Earlier this week we celebrated a great night at Rocketown.  Our Fourth Annual Comedy for a Cause was a HUGE success.  I can’t say enough about our headliner – Tim Hawkins.  Tim is truly one of the most talented people I know.  From the minute he hit the stage he had the crowd in the palm of his hand.  I don’t know if I’ve ever laughed so hard.  If you haven’t seen Tim Hawkins live – – make it a point to see him.  His site is http://www.timhawkins.net

Michael W. Smith’s new Christmas album, THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS, has arrived!

Learn all about the album below.

Get your copy at any of the below links or wherever you experience music!

amazon
amazonMP3
Cracker Barrel (available in stores now)
Family Christian
F.Y.E.
GooglePlay
iTunes
Lifeway (available in stores now)
Mardel
MichaelWSmith
Target
Wal-mart

Streaming services access via Spotify, Rdio, BeatsMusic, and others will begin on Tuesday, November 4th

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Watch the video to go behind the scenes to learn more about how ‘THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS’ was made.

Michael W. Smith discussing ‘SOVEREIGN OVER US’

This song is from the new album SOVEREIGN.

SOVEREIGN on iTunes:  http://mws.cta.gs/002
Michael’s official website:  http://mws.cta.gs/006
Michael on Facebook:  http://mws.cta.gs/007
Michael on Twitter:  http://mws.cta.gs/008
Michael on Instagram:  http://mws.cta.gs/009
Michael’s YouTube channel:  http://mws.cta.gs/005

Music video by Michael W. Smith performing Sovereign Over Us. (C) 2014 The MWS Group under exclusive license to Sparrow Records

Michael W. Smith is BACK this Christmas Season with a brand new album this!  Watch the trailer below!

Click HERE to read the tracklisting, guest artists, and pre-order your copy now from MichaelWSmith.com.

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS arrives in stores worldwide on September 30, 2014

Three-time GRAMMY® winner Michael W. Smith partnered with Rolling Stone Country today to announce the September 30 release ofMichael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas, featuring an all-star lineup of guests – Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Amy Grant, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Nettles, Bono and Michael McDonald.

(Scroll down to the bottom of this page to view THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS album trailer)

An acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician who has sold more than 15 million albums,Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas is Smith’s fourth Christmas project, following the successful releases of Michael W. Smith Christmas (1989), Christmastime (1998) and It’s A Wonderful Christmas (2007).
“This is the most unique and unusual record I’ve ever done in my 31-year career. The entire record was sequenced together before we recorded one song,” recalls Smith. “Sonically you’re hearing me in a way that you’ve probably never heard me before. At one point it’s like Smitty meets Bublé. There’s my granddaughter’s voice singing the song from ‘Home Alone,’ plus the whole orchestral and symphonic feeling of Christmas, mixed together with all these amazing voices and guests – yet it all fits together in a remarkable way.”

Marking his debut as an album producer, CMA Awards and CMA Country Christmas producerRobert Deaton was inspired by Smith’s performance with Jennifer Nettles during the 2013 CMA Country Christmas television program, and suggested to Smith they create a full Christmas recording as co-producers. The two welcomed renowned orchestral maestroDavid Hamilton as a third co-producer, who arranged and oversaw the London Symphony Orchestra’s recordings on the project.

“When we started talking about who could be on this record with him, the list got really narrow really fast,” remarked co-producer Robert Deaton. “There’s a difference between a singer and an artist, or a celebrity and an artist. While we were fortunate to have these amazing guests on the record, it all feels like a cohesive piece and you never leave the fact that it’s a Michael W. Smith record. That was important. That, along with working with co-producer David Hamilton, who is the resident genius, was amazing. This entire process has just been phenomenal.”

Eager to create a one-of-a-kind project to be played at Christmastime for years to come, Smith and Deaton were inspired by the original Carpenters Christmas album, wanting nostalgia to hit listeners right at the top of the record. Thematically, the album is uniquely divided into three sections, creating an overall arc to the recording. Beginning with the childlike and wintery aspects of the start of the Christmas season, the collection evolves with songs and instrumentations reflecting the true meaning of Christmas with the celebration of family and faith, concluding with what Christmas brought to the world, the birth of Jesus.

This fall, Smith will bring holiday cheer to audiences across the country as he launches “The Spirit of Christmas Tour.” Smith’s long-time friend and fellow GRAMMY® winner Amy Grant will co-bill with him in Dallas, Minneapolis and Atlanta. Tickets for many shows are on sale now. For a full list of tour dates, and ticket information, visit michaelwsmith.com/tour.

Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas
1. The Miracle of Christmas
2. It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
3. Happy Holidays/Holiday Season
4. Christmas Time Is Here (feat. Vince Gill)
5. White Christmas (feat. Lady Antebellum)
6. Somewhere In My Memory
7. The Spirit of Christmas (Deck the Halls, Good King Wenceslas, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Feels Like Christmas, O Come All Ye Faithful)
8. Silent Night (feat. Little Big Town)
9. What Child Is This (feat. Martina McBride)
10. Almost There (feat. Amy Grant)
11. All Is Well (feat. Carrie Underwood)
12. Christmas Day (feat. Jennifer Nettles)
13. The Darkest Midnight (Spoken Word by Bono)
14. Peace (with Special Guest Michael McDonald)

About Michael W. Smith:
Michael W. 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. Most recently, in honor of ASCAP’s 100th Anniversary, Smith, along with Amy Grant, was honored as “a cornerstone of Christian music,” for his groundbreaking career and significant influence on the genre. Throughout his career, the Contemporary Christian Music artist has had the opportunity to sing for several Presidents and national leaders. 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. So far this year, Smith has released Hymns, his first-ever classic hymns album available exclusively at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations and CrackerBarrel.com, as well as his first studio worship album since 2008, Sovereign, which took a Top 10 spot on the Billboard 200, as well as the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Christian Albums Chart. His fourth career Christmas album,Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas, will be available September 30, 2014. For more information, visit www.michaelwsmith.com.

WATCH THE NEW ALBUM TRAILER HERE:

Famous performers are routinely described as humble, nice people in person, but in the case of Michael W. Smith, these over-used adjectives actually appear to apply.

While on an Alaskan cruise organized through Inspiration Cruises, world-renowned Christian singer Smith volunteered himself and a choir of 250 people to provide a concert during their stop in Juneau. The concert, presented to a capacity crowd at Centennial Hall Wednesday, was organized as a way to give back to the Juneau community.

“I love Alaska,” Smith said. “I’m a big outdoors person, and I think this is the Last Frontier. I never get tired of coming here. From my work with (Christian evangelist) Franklin Graham, I know about a lot of the issues and needs you have in your state and even right here in Juneau. Doing a fundraising event to help meet needs felt like a no-brainer, actually.”

Originally organized as a free concert, Smith and his company went a step further when they took the initiative to seek out Love In the Name of Christ to coordinate the event. After speaking with the executive director of Love INC, Ann Lockhart, the event turned into a fundraiser. The $10 admission fee went directly to Love Inc.

“His staff couldn’t be better to work with,” Lockhart said. “Because of him, we brought people from all walks of life together and got Love Inc.’s name out there. Now we have extra funds to go towards our variety of outreach programs.”

Love Inc. coordinates with 26 local churches to help individuals meet their spiritual, emotional and physical needs. The nonprofit cooperation offers many gap services that fill in where government and private services are lacking. Examples include distribution of essential supplies (such as diapers), providing transitional backpacks for those coming out of prison, running food banks and offering basic budgeting and life skill programs.

A volunteer of Love Inc., Victor Leamer, was the DJ for the event, and an excited participant.

“When someone needs help in Juneau, people are always willing and happy to lend a hand, hammer or wallet,” Leamer said. “That’s what Love Inc. does. It’s great to see a Number One single artist come to town and raise the bar even higher for community involvement and live entertainment.”

Smith has recorded three albums this year. His Christmas album, which will be released in October, includes special guests like Carrie Underwood. He has won three Grammy awards, an American Music Award and more than 40 Dove awards, and recently performed at The Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. Over the course of his career, he has sold more than 15 million albums.

In person, Smith was very down-to-earth, making sure he had the chance to shake people’s hands and thank them for allowing him to have a concert in (read the rest of the article and view pictures here)

It’s hard for me to put into words the impact of what I witnessed in Georgia and Poland recently. I’m so happy that the BGEA has put together two short videos to tell just a bit of the stories of these two amazing festivals. I’m grateful to Franklin Graham and his team for allowing me to be a part of the ministry there. And thanks to so many of you who were faithful to pray for me on this trip. You’ll never know how much your support means to me.

So – I hope you can find a few minutes away from the craziness of your day to watch these two videos and celebrate what God did in Georgia and in Poland. Blessings – – –

Check out the official lyric video for SKY SPILLS OVER from Michael W. Smith’s latest album, SOVEREIGN!

Can you HEAR THAT THUNDER? Watch, Share, Spread The Word!

Would you like to purchase SOVEREIGN today? Click Here!

Nashville, Tenn. (May 21, 2014) – Three-time GRAMMY® winner Michael W. Smith is celebrating a Top 10 Billboard 200 debut today for his new project, Sovereign, which released last week. In addition, the critically acclaimed album nabbed the No. 1 spot on the Christian/Gospel album and digital sales charts, as well as the Praise & Worship albums chart. Smith’s first studio worship album since 2008, the “stunning”* and “powerful”* Sovereign also peaked at No. 1 on iTunes and Amazon Christian and Gospel charts in the US and Canada.

