Okay just right off the bat I’m going to clarify that this album is in no way contemporary. It is 100% classical or whatever you want to call this genre. If you like Michael’s piano playing you MIGHT like this album but quite frankly it doesn’t fit in as CCM music in any way shape or form. It is Michael W. Smith so we thought we would upload it anyway but I can guarantee that after the work needed to upload this album I will likely never listen to it again.
Tracklist 1 – Overture/O Come All Ye Faithful – 5:38 2 – Lux Venit – 3:28 3 – Anthem For Christmas – 3:11 4 – First Snowfall – 2:44 5 – Christ The Messiah – 3:59 6 – No Eye Had Seen – 2:53 7 – All Is Well – 4:08 8 – Memoirs: A Trilogy – 4:28 9 – Gloria – 5:03 10 – Silent Night – 1:33
Credits Arranged By [Choral Arangements] – Ronn Huff Arranged By [Orchestra], Conductor [Orchestra] – Ronn Huff Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Brent King, Danny Garcia, Scott Macminn Engineer [Assistant] – Bryan Lenox, Joe Kraus, Steve Charles Engineer, Mixed By – Billy Whittington Executive Producer – Michael Blanton, Terry Hemmings Featuring – The Nashville Festival Orchestra, Nashville String Machine Mastered By – Ron Lewter Producer – Michael W. Smith, Ronn Huff Producer [Orchestra & Choir] – Mark Laycock Recorded By [Orchestra] – Brent King
Recorded live at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA for Michael W. Smith’s 1985 Friends Tour featuring Gary Chapman, Amy Grant and Kathy Triccoli
Tracklist 0:00 – Intro 2:23 – I’m Up 5:32 – Restless Heart 10:13 – Nothin’ But The Blood 13:11 – Could He Be The Messiah 18:25 – Love In The Light 25:27 – A Way with Gary Chapman 29:54 – Wings Of The Wind 35:12 – Psalm 139 38:55 – Thy Word 41:57 – Friends with Amy Grant 45:58 – Find A Way with Amy Grant and Gary Chapman 50:21 – I Know 55:09 – Musical Instruments 57:33 – Sonata in D Major 58:09 – Emmanuel 1:01:50 – Be Strong And Courageous 1:05:30 – You Need A Saviour 1:10:29 – The Race Is On
Credits Cameraman – Danny Ross, Larry Boothby, Mark Sedgwick, Mark Van Loon, Peter Petro, Ron Kirk Coordinator [Production] – Debbie Pfaelzer Crew [Driver] – Dan Dalton, David Alvey, Dennis Mallatt, Glenn Morris Crew [Maintenance] – Kevin Ossenfort Crew [Production Assistant] – Denise Smith Crew [Road Manager] – Jeff Durham Directed By [Technical Director] – Joe Askins Directed By [Tour Director] – Malcom Greenwood Engineer [Audio Assistant] – Michael Figlio, Jr., Mike Copeland Engineer [In-Charge] – Mike Arnold Engineer [Remote], Crew [Remote Supervisor] – Dan Crouch Engineer [Videotape] – Elaine Eliah, Gary Conn, Mike Copeland Executive-Producer – Dan Harrell, Kitty Moon, Michael Blanton Film Director – Marc W. Ball Film Director [Assistant] – Ralph Walker, Jr. Film Editor – Joe Askins, Larry Boothby, Ralph Walker, Jr., Terry Dull Film Producer – Kitty Moon Grip – Melissa Tolle, Melvin Glaize, Michael Moore Grip [Key] – Steve Beeson Lighting – Eric Shafferman, Ken Rumgay Management – Blanton/Harrell, Inc., Dan Harrell, Michael Blanton Mixed By [Monitor] – Stan Horne Mixed By [Tour Sound Mix] – Bob Weibel Performer – Chris Harris, Chris Rodrigues, David Huff, Ed Smartt, Mark Heimerman, Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick Production Manager [Assistant] – Nyle Wood Production Manager, Stage Manager – James Taylor Recorded By, Mixed By – Nick Palladino Technician [Instrument] – Chris Boland
I have to admit yet again that I was not a Michael W. Smith in the 80’s. But this album is a fantastic early 80’s keyboard oriented pop album. But that’s actually the problem with this album, It’s a great 80’s album but it came out in 1992. This is an ongoing problem with Michael as he did some really good stuff but he always seemed to be 5 years behind. But the good news is that I didn’t really care for 90’s music so I get to enjoy this album just as it is. As per normal the album was great success on the CCM charts with 2 top 10 singles, “Give It Away” made it to #1 and “I Will Be Here For You” to #2.
