Michael W. Smith Reflects on Music Career: ‘Music [Can] Soothe the Soul’
By Movieguide® Staff
Grammy award-winning artist Michael W. Smith recently reflected on his music career following his Christmas tour and newest album, ‘Christmas at Home.’
Smith, 65, recently said that he never could have imagined still performing on stage.
“I remember when I finished my first album I thought, ‘Thank you God that I got to make a record.’ Not knowing that I would make 36,” he told Fox News in a recent interview.
Smith said that he hopes his music brings hope to families and fans across the country.
“People have lost loved ones. Isolation is not a good thing. What is it about music that soothes the soul?” he said. “I still think it’s the most powerful universal language in the world, and a three and a half minute song can… you just feel like they can walk out of here with a greater sense of hope. I think that’s what this music does for people.”
Smith originally got his start touring with Christian artist Amy Grant. To this day, Smith and Grant perform their songs on stage together.
“Our love for music was deep and we wrote some songs that I am really proud of if I can say that,” she said. “There is just a camaraderie there that you can’t manufacture. Our love for each other and our gifts, I have learned a lot from her. She might be the kindest woman that I have ever known in my life, other than my wife Debbie.”
“We are still making music together. If it’s working, why stop?” he added.
The multi-platinum artist also reflected on some of his favorite songs that he has written in his career.
“I write what I feel led to do. I am not twenty five anymore, I think it’s tempting you want to compete, but you just can’t go there,” he said. “Well, ‘All is Well’ is my favorite song that I’ve written. I think most people would want me to say ‘Friends.’ It might not be my favorite song, but I didn’t know I was gonna have to sing it for the rest of my entire life. It part of the fabric of people’s lives. You look out at the audience and go, ‘Oh my gosh, that was song at a funeral, that was song at a graduation’ the list goes on.”
Smith, who had a friendship with former President George W. Bush, said that he was intimate when the president asked him to write a song after the tragic events of 9/11.
“It all stemmed from a conversation I had with President Goerge W. Bush. I was with him six weeks after 9/11. I would go visit often, and I think he was processing, like all of us were, and he just looked at me and said, ‘You need to write a song about this,’” he said.
“I am sitting there going, ‘How do I do that?’ I remember saying, ‘I will try Mr. President.’ I remember walking out of the office hoping that he would never bring it up again,” he continued. “And then six months later, I am on my farm and I have a big American flag that flies out there, and I look up at the flag, the winds blowing, its a beautiful Spring day, and I had a meltdown. I started weeping thinking about all the heroes, all the people who died for my freedom.”
Shortly after, he wrote his song ‘There She Stands.’
“I am on this piece of dirt that I love, because somebody fought for this country. ANd all of sudden I started to write ‘There She Stands’ watching the flag,” he said.
Smith said that he believes that the longevity of his career is due to the lyrics of his songs.
“It would be different if people didn’t buy the records, and people didn’t continue to come to the shows, it all comes down to the song to me,” he said. “You can be a mediocre singer, which I would consider myself one of those, I am not Andrea Bocelli, but if you have the song and they sing the song for the rest of their lives, then I think you might have a chance of sticking around.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
