On Sunday, March 22nd Michael W. Smith invited you into his living room for a special worship concert.

You can watch this very special worship event here:

Special Event Announcement:
Michael W. Smith will be leading a special worship service on Sunday, March 22nd at 6:00 pm eastern (5 pm cdt, 4 pm mdt, 3 pm pdt).

Lets Worship Together, Online.
Lets Pray Together!

Ways to join us. Watch here:
Facebook.com/MichaelWSmithOfficial
Instagram.com/MWSmithOfficial

A message from Michael:

It’s with deep regret that we’re announcing the postponement of the remaining dates on the Michael W. Smith: 35 Years of Friends Tour effective immediately.

“In what people have referred to as uncertain times, I am certain of this: God is in control and loves us more than we can even imagine. I rest in Him and I trust Him. I look forward to rescheduling these concerts and doing what I feel God has called me to do.”
– Michael W. Smith

We are working diligently to reschedule dates as soon as possible, and we will notify ticket holders immediately of rescheduled dates. Please retain your tickets as they will be valid on the rescheduled dates. If for any reason you cannot attend the rescheduled date a full refund will be available through your original point of purchase.

The postponed dates are listed below. Please make sure to follow the Michael W. Smith, and Awakening Events social media channels for the most current updates about the tour.

• Fri, Mar 13 – Lewisville, TX (Dallas)
• Sat, Mar 14 – Amarillo, TX
• Sun, Mar 15 – Albuquerque, NM
• Thu, Mar 19 – San Francisco, CA
• Fri, Mar 20 – Napa, CA
• Sat, Mar 21 – San Luis Obispo, CA
• Sun, Mar 22 – Monterey, CA
• Thu, Mar 26 – Cheyenne, WY
• Fri, Mar 27 – Lincoln, NE
• Sat, Mar 28 – Lafayette, IN
• Sun, Mar 29 – Louisville, KY
• Fri, Apr 3 – Macon, GA
• Sun, Apr 5 – Indian Trail, NC (Charlotte)
• Tue, Apr 14 – Roanoke, VA
• Wed, Apr 15 – Greensboro, NC
• Thu, Apr 16 – Middleburg Heights, OH

As we move into the last two months of 2019…

Michael W. Smith and all of us on his team are amazed with how much has already happened this year… and we’ll recap all of THAT in emails to come. Right now we want to tell you about all of the NEW things going on soon and in the not-so-distant future.

From new music, new tour dates, new events… there’s just a lot of “NEW” happening with Michael W. Smith. Scroll through the newsletter for more info.

NEW TOUR & OPPORTUNITY TO MEET MICHAEL & AMY AT CONCERTS.
Balsam Hill Presents
CHRISTMAS with Michael W. Smith & Amy Grant
featuring special guest, Marc Martel.

Iowa (Des Moines)
Indiana (Indianapolis
Michigan (Grand Rapids)
Minnesota (Minneapolis)
Ohio (Cincinnati)
Ohio (Columbus)
South Dakota (Sioux Falls)

CHRISTMAS with Michael W. Smith
featuring special guest, Marc Martel

Georgia (Atlanta)
Michigan (Detroit)
Pennsylvania (Reading)
Pennsylvania (Sewickley / Pittsburgh)
Pennsylvania(Shippensburg)
Tennessee (Nashville)
West Virginia (Huntington)

Tickets and info: https://michaelwsmith.com/tour
Meet Michael and Amy: http://MeetMichaelandAmy.com
Michael & Marc Concerts:  http://MeetMichaelWSmith.com

NEW AT RADIO:
WAYMAKER – Studio / Radio Version released.

Ever since Michael recorded WAYMAKER as part of the SURROUNDED event, his friends at radio have been asking for a studio version of the song that is playable on the radio. Michael was introduced to the song, written by Sinach, by his daughter Anna during the summer of 2018 and he is excited for you to hear this new version.

Listen to new studio version now: https://mws.lnk.to/waymaker

NEW CHRISTMAS MUSIC:
“SILVER BELLS”
with Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant & Marc Martel

“My history with Amy made this a no-brainer,” Smith says. “Any chance to sing with her again is a blessing to say the least. And then to pull Marc into the scene … I’m not sure it gets any better than that.”

People Magazine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0EstzM_TUs
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcKcbaIkrdY
Apple Music: https://geo.music.apple.com/us/album/silver-bells/1481593222?i=1481593320&mt=1&app=music
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/42TVKF5oqelzyFxHxYPQBX?si=jsTTvtAzScOdLRseaTD2_g

Don’t miss your chance to see all three of them together on tour this Christmas season.