Tracklist 1 – Picture Perfect – 4:06 2 – Love One Another – 4:51 3 – I Will Be Here For You – 4:32 4 – Color Blind – 5:37 5 – Somewhere Somehow – 4:17 6 – Cross Of Gold – 4:32 7 – Out Of This World – 4:23 8 – Somebody Love Me – 4:19 9 – Give It Away – 5:04 10 – I Wanna Tell The World – 4:26 11 – Friends – 4:39
Credits Arranged By [Horns] – Chris McDonald, Jerry Hey Arranged By [Strings], Conductor – Ronn Huff Art Direction – Janet Wolsborn Backing Vocals – Angelo & Veronica Choir – Christ Church Choir, Music City Mass Choir Concertmaster, Contractor – Carl Gorodetzky Creative Director – Robin Sloane Directed By – Landy & Joy Gardner, Reverend Lawrence Thomison Executive Producer – Michael Blanton Management – Blanton/Harrell, Inc. Mixed By – Humberto Gatica Mixed By [Assisted] – Alejandro Rodriguez Photography By – Timothy White Producer – Mark Heimermann, Michael W. Smith Recorded By [Horns] – Humberto Gatica Recorded By [Strings] – Brent King Strings – The Nashville String Machine
This was Michael’s “crossover” album. Man I hate that term but unfortunately it is appropriate for this album as it actually had very solid mainstream success. The single “Place in This World” peaked at #6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. What actually makes this even more impressive is that it did it on a Christian label. Often when a Christian artists had success on the mainstream charts it’s partially because a secular label co-released the album, but not this time, Michael earned the ranking fair and square. As for the album it’s probably some of his best work and while a little over produced it’s a solid album with several very good tracks. Personally I think the title track is the single but it would not have done as well on radio.
Tracklist 1 – Go West Young Man – 4:00 2 – Love Crusade – 4:23 3 – Place In This World – 4:01 4 – For You – 4:08 5 – How Long Will Be Too Long – 4:35 6 – Seed To Sow – 6:13 7 – Cross My Heart – 4:35 8 – Emily – 4:17 9 – Agnus Dei – 5:08 10 – 1990~ – 1:39
Credits A&R – Don Donahue, Richard Headen Arranged By [Choral Arrangement For The African Children’s Choir] – Michael W. Smith Arranged By [Choral Arrangement For The American Boychoir] – Ronn Huff Arranged By [Horn Arrangements] – Chris McDonald Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings Conducted By] – Ronn Huff Art Direction – Buddy Jackson, Deb Rhodes Artwork By [Styling] – Mary Jane Starke Choir [The African Children’s Choir] – “Moses” Benjamin Walusimbi, Alex Ndahura, Alpha Bugembe, Angelina Tushemereirwe, Barbara Kayaga, Bernett Kwesigomo, Edward Kizito, Eliphaz Isiko, Faruk Luyinda, Harriett Nalugo, Hope Namatovu, Isack Kalule, Israel Musoke, Jackie Nayiga, James Ndyanabo, Jane Babirye, Joseph Serwada, Josephine Nakato, Margaret Ndagire, Monika Muyodi, Niima Asiimwe, Rebecca Namuju, Sarah Nakayiza, Timothy Kabogere Choir [The American Boychoir] – Aaron Cassidy, Benjamin Eley, Cameron Kruger, Charles Evans, Christopher Korenjak, David Listenberger, Evan Burris, Evan Weber, Kenneth Votapka, Lance Wiliford, Mitch Beeler, Nathan Wadley, Richard Lee, Scott Couper Co-producer – Bryan Lenox Concertmaster, Contractor – Carl Gorodetzky Conductor [The African Children’s Choir Director] – Gertrude Kafeero Conductor [The American Boychoir] – James H. Litton Design – B. Middleworth Edited By – Nick Palladino Engineer [Additional Engineering By] – Dave Murphy, Don Martin, Pasquale DelVillagio, Pat Hutchinson, Patrick Kelly Engineer [Engineered By] – Bill Deaton, Billy Whittington, Brent King, Bret Teegarden, Bryan Lenox Executive-Producer [Executive Producers] – Michael Blanton, Terry Hemmings Featuring – The African Children’s Choir, The American Boychoir, The Nashville String Machine Management [Exclusive Management And Direction] – Blanton \ Harrell, Inc. Mastered By – Stephen Marcussen Mixed By – Humberto Gatica Mixed By [Assisted By] – Alejandro Rodriguez, David Parker Other [MWS Personal Assistant] – Elizabeth Leighton Jones Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer [MWS Vocals Produced By] – Wayne Kirkpatrick Producer [Produced By] – Michael W. Smith Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Bryan Lenox, MWS, Mike Lawler, Tommy Sims, Trace Scarborough Recorded By [Strings] – Brett King Recorded By [The American Boychoir] – Rick Rowe Soloist – Nathan Wadley
Recorded at The Civic Theatre, Des Moines, Iowa and The Civic Center Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia here’s probably Micheal W. Smiths best album. That said I always love live albums and Michael definitely turned it up a notch when appearing live. I don’t really care for his albums as they are a little too mellow for me but this album I have been listening to.
