Michael Ray – Michael W. Smith

Michael W. Smith’s first-ever classic HYMNS album available now!

Michael Ray — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 18:59:46 +0000

MICHAEL W. SMITH’S new album, HYMNS, available NOW!

CrackerBarrel.com: http://smarturl.it/hymnscb

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

Michael W. Smith’s newest album Hymns is available beginning today exclusively at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations and online at crackerbarrel.com. The digital album will also be available for purchase at select digital retailers. The album is the latest CD in the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® exclusive music program. It is the first time in his legendary career that Smith has recorded an album of traditional hymns, including many that he sang in church when he was young. The album contains 15 songs and will sell for $11.99.

Smith will meet fans and autograph copies of Hymnsat the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® located at 2406 Music Valley Drive in Nashville this Friday, Mar. 28, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Later that evening, he will perform songs from the album on the Grand Ole Opry. During his performance, he will be joined by his friend Ricky Skaggs.

“I’ve wanted to do an album of hymns for as long as I can remember,” said Smith. “When we started talking with Cracker Barrel, I knew it was the right time for this project. I’m really excited about it. These are great, timeless songs that I have always loved to sing.”

“Michael’s Hymns album is beautiful album of classic hymns and makes a great addition to the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store exclusive music program,” said Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager Julie Craig. “We are thrilled to work with Michael and we know our guests will enjoy this CD.”

Hymns was produced by Kyle Lee and Jim Daneker, with track no. 15 produced by Smith. The album’s executive producers are Greg Ham and Chaz Corzine. The songs on Hymns are as follows:

1) “The Old Rugged Cross” (written by George Bennard)

2) “My Jesus, I Love Thee” (written by William R. Featherston)

3) “Were You There” (written by C. Winfred Douglas)

4) “Victory in Jesus” (written by E.M. Bartlett)

5) “How Great Thou Art” (written by Stuart K. Hine)

6) “Just As I Am” (written by Charlotte Elliott)

7) “Near the Cross” (written by Fanny Crosby)

8) “It is Well” (written by Horatio Spafford)

9) “Softly and Tenderly” (written by Will L. Thompson)

10) “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (written by Isaac Watts)

11) “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (written by Joseph M Scriven)

12) “Wonderful, Merciful Savior” (written by Dawn Rodgers and Eric Wyse)

13) “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (written by Thomas O.Chisholm and William M. Runyan)

14) “God of Our Fathers” (written by Daniel C. Roberts)

15) “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” (written by Peter C. Lutkin)

Smith is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and musician who has sold more than 15 million albums, achieved 28 No. 1 songs, earned three GRAMMY Awards, one American Music Award, and more than 40 Dove Awards. Throughout his career, the Contemporary Christian artist has had the opportunity to sing for Presidents and national leaders, and counts among his friends the Reverend Billy Graham and his son, Franklin Graham. He actively supports the teen club Rocketown, Compassion International, and Samaritan’s Purse, the ministry headed by Franklin Graham. Michael and his wife Debbie live in Middle Tennessee, where they raised their five children. For more information, visit www.michaelwsmith.com.

New Album Official Press Release

Michael Ray — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 19:01:35 +0000

Sovereign marks Smith’s first studio worship album since 2008

Sovereign Deluxe Edition to include DVD concert with

special appearances by Kari Jobe and Leeland Mooring

Nashville, Tenn. (March 20, 2014) – After selling more than 15 million albums, scoring 28 No. 1 hits, earning three GRAMMY® Awards and more than 40 Dove Awards, musical icon Michael W. Smith will open a new chapter in his career on May 13 as he releasesSovereign, his first studio worship album since 2008 and his first album with new label partner Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group. Sovereign will also be available as a Deluxe Edition, which will include a special DVD concert filmed at Smith’s barn in Franklin, Tenn. and will feature guest appearances from Kari Jobe and Leeland Mooring. The DVD will also include special behind the scenes footage and content with Smith discussing the inspiration behind Sovereign.

Well known as one of the most gifted artists and worship leaders of his generation, Smith’s previous worship projects have sold well over 3.5 million albums. Throughout the entirety of his career, Smith’s albums have received one Double Platinum, seven Platinum and 16 Gold RIAA Certifications. However, not one to rest on past success as he hits the “sweet spot” of his career, Smith is deliberately entering a new creative chapter on Sovereign, crafting a vibrant collection of vertically-focused songs with a fresh sense of musical innovation.

“I’m enjoying making music more than I ever have in my entire life,” Smith exudes. “I’m having fun and I’m excited about this record and this next chapter.”

