Michael W. Smith - One of Christian Music's Legends

Michael W. Smith was born in 1957 to Paul and Barbara Smith in West Virginia. Smith has often taken the nickname "Smitty" and is known as a famous American singer, songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist.

Since Smith's first solo project in 1983, he has become one of the most popular Christian artists in the world of Contemporary Christian music.

He has also found a considerable amount of success in the mainstream. Smith has noted that he doesn't make a record for the Christian or Pop market, he just makes a record.

Smith has topped Billboard charts and is often listed as one of the top keyboardists in Keyboard Magazine. He has also sold more than 13 million records and has had 29 number one songs. By 2005, Smith had achieved 14 gold records and 5 platinum. He had also earned 40 Dove Awards, an American Music Award and 3 Grammy Awards. Smith has also been named one of People Magazine's most beautiful people.

Smith graduated from high school with several serious drug and alcohol abuse problems. He began attending Marshall University for a brief period of time while developing songwriting skills with various local bands. Smith dropped out of college and moved to Nashville to pursue a professional music career. In November of 1979, he suffered an emotional and mental breakdown that led to a renewed commitment to the Christian beliefs he had grown up with. Smith then cleaned up his substance abuse problems and began playing keyboard for the CCM group, Higher Ground.

In 1981, Smith was signed on to Meadowgreen Music where he achieved several highly successful gospel hits. He wrote for artists like Sandi Patty, Kathy Troccoli, Bill Gaither and Amy Grant. He also began touring as a keyboardist for Grant the following year.

He eventually became the opening act for Amy Grant's tour and recorded his first Grammy nominated solo album: The Michael W. Smith Project.

In 1983, Smith's album contained the first recording of his hit Friends, which he co-wrote with his wife, Deborah. This happens to be a song that probably took the least amount of time to write, and was written on an afternoon for a friend who was moving away. Smith never imagined the kind of success it would achieve and generate.

Smith's second pop album was released in 1984. By this time he was headlining his own tours. IN 1986, Smith released the rock album, The Big Picture, with well known producer Johnny Potoker.

In 1988, Smith teamed up with Amy Grant once again for her "Lead Me On World Tour". Within the next year, Smith had recorded his first Christmas album.

In 1990, Smith released Go West Young Man, which was his first mainstream effort and included the crossover hit "Place in This World".

This album followed Change Your World. Smith also released I'll Lead You Home, Live the Life, Christmastime, and This is Your Time in the late 1990's.

In 1996, Smith opened his own record label, Rocketown Records and the first signed artist on the record label was Chris Rice who had written "Go Light Your World" performed by Kathy Troccoli.

Smith's records are well known for the inclusion of at least one instrumental track. In 2000, Smith recorded his first completely instrumental album, Freedom.

After two decades, Smith won Male Vocalist of the Year at the GMA Music Awards in 2003.

Smith also became good friends with U2's Bono. The two have joined forces in a number of performances for Bono's DATA Organization.

Smith's latest, Healing Rain has also had a great amount of success.

Smith and his wife wrote a theme song for Kanakuk camps for the past two decades.

The latests of Smith's works has been a film directed by Steve Taylor entitled, The Second Chance, released February of 2006. Smith performs as a pastor assigned to work in the inner city.