| > cMusicWeb.com > Pop > Michael W. Smith |
  |
 |  |
 |
|||
|
|
 |
|
|
THEMUSIC
 |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
CURRENTS
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
SEARCH
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
cMUSICMAIL
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|||
mwsNEWS
February 16, 2006 - Michael W. Smith discusses drug addiction with Larry King
Christian pop icon Michael W. Smith appeared on CNN's Larry King Live on February 10 to discuss a drug addiction he held in his pre-record contract days, and to promote his film The Second Chance, which opens in theatres tomorrow.
Smith says he fell into addiction when a support group made up of Christian friends broke apart as those friends left to go to college or graduate school. "[A]ll of a sudden I was by myself and didn't have a support group and thought I could play with the fire and not get burned, and that was not the case and I found myself in a pit and I couldn't get out," Smith said during the interview with King. He later said his drug habit almost killed him once via an overdose.
King said during his introduction to the interview that Smith had written gospel songs while "high on marijuana, cocaine and other drugs."
Smith says he overcame his addiction after falling into a deep depression, which he sees as an answer to his prayers, and those of his parents. Smith said during the interview that he knew that his habit would kill him if he didn't stop, and asked God to do whatever it took to get him out of it.
He likened his healing to that of a terminal cancer patient who wakes up the next day with his tumor gone. Said Smith, "I woke up the next day and I haven't been the same since. That was 28 years ago." Smith says his career began to take off shortly after the incident.
Our thanks to Christian Music Today for pointing us toward the full transcript of the Larry King interview. You can read it in full here. For more information on The Second Chance, head over to thesecondchancemovie.com.
- Ben
mwsDISCOGRAPHY
 |
|
 |
HEALING RAIN (2004) Rumored to be the first real return to pop music since his worship albums, it still seems there will be enough worship to go around. Let's just hope that there's enough pop to go around and then some. In stores October 26th. |
 |
LIVE IN CONCERT: A 20 YEAR CELEBRATION (2003) A unique concert with a collection of favorites spanning Smitty's entire 20-year career. This DVD features old favorites as well as a set with Amy Grant and much more. |
 |
THE SECOND DECADE (2003) It's hardly a stretch to say that the lion's share of artists who came into prominence during the early years of MTV and the Reagan Era have seen their popularity diminish drastically over the last two decades. This being the case, it appears that nobody bothered to tell Michael W. Smith. At a time when the better portion of those who entered the Christian pop arena with Smith have long since seen their work consigned to cut-out bins and out-of-print catalogs, Smith's own career seems to be following a decidedly upward trajectory. Read full review... |
 |
WORSHIP AGAIN (2002) With a platinum plaque, a DVD and critical acclaim for 2001's Worship, questions were raised as to why the multi-talented MWS should release another worship album. Smith is no stranger to worship, after leading worship in his home church for over 20 years. Yet the live recording of the Worship album was a unique, heartfelt experience that was deserving of its phenomenal sales. Could the magic of that album be captured again? And if not, why do it? Smith stated that he would only do another worship album if he could find enough songs to put on it. Read full review... |
 |
WORSHIP (2002) DVD In-depth review coming soon! |
 |
WORSHIP (2001) Jumping into the fray of worship releases, MWS does it well, with an all-star cast of musicians and backup singers, plus some of the best worship songs captured in a live setting. If you own this title and would like to review it, please visit the Feedback page. |
 |
FREEDOM (2000) Relying on conductor David Hamilton for original string arrangements, Michael W. Smith forsakes his overdeveloped skill of lyric-writing to stretch his awareness of classical music. Gone are the snappy choruses, often-confectionary phrases, and all other impediments that obscure what Smitty as an artist. Winsome photography packages this album of discovery and without-words expression, a landmark in Michael W. Smith's career that trumpets a true musical Freedom. Read full review... |
 |
THIS IS YOUR TIME (1999) Inspired by the tragedy of the Columbine High School shooting and the memory of Cassie Bernall, Christian pop recording artist Michael W. Smith began writing songs. If there's one album to close the millennium with, this is it. And it seems there's more truth in the title than realized. Not only is this our time, but Smitty's as well. Read full review... |
 |
CHRISTMASTIME (1998) Featuring the enchanting, infectious title track "Christmastime" and many classic instrumental and choir-based medleys plus appearances from many well-known artists, Michael W. Smith's Christmastime works well as the soundtrack to your holiday cheer--if you're willing to overlook critical flaws. Read full review... |
 |
LIVE THE LIFE (1998) Hitting off with two driving pop/rock tracks, then settling down to a good dose of classic Michael W. Smith, Live the Life plays on his trademark "best friend" approach, yet seems more concerned about Truth and reality. Read full review... |
 |
I'LL LEAD YOU HOME (1995) Be the first cMusicWeb.com viewer to contribute a review of this CD! Read the Feedback Page to review this CD. |
 |
THE FIRST DECADE (1993) Featuring the absolute best of his first 10 years, MWS brings "Friends", "Rocketown", and many more of the very best onto one CD. Be the first cMusicWeb.com viewer to contribute a review of this CD! Read the Feedback Page to review this CD. |
 |
CHANGE YOUR WORLD (1992) Be the first cMusicWeb.com viewer to contribute a review of this CD! Read the Feedback Page to review this CD. |
 |
GO WEST YOUNG MAN (1990) A great CD, with a show-stopping premiere performance of the worship megahit "Agnus Dei" plus a great title track. Be the first cMusicWeb.com viewer to contribute a review of this CD! Read the Feedback Page to review this CD. |
 |
CHRISTMAS (1989) Be the first cMusicWeb.com viewer to contribute a review of this CD! Read the Feedback Page to review this CD. |
 |
i 2 EYE (1988) Grooving with the keyboard sound and nominal production common of Christian albums in the eighties, this disc has a focus of relating to God and each other. Ever employing the Elton John approach of combining feeling and friendship, it is easy to see i 2 (Eye) with this talented songwriter on one of his many essential song collections. Read full review... |
 |
THE LIVE SET (1987) This disc features a great live performance with a good supporting band, which do some cool instrumentals. Be the first cMusicWeb.com viewer to contribute a review of this CD! Read the Feedback Page to review this CD. |
 |
THE BIG PICTURE (1986) Be the first cMusicWeb.com viewer to contribute a review of this CD! Read the Feedback Page to review this CD. |
 |
MICHAEL W. SMITH 2 (1984) Be the first cMusicWeb.com viewer to contribute a review of this CD! Read the Feedback Page to review this CD. |
 |
THE MICHAEL W. SMITH PROJECT (1983) Be the first cMusicWeb.com viewer to contribute a review of this CD! Read the Feedback Page to review this CD. |
 |
mwsLIVE
MWS can always put on a good live show. Be the first cMusicWeb.com reader to contribute a review of your experience at a recent concert. See the Feedback Page.
mwsLINKS
www.michaelwsmith.com
The official site has all the latest information in a exciting Shockwave environment, with photos, tons of photos and music videos, samples and lyrics of music, and tons more..
Have a Michael W. Smith link you think should be here? Send it to webmaster@cMusicWeb.com.
Articles written by the staff.
Maintained by WebMaster Dan Ficker.
Site Design by da Man
All Material © 1999-2005 Different Media LLC
Support cMusicWeb.com