Michael W. Smith Releases It’s A Wonderful Christmas Oct. 16

0 August 3, 2007 in Entertainment by
Michael W. Smith, an iconic artist loved and respected for his immense creativity, leadership and heart for others, announces the release of his 20th studio album It’s A Wonderful Christmas,on Reunion Records, October 16th.   Over the years, people have come to respect Smith as a man of many gifts. He’s written and recorded pop music that has infused America’s cultural climate with hope. He’s a gifted worship leader that has drawn other believers closer to God through his songs. However, there’s no denying that one of his greatest gifts is simply as a composer. That passion for creating new music abounds on It’s A Wonderful Christmas, a powerful collection of songs that reverberate with Smith’s heartfelt connection to that most special season.   Like his musical hero John Williams (composer of film scores for “Jaws,” “Star Wars,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Jurassic Park”), Smith’s work has an epic, cinematic quality that stirs emotions in the listener. It’s the kind of music that is not simply heard; it’s felt. “It’s so big and symphonic,” says Smith, who himself has scored two films, including “Second Chance” in which he also starred. “It feels like you’re going to get to the end of the record and you’ll want to see the movie. It sounds like a soundtrack.”   In recording It’s A Wonderful Christmas, Michael enlisted David Hamilton’s expertise with arrangements. Hamilton worked with Michael on his highly acclaimed instrumental album, “Freedom,” and has also toured with Michael.   It’s A Wonderful Christmas features the winning singer-songwriter joining forces with four amazing choirs, among them a 100-voice choir and also a 16-member London boy’s choir directed by John Tobin, and a 67-piece orchestra at London’s Abbey Road studios. Also featured is a duet with American Idol’s Mandisa.  As the strings soar and the bells ring, you can almost feel winter’s nip in the air and smell the fragrance of pine trees as Smith’s music puts you in that holiday mood. Smith reveled in the opportunity to record with a 67-piece orchestra, “The arrangements were great. The room is legendary and the players were unbelievable,” he enthuses.   In preparing for his new Christmas collection, he wanted to create an album with the lush arrangements and powerful orchestral sounds that he heard listening to his favorite Christmas records as a child. He began putting together a list of his favorite tunes, but in a burst of inspiration soon found he’d written more than enough new material to fill the album. The only cover tune is the timeless standard “What Child is This?” which sounds both familiar yet fresh thanks to Smitty’s deft musical reinvention.   It’s A Wonderful Christmas Song List: 1. Christmas Angels 2. It’s A Wonderful Christmas 3. The Promise 4. Song For The King 5. Christmas Day (duet with Mandisa) 6. A Highland Carol 7. Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah 8. Son of God 9. What Child Is This 10. Audrey’s Gift 11. All Year Long *Song list and sequence subject to change   In addition, Michael will be hitting the road for a Christmas tour, appropriately titled the, “It’s A Wonderful Christmas” with special guests, The Katinas. Each date will feature a full symphony orchestra.   “It’s A Wonderful Christmas” tour dates: *Dates, cities, venues and times are all subject to change. See www.michaelwsmith.com for updated schedule.   29-Nov Binghampton, NY       Broome County Arena 30-Nov Baltimore, MD            1st Mariner Arena 2-Dec    Erie, PA                     Erie Civic Center Complex 4-Dec    Dallas, TX                  Meyerson Symphony Center 5-Dec    Dallas, TX                  Meyerson Symphony Center 1-Dec    Reading, PA               Reading Eagle Theater 7-Dec    El Paso, TX                Don Haskins Even Center 8-Dec    Tempe, AZ                 Highlands Church 9-Dec    Los Angeles, CA        Nokia Theatre 11-Dec  Rocklin, CA               Adventure Christian Church 13-Dec  Redding, CA              Redding Convention Center 14-Dec  Tualitin, OR                Rolling Hills Community Church 15-Dec  Redmond, WA           Overlake Christian Church 17-Dec  Edmonton, AB           Winspear Centre For Music 18-Dec  Edmonton, AB           Winspear Centre For Music 22-Dec  Nashville, TN              Brentwood Baptist   About Michael W. Smith Over his 24-year career as a recording artist, Michael W. Smith has amassed an impressive catalog of achievements. His 19 albums have garnered multiple honors including an American Music Award, 3 GRAMMY Awards and 40 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. In addition, he holds 16 Gold and 5 Platinum albums, 31 #1 radio hits, and has been named one of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People. In addition, Smith has scored film projects and written 11 books. His tours consistently rank among the best attended in the country and he has performed to capacity crowds throughout the world. Constantly giving back to the community, one of his current projects is Rocketown — a nightclub for teens in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn. — serves as safe place for young people to enjoy music and for artists to be discovered. He is married to Debbie Smith and they are the proud parents of five children. Stand, Michael’s 19th album, released November 7, 2006.

Share This