Tracklist 1 – Nothin’ But The Blood – 3:38 2 – Lamu – 8:27 3 – You’re Alright – 4:39 4 – Could He Be The Messiah – 5:02 5 – Rocketown – 6:13 6 – Emily – 3:45 7 – I Know – 4:23 8 – Friends – 3:59 9 – Old Enough To Know – 5:57 10 – Pursuit Of The Dream – 6:01 11 – Be Strong And Courageous – 4:15 12 – You Need A Savior – 6:24
Credits Art Direction, Design – Heather Brown Artwork By [Cover Painting] – Robert Meecham Bass – Chris Harris Drums – David Huff Edited By [Audio Sweetening] – Blaine Stewart Engineer [Claire House] – Bob Weibel Engineer [Monitor] – Keith Carroll Executive Producer – Dan Harrell, Jeff Moseley, Michael Blanton Guitar – Chris Rodriguez, Wayne Kirkpatrick Keyboards – Mark Heimermann, Michael W. Smith Mastered By – Glenn Meadows Photography – Tim Campbell Producer – Michael W. Smith Production Manager, Engineer [House Sound], Engineer – Chris Taylor Recorded By [Location Audio Reel Sound Recorders], Engineer [Additional Audio Engineered By] – Malcolm Harper
Companies, etc. Manufactured By – BMG Music Distributed By – BMG Music
This is the follow up album to Michael’s very successful first album. He picks right up where the first album left off and had 2 top 10 CCM chart singles. “Hosanna” climbed to #2 and “I Am Sure” made it to #8. Strangely only one of the songs on this album were written by his wife Debbie who cowrote most of the songs on his first album. Instead Mike Hudson, Gary Chapman, and Amy Grant stepped in to do most of the cowriting. Personally I think his wife’s writing was better but hey, what do I know. Anyway the album follows his pattern of keyboard oriented easy listening pop tunes very similar to his first album. Smith also received the Grammy Award for Best Male Gospel Performance for 1985 based on this album. Sometimes this one gets overlooked by CCM fans of the 80’s so if you missed it be sure to give it a listen now.
Tracklist 1 – A Way – 3:50 2 – I Am Sure – 4:42 3 – End Of The Book – 4:08 4 – I’m Up – 3:11 5 – Glorious Grace – 3:26 6 – Musical Instruments – 1:05 7 – Restless Heart – 4:59 8 – All I Needed To Say – 4:21 9 – Wings Of The Wind – 4:14 10 – Hosanna – 2:30
Credits Jim Baird – Additional Engineer Brown Bannister – Vocal Production Michael Blanton – Executive Producer Mike Brignardello – Bass, Mini Moog Lenny Castro – Percussion Gary Chapman – Songwriter, Background Vocals Don Cobb – Additional Engineer Jackie Cusic – Background Vocals Ron Downey – Background Vocals Dave Durham – Background Vocals Teresa Ellis – Background Vocals Bridgette Evans – Background Vocals Steve Ford – Additional Engineer Amy Grant – Songwriter, Background Vocals Mark Hammond – Simmons Drums, Roland Drum Machine Dan Harrell – Executive Producer Chris Harris – Background Vocals Jan Harris – Background Vocals Mike Hudson – Songwriter Dann Huff – Guitars Shane Keister – Synthesizers, Vocoder, Piano, Background Vocals Paul Leim – Drums, Linn Drums Tim Marsh – Songwriter Stephen McAlister – Additional Engineer Gary Pigg – Background Vocals Mike Psanos – Additional Engineer Jack Joseph Puig – Engineer, Mixed Leland Sklar – Bass Deborah D. Smith – Songwriter Kimberly Smith – Background Vocals Michael W. Smith – Producer, Songwriter, Synthesizers, Vocoder, Piano, Vocals Dave Thornton – Background Vocals
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Reunion Records Copyright (c) – Reunion Records Manufactured By – Uni Distribution Corp. Distributed By – Uni Distribution Corp. Glass Mastered At – DADC Pressed By – Digital Audio Disc Corp.
