So I was browsing the music collection here at the station one night and pulled out the Michael W. Smith Project CD from 1983, which I had never heard before. Very impressive keyboard work I must say. I can't believe his music actually used to sound like that. Anyone else heard it?

yeah, most people don't know it, but his stuff was very synth pop when he started. too bad he got CCM'd

I miss the big picture days myself.

I never realized but the "Big Picture" album is where name for the "Rocketown" label came from, no coincidence that it's Smittys' label.

It was those early Smitty albums that made me start taking piano lessons seriously.  It made me want to learn to play soooo bad! 

The best one in my opinion from back then was "The Live Set"  some great old analog schtuff on it along with a sick version of "Nothing But the Blood"

Okay, I hate to admit having ever gone to an Amy Grant concert, but I did 20 years or more ago. Some new guy in a gray sweatsuit was playing keys for Amy. She took a break and let the new guy play a brief set. When she introduced him, she said his first album would be out soon. His name: Michael W. Smith.

MWS wrote a BUNCH of Amy's hits back in the day. When he did that ablum that came after Go West Young Man (sorry... too lazy to look that up), in an interview he admited that he needed to start keeping some of his best stuff for himself rather than give it to Amy.

To this day, I still enjoy seeing MWS in concert. Why? B/c he is a musician. A REAL musician.

MWS was scheduled to do a free concert in this area on behalf of Senator Rick Santorum today. Red would have eaten that up, right?

But, out of respect for the chaos surrounding the school shooting, he's leading worship at a prayer service a large church is holding.

I dunno if I would have or not. I'm not pro or anti rick, but man... I didn't like it when Sen Sam Nunn/Dunn whatever his name was spoke at Atlanta Fest back in the day. :P

So yeah getting back to the original topic  ;)

I remember my favorite song back when I was 4 or so was Ashton from I 2 Eye. I would request it all the time on the radio. I think he should release a greatest instrumentals CD. I miss those.