Michael W. Smith was born in Kenova, West Virginia. His dad worked in an oil refinery and his mom was a caterer and church secretary. His two passions growing up were baseball and music. He became a Christian at the age of 10 and after graduation, moved to Nashville. Unable to get a record deal, Smitty turned to drugs and alcohol for a short time before coming clean and renewing his faith in October, 1979. He started performing with a Christian group called "Higher Ground" in 1981, the same year he met his wife Debbie. They met in June and were married in September. He finally landed a record deal with Reunion Records and came out with his first album in 1983. In September of that year, two days before his second anniversary, his first child Ryan was born. Smitty continued to record albums, releasing them about a year or two apart. He was soon playing to large crowds as his music was gaining mainstream attention. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous

Favorite baseball team is the Cincinnati Reds. Former President George Bush invited Michael to Camp David in Dec. 1992. Founded Rocketown Records. Has five children: Ryan, Whitney, Tyler, Anna and Emily, born between 1983 and 1992. Has one sister: Kim Made People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People. Released first album, "Project" in 1983. Wife Debbie wrote all the lyrics on the album "Project." Writes the theme song for Kanakuk Kamp, near Branson, Missouri, every summer. Founded a teen club in Nashville, Tennessee, named Rocketown. Holds an honorary degree from Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia (a private American Baptist affiliated college) Has been a musical guest of Billy Graham during his evangelistic crusades He and his wife were engaged in 3 1/2 weeks. He and his wife were totally blown away by the monumental success of his signature song "Friends". The song was originally written in less than 1 hour as a last-minute gift to their bible study leader who was moving away. His song "I Wanna Tell The World" is a biographical song detailing the circumstances by which he met his wife. Got his start as a keyboard player for Amy Grant . He has had 31 #1 hits, his most recent being "Here I Am." His song "Emily" was written and recorded before his daughter Emily was born. On his album "This is Your Time," two of his songs were written for two of his daughters. "She Walks With Me" for oldest daughter Whitney and "Anna" for middle daughter Anna. "Anna" was actually written years before when she was very young and was inspired by her dressing up as a ballerina and dancing as her dad played the piano. At one point Anna appeared on the radio show "20 The Countdown Magazine" and talked about the song with her dad. Is good friends with Amy Grant . Released his nineteenth album Stand on November 7, 2006. Did his album Stand in only 40 days. Was good friends with Rich Mullins and even sang "Awesome God" on a tribute album to Mullins. Favorite movie is Jäger des verlorenen Schatzes (1981). 16 October 2007: released his 20th studio album and 3rd Christmas Album It's A Wonderful Christmas. Co-host, with Nicole Johnson, of an infomercial for TimeLife's "Songs4Ever" Christian music collection. Touring with Steven Curtis Chapman on the United tour. [February 2009] Has 9 grandchildren - Audrey Kay Smith, Whitaker Corin Smith, Elam Thomas Smith, Asa Smith, Smith Elisha Mooring, Kate Victoria Mooring, Esther Ayanna Smith, Isaac Emery Smith, Harper Evangeline Bovi.