Michael W. Smith Releases AWAKEN: The Surrounded Experience Today From Rocketown Records, The Fuel Music

Iconic, multi-Platinum-selling, three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Michael W. Smithhosted an inclusive, multi-racial, multi-denominational and multi-generational gathering of 14,000 people at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN last August. The energy, passion and unity of the event was captured as it happened on AWAKEN: The Surrounded Experience releasing today (Feb. 22) from Rocketown Records and The Fuel Music. Available now athttp://fanlink.to/michaelwsmith, the album features Smith along with special guest CeCe Winans and the voices of all those who attended the evening.

Billed "A Night to Pray, Worship and Be Awakened" and inspired by his GRAMMY-nominated live worship album Surrounded, Smith says in a Parade exclusive, "The night was beautiful. I remember thinking, 'This is what Heaven will look like.' A picture of unity, with all colors, ethnicities, denominations and ages joined together in worship. I'm still hearing reports of lives changed, commitments deepened and people empowered in a new way. We may each have different stories, skin and songs, but we all share His same Spirit."

Sharing the story of the event earlier this week in The Stream, Michael adds in a Billboardexclusive, "...I don't think the night really ended. Something happened to our city. I really do believe something shifted. I've had a lot of pastors and spiritual leaders say to me they've never seen a more unified front ever and they think that stemmed from what happened at Bridgestone..."

The 13-song AWAKEN includes a new recording of "Surrounded (Fight My Battles)," which will be the first radio single from the project that is energized by an arena filled with enthusiastic worshippers. The album also features "Waymaker (feat. Vanessa Campagna & Madelyn Berry)" and the GMA Dove Award-winning Song of the Year, "Reckless Love." These songs and more first aired as part of the Trinity Broadcasting Network's "Surrounded" special that was broadcast into 175 countries to millions of people around the world.

Taking his new music and fan favorites on tour in 2019, Smith will be featured on the annual, Compassion International-sponsored "The Roadshow Tour" launching today (Feb. 22) before joining Christian music supergroup, Newsboys United, to co-headline the "Surrounded & United: The Tour" beginning April 10.

On April 30, Smith will return to Bridgestone Arena to be honored by his peers during the "35 Years of Friends: Celebrating The Music of Michael W. Smith" event. Featuring an all-star line-up of artists leading many of Smith's 32 No. 1 hit singles, the event includes performances by Amy Grant, Brian Littrell (Backstreet Boys), CeCe Winans, The Gatlin Brothers, Jars of Clay, Jason Crabb, Jim Brickman, Lee Greenwood, MercyMe, Natalie Grant, Newsboys, The Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Travis, Rascal Flatts, Ricky Skaggs, Russ Taff, Sandi Patty, Vince Gill, Wynonna and many more.

For all the latest Michael W. Smith tour dates and more news, go to www.michaelwsmith.com,Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

About Michael W. Smith:

Michael has been releasing new music regularly and performing around the world to sold-out crowds for the last 35 years. During his storied career, he's written 32 No. 1 singles, been honored with three GRAMMY Awards and 45 Dove Awards, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 15 million albums. His most recent USA Today,Yahoo! Music and Billboard-acclaimed studio album, A Million Lights, and Good Morning America-featured worship album, Surrounded, have together become his 30th and 31st Top 10 hits on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart, more than any other solo artist in history. He's also given back to the global community. Michael has raised funds to battle AIDS in Africa; started Rocketown, a safe haven for young people in Tennessee to meet and find hope; and has helped more than 70,000 children through Compassion International. He has also written several best-selling books, including Old Enough To Know and Friends Are Friends Forever. He and his wife, Debbie, have five children and live in Nashville.

About The Fuel Music:

Established in 2008, The Fuel Music & Management, LLC, is a leading artist management and artist solutions company that independently distributes music internationally. Based in Nashville, TN, the Fuel team brings nearly 70 years of combined music industry experience in record label operations, major label distribution and marketing, and artist management for artists ranging from upstart bands to GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-platinum artists. More information on the company can be found at www.thefuelmusic.com.

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