SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

• A Million Lights: February 16, 2018
• Surrounded: February 23, 2018

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OK… It’s Christmas tour rehearsal week. Which this year means that we are going to be engaging in a little healthy AG vs. MWS competition. We’ll call it BATTLE OF THE CHRISTMAS TREES with our friends from Balsam Hill​.

When you vote you’ll be entered to win some awesome stuff of course, which is REALLY GREAT… but most importantly you’ll be helping Michael W. defeat Amy. Not that we’re competitive or anything. 😉

Competition begins at 8 am central on November 5th – and runs through November 11th.

Go here to vote: https://www.balsamhill.com/pr/amy-grant-and-michael-smith-giveaway

Multi-Platinum artist, best-selling author and acclaimed actor Michael W. Smith announces his new album, A Million Lights, will release Feb. 16, 2018 from Rocketown Records and The Fuel Music.

USA Today caught up with Michael to talk about A Million Lights and the inspiration behind his new recording. Read the story and watch the stellar, sci-fi inspired official video for the album’s title track here or below.

Michael has been releasing new music regularly and performing around the world to sold-out crowds for the last 30+ years. During his storied career, he’s written 32 No. 1 singles, been honored with three Grammy Awards and 45 Dove Awards, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 15 million albums.

He’s also given back to the global community. Michael has raised funds to battle AIDS in Africa alongside longtime friend Bono; started Rocketown, a safe haven for young people in Tennessee to meet and find hope; and has helped more than 70,000 children through Compassion International.

On Nov. 11, Michael will embark on his annual Christmas Tour with Amy Grant, Jordan Smithand a full symphony orchestra. (See tour dates here)

A Million Lights was fueled by the divisive national sentiment of 2017 and the mean-spirited banter on social media. “About half the album was written in response to where we are as a nation,” says Michael. “In the age of social media, people have forgotten how to talk with one another, to be civil.”

Eager to experiment with new sounds, Michael enlisted multi-platinum producer and songwriter Brian Todd (Miley Cyrus and Rascal Flatts) and songsmith Kyle Lee to help flesh out his vision for the new songs. “I called a bunch of people I’d never written with because I wanted to push myself and experiment.”

The result is a beautiful collection of sweeping, epic new songs that sees Michael exploring new ground with music created to enlighten, mesmerize and touch the soul of listeners.

“Until the world ends, music is the most powerful language there is. It can transform your life on every level, not just the spiritual. It can help people reconnect with why they’re here. That’s what I’m doing with A Million Lights.”

The first single and title track of the album is now available on all digital platforms, including iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon.comand YouTube, and can be heard on major Spotify playlists like “Top Christian,” “Ultimate Indie,” “Dance Around The House” and many more.

The Official lyric video has premiered for A MILLION LIGHTS.

Watch it, Share it, NOW!

AMY GRANT, MICHAEL W. SMITH ANNOUNCE 2017 CHRISTMAS TOUR

FEATURING JORDAN SMITH, WINNER OF ‘THE VOICE,’ FULL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Popular Annual Holiday Tour Presented By Balsam Hill^® Launches Nov. 11 In Omaha, NE

Amy, Michael Featured At “Compassion Meet & Greet” Events In Each Tour City

Multi-platinum, GRAMMY® winners Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith co-bill their popular Christmas tour this holiday season, which will be joined for the second consecutive year by Republic recording artist Jordan Smith, Season 9 winner of NBC’s “The Voice.” Incorporating a full symphony orchestra at each performance under the direction of Musical Director and Conductor David Hamilton, this seasonal crowd-pleaser is being presented by Balsam Hill^®. Launching Nov. 11 in Omaha, NE, the 20-city tour travels to major markets across the U.S., including Houston, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Portland, Seattle, Denver, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Boise, Tampa, Kansas City and more.

With multiple sellout crowds celebrating the season with them last year, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith joint Christmas tours have become some of the most anticipated holiday events of the season. Combining for a vast collection of critically-acclaimed holiday albums between them, the 2017 Christmas tour will showcase selections spanning the artists’ expansive Christmas repertoires, including their most recent releases, Grant’s Tennessee Christmas, Michael W. Smith’s The Spirit of Christmas and Jordan Smith’s ’Tis The Season.

