Michael W Smith Biography
Michael W Smith in full Michael Whitaker Smith is an American musician. He was born on October 7, 1957, in Kenova, West Virginia to Paul and Barbara Smith. His father was an oil refinery worker at the Ashland Oil Refinery, in nearby Catlettsburg, Kentucky. His mother was a caterer.
He developed a love for music as a child through his church. He learned piano at an early age and sang in his church choir. At the age of 10, he had “an intense spiritual experience” that led to his becoming a devout Christian. He became involved in Bible study and found a group of older friends who shared his faith. After his older Christian friends moved away to college, Smith began to struggle with feelings of loneliness and alienation. After graduating from high school, he moved to alcohol and drugs.
He attended Marshall University while developing his songwriting skills but dropped out after one semester. He also played with various local bands around Huntington, West Virginia. During that time, his friend Shane Keister, who worked as a session musician in Nashville, encouraged him to move to Nashville, the Country Music capital, and pursue a career in music.
Michael W Smith Age
He celebrates his birthday on the 7th of October every year. Born in 1957, he is 61 years old as of 2018.
Michael W Smith Family
Michael W Smith (Michael Whitaker Smith) was born in Kenova, West Virginia, to Paul and Barbara Smith. His father was an oil refinery worker at the Ashland Oil Refinery, in nearby Catlettsburg, Kentucky while on the other hand, her mother was a caterer.
Smith was so passionate about baseball from his father, who had played in the minor leagues. He also developed a love of music through his church. He learned piano at an early age and sang in his church choir. At the age of 10, he had “an intense spiritual experience” that led to his becoming a devout Christian. “I wore this big cross around my neck,” he would recall, “It was very real to me.” He became involved in Bible study and found a group of older friends who shared his faith.
However, he began to struggle with feelings of loneliness and alienation, after his older Christian friends moved away to college. This created a negative impact on his life, for he started gravitating toward alcohol and drugs.
Michael W Smith Education
He attended Marshall University while developing his songwriting skills but dropped out after one semester.
Michael W Smith Wife
Talking of her love life, Smith has no history of other relationships. He is married to Deborah “Debbie” Kay Davis (b. 1958).
Michael W Smith Children | Michael W Smith Kids
The couple has five children: Ryan, Whitney Katherine Mooring (married to Jack Mooring of the band Leeland), Tyler Michael (keyboard player for the United Tour), Anna Elizabeth, and Emily Allison.
The family resides in the Nashville suburbs and spends time at his farm.
Michael W Smith Music Career
Smith moved to Nashville, in 1978, taking a job as a landscaper to support himself. He played with several local bands in the Nashville club scene. He also developed a problem with substance abuse.
In November 1979, he suffered a breakdown that led to his re-commitment to Christianity. He auditioned for a new contemporary Christian music (CCM) group, Higher Ground, as a keyboardist and got the job. His lead vocals were heard on much of CCM radio with the single, “I Am”. It was on his first tour with Higher Ground, playing mostly in churches, that Smith was finally able to put the drugs and alcohol behind him.
In 1981, while he was playing keyboards for Higher Ground, Smith was signed as a writer to Meadowgreen Music, where he wrote numerous gospel hits penned for artists such as Sandi Patty, Kathy Troccoli, Bill Gaither, and Amy Grant.
Michael W Smith Songs
- Open the Eyes of My Heart
- Let It Rain
- Agnus Dei
- Above All
- I Will Be Here For You
- Awesome God
- The Heart of Worship
- Healing Rain
- Place in This World
- Great Is The Lord
- Ancient Words
- Draw Me Close
- Sovereign Over Us
- Secret Ambition
- A New Hallelujah
- More Love, More Power
- You Won’t Let Go
- Friends
- You Are Holy
- Draw Me Close To You
- Lord Have Mercy
- Sky Spills Over
- Do You Dream of Me
- Somewhere Somehow
- Here I Am to Worship
- This Is Your Time
- There She Stands
- Deep In Love With You
- Step by Step / Forever We Will Sing
- Christ Be All Around Me
- Mighty to Save
- I Will Be Your Friend
Michael W Smith Albums
- Worship
- Worship Again
- Surrounded
- A Million Lights
- Freedom
- The Big Picture
- The Spirit of Christmas
- Strings of Christmas
- Project
- I 2 (EYE)
- Go West Young Man
- It’s a Wonderful Christmas
- Live the Life
- Stand
- Glory
- Change Your World
- I’ll Lead You Home
- The Michael W. Smith Project
- 2
- Healing Rain
- Wonder
- Christmas
- Sovereign
- Christmastime
- This Is Your Time
- A New Hallelujah
Michael W Smith Net Worth
He has a net worth of $14 million.
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