Michael W. Smith Inducted to the Music City Walk of Fame
by Ginny McCabe
April 30, 2007
NASHVILLE, TN (ANS) -- Contemporary Christian recording artist, record label and music industry executive and actor, Michael W. Smith was one of six inductees, who was recently honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame. The induction ceremony was held on Sunday, April 22nd in Nashville.The second class of inductees to the Music City Walk of Fame presented by founding sponsor Gibson Guitar, included Michael W. Smith, The Crickets, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, Wynonna Judd and Frances Preston.
"This class of inductees continues to showcase the diversity of the music that thrives in this city," said Butch Spyridon, President of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Each honoree has left an indelible mark on music worldwide and on our city's musical heritage. We're privileged to pay homage to their great success."
Nominations, open to the public, were accepted in the categories of Artist, Musician, Songwriter, and Producer/Music Industry Executive. Application forms were reviewed by the Music City Walk of Fame selection committee, who chose the final six.
The six honorees were officially recognized officially with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers on Sunday, April 22, beginning at 3 p.m. in the Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. The ceremony was held in conjunction with Gospel Music Week, which was headed up by the Gospel Music Association. The public was also invited to attend the induction ceremony, which was sponsored by Great American Country (GAC).
"...By this time next year, we will have over 25 stars, and it is just the beginning. We envision, not just a lifetime, but an eternity of honoring the many people that have contributed to making Nashville Music City - all genres, all levels of music and all involvement," Spyridon said. "I would like to have a round of applause for all those that make this the music capital of the world."
"The outstanding second panel of inductees showcases the enormous talent which has its roots in Nashville, the world's true Music City," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. "Gibson Guitar is honored to sponsor the Music City Walk of Fame, an extraordinary project which will give tourists and residents another reason to celebrate Nashville's rich musical heritage for many years to come."
The plaques for this class of inductees are inlaid in Hall of Fame Park on Demonbreun, between 4th and 5th Avenues South.
The Music City Walk of Fame ceremony helped to kick Gospel Music Week 2007, with many of its attendees present at the ceremony.
"This week, as most of you know is Gospel Music Association Week here in Nashville, and we are celebrating that week as we do every year," said Sandra Fulton, Chair, Music City, Inc. "...Vastly diverse music is created here in this city, and the honorees we have here today are wonderful representatives of the wide range of talent that we claim here as our own. In honor of GMA week, we will begin the ceremony with a little bit of Gospel brought to us from a very special group, The MET Singers."
Like the other inductees, Michael W. Smith has earned numerous accolades and accomplishments over the course of his career. He started out as a songwriter and keyboard player for Amy Grant, and has since enjoyed 31 No. 1 hits, earned three Grammy Awards and received an American Music Award. He has also had five platinum records, 16 gold records and 40 GMA Dove Awards. He has sold more 15 million albums throughout his career, and recently released his current and 19th studio album project, Stand on Reunion Records.
In 2006, Smith received an official White House appointment to serve as Vice Chair to the President's Council for Service and Civic Participation. He serves locally through his church New River Fellowship in Franklin, TN, and through the work of Rocketown, a teen club, coffee house and skate park that he founded in downtown Nashville. Smith was also one of the presenters at the 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards, which was held at the Grand Ole Opry House on Wednesday, April 25th.
Prior to Smith's star being unveiled, actor Jim Caviezel said a few words about Smith and his influence within the Christian community, as well as his impact upon popular culture.
He talked about the influence Smith had on him personally, how he was introduced to his music during the filming of The Passion of the Christ. When he was filming some of the most intense scenes of the movie, as he was carrying the cross, someone on the set gave him a CD player with headphones and Smith's "Above All" was playing on it. He said the words of the song spoke to him.
Caviezel said Smith believes in affecting culture by living out his faith and giving of himself to others.
Smith then took the platform, and hugged Caviezel before saying a few words. Then he walked down to where his star was being unveiled to receive the honor.
Each of the stars are permanent sidewalk medallions, made of stainless steel and terrazzo, and have each honoree's name displayed in a star-and-guitar design, have been installed in the sidewalk along the Music Mile. This approximate one-mile stretch of Demonbreun Street from 4th Avenue South to the Music Row Roundabout at 16th Avenue South currently has twelve stars and will continue to add the stars of future inductees.
Created in the fall of 2006, the Music City Walk of Fame on Nashville's Music Mile will be a landmark tribute to those from all genres of music who have made significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and have contributed to the world through song or other industry collaboration.
The Music City Walk of Fame is an official project of Music City, Inc., the charitable foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB), and is produced with the support of presenting sponsor Gibson Guitar, sponsor GAC, the City of Nashville and Metro Parks.
Nomination forms are currently being accepted for future honorees, with the next induction ceremony set for November 2007. For more information, including submission guidelines and forms, please go to www.visitmusiccity.com/walkoffame. For more information about Michael W. Smith, visit www.Michaelwsmith.com.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
