Michael Smith’S Newest Hits Stores This Week

They say good things come to those who wait. For radio, retail and consumers who have been eagerly anticipating Michael W. Smith’s “Live The Life,” the wait ends with the set’s arrival in stores this week.

Touted as one of the biggest Christian releases this year, the project is being jointly promoted by Jive to the general market and by Reunion to the Christian market.

“One of the amazing things about Michael is how consistently he puts out great music,” says Reunion president Bruce Koblish. “‘Live The Life’ continues that great tradition and is representative of some of his finest work. This record is very accessible both musically and lyrically to a broad spectrum of listeners, and yet, the artistic and spiritual integrity is never compromised in the process.”

Smith is one of the Christian community’s most perennially successful artists. He has won two Grammys, nine Doves, and one American Music Award, as well as being named one of People magazine’s “50 most beautiful people.”

He’s scored numerous hit singles at Christian radio and is one of a handful of Christian artists to achieve mainstream radio success with songs like “Place In This World,” “I Will Be Here For You,” and “Cry For Love.”

“This is definitely different from the last album,” Smith says. “I still think it’s Smitty, but I think it’s the best thing I’ve done. Whether anyone else will feel that way or not, we’ll just have to wait and see, but it’s a much more commercial record than the last one. I didn’t necessarily set out to do that. I just make the kind of record I feel like making.”