Multi-Platinum, three-time Grammy® Award winning artist, best-selling author and acclaimed actor Michael W. Smith launches Nurturing Steps™, a new infant and toddler series with a simple mission to provide parents and grandparents with music and books to enliven a young child’s journey with hope and faith through song and storytelling.

The first new album, Lullaby, and book, Nighty Night and Good Night, from Nurturing Steps release May 4 and May 8 through The Fuel Music and Zonderkidz™ respectfully. These projects also mark the first-ever children’s album and book by Michael, each crafted in collaboration with renowned VeggieTales co-creator Mike Nawrocki. The book is available now to preorder through NurturingSteps.com or favorite online retailers.

“One of the greatest joys of my life is being a parent and a grandparent,” says Michael, the father of five, who is called “G-Daddy” by his 14 grandkids. “I want to serve the next generation well. That’s why I created Nurturing Steps, to provide stories and songs that will help shape the faith of our newest generation.”

For Lullaby, Michael meaningfully arranges his worldwide hits like “Agnus Dei” and “Friends” along with new ballads “No More Crying,” “Sleep Tight” and more, and leads an audio bedtime drama for young children with the Nighty Night characters. The Nighty Nights also join Michael as his band with Bear on Guitar, Lamby on Keys and Sleepy Puppy on Upright Base.

In Nighty Night and Good Night, members of the Nighty Night band are further called upon to help their friend, Ben, as he tries to fall asleep. After bedtime prayers and some going-to-sleep rituals are done, a lullaby sung by the band of animals including Bear, Sleepy Puppy and Lamby finally does the trick.

“I have won

derful memories of reading, singing and praying with my children before bed,” says Nawrocki. “It can be a sacred time with our little ones, and I’m thrilled to be able to partner with Michael to create stories that parents and grandparents can use to help pass important values on to their children and grandchildren.”

Known as one of the most influential Christian music artists in the world, Michael recently performed “A Million Lights” and “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” from his 5-star-aclaimed albums A Million Lights and Surrounded respectively on ABC-TV’s Good Morning America. He has also recently been featured by USA Today, Billboard, TBN, FOX News, CBN, Parade, Yahoo! Music and many more outlets as these albums became his 30th and 31st Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart, more than any other solo artist in history.

Taking the new music and fan favorites from his extensive repertoire on the road internationally, Michael begins his “Israel Tour 2018” next week before continuing his “Sounded By A Million Lights World Tour” that is traversing the eastern half of the US this spring prior to wrapping up May 13 in Joplin, MO. Already seeing packed venues, this full-production tour is being presented by Compassion International and features special guest Nathan Tasker.

Even in the midst of his busy schedule, Michael makes time for his children and grandchildren and treasures the special moments he has to speak into their lives.

“I hope they see these books and this music as a gift to them, to remember that they are loved as they fall asleep every night,” says Michael.

Following the release of Lullaby and Nighty Night and Good Night, additional Nurturing Steps titles releasing this fall will be announced.

For all the latest Michael W. Smith and Nurturing Steps news, go to www.michaelwsmith.comand www.nurturingsteps.com

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

Multi-Platinum, three-time Grammy® Award winning artist, best-selling author and acclaimed actor Michael W. Smith will perform live on ABC-TV’s Good Morning America Tuesday, March 13. The appearance was sparked by his two, back-to-back hit albums A Million Lightsand Surrounded out now from Rocketown Records and The Fuel Music. Direct links to the albums on iTunes, Amazon.com, Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play and more are available at https://mws.lnk.to/Surrounded and https://mws.lnk.to/AMillionLights respectively.

Together, the new albums have become Michael’s 30th and 31st Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart, more than any other solo artist in history.

Released Feb. 16, Michael’s USA Today, Billboard, Yahoo! Music and NewReleaseToday-acclaimed studio album, A Million Lights, debuted at No. 1 on the SoundScan Christian retail chart while holding the No. 1 position most of release week on iTunes and Amazon.com’s Christian music charts. The recording includes the lead single/video and title track along with “Love Always Wins,” “Crashing Waves,” “Revolution” and “Footsteps,” which was recently added to Spotify’s “Top Christian” and “New Music Friday Christian” playlists. Apple Music also featured the album in their “The Hottest New Music” newsletter.