Photo Credit: Cameron Powell

“I started looking forward to this year’s tour after the final encore of last year’s tour!” exclaims Michael W. Smith. “Performing with Amy and Jordan – in front of a full Symphony Orchestra – is about as good as it gets for me!”

“Michael, Jordan and I have been looking forward to touring together again all year!” confirms Grant. “We had so much fun together last year and it felt like our creative gifts complimented one another in a unique way.

“As we started to plan the show, it was our goal to enhance people’s experience of the Christmas season by providing them a night of exquisite music and a message of hope,” continues Grant. “We are especially thrilled to be partnering with Balsam Hill this year and incorporating some of their beautiful pieces into our production. Creativity happens on many different levels and similarly to the music Michael, Jordan and I have recorded for the holidays, Balsam Hill’s products exists to add beauty and magic to the Christmas season.”

“I’m so looking forward to hitting the road again this year with Michael and Amy!” adds Jordan Smith. “It is always an honor to share the stage with these two legendary performers who are also such special people. This show has become one of my favorite Christmas traditions!”

In addition to the performance, and in support of their longstanding relationship with Compassion International, Michael and Amy are exclusively meeting with as many as 200 people in each city who sponsor a child through the organization prior to the concert and through the website www.meetamyandmichael.com. This “Compassion Meet & Greet” is an opportunity to learn more about the Compassion International’s child sponsorship experience and will include a photo opportunity with the artists. (Tickets to each concert must be purchased separately through the event’s normal ticketing outlets.)

“Amy and I have both sponsored children through Compassion International literally for decades,” reflects Michael. “So, I’m especially excited that we are using our time before the show to meet people who sponsor Compassion children. It seems like such a great opportunity – especially this time of year.

“Amy has a song that says, ‘It’s Going To Be A Christmas To Remember.’ That’s our goal with this night,” continues Michael. “I hope we create a memory for everyone that attends and, at the same time, we impact the lives of some very special children all over the world.”

Recently inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame in recognition of her significant contributions to Nashville and its musical heritage, Grant released Tennessee Christmas last year, marking her first all-new holiday album in nearly 20 years. With over six million Christmas records sold, her latest holiday offering includes a blend of heartfelt originals and Grant’s own spin on popular Yuletide classics, seamlessly weaving together the joy, love, laughter and even grief this season brings.

With critical praise from USA Today, The New York Times, Huffington Post, Country Weekly and more, Michael W. Smith’s Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas features collaborations with Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Nettles, Bono, Michael McDonald and Grant.

Jordan Smith released his first-ever Christmas album, ’Tis The Season, last year. The holiday recording followed his debut album Something Beautiful, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200, the highest ranking on the chart by any winner of a television singing competition in almost five years, making Smith the best-selling artist in the history of “The Voice.”

For more information on the upcoming tour and to purchase tickets, visit amygrant.com/tour, michaelwsmith.com/tour or jordansmithofficial.com/tour.

To learn more about Compassion International, visit www.compassion.com.

2017 Christmas Tour:
Sat. Nov. 11    Omaha, NE                  CenturyLink Center

Mon. Nov. 13   Denver, CO                 Bellco Theatre

Tue. Nov. 14    Orem, UT                     UCCU Center

Wed. Nov. 15  Nampa, ID                    Idaho Center

Thu. Nov. 16    Kennewick, WA          Toyota Center

Fri. Nov. 17      Abbotsford, BC           Abbotsford Entertainment and Sport Center

Sat. Nov. 18    Everett, WA                 Xfinity Arena at Everett

Sun. Nov. 19   Portland, OR                Moda Center

Sat. Nov. 25    Duluth, GA                   Infinite Energy Center

Sun. Nov. 26   Tampa, FL                   Amalie Arena

Thu. Nov. 30    Oklahoma City, OK      Crossings Community Church

Fri. Dec. 1        Tulsa, OK                    BOK Center

Sat. Dec. 2      Grand Prairie, TX         Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie

