Michael W. Smith performs during the 35 Years of Friends: Celebrating the Music of Michael W. Smith concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, April 30, 2019. (Photo: Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
American Christian musician Michael W. Smith watched with reverence and jubilation from the stage at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday night as more than 50 artists from a cross-section of genres happily spent three hours paying homage to his storied Christian music career.
“35 Years Of Friends: Celebrating The Music Of Michael W. Smith” was packed with performances from singers including Amy Grant, Charlie Daniels, the Gatlin Brothers, Jordin Sparks with Jordan Smith, Matthew West, Rascal Flatts, Avalon, The Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Travis with Steven Curtis Chapman, CeCe Winans, Francesca Battistelli, Vince Gill with Wayne Kirkpatrick, Sandi Patty with Natalie Grant, Ricky Skaggs with the Isaacs, Jason Crabb, Lee Greenwood, Wynonna, Mark Lowry, Jim Brickman and more. Most covered Smith’s songs.
Before the show, Smith — a 45-time Dove Award winner — admitted he was somewhat of an unwilling participant. He said he was uncomfortable with being the center of attention but added “you just embrace it.”
“It’s a little surreal out there,” the popular Christian singer admitted. “The beauty of this night is how it has brought so many of us together.”
Steve Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers predicted it would be a “beautiful revival service.”
He was right.
Smith immediately fell into the joyous spirit of his night. Following the first performance – Phil Keaggy, Mac Powell, Phillips, Craig & Dean and Point of Grace on “Agnus Dei” – Smith and his wife Deborah were out of their seats singing along.
Jars of Clay transformed the cavernous space into a praise and worship service with Smith’s “Hear Me Calling.” Following the performance, the band lined up to hug the singer and his wife at the end of the song. As they did, Smith brushed a tear from his eye.
“My connection with Michael W. Smith goes back to when I was 11 or 12 years old,” said the band’s singer Dan Haseltine. “He was definitely part of that initial inspiration to be a musician. He’s written some incredible songs that have been the soundtrack for different parts of my own life. To be able to make music and have that creative space along with him is an incredible honor.”
Smith threw his head back and laughed at comedians Nate Bargatze, Henry Cho, Chonda Pierce and John Crist who joked about the finances of Joel Osteen’s ministry and quipped that Smith was worth millions.
Travis walked out on stage with his wife Mary Travis as his version of Smith’s “Above All” played through the speakers. Smith, his face full of emotion, stood and clapped as Travis slowly made his way across the stage toward him. The men embraced, and Steven Curtis Chapman started singing “Above All.”
Mercy Me was scheduled to perform but singer Bart Millard was diagnosed with laryngitis. Millard introduced Smith who performed his own “Secret Ambition,” which the Christian group was scheduled to deliver.
The night also included taped messages from former president George W. Bush, U2’s Bono and Franklin Graham.
Charlie Daniels delivered a powerful acoustic version of “How Great Thou Art” that built into full band chorus. The crowd roared when Daniels got out his fiddle for a blistering version of “Devil Went Down to Georgia.” Michael W. Smith accompanied Daniels on piano, which further whipped up the crowd.
“Michael W. Smith, if he’d a been in Hong Kong and asked me to come, I would have found a way to get there,” Daniels said. “He’s one of the really good guys.”
“It’s an honor to be here my friend,” Flatts singer Gary LeVox told Smith. “I’m glad we didn’t have to go on after Charlie Daniels.” The popular country trio performed Smith’s “Pray for Me” then the group’s bass player Jay DeMarcus sat in with Avalon who is signed to his new Christian label Red Street Records.
Like Daniels, The Oak Ridge Boys also sang a double. The Grand Ole Opry members played Smith’s “Draw Me Close” and closed with their fan favorite “Elvira.”
Winans led a sing-along on “King of Glory.” A hush fell over the crowd during Gill and Kirkpatrick’s acoustic, harmony-rich version of “Never Been Unloved.” Russ Taff, who performed “Healing Rain,” stood quietly backstage, his eyes glued to the live feed from the arena, transfixed by the performance. Wynonna, her red hair sparkling under the spotlight, joined Michael Tait, Matt Maher, Avalon and Winans on “Help is on the Way” then Smith backed her up on a version of his “Majesty.”
“Let’s go to church right now,” she said, opening her hands and lifting her eyes upward.
Grant was among the last performers of the night. Smith accompanied his longtime friend on the piano during his “Love Will Find a Way,” after she said she couldn’t do it without him. She followed up with a tender version of “Thy Word.”
The show closed with an all-sing on Smith’s popular “Friends.” The audience held up their cell phones, illuminating the arena as Smith stood in front of the group of singers who honored him and took a bow.
“What a night,” he said. “Give it up for the greatest talent in Nashville, Tenn., who happens to be on this stage tonight.”