One week following A Million Lights, Michael’s highly anticipated, live worship album Surrounded released (Feb. 23) amidst 5-star acclaim and became Amazon.com’s No. 1 “Hot New Release.” The recording features the declarative “Surrounded (Fight My Battles),” “Light To You” and “Build My Life,” which Michael also released as a video Feb. 23 on his Facebookand YouTube sites. Parade says the album highlights Michael’s “masterful blend of uplifting messaging, brilliant song writing, solid musical talent and a desire to instill faith and hope into his listeners.”

Parade will also highlight both of Michael’s new albums during a live-stream “Backstory: Music and Conversation with Michael W. Smith” event to be held Monday, March 12 beginning at 7:00 pm EDT from The Cutting Room in New York, NY.

The new albums were further highlighted in an hour-long “Praise” feature on TBN that can be viewed now at TBN.org, while CBN’s “The 700 Club” featured Michael and his new projects Feb. 22.

In addition to the new music, Michael received the distinct honor to lead “Just As I Am” Feb. 28 during the memorial service in the Capitol Rotunda honoring the late Rev. Billy Graham and “Above All” during the service held March 2 in front of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC.

Sharing a musical tribute to Rev. Graham, along with the new music and fan favorites from his extensive repertoire on the road, Michael’s full-production, “Surrounded By A Million Lights World Tour” launches in Rochester, MN today (March 8). Presented by Compassion International, this spring leg of the tour is joined by special guest Nathan Tasker and traverses the Eastern half of the US into 19 cities before wrapping up May 11 in Houston, TX. Michael also works into his schedule his 10-day “Israel Tour 2018” beginning April 10. For all his latest tour detail, go to https://michaelwsmith.com/tour/.

Pictured (l-r) during “Surrounded By A Million Lights World Tour” rehearsals are: Jim Daneker, Stu Garrard, Chris Leidhecker, Otto Price, Vanessa Campagna, Michael W. Smith, Skye Reedy and Calvin Nowell.

“I am not sure that I have been more excited about a tour in my entire life. Grateful!” exclaims Michael following tour rehearsals this week.

In many ways, Michael is a statesman, at the fulcrum of Christian music in pivotal moments. It is said that the heart of a lion never goes away, and Michael isn’t content staying with the equilibrium. At a loss for what his voice should be toward the end of 2016, this prolific artist comes roaring back with A Million Lights and Surrounded.

“Until the world ends, music is the most powerful language there is,” says Michael. “It can transform your life on every level, not just the spiritual. It can help people reconnect with why they’re here.”

For all the latest Michael W. Smith tour dates and more news, go to www.michaelwsmith.comand connect through his socials:

Michael will be taking part in services today at The Capitol Rotunda in Washington DC to honor Billy Graham. You can watch live here at 11 am eastern:  https://memorial.billygraham.org/live-stream/

Watch Here:

I knew it was coming….we all knew it was coming. Billy was 99 and his health had been declining for years. And I knew from my visits with him that he longed to be with his Creator and he longed to be reunited with his beloved Ruth. But, even given that, I was devastated when I got the news this morning that my good friend Billy Graham had breathed his last breath here on earth. He welcomed me on his stage countless times. Each and every Crusade was so special. But more than anything – I cherished the friendship we developed.

A MILLION LIGHTS.
The reason.
The why.
The album.
An album for the world that we live in.

Available now.

Listen to the album now: https://mws.lnk.to/AMillionLights

Michael W. Smith will be hosted a life video chat on Friday, February 16th.

Watch the chat below!

Multi-Platinum, three-time Grammy® Award winning artist, best-selling author and actor Michael W. Smith announces the first leg of his “Surrounded By A Million Lights World Tour.” Presented by Compassion International and featuring special guest Nathan Tasker, the tour launches March 8 in Rochester, MN and traverses the Eastern half of the US into 18-plus cities through mid-May before wrapping up May 5 in Lancaster, PA.

While on tour, Michael will perform fan favorites from his extensive repertoire along with “A Million Lights,” “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” and more new music from two, all new full-length albums releasing back-to-back in February from Rocketown Records and The Fuel Music: both his USA Today and Yahoo! Music-acclaimed studio album A Million Lights (Feb. 16) and the live worship album Surrounded (Feb. 23).

