SMITHTeino Evans, Staff Reporter
MICHAEL W. SMITH has been a gospel producer and musician for 20 years and has come into his own as one of the best loved and most sought after Christian artistes all over the world.
His work and music have become invaluable to those who experience it and he always seeks to portray the importance of personal relationships, while encouraging persons that hope stands ready for all and faith is of ultimate concern. He has the ability to put into song the emotions people feel, but don't have the means to express.
It stands as great tribute to Michael that his three most recent projects have yielded two platinum certifications and one gold.
Michael Whitaker Smith was born October 7, 1957 in Kenova, West Virginia, USA, and was active in his family's church activities and loved to play the piano.
FIRST SONG
He wrote his first song at age five, and at the age of 10 he made a decision to give his life to Christ.
Michael attended college at Marshall University in West Virginia, but after one semester dropped out to move to Nashville and pursue a career in music
"While playing keyboards for the group Higher Ground, I signed my first songwriting contract with Paragon/Benson Publishing Company. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I was knocking down $200 a week to do something that I loved. Writing songs for a living meant that I didn't have to wait tables anymore, or work at Coca-Cola, or plant shrubs with a landscaping company," he said.
In 1982, Michael was asked to play keyboards in a band that was backing up a young artiste, Amy Grant. He also continued to write songs for himself. It so happened that Amy's managers, Mike Blanton and Dan Harrell, could not find a Christian record label that would sign Michael or a young New Yorker named Kathy Troccoli and, believing strongly in these two young talents, they started Reunion Records.
FIRST RECORD
Michael made his very first record in 1983 and it was called the 'Michael W. Smith Project'. Michael wrote all the music and wife Debbie wrote the lyrics. The now famous song 'Friends' debuted on this album. Michael continued to tour with Amy, now as her opening act.
"From there, the records kept coming and then the books as well," he added.
In the midst of 18 albums and 10 books, as well as the awards (Dove awards and Grammy awards among them), Michael and Debbie were blessed with five children Ryan, Whitney, Tyler, Emily and Anna.
In 1994, Michael founded a teen club called Rocketown in an effort to provide a place for teens to gather in a safe, loving environment. A warehouse in the Cool Springs area of Brentwood, TN, was converted into a dance floor, rooms with pool tables and a coffee-house. After three years, the club closed. The leadership continued to build a ministry devoted to kids and found a new site in downtown Nashville that reopened in 2003.
ROCKETOWN RECORDS
Michael then founded Rocketown Records in 1996 with Reunion executive Don Donahue and launched their first artiste, Chris Rice. Michael and Don shared a dream to be part of a label where great songs were the focus, where artistes (not acts) were developed. They wanted a label that felt like a family.
In 1999, a prayer group of Michael and Debbie's that had been meeting at their farm had blossomed into what they felt had become a church body. Gathering up some leadership, Michael and Debbie helped start New River Fellowship, with close leadership by pastor and mentor Don Finto, former senior pastor of Nashville's Belmont Church, which Michael and Debbie had attended for many years.
Throughout his career, Michael has had the opportunity to sing for presidents and national leaders and counts among his friends the Reverend Billy Graham and his son, Franklin. He is active in Billy Graham Crusades, as well as The Samaritan's Purse, the ministry headed by Franklin Graham.
For all of Michael's accolades, however, he wishes "to be remembered as a God-fearing man who loved his wife and kids well."
Local gospel music lovers and fans of Michael will have the opportunity of experiencing him, when he comes to do a
live concert in Kingston on Sunday, March 13. The concert, which is dubbed 'Michael W. Smith The Worship Experience', is being presented by Life Productions, in
collaboration with the Caribbean Gospel group.
