26 Jan 2013 by Adeline Lum CM-
From a typical American boy who is active in baseball and in family’s church activities, he rose into becoming one of the most acclaimed Christian singers in history! He wrote his first song at age five and at age ten, he decided to give his life to Jesus. Nevertheless, never has he thought about becoming a singer but he dreamt of playing professional baseball as a child.
After one semester of studying in Marshall University in West Virginia, he quit college to pursue a career in music. Subsequently in year 1992, he received an honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia.
Apart from rising in his music career as a songwriter, he also met his wife during his career which is best described in a book he wrote, entitled, “It’s Time To Be Bold” depicting his years from 1979 to 1981. Here’s a lovely story of his budding career and how he met his wife:
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.
I thought my life had peaked and God didn’t have to do anything else for me. I wasn’t looking for a record deal, a higher salary, or even a girlfriend – and especially not a wife. Writing music, I was as content as I’d ever been, and I labored at it sixteen hours a day. Then one afternoon while I was working in my office, Deborah Kay Davis walked by.
I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. When she passed by, it was all over for me. I was blown away. Totally head over heels in love. I frantically picked up the phone and called my mother in West Virginia.
“Mom, I can’t believe it. You’re not going to believe this, Mom. I just saw the girl I’m going to marry.
“What’s her name?”
“I don’t know, Mom. I haven’t met her yet. But I gotta go. I’ll find out and call you back.”
My poor mother! She must have thought I’d lost my mind. But I’d never been so clearheaded in my life.
I left my office and went searching for this girl in the warehouse. Sherlock Holmes couldn’t have done a better job of tracking her down, and eventually I found myself standing outside the ladies’ restroom, waiting for her to emerge. She walked out. I introduced myself. We were engaged three and a half weeks later – and married four months after that!
Watch a video for “Thy Word” from Michael Smith and Amy Grant!
http://youtu.be/Ig8dO3VVayw
How did Michael become a singer from a songwriter? In 1982, Michael was asked to play keyboards in the music band of the now-famous Amy Grant. Impressed with Michael’s talent, Amy’s managers—Mike Blanton and Dan Harrell—started Reunion Records and signed up Michael and Kathy Troccoli, another talented singer.
Michael’s first record was in 1983, called the “Michael W. Smith Project.” He worked hand-in-hand with his wife Debbie, where he wrote the music and Debbie wrote the lyrics. “Friends”, a hit record started from this album.
Watch a video for “Friends”!
From 1983, albums and books kept rolling in! He had a career sale of over ten million. And in 2004, he won a Grammy Award in “Worship Again” as the best pop or contemporary gospel album, and the CBA Retailers Choice Award for Praise and Worship Album of the Year in 2003. He also had the fastest selling album in Christian retail in 2001 and 2002. Under his belt, he has also won an impressive 40 Dove Awards and even named as one of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People.”
Amidst his thriving music career, he and Debbie have five children. In 1994, he also founded a teenagers club called Rocketown to provide teenagers a safe and loving palace to gather. The club is equipped with a dance floor, pool tables and a coffee house. Although it was close three years after its opening, a new site was built and reopened in 2003 in downtown Nashville. He also assisted in pioneering a church in Nashville called New River Fellowship Church.
With so many great things to remember Michael for, most importantly, he wanted to be remembered as a “God-fearing man who loved his wife and kids.”
Here’s a video for Above All by Michael Smith, with 6 million views in Youtube!
What an impressive list of accolades. The good news is that Michael Smith will be coming to Malaysia this coming 24th of February! This is Michael’s FIRST CONCERT in Malaysia! Fifty percent of the tickets have already been sold two weeks ago. So, don’t miss out! Purchase your tickets by visiting http://www.michaelwsmithliveinmalaysia.com/
Watch this promotional video for Michael Smith’s concert in Malaysia!
Venue: Grace Convention Centre, Level 3, Plaza Mayang, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Malaysia
Date: 24th February 2013 (Sunday)
Time: 8 PM
Note: The information in this article was adapted from Michael W Smith official website. Please visit http://www.michaelwsmith.com/welcome.html for more information.
References for pictures:
http://www.covershut.com/covers/Michael-W-Smith-Project-1983-Front-Cover-71646.jpg
http://watchgmctv.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/actor_image/debbiemichael.jpg
http://www.contactmusic.com/pics/l/sony_post_grammy_110208/bmg_1756377.jpg
http://www.watchgmctv.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/actor_image/mws_olddoves.jpg
http://mantenedordafe.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/family.jpg
http://www.cmt.com/sitewide/assets/img/news/2009/10_09/rocketown/michael_w_smith_6583-x600.jpg
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