“We at Capitol are very happy for Michael and Sovereign’s top ten debut,” remarked Peter York, President of Capitol Christian Music Group. “It has been an honor to have Michael become a part of the Capitol CMG family, and we could not be more proud of our first project with him. We’re looking forward to continued success for an album that is full of compelling, anthemic and engaging songs.”

Smith just wrapped a very busy street week of radio and in-store visits across the country, along with speaking to Kathie Lee Gifford yesterday for her Kathie Lee & Companypodcast. He also made appearances on Fox News Channel’s highly rated shows Hannity,Huckabee and Fox & Friends, as well as Sean Hannity’s No. 1 rated talk radio show.  He also visited FoxNewsChannel.com’s “Spirited Debate” and 100 Huntley Street, which aired across the U.S. and Canada.

Sovereign is also available as a Deluxe Edition, which includes a special DVD concert filmed at Smith’s barn in Franklin, Tenn. and features guest appearances from Kari Jobe and Leeland Mooring. The DVD also includes special behind the scenes footage and content with Smith discussing the inspiration behind Sovereign.

Today, three-time GRAMMY® winner Michael W. Smith opens a new chapter in his illustrious career as he releases Sovereign, his first studio worship album since 2008 and his first album with new label partner Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group.

This week, the man who in honor of ASCAP’s 100th Anniversary was (along with Amy Grant), recently honored as a “cornerstone of Christian music,” will hit the road in support of Sovereign. Appearing on Fox News Channel’s highly rated shows Hannity and Huckabee, as well as Sean Hannity’s No. 1 rated talk radio show, FoxNewsChannel.com’s “Spirited Debate” and 100 Huntley Street across the U.S. and Canada.

In addition to radio and in-store visits in Nashville, Dallas, New York and more, Smith shared with TIME.com readers about the meaning behind Sovereign in a personal piece he penned here.

This week, the man who in honor of ASCAP’s 100th Anniversary was (along with Amy Grant), recently honored as a “cornerstone of Christian music,” will hit the road in support of Sovereign and it’s Top 10 single, “You Won’t Let Go.”

When Worship Leader recently said “Sovereign is the record we’ve waited to hear from Michael W. Smith for a long time,” they weren’t alone in their sentiments, as the project has received thunderous applause from media outlets nationwide:

“He is an artist fully capable of resting on his repertoire but instead proceeds to experiment and deliver relevant yet timeless music. More than any other, Sovereign proves to be the perfect balance of his passion for worship with his pop-music artistic sensibilities. “
-Christian Retailing

“Sovereign defies the stereotype.”
–WORLD

“A pioneer in the ’80s, an icon in the ’90s and a consistent mainstay ever since,
Sovereign is a solid musical representation of Michael W. Smith’s growth as an artist in the last decade. “
-NewReleaseTuesday.com
4 out of 5 stars

“A poignant, powerful and prolific album, and one of the standouts in a career spanning 30 years, and one that I see continuing for years to come.”
–Indie Vision Music

“A stunning collection of beautiful songs that grasps the love Michael has for his Saviour.”
-Louderthanthemusic.com
4.5 out of 5 stars
“Its impressive how powerful and dominant Sovereign is …when it’s all said and done this could go down as one of the best records of his career.”
–The Front Row Report
“… Sovereign just might be his most youthful and adventurous album yet.”
–The Underground

Sovereign is also available as a Deluxe Edition, which includes a special DVD concert filmed at Smith’s barn in Franklin, Tenn. and features guest appearances from Kari Jobe and Leeland Mooring. The DVD also includes special behind the scenes footage and content with Smith discussing the inspiration behind Sovereign.

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SOVEREIGN is now available worldwide – everywhere you get music.  All of the below retailers have their own special offers.  We encourage you to support all of these amazing companies that have supported Michael W. Smith throughout his career!

• iTunes
• Target
• Wal-mart
• Lifeway
• Family Christian
• Mardel
• Amazon
• F.Y.E.
• Your Local Music Retailers

Also, available via subscription based streaming music services:

• Spotify
• Beats
• Rhapsody
• Rdio

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About Michael W. Smith:
Michael W. 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. Most recently, in honor of ASCAP’s 100^th Anniversary, Smith, along with Amy Grant, was honored as “a cornerstone of Christian music,” for his groundbreaking career and significant influence on the genre. Throughout his career, the Contemporary Christian Music artist has had the opportunity to sing for several Presidents and national leaders. 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. His first studio worship album since 2008, Sovereign, is available now. For more information, visit www.michaelwsmith.com.

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