NEW ‘HYMNS’ COMPILATION ALBUM

This album features 18 sacred songs interpreted as only Michael W. Smith can. Originally released as parts of two albums that are no longer available. We are excited to make these songs available again for you to enjoy via all major music streaming services. The physical CD is available exclusively at Michael W. Smith concerts this season and will be available on his website for purchase in late November (not available in stores).

Add these HYMNS to your streaming library now
Apple Music: https://geo.music.apple.com/us/album/the-hymns/1483163120?mt=1&app=music
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7i8SdLdKus9UP5WufzYwiN?si=eH3gpAV-T-Kqz0-aPv09Tg

NIGHTY NIGHT:
NEW CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS BOOK

Michael W. Smith & Mike Nawrocki return with the third book in their Nighty Night series… “Merry Christmas, Nighty Night.” The perfect bedtime book for parents and grandparents to read to their babies and toddlers during Christmas season bedtime. Exclusively available as a Board book this Christmas season it makes the perfect gift for new parents and grandparents alike.

Look Inside and Order at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PNZ64HC/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

NEW MWS & FRIENDS EVENT: HAWAII 2020

Michael W. Smith has been touring to cities, states, and countries far and wide for over 35 years. During these tours he brings his band and crew to your hometowns. Well, occasionally he produces events where we ask YOU to come to US in a unique destination for multi-day events that allow him and our guests to connect in ways that single day concerts don’t allow.

Our NEXT big event is going to be taking place in HAWAII.
We hope you can join us: October 18-23, 2020.

Michael, and his friends, Mac Powell and Matt Maher will be joining us for a week of concerts, teaching, and worship in a location unlike anything you’ll ever experience. Sunset concerts, morning and afternoon devotions all while also enjoying fellowship with the attendees throughout the week.

Reserve your room now for this unique experience: https://michaelwsmith.com/hawaii

NEW MOVIE RECOMMENDATION:
A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

Michael had the privilege of seeing this movie at a screening recently, and then asked us to make sure we shared it. “Discover the heart of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Hear from the cast and crew about Fred Rogers’ faith and legacy!”

In Theater’s Everywhere, Friday, November 22!
The Heart of The Film:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qn9m0VOA_M

Over 50 Artists came together for a special concert in Nashville, TN and TBN was there to capture it!  The concert titled “35 Years of Friends:  Celebrating The Music of Michael W. Smith” will premiere exclusively on TBN on August 1st and 2nd.  Details below.

• Part 1:  Thursday, August 1st at 8 / 7 central
• Part 2:  Friday, August 2nd  at 8 / 7 central

Each part of the concert will be available to watch online for FREE, the following morning on TBN.org and via Mobile TBN Apps.

Multi-platinum, GRAMMY® winners Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith are reuniting to co-bill their popular Christmas tour this upcoming holiday season, where they will be joined by special guest Marc Martel. Incorporating a full symphony orchestra at each performance, this musical mastery is being presented by Balsam Hill^® (www.BalsamHill.com). Kicking-off November 30 in Cincinnati, OH the seven-city tour travels to Columbus, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Grand Rapids, MI and more.

The highly anticipated show will feature selections spanning the artists’ expansive Christmas repertoires and combine the vast collection of critically-acclaimed holiday albums between them. The dynamic duo last brought their Christmas tour on the road in 2017 to the delight of fans in sold-out shows throughout North America.

“Michael is one is the most gifted musicians I know.  His welcoming, easy going personality makes me look forward to every chance I have to share the stage with him…. especially at Christmas,” Grant says.

Smith states, “It’s no secret how much I love Christmas and playing Christmas music.  I’m so looking forward to being back out with Amy for the first half of the season – and when she returns home for her Christmas residency at the Ryman – I look forward to carrying on for nine more shows with my band and the amazing Marc Martel!”

Grant and Smith both agreed, “We are so happy to have Balsam Hill as our Tour Sponsor again. A Christmas Tour sponsored by the manufacturer of the most beautiful Christmas trees and Christmas decorations; it just doesn’t get any better than that! Both of our homes are decorated with Balsam Hills products.”

“It all comes full circle! Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith – two class acts, whose music has been a big part of my own musical upbringing – have invited me to join them on their 2019 Christmas tour. As far as I’m concerned, when it comes to Christmas shows, this one is the standard. So excited to share the stage with Smitty and Amy, and see you all somewhere on the road this holiday season,” Martel adds.

In addition to the performance, and in support of their longstanding relationship with Compassion International, Michael and Amy are exclusively meeting fans who sponsor a child through the organization prior to the concerts through the website www.meetamyandmichael.com and www.meetmichaelwsmith.com. This “Compassion Meet & Greet” is an opportunity to learn more about the Compassion International’s child sponsorship experience and will include a photo and Meet & Greet opportunity with the artists. (Tickets to each concert must be purchased separately through the event’s normal ticketing outlets.) All three artists are also participating in the Sixth Annual Balsam Hill Celebrities for Smiles Charity Auction, where the public can bid on one-of-a-kind, celebrity-autographed, beautiful holiday ornaments on an eBay auction at www.CelebritiesforSmiles.com. All proceeds will benefit Operation Smile, an international medical charity that offers free cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries to children and young adults all around the world.