It has been said here and elsewhere (and quite often) that a CCM album’s depth, quality and creativity will be inversely proportionate to its sales success. Meaning; the better the album the fewer the people that will purchase it. This appears to remain true even for CCM’s golden boy and most popular and prolific male artist, Michael W Smith. The Big Picture, Smith’s artistic triumph remains his weakest selling album and the only album in his career not to reach even gold status. After a strong debut and the utterly forgettable argyle sock of a sophomore release (aptly titled “2”), Smith grabbed the CCM world by the throat with an album that was sonically, creatively and musically miles ahead of the rest of the Nashville pablum for the time. From the dark purple and gold hues of the artwork to the tasteful technological advances and superior production, the Big Picture is great from start to finish. What keeps the album from falling off the tracks in a travesty of technological traps is that the songs themselves are very organic and real. Taking themes from the culture and wrapping them in modern sounds with a clear and poignant response to the baggage those theme bring along makes the album the one worthy release from Smith in the Top 100. Producer John Potoker had worked with Brian Eno, Madonna and a host of others and had a huge influence on the musical direction and big production sound. Many will obviously find the music and production technique dated, but one of this lists presuppositions was to judge albums based on the time they were recorded and what was happening musically. And for that, this album is the most “current” album of Smith’s career. He would record about 10 more albums in a row that are completely indistinguishable from one another. But the strength here lies not in the production (or over-production) but in the strength of a songwriter album to have his songs outlast even the dated production technique.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Lamu – 5:55 2 – Wired For Sound – 6:00 3 – Old Enough To Know – 4:47 4 – Pursuit Of The Dream – 5:00 5 – Rocketown – 4:32 6 – Voices – 5:50 7 – The Last Letter – 4:37 8 – Goin’ Thru The Motions – 4:55 9 – Tearin’ Down The Wall – 3:35 10 – You’re Alright – 4:36
Credits Artwork By [Art Direction And Design] – Kent Hunter, Thomas Ryan Design Backing Vocals – Chris Harris, Wayne Kirkpatrick Bass, Chapman Stick – Tony Levin Bass, Drum Programming – Gary Lunn Drum Programming – Frank Doyle, Tokes, Mark Kovac Drums – Steve Ferrone Drums, Drum Programming – David Huff Engineer [Additional] – Bill Heath, Bob Vogt, Clark Schleicher, Ed Goodreau, JB, Jeffrey Dovner, Jon Goldberger, Keith Odle, Ken Criblez, Mike Clute, Nick Deire, Rob Feaster, Spencer Chrislu, Tim Hatfield, Tony Volante Executive-Producer – Brown Bannister, Dan Harrell, Michael Blanton Guitar – Dann Huff, Eddie Martinez, Nick Moroch Guitar, Backing Vocals – Chris Rodrigues Horns – Jim Pugh, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker Keyboards, Drum Programming, Backing Vocals – Michael W. Smith Keyboards, Programmed By [Fairlight], Drum Programming – Shane Keister Mastered By – Ted Jensen Other [Child] – Christopher Copeland Other [Grooming] – Jody Morlock, Julie Miller Overstreet Other [Production Coordinator] – Kimberly Smith Other [Styling] – Beverly Ann Moore Percussion – Bashiri Johnson Photography By – Dean Dixon, Larry Williams Producer – John Potoker, Michael W. Smith Programmed By [Synclavier] – Steve Schaffer
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Reunion Records – 1986 Copyright (c) – Reunion Records – 1986 Manufactured By – Word, Inc. Distributed By – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Power Station Recorded At – Mediasound Recorded At – Sigma Sound Studios, New York Recorded At – Soundtrack Studios Recorded At – Bullet Recording Recorded At – The Bennett House Recorded At – Emerald Sound Studios Recorded At – The Castle Recording Studios Recorded At – Blue Jay Studios Mixed At – Blue Jay Studios Mastered At – Sterling Sound
Michael W. Smith is back with his 5th album and wow what an album it was. Full disclaimer, I do not like AOR BUT even I think this is a fantastic album. It sold Platinum and was #1 on the Top Contemporary Christian charts. It actually had 7 top 10 singles including 2 #1’s and 2 #2’s. Here is all of them;
Pray For Me #1 The Throne #1 On The Other Side #2 Hand Of Providence #2 I Miss The Way #4 Live And Learn #7 I Hear Leesha #7
This album had a much younger feel than earlier albums but it was approaching the end of the 80’s and that was acceptable at this point in Christian AOR music. I’m not really going to get too deep into the album as I am guessing most of you either had it or listened to it. If not I do suggest you take the time to listen to it. Reading through the credits I noticed Dann Huff (White Heart) played guitar and here’s the real surprise, Michael Sweet & Oz Fox did some background vocals. I’m not really too sure what track they appeared on but I was pretty surprised to find them here.