Along with Michael’s announcement of the tour today, Billboard Magazine simultaneously highlights the upcoming events while offering its approximately 42 million unique monthly online readers a first listen to “Revolution” from the album A Million Lights at https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8095810/michael-w-smith-new-song-revolution-spring-tour-dates.

“‘Revolution’ was the first song I landed on for the new album. It’s a bit of a throwback thought but no less true — that we need a love revolution,” Michael tells Billboard. “We need to listen more and talk less. We need to understand more and judge less. We need to love more, and we certainly need to love better. I guess that will always be the case, but it’s sure true for today!

Tickets for the “Surrounded By A Million Lights World Tour” go on sale Jan. 31 in most markets along with special VIP packages featuring early entry (for general admission shows) or premium seating (for reserved shows) and a Q&A session with Michael.

In many ways, Michael is a statesman, at the fulcrum of Christian music in pivotal moments. It is said that the heart of a lion never goes away, and Michael isn’t content staying with the equilibrium. At a loss for what his voice should be toward the end of 2016, this prolific artist comes roaring back with A Million Lights and Surrounded albums in a countercultural response to the divisive national sentiment of 2017 and the mean-spirited banter on social media.

“Until the world ends, music is the most powerful language there is,” says Michael. “It can transform your life on every level, not just the spiritual. It can help people reconnect with why they’re here.”

For all the latest Michael W. Smith tour dates and more news, go to www.michaelwsmith.comand connect through his socials:

Michael W. Smith, “Surrounded By A Million Lights World Tour” dates/cities follow:

March 8 – Rochester, MN
March 9 – Fargo, ND
March 10 – Aberdeen, SD
March 11 – Bismarck, ND
March 15 – Bloomington, MN
March 16 – Davenport, IA
March 17 – Kearney, NE
March 18 – Quincy, IL
March 23 – Daytona Beach, FL
March 24 – College Dale, TN
March 25 – Destin, FL
April 6 – Port St. Lucie, FL
April 26 – Blakely, PA
April 27 – Elkhart, IN
April 28 – Hales Corner, WI
April 29 – Detroit, MI
May 4 – Anderson, IN
May 5 – Lancaster, PA

* All dates are subject to change without notice, and additional dates may be added.

About Michael W. Smith:

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.

About Nathan Tasker:
Australian singer-songwriter Nathan Tasker weaves his personal journey of sorrow, doubt, hope and expectation into songs that have garnered three No.1 radio singles in Australia, a No.1 hit in the UK and a nod for Australian Artist of the Year by The Rock Across Australia (2011). Following his critically acclaimed debut album, Home, Tasker’s latest album, Man On A Wire, showcases his growth through a period of great sorrow and loss (Tasker and his wife lost twin babies in 2011). Known for his guitar-driven pop songs and deeply thoughtful lyrics, Tasker also engages audiences through his open and engaging style that puts fans at ease and welcomes them into the stories he tells. (www.nathantasker.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.

About The Fuel Music:
Established in 2008, The Fuel Music & Management, LLC, is a leading artist management and artist solutions company that independently distributes music internationally. Based in Nashville, TN, the Fuel team brings nearly 70 years of combined music industry experience in record label operations, major label distribution and marketing, and artist management for artists ranging from upstart bands to GRAMMY Award nominated, multi-platinum artists. More information on the company can be found at www.thefuelmusic.com.

Excited to Premiere another new song from one of the two upcoming albums. This one from A MILLION LIGHTS.

‘Crashing Waves’ is a new pop / worship song about the transformation that a life undergoes when we look to God, acknowledge our brokenness and give our heart to Jesus.

Make ‘Crashing Waves’ YOURS now here:

• Pre-order on iTunes at A MILLION LIGHTS now and get THREE songs instantly (Crashing Waves, Love Always Wins, and A Million Lights).
• Add to your SPOTIFY Library now.
• Pre-order the new album at AMAZON now.
• Add to your APPLE MUSIC Library now.

Don’t forget:  Two new studio albums coming your way this February from Michael W. Smith:

1. A MILLION LIGHTS – the new studio album with 13 brand new songs arrives everywhere you get new music on Friday, February 16th.
2. SURROUNDED – the new live worship album with 12 brand new recordings arrives everywhere you get new music on Friday, February 23rd.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

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

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