Sun. Dec. 3     Sugar Land, TX           Smart Financial Center

Fri. Dec. 8        Kansas City, MO         Sprint Center

Sat. Dec. 9      Madison, WI                 Alliant Energy Center

Sun. Dec. 10   Grand Rapids, MI         Van Andel Arena

Thu. Dec. 14    Van Wert, OH              Niswonger Performing Arts Center

Fri. Dec. 15      Columbus, OH           Nationwide Arena

Sat. Dec. 16    Fairfax, VA                 Eaglebank Arena

Sun. Dec. 17   Hershey, PA                GIANT Center

*All dates and venues are subject to change without notice

About Amy Grant:
Amy Grant’s career spans more than 30 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality and philanthropist. With three multi-platinum albums, six platinum albums and four gold albums, her total career album sales have exceeded 30 million. Grant’s chart success has been consistent throughout her career with six No. 1 hits, 10 Top 40 pop singles, 17 Top 40 Adult Contemporary tracks and multiple Contemporary Christian chart-toppers. In addition to her six GRAMMY® Awards, Grant has earned 26 Dove Awards (including four Artist of the Year Awards) and has been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Conventional wisdom has it that Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map becoming the first Contemporary Christian artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts and the first to perform at the GRAMMY® Awards. With that, her legacy as one of the most influential artists of the past four decades is assured. In April 2015, Grant celebrated the 25th anniversary of her iconic hit “Baby Baby” with a worldwide release of the song featuring pop sensation Tori Kelly and released Tennessee Christmas in 2016, marking her first all-new holiday album in nearly 20 years.

Get Connected with Amy Grant:
www.amygrant.com

About Michael W. Smith:
Michael W. Smith is an acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician who has sold more than 15 million albums, achieved 32 No. 1 songs, received 2x RIAA Multi-Platinum, 6 Platinum and 16 Gold certified albums, earned three GRAMMY® Awards, one American Music Award and 45 Dove Awards. Amassing an in-depth catalog of achievements, Smith was honored at ASCAP’s 100th Anniversary for his groundbreaking career and significant influence in music. He performed at Former First Lady Barbara Bush’s 90th birthday celebration, had the privilege to join Former President Clinton, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and others in remembering victims in the 20th Anniversary of the Oklahoma City attacks, was appointed by the White House as Vice Chair for the President’s Council on service and civic participation and was the featured performer at the 2015 USO Gala where he was recognized as a USO veteran. In addition to the international impact he has had through multiple global tours, he has written and composed various scored film projects, has authored 12 books, has acted in assorted motion pictures and has been featured by numerous national media outlets. He founded, and actively supports, the teen club Rocketown – a nonprofit outreach for teens, providing opportunities in arts, music, sports and mentoring programs. This year also marks the 26th anniversary in partnership with Compassion International, seeing more than seventy thousand families’ and children’s lives changed, around the world.

Get Connected with Michael W. Smith: 
www.michaelwsmith.com

About Jordan Smith:
Jordan Smith’s much anticipated debut album, Something Beautiful , is available now everywhere. Throughout the album, his undeniable delivery and instantly recognizable range drives both original songs and cover tracks produced by legends such as GRAMMY® Award winning producer David Foster  and modern hit maker Stephan Moccio . The 23-year-old from Harlan, KY, Jordan Smith stands out as the highest-selling artist to ever emerge from NBC’s EMMY AWARD®-winning “The Voice.” In less than six months, he sold over 1 million singles and made Voice history by landing eight songs in the iTunes Top 10—the first artist from any season to hit the iTunes Top 10 every single week of the Live Rounds. Of the eight songs that went Top 10 on iTunes, six hit Top 3, and three captured No. 1 on iTunes, all of which knocked Adele off the top spot! His first holiday album, ‘Tis The Season, is available now.

Get Connected with Jordan Smith:
www.jordansmithofficial.com

About Balsam Hill:

Founded ten years ago in Redwood City, Calif., Balsam Hill is committed to creating the best Christmas trees on the market. Founder Thomas Harman was inspired to start Balsam Hill by a family member who was allergic to live trees but wanted to create a festive atmosphere in his home during the holidays. When Thomas’ search for a lifelike artificial Christmas tree came up empty-handed, our mission was born to develop the most realistic and luxurious artificial trees. To accomplish this mission, our designers carefully craft trees to mimic nature using site visits and cuttings from live trees as a guide. Balsam Hill holds several patented and trademarked technology that brings the holidays to life including ultra-realistic True Needle™ branches, unique Color+Clear™ or Candlelight™ LED lights, and innovative Flip Tree™ technology. For more information visit the company’s website at http://www.balsamhill.com/.