In the spirit of this new adventure, Smith enlisted the talents of several songwriters and producers he hasn’t collaborated with previously for Sovereign, including Seth Moseley (Newsboys, Sanctus Real, Love & the Outcome) and Kyle Lee (Natalie Grant). Smith also tapped the expertise of producers Chris Stevens (TobyMac, Carrie Underwood, Mandisa) and West Coast-based writer/producer Jeremy Edwardson (Kari Jobe, Jesus Culture). Bridging the gap between a generation of worship leaders, Smith brought in one of his favorite singers, Kari Jobe, to sing on a track.

“You Won’t Let Go,” the first single from Sovereign, has quickly become a staple in Smith’s live shows. The song has also given Smith a triumphant reentry to Christian radio where it was immediately the most added at Christian AC, and currently sits at No. 22 on the National Christian Audience chart. The lyric video for the track can be seen herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRb_NIQTzyA.

Sovereign

1. You Won’t Let Go

2. Heaven Come Down

3. Miracle

4. Sky Spills Over

5. All Arise

6. You Are The Fire

7. Christ Be All Around Me

8. Sovereign Over Us

9. Hide Myself

10. The Same Power

11. I Lay Me Down

12. The One That Really Matters (Featuring Kari Jobe)

Sovereign Deluxe Edition CD+DVD

1. You Won’t Let Go

2. Heaven Come Down

3. Miracle

4. Sky Spills Over

5. All Arise

6. You Are The Fire

7. Christ Be All Around Me

8. Sovereign Over Us

9. Hide Myself

10. The Same Power

11. I Lay Me Down

12. The One That Really Matters (Featuring Kari Jobe)

DVD

1. You Won’t Let Go

2. You Are The Fire

3. Hide Myself

4. The Same Power

5. All Arise

6. Sovereign Over Us

7. I Lay Me Down

8. Christ Be All Around Me (Featuring Leeland Mooring)

9. The One That Really Matters (Featuring Kari Jobe)

10. You Are The Fire (Reprise)

Official Lyric Video Released For “You Won’t Let Go”

Michael Ray — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:04:03 +0000

Michael W. Smith is BACK with the first single, YOU WON’T LET GO, from his album SOVEREIGN. Watch, Share, Spread The Word!

Alaska Cruise Update

Michael Ray — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 18:02:49 +0000

As we get closer to July you will occasionally be hearing from the good folks at Inspiration Cruises & Tours as well as from your friends here at the MWS Group. We don’t think anyone gets more excited about these fabulous trips than we do!

Plans for this cruise are well underway and we have some amazing things in store for you. An expanded roster of youth activities, choir opportunities, devotions, new late-night activities and maybe even a unique version of The Newlywed Game involving Michael and Debbie are all in the works! Our good friends at Samaritan’s Purse will be with us, again, and we always look forward to blessing them for their tremendous work.

We are also writing to let you be the first to know that our cruise is already SOLD OUT! Inspiration has changed the event website to say “Space is Limited – Call for Availability” to help create a Waiting List so we can fill any cabins that become available before we depart, but as of a few days ago, we are completely full! Congratulations for booking early!

On a more serious note we want to ask you to join us in prayer for one of our dear friends, Darlene Zschech. Darlene is a powerful worship leader and has been on our roster ever since we planned this cruise over a year ago. She and her family are great friends to all of us at the MWS camp. As some of you may know, within the past few months Darlene was diagnosed with breast cancer and, upon diagnosis, began immediate treatment. Knowing Darlene, we are certain that this will be yet another platform for her to draw others to Christ and to testify of His healing power and grace.

To focus most effectively on her treatment and healing it will be necessary for Darlene to be home in Australia at the time of our cruise. We, of course, understand and completely support this decision. We look forward to Darlene’s complete and total healing and look forward to hearing her testimony on a future cruise!

We are also excited that, in God’s provision, another dynamic singer-songwriter will be joining the cruise. Nichole Nordeman and her family will be spending the week with us and we couldn’t be more grateful. Her influential and passionate music will be such a great addition to our cruise.

Join Michael and our team as we not only pray for our cruise and all God has planned – but also please add Darlene and her family to your prayer list.

We so look forward to seeing you all in July. It will be here sooner than we can imagine. We can’t wait!

Visit Laura’s site at: www.nicholenordeman.com

Visit Darlene’s site at: www.darlenezschech.com

See you all in just a few short months!

BLESSINGS,

The MWS Team