Michael W. Smith

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  

 Discography:

• A New Hallelujah, October 28, 2008
• It's A Wonderful Christmas , 2007
• Stand, 2006
• Healing Rain, 2004 - Certified Gold on 9/14/2005
• The Second Decade (1993-2003)
• Worship Again, 2002 - Music Book - Certified Gold on 1/14/2003
• Worship, 2001 -Certified Gold on 12/17/2001, Platinum on 8/06/2002
• Freedom, 2000- Certified Gold on 9/11/2006
• This Is Your Time, 1999 -Certified Gold on 5/30/2000

• Christmastime, 1998 - Certified Gold on 12/16/2003
• Live The Life, 1998 -Certified Gold on 4/01/1999
• I'll Lead You Home, 1995 - 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 -  Certified Gold on 11/17/1992, Platinum on 11/05/1997
• The Live Set, 1991
• Go West Young Man, 1991 - Certified Gold on 8/01/1991, Platinum on 2/26/2004

• Christmas, 1989 -Certified Gold on 9/11/2006
• I 2 Eye, 1988 - Certified Gold on 8/01/1991
• Michael W Smith Live, 1988 
• The Big Picture, 1986
• Michael W. Smith 2, 1984 
• Michael W. Smith Project, 1983 - Certified Gold on 7/26/1990