35 Years Of Friends: Celebrating The Music Of Michael W. Smith
was packed with over 3 hours of performances from singers including:
Amy Grant, Wynonna, Randy Travis with Steven Curtis Chapman, Jordin
Sparks with Jordan Smith, Rascal Flatts, The Backstreet Boys’ Brian
Littrell, Charlie Daniels, the Gatlin Brothers, Vince Gill with Wayne
Kirkpatrick, Matthew West, Avalon, The Oak Ridge Boys, CeCe Winans,
Francesca Battistelli, Sandi Patty with Natalie Grant, Ricky Skaggs with
the Isaacs, Jason Crabb, Lee Greenwood, Mark Lowry, Jim Brickman, T.
Graham Brown and more.
Before the show started, Smith spoke of how he had been kept in the dark
about most of the event so he was looking forward to the surprises
throughout the night, seeing his songs performed and the rendition that
the artists were going to take on them. He stated that “the beauty of
the night is how it has brought so many of us together.”
Kathie Lee Gifford kicked off the night bringing Smith and his wife
Deborah out to greet the crowd before they took their seats on stage.
Smith didn’t stay seated long as he joined several artists throughout
the night on his iconic songs and even some of theirs.
Highlights throughout the night included:
- Randy
Travis walking out on stage with his wife Mary Travis as his version of
Smith’s “Above All” played. An emotional Smith stood as Travis made his
way to him before embracing - After
performing “How Great Thou Art” Charlie Daniels brought out his fiddle
for “Devil Went Down to Georgia” while Smith accompanied him on piano - Taped messages from Smith’s dear friends: former President George W. Bush, U2’s Bono and Franklin Graham
- American Idol winner Jordin Sparks joining The Voice winner Jordan Smith performing “All is Well”
- Rascal Flatts putting their spin on “Pray for Me”
- A
visibly moved Wynonna, joining Michael Tait, Matt Maher, Avalon and
CeCe Winans on “Help Is on the Way” then Smith jumping to the piano to
join her for a rendition of his “Majesty” - Smith’s longtime friend and tour-mate Amy Grant inviting him to accompany her on the piano during their “Love Will Find a Way”
The show closed with all the artists coming back on stage to join-in for Smith’s classic “Friends.”
After playing the piano, Smith embraced the end of the triumphant night
moving to the front of the stage to take a bow as his family joined him.
Promoted by Outback Concerts and produced by Tony Conway of Conway
Entertainment Group, music lovers experienced over 50 artists from all
genres, performing a set list that included many of Smith’s 35 #1 hit
singles. With over 45 Dove awards, three Grammy awards, and an American
Music award, Michael W. Smith has forever enshrined his mark in the
music history books. Smith garnered yet another Grammy nomination in
2018 for ‘Best Contemporary Christian Music Album’ for his worship
effort, Surrounded. AWAKEN: The Surrounded Experience is Smith’s latest release (Feb. 22, 2019).
“35 Years Of Friends: Celebrating The Music Of Michael W. Smith” full setlist:
Phil Keaggy, Mac Powell, Phillips, Craig & Dean, Point of Grace – “Agnus Dei”
Jason Crabb – “Love Crusade”
Ricky Skaggs with The Isaacs – “I’d Rather Have Jesus”
Zach Williams – “I’ll Stand”
David Hamilton – Instrumental
David Hamilton, Jordin Sparks, Jordan Smith – “All is Well”
Matthew West – “Go West”
Charlie Daniels – “How Great Thou Art”
Charlie Daniels with Michael W. Smith – “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”
Jars of Clay – “I’ll Lead You Home”
Rascal Flatts – “Pray for Me”
Avalon with Jay DeMarcus – “I Will Be Here”
Mark Lowry – “Face in This World”
Gatlin Brothers with Phillips, Craig & Dean – “Shine On Us”
Sandi Patty and Natalie Grant – “How Majestic”
Jim Brickman – “Love of My Life”
Michael W. Smith with original band – “Could He Be Messiah,” “Be Strong,” “You Need a Savior”
Randy Travis and Steven Curtis Chapman – “Above All”
Lee Greenwood with Wes King and sons – “There She Stands”
Brian Littrell – “Place in This World”
Michael W. Smith – “Secret Ambition”
Oak Ridge Boys – “Draw Me Close”
Nicole C. Mullen, Danny Gokey, Katinas, Matthew Ward, Calvin Nowell – “Crown Him with Many Crowns, ” “Easter Song”
CeCe Winans with Point of Grace – “King of Glory”
Matt Maher – “This is Your Time”
Laura Story with Francesca Battistelli – “How to Say Goodbye”
Russ Taff – “Healing Rain”
Wayne Kirkpatrick with Vince Gill – “Never Been Unloved”
Mark Hall – “I’m Waiting on You”
Tait, Matt Maher, Avalon, Wynonna, CeCe Winans – “Help Is on the Way”
Wynonna – “Majesty”
Amy Grant with Michael W. Smith – “Love Will Find a Way,” “Thy Word”
All sing including T. Graham Brown – “Friends”
About Michael W. Smith:
Michael W. Smith has been releasing new music regularly and performing
around the world to sold-out crowds for the last 35+ years. During his
storied career, he’s written over 35 #1 songs, been honored with three
GRAMMY® Awards and 45 Dove Awards, one American Music Award, was
inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 15
million albums. His most recent USA Today, Yahoo! Music and
Billboard-acclaimed studio album A Million Lights and Parade, Good Morning America-featured and GRAMMY nominated live worship album Surrounded
have together become his 30th and 31st Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Top
Christian Albums chart, more than any other solo artist in history. He’s
also given back to the global community. Smith has raised funds to
battle AIDS in Africa; started Rocketown, a safe haven for young people
in Tennessee to meet and find hope; and has helped more than 70,000
children through Compassion International. He has also written several
bestselling books, including Old Enough To Know and Friends Are Friends Forever. For more information, visit www.michaelwsmith.com.