Michael W. Smith

A veteran of the Christian music industry, Michael W. Smith has released 18 albums and 28 number-one hit songs including, “I Will Be Here For You,” “Place in this World” and “This is Your Time.” He has received numerous distinctions including 40 Dove Awards, three platinum albums and one Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, “Worship Again.”

A West Virginia native, Smith moved to Nashville in 1979 to pursue a career in contemporary Christian music. By 1982, he was playing back-up keyboard for young singer/songwriter, Amy Grant. Following the release of his first album in 1983, Smith began touring with Grant as her opening act.

Since his first hints of success, Smith has continued to rise in popularity. In 1990, he was named the American Music Academy’s New Artist of the Year. In 1995, his ninth album, “I’ll Lead You Home,” sold over half of a million copies in the first two months making its debut at number 16 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart. Three years later, his first hit, “Friends,” was named number-one song of all time by CCM Magazine.

By 2000 Smith had released 13 albums, been named one of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” and founded his own record label, Rocketown Records, which went on to produce many of today’s popular Christian artists like Ginny Owens, Geoff Moore and Chris Rice. Today, Michael W. Smith remains one of Christian contemporary music’s best selling artists with career sales exceeding 10 million records.

Natalie Grant

Natalie Grant, Gospel Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year for 2006 and 2007, has made a permanent imprint in the Christian music industry with hit songs like “Held” and “The Real Me.”

She began her solo career in 1997 with the release of her first self-titled album. Her career began to take off when she was invited to perform her first hit song, “I’m Not Alone,” at the 2000 Republican National Convention. Grant continued to travel across the nation, performing at conferences, political conventions and churches and releasing a second album, “Stronger.” In 2003, “Live for Today,” from her next album, “Deeper Life,” was nominated for a Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.

In March 2005, Grant released “Awaken,” helping her to become Christian music’s top selling Adult Contemporary artist in 2005 and 2006. Today, Grant is celebrating the success of her seventh album, “Relentless,” which was released in February.

Matthew West

Talented singer/songwriter Matthew West catapulted onto the Christian music scene in 2003 with his debut single, “More,” the most played Christian Adult Contemporary song of 2004. Subsequent hits like “Only Grace,” “History” and “Next Thing You Know” have made him a multiple Dove Award nominee.

His first album, “Happy,” was released in 2003 and guaranteed him a place among Christian contemporary artists. He recorded his second album, “History,” in 2005. West is currently celebrating the success of his latest album “Something to Say,” which was released in January and produced the number-one hit song, “You are Everything.”