Michael W. Smith

The song is about America's ability to rise from the ashes and remain strong even after such horrific events. Gareth Davies now persues a solo career as a performer and producer, whilst Andrew Girardin publishes poetry and is currently working on his first novel. Smith mentioned that the President, a personal fan of the artist, had asked him to attempt to write a song about the attacks. (I) Feel Like A Ghostbuster was a sparkling pop song that re-awakened interest in this most cultish of bands. Bush in the Oval Office in October of 2001, a short time after the attacks. In 2001 a compilation LP entitled Tautology (http://www.geocities.com/subveguk/tautology.html) was released and Davies recorded a new single under the Suburban Vegetable name for the occasion. In introducing the song before he performed it, he made remarks about meeting personally with President George W. Although the 1992 line-up reformed for a one-off gig in May 1993, the band split for good immediately afterwards.

He performed this song live for the 2004 Republican National Convention. The sound again shifted to more heavy guitars and basses, more akin to American bands such as Pavement and Pixies. Smith wrote a song entitled "There She Stands," prompted by the |September 11th terrorist attacks. In late 1992, internal rifts split the band apart and Davies recorded the final LP Censored Haircut (http://www.geocities.com/subveguk/haircut.html) largely alone. After two decades, Smith finally won the coveted Male Vocalist of the Year award at the GMA Music Awards in 2003. It was in the summer of 1992 that the band played their biggest gigs and reached their career peak. A Worship Again DVD was released in 2002, which immediately topped the Billboard video charts. Live in concert, the band were often compared to local heroes The Fall, despite Davies' prominent use of tin whistle and flute which clearly betrayed his continued love of Jethro Tull and folk rock.

Both albums were recorded live in concert. The album was hailed as a masterpiece and the subsequent tour saw them attract their biggest crowds, despite their success being localised to the North West of England. The following year, Smith released an all praise and worship album, called Worship, which was followed by a sequel, Worship Again. By November 1991 though the band were back on track with their third LP Gladioli Mix (http://www.geocities.com/subveguk/gladioli.html) and new permenent members in guitarist Matthew Poole and drummer Ian Ferguson. Their fourth LP Organic (http://www.geocities.com/subveguk/organic.html) saw them move away from their traditional keyboard and acoustic guitar sound and use electric guitars for the first time, a change inspired by Davies' new found love of indie music and bands such as Blur and The Stone Roses. Nearly all of Smith's albums contain at least one instrumental track, and in 2000, Smith recorded his first all instrumental album, Freedom. Following Girardin's departure in early 1991, Davies struggled to write and record the second album Weety Things (http://www.geocities.com/subveguk/weety.html) which was panned by critics. He states the label is driven by the artists, and one of its first artists signed was Chris Rice, who had written "Go Light Your World," a #1 hit song by Kathy Troccoli, in 1995. This was followed in 1990 by their debut LP Mr.Ridley (http://www.geocities.com/subveguk/ridley.html) which was immediately revered as an underground classic.

In 1996, Smith opened his own record label (although he does not record on it), Rocketown Records, named for a teen club which he established for Christian youth in the Nashville area. They signed to Saltwater Records in October 1989 and released their debut single One For Uncle Martin later that month. Smith had been asked to perform at some of the memorial services that were held in honor of the victims, which made a huge impression on Smith. Their early work was influenced by The KLF and the Pet Shop Boys although Davies' love of progressive rock gave their work a more off-the-wall approach. In 1999, Smith released This Is Your Time, largely inspired by the Columbine shootings. Suburban Vegetable were formed as an improvisational synth-pop duo by Gareth Davies and Andrew Girardin in Manchester, England in 1989. Also in 1998, Smith released his second Christmas effort, Christmastime. 2001 Tautology - Suburban Vegetable Examined Compilation LP.

That album was followed by 1992's Change Your World, 1995's I'll Lead You Home and 1998's Live The Life. 1993 Censored Haircut LP. In 1990, Smith released Go West Young Man, which was his first real mainstream effort. 1992 Organic LP. The following year, Smith recorded his first Christmas album. 1991 Gladioli Mix LP. After the release of his 1988 effort, I 2 eye, Smith once again teamed up with Amy Grant for her "Lead Me On World Tour". 1991 Weety Things LP.

In 1986, Smith released the critically acclaimed rock effort The Big Picture, with well known record producer Johnny Potoker (Brian Eno, Genesis, Madonna, No Doubt, Talking Heads, etc). 1990 Mr.Ridley LP. By the time Smith's second pop album was released in 1984, he was headlining his own tours. He would eventually become Grant's opening act, and recorded his first Grammy nominated solo album, Michael W. Smith Project (which he also produced), in 1983, on the Reunion label, a label started by Grant's brother-in-law, Dan Harrell, along with Michael Blanton. In 1981, Smith was signed as a writer to Meadowgreen Music, where he racked up a number of highly successful gospel hits penned for artists like Sandi Patty, Kathy Troccoli, Bill Gaither and Amy Grant. The following year, Smith began touring as a keyboardist for Grant on her Age to Age tour.

He cleaned up his substance abuse problem and began playing keyboards for the CCM group, Higher Ground. In October of 1979, Smith suffered an emotional and mental breakdown that awakened a recommitment to the Christian beliefs of his childhood. Nevertheless, he was able to get through a couple of years of college and develop his songwriting skills with various local bands. By the time Smith graduated from high school, he had found himself with serious drug and alcohol abuse problems.

By 2003, he had 10 gold records and 3 platinum records. Smith had sold more than seven million records and had 25 #1 hit songs. Smith has frequently topped both Christian radio and Billboard charts, and is often listed as one of the top keyboardists in rock and roll in Keyboard Magazine. Since his first solo project in 1983, Smith has become one of the most popular artists in the Contemporary Christian music world, while also finding considerable success in the mainstream.

Michael Whitaker Smith (born October 7, 1957 in Kenova, West Virginia), often nicknamed "Smitty", is an American singer, songwriter and keyboardist.