Following the seven-city run with Grant, Smith will continue the Christmas tour with Martel for nine dates hitting Nashville, TN, Atlanta, GA, Detroit, MI, and more. He will be accompanied by the full symphony orchestra on select dates as well. Meanwhile, Grant will return to Nashville for her Christmas at the Ryman residency with her husband Vince Gill. The 12-date holiday concert run will kick off on Dec. 11 at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium and close on Dec. 23. This year’s Ryman residency offers matinee times of the couple’s holiday show on Dec. 15, 22 and 23. Tickets are on sale and available via ryman.com, ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000.

For more information on the upcoming tour and to purchase tickets, visit: AmyGrant.com/Tour and MichaelWSmith.com/Tour

2019 Christmas Tour Dates:
All dates and venues are subject to change without notice

Sat, Nov 30                                            Cincinnati, OH**

Sun, Dec 1                                               Columbus, OH**

Mon, Dec 2                                            Indianapolis, IN**

Thu, Dec 5                                             Grand Rapids, MI**

Fri, Dec 6                                                Minneapolis, MN**

Sat, Dec 7                                              Sioux Falls, SD**

Sun, Dec 8                                             Des Moines, IA**

Tue, Dec 10                                            Nashville, TN*

Wed, Dec 11                                          Atlanta, GA*

Fri, Dec 13                                              Reading, PA*

Sat, Dec 14                                            Huntington, WV*

Sun, Dec 15                                           Shippensburg, PA*

Wed, Dec 18                                         Detroit, MI*

Thu, Dec 19                                            Pittsburgh, PA*

Fri, Dec 20                                              Lowell, MA*

Sat, Dec 21                                           Medford, NJ*

**Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Marc Martel

*Michael W. Smith and Marc Martel

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 as well as the Music City 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 of 2016, Grant celebrated the 25th anniversary of her iconic hit “Baby Baby” with a worldwide release of the song featuring pop sensation Tori Kelly. Tennessee Christmas released in late 2016, marking Grant’s first all-new holiday album in nearly 20 years.

Get Connected with Amy Grant:
Website // http://amygrant.com

Twitter //https://twitter.com/amygrant

Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/amygrantofficial/

Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/amygrant/

About Michael W. Smith:
Michael W. Smith has been releasing new music regularly and performing around the world to sold-out crowds for the last 35+ years. During his storied career, he’s written over 35 #1 songs, been honored with three GRAMMY® Awards and 45 Dove Awards, one American Music Award, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 15 million albums. His most recent USA Today, Yahoo! Music and Billboard-acclaimed studio album A Million Lights and Parade, Good Morning America-featured and GRAMMY nominated live worship album Surrounded have together become his 30th and 31st Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart, more than any other solo artist in history. He’s also given back to the global community. Smith has raised funds to battle AIDS in Africa; 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. He has also written several bestselling books, including Old Enough To Know and Friends Are Friends Forever. Michael W. Smith’s heavily praised 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. For more information, visit www.michaelwsmith.com.

Get Connected With Michael W. Smith

michaelwsmith.com

facebook.com/michaelwsmithofficial

twitter.com/michaelwsmith

instagram.com/mwsmithofficial

About Marc Martel:

Long before his YouTube videos went viral, spawning an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and a performance with the surviving members of Queen on “American Idol,” Marc Martel spent 13 years recording and touring the globe with Canadian rockers Downhere. After hearing about a contest spearheaded by the actual members of Queen, the front man almost passed on the opportunity to enter, but with some prodding, he casually cut a version of “Somebody To Love” in 2011, and now 30 million cumulative YouTube and Facebook views later, Martel was declared the victor. Fast forward to 2019, and Martel has forged for himself a unique and diverse career. Amongst other accolades, he started his own Queen tribute show called The Ultimate Queen Celebration, which tours all over the world, including an upcoming Germany/Austria/Switzerland run in 2020. In 2018 Martel was called upon to be one of the voices of Freddie Mercury in the Twentieth Century Fox film, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, which has not only opened up touring opportunities that have brought him all over playing to sold out crowds, but has led to features by the New York Times, Good Morning America, and hundreds of other publications.

Additionally, each Christmas Marc releases EP’s chalk full of traditional holiday songs recorded with a fresh perspective and sound.  The last 4 radio singles off these albums have garnered him Top 10 chart positioning on Billboard’s Monitored AC Christian chart. Now 150 million YouTube views later, and a nearly cult online following, it feels as if Marc Martel is quickly becoming a recognizable name.

