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GRAMMY and Dove Award-winning artist, Michael W. Smith,
recorded his first worship album on June 1st at the Carpenter’s Home Church
in Lakeland, Florida. The live worship experience was recorded as Smith,
supported by a 20-member choir, led worship for close to 10,000 people. The
album, simply titled Worship, will release to stores nationwide on September
11, 2001.
For Smith, this event was not about recording an album, but about leading
people in worship of God and seeing lives changed. “I don’t want this to be
just another ‘recording’…it’s about pure worship, period,” says Smith.
Eight songs recorded at the event in Lakeland that will be included on
Worship, are “Breathe,” “Draw Me Close,” “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” “Agnus
Dei,” “Above All,” “Forever,” “Awesome God,” and “The Heart of Worship.”
The final song list will number close to twelve, including two studio cuts,
“Above All.” and “Purified,” a new song co-written by Michael and wife,
Debbie. (“Above All” will appear on the album twice, once as a studio
version and once as a live version recorded in Lakeland, FL.)
“The support and excitement from retailers for Worship so far has been
amazing,” says Keri Turner, Director of Marketing for Reunion Records. “The
idea of Michael making a worship recording is something that retailers and
his fans have asked for…and we’re finally able to give it to them.”
To accompany this release, a CD premium entitled Devotions has been created
as part of a pre-sale campaign, which begins July 17th. Devotions is a
limited edition 30-minute personal worship experience CD featuring 5 classic
worship songs plus devotional thoughts and Scripture readings from Michael.
Devotions is only available to stores participating in the pre-sale
campaign, which to date include Family Christian Stores, The Parable Group,
LifeWay, Mardel, and Lemstone.
Songs included on Devotions are “Agnus Dei,” “The Throne,” “Glorious Grace,”
“As It Is In Heaven,” and “Great Is The Lord.” In-store merchandising
materials will include a counter display, double album flat and a life-size
stand-up of Smith that will double as a floor display due to its design to
accommodate Devotions and Worship. Pre-sale materials will be available
beginning July 3 and the pre-sale will begin on July 17. “Above All” will be
the first single to radio from Worship, with an add date of July 27th.
As one of the most influential figures in Christian music, Reunion recording
artist Michael W. Smith has garnered 27 Gospel Music Association Dove
Awards, two GRAMMY Awards, an American Music Award, platinum album, seven
gold albums, and 24 Number One Christian radio singles.
Founded in 1982, Nashville-based Reunion Records and its affiliated labels,
Brentwood, Diadem, and Benson Records are distributed through Provident
Music Distribution and through partnerships with mainstream-parent company,
Zomba Music Group.
From our archives, June 20, 2001
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