Tony Cummings reports on a CCM bestseller who is also something of a evengelical sex symbol.



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In fact Michael describes the album somewhat differently. "I kept getting letters from kids talking about suicide, peer pressure and sexual promiscuity. It broke my heart. So, I decided to be more aggressive in order to get their attention and communicate hope in the middle of their despair," explains Smith.

Certainly musically 'The Big Picture' had a new dance floor impact. Co-produced with New York mixmaster John Potaker (responsible for mixes for Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and Paul Young and production work with The Thompson Twins, Scritti Politti and Philip Bailey) it exuded a multi-layered techno-rock sheen. But it didn't begin to find the intended crossover hit and Michael instead embarked on a major tour within the CCM arena. This in 1987 produced a live album though it was the following year that the talented singer/ songwriter produced what many still consider his masterwork. 'I 2 (Eye)' revealed a more integrated Michael W. Smith.

The songs all captured moments in Smith's own life or in the lives of his close friends while musically the album continued to provide Smith's infectious melodies immersed in open, acoustical-pop production. "I'm always looking for a challenge and wanting to try something new," Smith said. "But with that record, more than any other, I finally felt I had the freedom to be myself."

Co-produced by Smith and Wayne Kirkpatrick, 'I 2 (Eye)' featured ballads as well as up tempo, pop rockers. Even the song titles ("I Miss The Way," "Pray For Me," "Live And Learn," etc.) revealed Smith's desire to break down barriers and reach his audiences eye-to-eye, heart-to-heart.

"No two kids are alike, and that's why it's important to relate to them as individuals - with their own problems, failings, and frustrations," said Smith. "I hope and pray they'll be affected by the change they've seen in my life and that they'll realise Jesus loves them just the way they are."

The huge CCM success of 'I 2 (Eye)' in 1988 was cemented with a worldwide tour with Amy Grant and Gary Chapman. Few Greenbelters will forget the dazzling interplay between Michael and Amy at the '88 Fest. The following year a decidedly classically-orientated Christmas album was Michael's next release. But it was in December of last year with the release of 'Go West Young Man' that the 33 year old keyboard maestro put together his best bet yet to extend his appeal outside the mass ranks of evangelicalism. 'Go West Young Man' is still very much addressed to the concerns of young people and not those of his own "thirty-something" generation. Why is that? "I have a heart for kids" says Smitty. "I don't think I set out to make this album for kids; I think it's for adults too. But the inspiration I get for writing is definitely the letters that I get from kids." Here's a product of that inspiration: "The wind is moving/But I am standing still/A life of pages waiting to be filled/A heart that's hopeful/A head that's full of dreams/ But it's becoming harder than it seems." "I get letters saying 'Where do I fit in?,' 'Does God ever hear me?" Kids just groping for answers. We've all felt that way, but Wayne and Amy just nailed it."

Wayne and Amy? If you're an astute reader of lyric sheets, you'll notice that Smitty hardly ever writes words. Wayne Kirkpatrick and Amy Grant wrote the words to "Place In This World." So how do Michael's thoughts come out in someone else's words?

"So much of this has to be attributed to Wayne, and Amy, too. When I share things with them that are on my heart, they put it into words for me. I feel like there's such a good marriage between these lyrics and music. They are able to say things in such a fresh way. I give Wayne a melody and a thought and he comes up with something wonderful! I'm the music guy. On about half of my songs I'll come up with the title and Wayne will just take it and run. It's an honour to be able to write with people of that calibre."

Another winning idea from writing partner Kirkpatrick was the title song. "Go West Young Man" was completely Wayne's idea. "There was a saying in the old days, 'go west, young man' because that's where the gold is. And the idea of going west when the evil goes east - in other words, run the other way. That's cool."

Straight talk set to music. That's a major part of what Michael W. Smith is all about. But how does it stay fresh, especially with the maturing that comes with being 33? "It's heavy, I have kids. I look in the mirror, and it's like the twilight zone. I feel like I have a youthful heart, in the way I see things. I can still walk into a bunch of 15-year-olds and do the high-fives, and "hey what's happening,' and they can relate to me. There are a lot of people who are 33 years old who can't do that. But that's just a gift that I have, and as long as God continues to give me the grace to do that sort of thing, that's where I'm at."

But it's not just teenagers who are listening to Michael W. Smith. Many adults enjoy his music, anyone's grandmother would have liked his classically-flavoured Christmas album. Michael acknowledges this phenomenon. "I can walk into a place full of elderly people and sing 'Great is the Lord' and 'How Majestic' and they respect that. But as an artist - an artist, not just a songwriter - my heart is for the kids. I feel like I'm rallying the troops...Let's wear it out! There's a lot to celebrate." CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.