US based contemporary Christian musician and award winning artist, Michael W. Smith’s five nation tour will kick start in Colombo today (Friday, 22 February). With three Grammy awards and 13 nominations, 31 chart toppers and 36 Dove awards, his albums have sold over 21 million worldwide. Scheduled to start at 6.30 p.m. at Havelock Sports Club Ground, the evening’s event is to be a worship session. The five nation tour comprises performances in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
A double platinum album, 6 platinum and 16 gold albums sold world over, Michael W. Smith is perhaps one of the most loved Gospel musicians of our time. Hailing from West Virginia, Michael Whitaker Smith has always been into music, even from early childhood and his faith in God has an early start to it as well. Having performed in local bands as a youth, he later joined the Christian band Higher Ground and then played keyboard for a young Amy Grant band. In 1983, he released his first album “The Michael W. Smith Project” which went on to win a Grammy nomination for the Best Gospel Performance. The following years witnessed Smith releasing successful follow-ups of his debut. Directed towards a young audience in a more contemporary style, Smith eventually broke into mainstream music as well, for a better outreach and broader impact.
Throughout the 1990's more albums were released in addition to another concert video, “Change Your World Live”, music video singles, and the release of several books, including his biography, “It's Time to be Bold”. In 1992, Michael received an honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia. In 1994, Michael founded Rocketown, a club for teenagers, in a warehouse in Brentwood, Tennessee. The club provided a place for teens to gather in a safe, positive, and encouraging environment. The club closed after a few years. The new Rocketown club, a renovated 38,000 square foot warehouse in downtown Nashville, opened in early 2003. In 1996, Michael, along with Reunion Records executive Don Donahue, founded Rocketown Records. Their initial artist was Chris Rice and over the years their artist roster has included Ginny Owens, Shaun Groves, Wayne Kirkpatrick, and Watermark. In 1999, Michael was invited to sing at the Columbine Memorial service in Littleton, Colorado. The Columbine High School shootings inspired his album “This Is Your Time” which is based on the story of Cassie Bernall.
A gifted and truly inspiring praise and worship artist of our time, don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience if you can help it. Thanks to globalisation and YouTube, Smith’s fame is well known among the urban young adults in the country.
Tickets priced Rs. 2000 (first 5 rows), Rs. 1000, Rs.500 have been made available at Pragna Publishers, Waves of Hope, Calvary Bookshop, Back to the Bible, Ceylon Bible Society, Chraft Office.
The Daily Mirror, Sunday Times and Daily FT are official print media sponsors and Real Radio and Art TV are electronic media sponsors.
The event is presented by the Chraft Christian Arts Foundation.
Not at all, just one hour. It was not worth for the money at all though organizers had done a superb job for a spirit filled evening. The end was abrupt. and I am sure many were disappointed. He was far below what we expected.
0 Comments
Amanda De Silva says:
Feb 22, 2013 at 12:00 amOh no, i can't believe i didn't know about this, would have loved to go for it. A bit too late now. I'm sure it will be great.
malkanthi says:
Mar 05, 2013 at 12:00 amNot at all, just one hour. It was not worth for the money at all though organizers had done a superb job for a spirit filled evening. The end was abrupt. and I am sure many were disappointed. He was far below what we expected.