=Jim|title=Passion, Michael W. Smith & Jekalyn Carr Debut on Christian & Gospel Charts|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8238637/passion-michael-w-smith-christian-gospel-songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 14, 2018|date=March 8, 2018}}</ref>

In May 2018, Smith launched a new children's book series, ''Nurturing Steps'', which he created with [[VeggieTales]] co-creator Mike Nawrocki. The first book, ''Nighty Night and Good Night'', was released May 8. He also released his first children's album, ''Lullaby'', to accompany the book.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lundin|first1=Marcus|title=Michael W. Smith Launches 'Nurturing Steps,' Releases 'Lullaby' Music Album, New Book For Infants, Toddlers|url=http://www.breathecast.com/articles/michael-w-smith-launches-nurturing-steps-releases-lullaby-music-album-new-book-for-infants-toddlers-37758/|website=breathecast.com|access-date=May 18, 2018|date=April 8, 2018}}</ref>

On August 30, 2018, Smith hosted a free event at Nashville's [[Bridgestone Arena]] called "Surrounded: A Night to Pray, Worship and Be Awakened". The event will be broadcast on [[Trinity Broadcasting Network|TBN]] later this year in 175 countries worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/michael-w-smith-to-spearhead-next-great-awakening-singer-to-fulfill-prophecy-over-nashville-226911/|title=Michael W. Smith to Spearhead Next Great Awakening? Singer to Fulfill Prophecy Over Nashville|access-date=September 16, 2018}}</ref>

On February 22, 2019, Smith released ''Awaken: The Surrounded Experience'', a live worship album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/artists/MichaelWSmith.asp|title=Michael W. Smith Discography, Michael W. Smith Artist Database {{!}} Jesusfreakhideout.com|website=www.jesusfreakhideout.com|access-date=February 23, 2019}}</ref>

Smith released a live album of worship music, ''Worship Forever'', to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11, which is also the date in which his original album ''Worship'' was released.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} It was also accompanied by a live concert on TBN.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iILJ2gy_IcA|title=Michael W. Smith: Worship Forever &#124; Amy Grant, Tauren Wells, and Matt Redman &#124; FULL CONCERT &#124; TBN|accessdate=January 20, 2022|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>

In March 2024, Smith released his worship EP ''Worthy is the Lamb'' which was recorded at [[Belmont University]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Woolum |first1=Brandon |title=Michael W. Smith Releases New EP 'Worthy Is The Lamb' |url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/michael-w-smith-releases-new-ep-worthy-is-the-lamb/ |website=CCM Magazine |access-date=13 April 2024 |date=18 March 2024}}</ref>

In April 2025, Smith released the EP ''Arms Around The Sun'' <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63laC_A_WWk|title=Michael W. Smith: Arms Around The Sun|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>