About Compassion International:
Founded in 1952, Compassion International is a Christian child development organization that works to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Compassion revolutionized the fight against global poverty by working exclusively with the Church to lift children out of spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty. Compassion partners with more than 6,700 churches in 25 countries to deliver its holistic child development program to over 1.8 million babies, children and young adults. It is the only child sponsorship program to be validated through independent, empirical research.

Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY® and Dove Award winner Michael W. Smith releases his first new song in three years, “A Million Lights,” today from Rocketown Records and The Fuel Music. World premiering last month on SiriusXM The Message and going for adds now at Christian radio everywhere, the song is available to download or stream at outlets like iTunes, Amazon.com, Apple Music, Spotify and other digital providers internationally.

“I don’t recall being this excited about a single in a long time,” says Smith. “I’m very happy with how ‘A Million Lights’ has turned out and am anxious to get it from my studio out into the world! I believe the message of this song will be inspiring to everyone who hears it.”

With multiple sellout crowds experiencing the song live on Smith’s 20-city Revolution Tour this past spring, “A Million Lights” is also the first new song to be revealed from his upcoming, full-length studio album that is in production now. Slated to release early next year, the new album (title to be announced) will release from Smith’s Rocketown Records, as well as through his newly formed marketing and distribution alliance with The Fuel Music.

“There is a substantial new wind in Michael’s sail; this cultural influencer and voice for Christian people everywhere is revealing a new sound,” says Tony Patoto, The Fuel Music & Management, LLC founder. “It’s unequivocally Michael W. Smith, but with a significant new gravity and otherly approach contextually.”

Fans who heard “A Million Lights” on SiriusXM and on the recent tour are also responding to this new music on Smith’s Facebook page: “It’s a whole new level of greatness!” exclaims Catherine as Stephanie agrees, “Love this new song…I can’t wait to hear it again.” “I loved it live,” adds Ken while Jo Ann exclaims, “Wow! I love your new song. It’s beautiful! I’m so glad I was tuned into The Message.” Laura relates, “You and your music are such a blessing to this world!” and Sam says, “Great Song! Woke the House up with it this morning.”

Ways to listen now and add “A MILLION LIGHTS” to your library:
A Million Lights:
iTunes/Amazon:  http://hyperurl.co/AMillionLights
Spotify:  http://hyperurl.co/SpotifyMillionLights
Apple Music:  http://hyperurl.co/AppleMAMillionLights
Amazon Music:  http://hyperurl.co/AmazonAMillionLights

For all the latest Michael W. Smith news, tour dates (including his upcoming 22-city 2017 Christmas tour with Amy Grant and Jordan Smith) and more, go to www.michaelwsmith.com and connect through his socials.

Michael is HONORED to be part of his good friend, Stu G’s, new album – BEATITUDES.  Learn more below and go behind the scenes of the song Michael recorded with Stu for the project:

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Over a decade in the making, the project is the culmination of guitarist, songwriter and author Stu Garrard’s (Stu G) excavation of these “blessings at the bottom of life.” For the album, he explored in community with like-minded artists across a wide swath in the musical landscape. Celebrated artists like Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Martin Smith join singer/songwriters like Matt Maher, Audrey Assad, John Mark McMillan, Joel Houston and Amanda Cook and innovators like Propaganda, All Sons & Daughters, Terrian Bass and The Brilliance—artists who collectively have sold more than 62 million records, won 11 Grammy, 90 Dove Awards and amassed dozens of hit songs and millions of followers on social media—to unearth the words of Jesus in unexpected ways.

Listen to BEATITUDES here.

Michael W. Smith and his team are very excited to announce THREE opportunities for his friends, that’s you, to join him and some very special guests for event experiences.  

Michael W. Smith trip experiences are intentionally programmed in a way that every person attending gets to enjoy unique concerts and teaching that are impossible to tour.  These events also allow Michael to connect with the attendees in an even more personal way while enjoying some of the most amazing places in all of creation.

We hope you can join us!  Click any other banners below to learn more about each experience!