Tracklist 1 – Hand Of Providence – 4:33 2 – Secret Ambition – 6:26 3 – On The Other Side – 3:40 4 – All You’re Missin’ Is A Heartache – 5:39 5 – I Miss The Way – 4:35 6 – Live And Learn – 6:17 7 – I Hear Leesha – 5:26 8 – Help You Find Your Way – 5:28 9 – Ashton – 3:17 10 – The Throne – 6:49 11 – Pray For Me – 3:52
Credits Michael W. Smith – keyboards, lead vocals, background vocals (2, 3, 6, 7, 10), horn arrangement (6), drum programming (9) Dann Huff – guitars (1–8) Chris Rodriguez – guitars (1, 3, 5, 6, 8), background vocals (4, 6, 8, 11) Jerry McPherson – guitars (2, 4, 9, 10), acoustic guitar (7) Billy Sprague – acoustic guitar (11) Tom Hemby – guitars (6, 8, 10, 11), bass guitar (9, 11) Mike Brignardello – bass guitar (1–5, 7, 8) Tommy Sims – bass guitar (6) Gary Lunn – bass guitar (10) Paul Leim – drums (1–4, 6, 7, 8, 10) Terry McMillan – percussion (1, 3, 5, 7, 8), harmonica (1) Mark Hammond – drum programming (11) Ronn Huff – string arrangements (5) Mark O’Connor – fiddles and mandolins (9) Wayne Kirkpatrick – background vocals (1–8, 10), acoustic guitar (3), drum programming (9) Chris Harris – background vocals (1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10), recitation (6) Mark Heimmerman – background vocals (2, 5) Billy Simon – background vocals (4) Michael Sweet – background vocals (4) Oz Fox – background vocals (4)
Companies, etc. Distributed By – MCA Distributing Corporation Copyright (c) – Reunion Records, Inc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Reunion Records, Inc. Recorded At – The Bennett House Recorded At – Deer Valley Studio, Franklin, TN Recorded At – The Castle Recording Studios Recorded At – OmniSound Studios Recorded At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound Mixed At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound Mixed At – Masterfonics Mastered At – Mastermix Published By – O’Ryan Music, Inc. Published By – Emily Boothe, Inc. Published By – Riverstone Music, Inc. Published By – Whitney Katherine Music, Inc.
This is a fascinating sampler album (CD). It came out on Arrival Records, which is a Sublabel of K-Tel International. I had no idea until I found this album that K-Tel had distributed Christian albums. Even more of a surprise for me is that there were several of these albums. The quality of the CD is horrible, but I’ve cleaned up the recordings as best I could. K-Tel’s vinyl releases were well known for their horrible quality which was a result of cheap vinyl and cheap pressing. This album was released on CD so there was no need for the poor quality. I’ve always suspected that the licensing agreements for these songs included a stipulation that the quality be horrible in hopes people would buy the original album.
