Grammy Award and Dove Award-winning Reunion recording artist Michael W. Smith is set to debut his long-awaited instrumental recording, “Freedom,” on November 21. Executive produced by Smith and co-produced by Smith and Bryan Lenox (“This Is Your Time,” “Go West
Young Man”), the album features the internationally acclaimed Irish Film Orchestra as well as the Nashville String Machine.
His 14th Reunion recording, “Freedom” contains 11 new selections composed by Smith, as well as an instrumental arrangement of his classic song, “Thy Word.” Additional compositions include “The Giving,” “Prayer For Taylor” and the Irish-influenced “Hibernia.”
The album’s title-cut was inspired by the Battle of Franklin, a major Civil War conflict in Smith’s hometown of Franklin, Tennessee. Selections also inspired by the same theme include “Freedom Battle,”
“The Offering” and “Letter To Sarah.”
“I was sitting at the piano reflecting on that brutal battle, and a scene played across my mind,” said Smith. “I visualized a young soldier returning home after the war, and I started seeing it as if it were part of a movie. Out of that experience, a soundtrack was born- the score for the movie that was playing in my mind. The same theme returns again and again throughout the record.”
“I pray that in some way I can help others discover the healing that comes through music, even simply instrumental music,” Smith continues. “When people listen to this record, I want them to be overcome with hope. I want this music to soothe the soul and renew our confidence in God’s love and care.”
Smith will perform selections from “Freedom” this fall during the “Michael W. Smith Christmastime” Tour featuring Anointed and The Katinas. The Tour is scheduled to begin December 1 in Normal, Illinois, and will stop in a total of 12 cities, including Chicago; Atlanta; Minneapolis; Indianapolis; and Omaha, Nebraska, before concluding December 18 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He will also appear with Amy Grant at Nashville’s Christmas in Nashville in December.
Michael W. Smith has garnered 25 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, including 1999 Artist of the Year; two Grammy Awards; an American Music Award; one platinum album; eight gold albums; and 24 #1 Christian radio singles. His 13th Reunion recording, “This Is Your Time,” which was recently certified gold, released in November of 1999 and generated the highest first-week sales for a recording by a Christian artist in the history of SoundScan.
Smith has publicly announced his support for Republican
Presidential nominee, George W. Bush. In an email sent
to his fans, Smith said, “George W. Bush is a man of tremendous
character and integrity. He is an effective leader and a man who
knows and serves God.”
MICHAEL W. SMITH SIGNS WITH WORD MUSIC PUBLISHING
Smith, a Reunion artist, has signed an exclusive music-publishing contract with Word Music Publishing. His
previous publishing company was Acuff-Rose. He will continue recording with Reunion/Provident.
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