Michael W. Smith Biography
Michael W. Smith, born on October 7, 1957, in Kenova, West Virginia, is a distinguished Christian musician, songwriter, and actor. With a discography of more than 35 releases, including landmark albums like Michael W. Smith Project (1983), Change Your World (1992), Worship (2001), and Sovereign (2014), Smith has sold over 18 million albums and recorded 31 No. 1 hit songs. His biggest mainstream success came in 1991 when "Place in This World" reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Smith’s influence in Christian music is undeniable, earning him three Grammy Awards, 45 Dove Awards, an American Music Award, and the ASCAP "Golden Note" Award for lifetime achievement in songwriting. In 2014, ASCAP honored him as a "cornerstone of Christian music" for his significant impact on the genre. Additionally, Smith has achieved 14 gold albums and five platinum albums. Beyond music, he has ventured into acting and is active in humanitarian work, solidifying his legacy as a multifaceted artist dedicated to faith and worship.
Smith is married to Deborah "Debbie" Kay Davis and has five children, including filmmaker Ryan Whitaker Smith. He currently resides in the Nashville suburbs. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.