Martin Smith (English musician)

Martin Smith

Martin Smith performs in concert
Background information
Birth name Martin Smith
Born (1970-07-06) 6 July 1970
Origin Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom
Genres Christian rock, alternative rock, acoustic music
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter, producer
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Years active 1992–present
Labels Furious?, Survivor, Sparrow, Virgin
Associated acts Delirious?
Website martinsmith.tv

Martin James Smith (born 6 July 1970) is an English vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer. Smith was the front man of the Christian rock and worship band Delirious?. When Delirious? disbanded in 2009, Smith became a solo artist.

Career

Before becoming a full-time musician, Smith was a sound engineer at ICC studios in Eastbourne.

Along with Stewart Smith (no relation) and Tim Jupp, Smith formed The Cutting Edge in 1992.[1]

In 1995, Smith and his wife were involved in a near-fatal car accident, and during the weeks of his recovery, he decided to become a professional musician. This inspired him to write the song "August 30". In 1996, the band, now known as Delirious?, became a full-time endeavour. Smith's band, Delirious?, produced some of the most recognised songs in Christian music, including "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever", "History Maker", "My Glorious", "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?", "Shout to the North", "Deeper", "Majesty (Here I Am)", and "What a Friend I've Found". The band announced that they would take a break at the end of 2009 to focus on things close to them. Smith said that he wanted to spend time with his family and devote more time to the CompassionArt project.[2] Headed by Smith and his wife,[3] CompassionArt is an art and International development charity. It released a various artists album in January 2009, with Smith appearing on three tracks. Delirious? later confirmed that they were breaking up permanently after a final concert in November 2009.

In 2012 and 2013, Smith independently released four EPs, titled God's Great Dance Floor: Movements One through Four. Each EP contains new songs, written or co-written by Smith. The title track was co-written with Chris Tomlin, which uses samples from Lionel Richie's 1986 single "Dancing on the Ceiling".[4] In 2013 he released his first full albums God's Great Dance Floor Step 01 and God's Great Dance Floor Step 02, each containing the songs from the four EPs, plus new tracks.

Smith also collaborated with the other members of Delirious? on the 2007 book I Could Sing of Your Love Forever: Stories, Reflections and Devotions.[5] In 2011, he released his autobiography, Delirious: The Autobiography of Martin Smith.[6]

Personal life

Smith has been married to Anna since 1994. She is sister to Delirious?'s former bass player Jon Thatcher.[7] They have six children.[8]

Discography

As a solo artist
With Delirious?
With Delirious? and Amy Grant
With Delirious? and Hillsong
With Delirious? and André Valadão
With Stu Garrard
With Matt Redman
With Graham Kendrick
With Darlene Zschech
With Michael W. Smith
With Taylor Sorenson
With Jars of Clay
With Tim Hughes
With CompassionArt
With Israel Houghton
With Parachute Band
With Jesus Culture
With LZ7

References

  1. ↑ "Delirious.org.uk – About – Biography". delirious.org.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "The end of an era – press release". Delirious?. 6 July 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
  3. ↑ Tear Times, Tearfund, Spring 2010, p.30.
  4. ↑ Smith, Martin. "God's Great Dance Floor". Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  5. ↑ http://www.christianbook.com/could-love-forever-stories-reflections-devotions/delirious-/9780764214578/pd/214578?event=ESRCG
  6. ↑ http://www.christianbook.com/delirious-the-autobiography-of-martin-smith/martin-smith/9781434702371/pd/702370
  7. ↑ "Delirious.org.uk – FAQ – The Band". delirious.org.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  8. ↑ "The Real Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of Delirious? That Is". Christian Post. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
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