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 15 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
• 2 Double-Platinum records
• 7 Platinum records
• 16 Gold records
• Winner of 44 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