MICHAEL W. SMITH RELEASES IT’S A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS OCT. 16
20TH ALBUM RECORDED AT LONDON’S FAMED ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS

Collection Features All Original Music Performed by Smith with 67 Piece Orchestra,
Four Choirs and Special Guest, American Idol’s Mandisa!

NASHVILLE, Tenn.(August 2, 2007) — Michael W. Smith, an iconic artist loved and respected for his immense creativity, leadership and heart for others, announces the release of his 20th studio album
It’s A Wonderful Christmas,on Reunion Records, October 16th.

Over the years, people have come to respect Smith as a man of many gifts. He’s written and recorded pop music that has infused America’s cultural climate with hope. He’s a gifted worship leader that has drawn other believers closer to God through his songs. However, there’s no denying that one of his greatest gifts is simply as a composer. That passion for creating new music abounds on It’s A Wonderful Christmas, a powerful collection of songs that reverberate with Smith’s heartfelt connection to that most special season.

Like his musical hero John Williams (composer of film scores for “Jaws,” “Star Wars,” “Raiders of
the Lost Ark” and “Jurassic Park”), Smith’s work has an epic, cinematic quality that stirs emotions in the listener. It’s the kind of music that is not simply heard; it’s felt. “It’s so big and symphonic,” says Smith, who himself has scored two films, including “Second Chance” in which he also starred. “It
feels like you’re going to get to the end of the record and you’ll want to see the movie. It sounds like
a soundtrack.”

In recording It’s A Wonderful Christmas, Michael enlisted David Hamilton’s expertise with arrangements. Hamilton worked with Michael on his highly acclaimed instrumental album, “Freedom,” and has also toured with Michael.

It’s A Wonderful Christmas features the winning singer-songwriter joining forces with four amazing choirs, among them a 100-voice choir and also a 16-member London boy’s choir directed by John Tobin, and a 67-piece orchestra at London’s Abbey Road studios. Also featured is a duet with American Idol’s Mandisa. As the strings soar and the bells ring, you can almost feel winter’s nip in the air and smell the fragrance of pine trees as Smith’s music puts you in that holiday mood. Smith reveled in the opportunity to record with a 67-piece orchestra, “The arrangements were great. The room is legendary and the players were unbelievable,” he enthuses.

In preparing for his new Christmas collection, he wanted to create an album with the lush arrangements and powerful orchestral sounds that he heard listening to his favorite Christmas
records as a child. He began putting together a list of his favorite tunes, but in a burst of inspiration soon found he’d written more than enough new material to fill the album. The only cover tune is the timeless standard “What Child is This?” which sounds both familiar yet fresh thanks to Smitty’s deft musical reinvention.

It’s A Wonderful Christmas Song List:
1. Christmas Angels
2. It’s A Wonderful Christmas
3. The Promise
4. Song For The King
5. Christmas Day (duet with Mandisa)
6. A Highland Carol
7. Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah
8. Son of God
9. What Child Is This
10. Audrey’s Gift
11. All Year Long
*Song list and sequence subject to change

In addition, Michael will be hitting the road for a Christmas tour, appropriately titled the,
“It’s A Wonderful Christmas” with special guests, The Katinas. Each date will feature a full symphony orchestra.

“It’s A Wonderful Christmas” tour dates:
*Dates, cities, venues and times are all subject to change. See www.michaelwsmith.com for updated schedule.

29-Nov Binghampton, NY Broome County Arena
30-Nov Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena
2-Dec Erie, PA Erie Civic Center Complex
4-Dec Dallas, TX Meyerson Symphony Center
5-Dec Dallas, TX Meyerson Symphony Center
1-Dec Reading, PA Reading Eagle Theater
7-Dec El Paso, TX Don Haskins Even Center
8-Dec Tempe, AZ Highlands Church
9-Dec Los Angeles, CA Nokia Theatre
11-Dec Rocklin, CA Adventure Christian Church
13-Dec Redding, CA Redding Convention Center
14-Dec Tualitin, OR Rolling Hills Community Church
15-Dec Redmond, WA Overlake Christian Church
17-Dec Edmonton, AB Winspear Centre For Music
18-Dec Edmonton, AB Winspear Centre For Music
22-Dec Nashville, TN Brentwood Baptist

About Michael W. Smith
Over his 24-year career as a recording artist, Michael W. Smith has amassed an impressive catalog of achievements. His 19 albums have garnered multiple honors including an American Music Award, 3 GRAMMY Awards and 40 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. In addition, he
holds 16 Gold and 5 Platinum albums, 31 #1 radio hits, and has been named one of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People. In addition, Smith has scored film projects and written 11 books. His tours consistently rank among the best attended in the country and he has performed to capacity crowds throughout the world. Constantly giving back to the community, one of his current projects is Rocketown -- a nightclub for teens in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn. -- serves as safe place for young people to enjoy music and for artists to be discovered. He is married to Debbie Smith and they are the proud parents of five children. Stand, Michael’s 19th album, released November 7, 2006.

For up-to-date information on Michael W. Smith, including tour itinerary, please visit www.michaelwsmith.com or www.reunionrecords.com.