Tribute Concert Salutes Christian Music Icon and Yamaha Artist Michael W. Smith

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 30, 2008) — The Nashville Choir announces its third annual "A Light for the City" event will celebrate the 25-year career of Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum selling artist Michael W. Smith. The star-studded tribute will take place on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at Music City's Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

"Michael is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in contemporary Christian music, and he's been successful at crossing over into mainstream as well. He's been a pleasure to get to know over the past 12 years that he's been in the Yamaha family. This event couldn't celebrate a more deserved person," comments Chris Gero, vice president of Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs, Inc.

The show will be open to the public and include special appearances by the Rev. Franklin Graham and author Max Lucado and performances by Amy Grant, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Jordin Sparks, Wynonna Judd, Ricky Skaggs, Melinda Doolittle, Phil Stacey, Michael Tait, and others.

Throughout his 25-year career as a recording artist, Smith has amassed as impressive catalog of achievements. His 20 albums have garnered multiple honors, including an American Music Award, 3 Grammy Awards (from 13 nominations), 42 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, and 33 No. 1 radio hits. In addition, he holds 16 Gold and 5 Platinum albums and career sales approaching 15 million.

Smith will release his next album A New Hallelujah on Oct. 28 on Reunion Records. As his third worship recording, A New Hallelujah follows 2001's Worship, which has sold more than a million-and-a-half copies. Its follow-up, 2002's Worship Again, is nearing the platinum mark.

Michael plays a DC7A Disklavier grand piano, a CP300 stage piano and an S90ES synthesizer workstation.

Tickets for the event range in price from $32.50 to $250, and proceeds benefit The Nashville choir, which is a non-profit organization. For more information, visit www.thenashvillechoir.org.

Tribute Concert Salutes Christian Music Icon and Yamaha Artist Michael W. Smith
— The Star-studded Celebration Will Raise Money for The Nashville Choir —