About Balsam Brands

The flagship brand of Redwood City-headquartered Balsam Brands is Balsam Hill, renowned worldwide for its superbly crafted, lifelike Christmas Trees inspired by nature. Its exclusive True Needle™ Technology is modeled after real evergreen branches to beautifully replicate nature’s design. Not only known for being life-like, Balsam Hill’s patented technology including Flip Tree™, Instant Evergreen™, Candelight™ LED and Easy Plug™ make assembly easier than ever.

The company was founded in 2006 by Thomas Harman, who was inspired to start Balsam Hill by a family member who was allergic to live trees but still 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, he created Balsam Hill to make highly realistic artificial trees.

Today, Balsam Hill creates inspired home décor for all seasons and occasions, including realistic artificial florals that capture the beauty of spring. As a community leader, Balsam Brands engages in a variety of civic activities that help strengthen families and support those in need.

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 7,500 churches in 25 countries to deliver its holistic child development program to over 2 million babies, children and young adults. Its child sponsorship program has been validated through independent, empirical research.

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

PRESS CONTACTS:

Tour publicity contact:

Debra Akins | Southside Entertainment

Debra@DebraAkins.com | 321.747.0077

Michael W. Smith publicity contact:

Samantha Goldstein

Samantha@NashUnderground.com | 615.694.9000

Amy Grant publicity contact:

Velvet Kelm |the {m} media collective
Velvet@themcollective.com|615.591.7989

Gospel Music Hall of Famer and multi-platinum, GRAMMY® Winner Michael W. Smith has announced plans for his fall headlining tour celebrating 35 years of his groundbreaking, iconic song “Friends”. The 23-city tour will launch in Springfield, Missouri on October 3 and will also feature stops in Atlanta, San Antonio, Phoenix, Sacramento and more before concluding November 17 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Amassing an in-depth catalog of achievements, Smith was recently honored with a star- studded tribute concert to celebrate his 35 #1 songs at Bridgestone Arena by a myriad of legendary performers  including: Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Randy Travis, The Oak Ridge Boys, CeCe Winans, Jordin Sparks, Rascal Flatts, Wynonna and many more.

Smith says, “I’m really excited about the 35 Years of Friends Tour this fall. We had an event this spring, here in Nashville, where 56 of my friends and fellow artists came together to celebrate my 35 #1’s and the 35th Anniversary of FRIENDS. It was an amazing night – and, for me, brought back some memories of some songs I hadn’t thought of for quite a while!  It’s going to be a blast dusting off some songs I haven’t done in concert for a long time. It will be a night full of all the hits – and, of course, I’m excited to lead worship every night. I can’t wait to see you there!”

The 35 Years of Friends Tour is exclusively produced by Awakening Events, and will provide fans the opportunity to hear

these hits and experience worship drawn from Smiths’ recordings and worship anthems from across his career including a live performance of “Friends”. As Smith was designing this unique show, unlike any tour he has embarked on before, it was decided that he would be his own “opening act,” to spend as much time with the crowd as he could.  Tickets will go on sale this Friday, 6/21 at 10:00 AM local time. More information can be found at michaelwsmith.com or awakeningevents.com.

35 Years of Friends Tour

*all dates subject to change

More About Michael W. Smith:

Michael W. Smith has been releasing new music regularly and performing around the world to sold-out crowds for the last 35+ years. During his storied career, he’s written over 35 #1 songs, been honored with three GRAMMY® Awards and 45 Dove Awards, one American Music Award, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 15 million albums. His most recent USA Today, Yahoo! Music and Billboard-acclaimed studio album A Million Lights and Parade, Good Morning America-featured and GRAMMY nominated live worship album Surrounded have together become his 30th and 31st Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart, more than any other solo artist in history. He’s also given back to the global community. Smith has raised funds to battle AIDS in Africa; 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. He has also written several bestselling books, including Old Enough To Know and Friends Are Friends Forever. For more information, visit www.michaelwsmith.com.

Get Connected With Michael W. Smith

michaelwsmith.com

facebook.com/michaelwsmithofficial

twitter.com/michaelwsmith

instagram.com/mwsmithofficial

About Awakening Events:
Awakening Events produces over 250 Contemporary Christian concerts and events nationwide in and is consistently ranked in Pollstar’s “Worldwide – Top 50 Promoter” list each year, reaching as high as 9th in North America, and top 15 in the world.  Awakening Events, based in Greenbrier, Arkansas is dedicated to all aspects of live Contemporary Christian music touring, including but not limited to, planning, logistics, creative, marketing and helping create the ultimate fan experience.  For more info visit:  www.AwakeningEvents.com