Include below is the info on which album the songs were released on
Tracklist
1 – Michael W. Smith – You’re Alright – 4:39 – The Big Picture
2 – Petra – Back To The Street – 4:17 – Back To The Street
3 – Leslie Phillips – Love Is Not Lost – 4:03 – Black And White In A Grey World
4 – White Heart – The Beat Of A Different Drum – 4:17 – Don’t Wait For The Movie
5 – David Meece – All Is God’s Creation – 3:48 – Candle In The Rain
6 – Kim Boyce – Love Resurrection – 4:11 – Kim Boyce
7 – Randy Stonehill – Defender – 3:02 – The Wild Frontier
8 – Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart – Crack The Sky – 3:59 – Crack The Sky
9 – Rick Cua – This Raging Fire – 3:53 – Wear Your Colors
10 – Steve Camp – Cheap Grace – 5:11 – One On One
11 – David & The Giants – Cold Lonely Nights – 3:37 – Magnificat
12 – Margaret Becker – Fight For God – 4:06 – Never For Nothing
Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – K-Tel International (USA), Inc.
Distributed By – K-Tel International (USA), Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – K-Tel International (USA), Inc.
The MWS Project introduced us to Michael W Smith, a fresh young musician with stellar keyboard, writing, and arranging skills and a knack for writing catchy worship riffs. The positive, ‘preppy rock’ sound hit most of the popular 80s pop rock notes. His soon-to-be-familiar signature styles get their beginnings here: keyboard-heavy arrangements with plenty of synth; full choirs for backing vocals; emotionally-charged ‘milestone’ lyrics; and the first of many anthem-like worship songs.
Indeed, The MWS Project covers some ground in terms of song types. MWS has always interested me in that he writes for a multitude of occasions and venues, not just moods or subjects. On his debut album we find music for rock concerts, worship services, and even weddings/funerals/graduations:
– high energy biblical storytelling in “Could He Be the Messiah?” and “Be Strong and Courageous” (which always reminds me of Van Halen’s “Jump”)
– high energy exhortations toward the pursuit of Christian living in “The Race Is On” (I saw this in concert, and thought he was going to leap off the stage, he had so much energy), “You Need A Savior” (this lyric warrants some further discussion, but that’s for another time), and “Love In The Light” (this one has stuck with me; every time I read or hear any part of 1 John 2:8-11, it starts playing in my head)
– instrumentals (“Sonata in D Major”, “Looking Up”, “First Light”, “Alpha Overture”)
– a contemplative piece (“Too Many Times”, one of my favourites)
…and of course, two songs firmly entrenched in the collective CCM unconsciousness: Friends, and Great Is The Lord.
One last thought: What was he going for with the original album design?? MWS is a self-professed sci-fi aficionado, so maybe it was meant as a nod to video games, and science fiction movies like Tron… The album was re-released in CD format in 1987 with an updated cover and photo.
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Track listing:
1 – Sonata in D Major – 1:13
2 – You Need A Savior – 3:34
3 – Could He Be the Messiah? – 4:28
4 – Too Many Times – 4:25
5 – Be Strong and Courageous – 3:42
6 – Looking Up – 3:23
7 – The Race is On – 3:41
8 – First Light/Love in the Light – 5:30
9 – Friends – 4:16
10 – Great Is The Lord – 2:52
11 – Alpha Overture – 3:40
Credits:
Music
Michael W. Smith – lead vocals, background vocals, acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, Yamaha GS2 synthesizer, Prophet-5 synthesizers
Shane Keister – OB-X synthesizer, Prophet-5 synthesizers, vocoder
Jon Goin – guitars
Mike Brignardello – bass guitar
Mark Hammond – drums, Roland TR-808 drum machine on “First Light”
Mike Psanos – percussion
Dennis Solee – saxophone
Gary Chapman – background vocals
Jackie Cusic – background vocals
Diana DeWitt – background vocals
David Durham – background vocals
Teresa Ellis – background vocals
Amy Grant – background vocals (“Friends”)
Pam Mark Hall – background vocals
Chris Harris – background vocals
Gary Pigg – background vocals
Kim Smith – background vocals
Production
Michael W. Smith – producer, assistant engineer
Michael Blanton and Dan Harrell – executive producers
Mike Psanos – recording engineer
Brown Bannister – assistant engineer
John Woods – assistant engineer
Jack Joseph Puig – remixing
Recorded at Tree International Studio (Nashville, Tennessee)
Hank Williams – mastering
Mastered at Woodland Sound Studio (Nashville, Tennessee)
Bill Brunt – art direction
Tim Campbell – photography
